Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD)

Abstract

Emissions caused from deforestation and forest degradation are a major source of global anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG). Economic analysis suggests that reducing emissions from the forest sector offers a comparatively cost-effective opportunity to cut GHG, providing an incentive for forest-rich countries in the tropics to get “REDD-ready”. This chapter provides an overview of the REDD mechanism. First, we introduce what lies at the heart of this economic instrument: forest carbon pools. Subsequently, central REDD building blocks will be described, including policy and strategy considerations; measurement, reporting and verification (MRV); baseline construction; and benefit-sharing arrangements. Finally, multilateral actors as well as the voluntary carbon market will be introduced, demonstrating that REDD implementation is advancing on the ground.