Really, how REDDy are the rainforest nations for REDD?

How ready are the rainforest nations to deliver formal REDD (Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation) carbon projects? The Carbon Planet REDDiness index ranks the top 30 countries in terms of their capability to deliver REDD projects.
 
Dec. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- When you think of countries that are most ready to take advantage of the growing move towards using so-called 'REDD', Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Degradation*, Brazil and Indonesia spring to mind.  But in a shock result Brazil's REDDiness, as calculated by global carbon management Company, Carbon Planet, is down at position 21.

This week the world's leaders meet in Copenhagen at the UNFCCC COP 15 to formalise an international policy to stop deforestation of the world's tropical rainforests with a mechanism referred to as reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD). But how ready are the rainforest nations to deliver formal projects for a carbon markets mechanism? The Carbon Planet REDDiness index ranks the top 30 countries in terms of their capability to deliver REDD projects.

Whilst Brazil tops the list in terms of absolute rates of deforestation, at this stage of proceedings other less likely suspects such as Indonesia, Tanzania, Mexico, Venezuela and PNG are better prepared to deliver REDD projects.

The Carbon Planet REDDiness index demonstrates that the rate of deforestation is only one part of the equation when it comes to being REDDy for REDD. Other factors such as national government policy, planning and support systems as well as political stability are of equal and perhaps greater importance when it comes to being ready to deliver REDD projects for the international carbon markets.

"It's not enough to have a lot of forests," explains Dave Sag, co-founder and director of Carbon Planet, "forest nations need the frameworks in place to support REDD projects.  It's clear that membership of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility is a benefit to REDD projects."

The Carbon Planet REDDiness index combines empirical information regarding absolute rates of deforestation in relation to global deforestation, with information from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Country Risk as well as information from the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (which provides financial and technical support to countries to help them prepare for formal REDD projects).

Thus the Carbon Planet REDDiness Index is able to provide a holistic picture of each country's relative preparedness to deliver secure, formal carbon markets ready REDD projects.

The white paper including the Carbon Planet REDDiness index, and an explanation of the calculations and methodology is available free to download at http://www.carbonplanet.com/white_papers (registration is required).

Deforestation accounts for 18% of all carbon emissions. Approximately 96% of the emissions from deforestation are caused by the developing nations of the tropics.

"Knowing which countries are most prepared for REDD projects is the key to protecting as much forest as quickly as possible," said Sag whose company is in the final stages of development of a comprehensive methodology for generating Improved Forestry Management projects to the VCS's exacting standards.

According to the Stern Review (2006), and the Eliasch Review (2008) REDD represents humanity's most cost effective, and best chance of mitigating climate change.

About Carbon Planet
A global full-spectrum carbon management company, Carbon Planet brings together scientific expertise, industry experience and business insights to deliver an integrated suite of carbon management services including greenhouse gas emissions assessment, carbon markets project development and carbon products commercialisation services.

Download the Carbon Planet REDDiness Index at no charge at http://www.carbonplanet.com/white_papers

*In this context REDD can include all types of Avoided Deforestation projects including IFM (Improved Forestry Management) projects.

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A global full-spectrum carbon management company, Carbon Planet brings together scientific expertise, industry experience and business insights to deliver an integrated suite of carbon management services including greenhouse gas emissions assessment, carbon markets project development and carbon products commercialisation services.
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Page Updated Last on: Dec 05, 2009
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