What is REDD+ and How Does it Work?
If you are asked to list the consequences of deforestation right now, one of the first images that will probably cross your mind is global warming. That is undoubtedly correct, but have you ever wondered how one leads to the other?
The science behind this connection is simple. As with any other plant, trees consume carbon dioxide during the day and convert it into oxygen and carbohydrates through photosynthesis. The only difference is that trees have a special ability to store and build up carbon in their roots, branches, and trunks for long term growth, making them an ideal medium for carbon sequestration.
Not only that, studies have shown that approximately 50% of forest carbon is stored in soil and other forms of biomass like leaf litter, proving the significance of forests as a massive carbon sink.
What happens then when extensive forest clearing activities take place? Burning or chopping down trees releases carbon back into the atmosphere and naturally reduces the consumption of carbon dioxide, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. As a result, the remaining forest covers undergo degradation, which is defined as the diminished ability of the forest ecosystem to sustain, support, and provide services (i.e., biodiversity, habitat, etc.) and resources to nature and people.
Starting to see how the dots connect?
What is REDD+?
Recognising the need to control loss of forest and protect the ecosystem, a solution named REDD+ was formed by the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2008. REDD basically stands for “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation”, while the “+” sign indicates the co-benefits of executing the REDD programmes, such as protecting biodiversity and providing environment-friendly livelihood opportunities to the locals.
Simply put, REDD+ works by offering forest owners (which can be countries, communities, or individuals) incentives to slow down or stop deforestation activities and instead focus on reforestation and sustainable forest management efforts. The funds to run the programme, on the other hand, mostly come from developed countries racing to meet their Paris Agreement targets or the private sector looking to compensate their greenhouse gas emissions through carbon credits. A relatively low level of costs compared to other offsetting means, the natural appeal of the programme and the resulting co-benefits thus make REDD+ a popular choice among buyers in the global voluntary carbon market.
So, does it work?
On the surface, REDD+ may seem like a perfect, much-needed solution to tackle global warming, yet the reality is that this framework is not without its limitations.
Firstly, measuring and monitoring the deforestation rate with complete clarity is not possible, at least for now, due to technical boundaries. This leaves a question on the appropriateness of offsetting carbon emissions using REDD+ credits on the basis of preventing deforestation, since no one can be absolutely sure if a particular patch of forest will be cleared off.
Secondly, permanence, or the assurance of irreversible removal or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the core principles that determine the quality and integrity of carbon credits. In the case of REDD+, this can’t be guaranteed due to the extensive storage of carbon in living biomass that is always at risk of death or getting wiped away by natural disasters like floods, fires, and other forms of climate change effects.
Thirdly, the fairness of the REDD+ scheme has always been put under scrutiny due to its nature of helping developing countries reduce their carbon emissions while richer nations continue to emit more greenhouse gases. Moreover, the varying national capacities, policy systems, and economic directions of these regions may also pose challenges in implementing the solution locally as intended.
What Next?
Regardless of the flaws in the system, REDD+ can still be an impactful nature-based solution in the fight against climate change if it is improved (technically, at least) using the help of technology and well-informed carbon credits purchases, such as:
- Using artificial intelligence to accurately measure, monitor, analyse, and predict deforestation rates around the world. Check out this tool created by Microsoft with an algorithm from a Brazilian conservation non-profit organisation, Imazon, to learn how artificial intelligence can make a difference: PrevisIA
- Buy carbon credits based on REDD+ projects and other initiatives that guarantee the absolute offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions so you can get the best of both worlds (helping a good cause by protecting the forest and supporting the permanent removal of carbon through projects like direct air capture or carbon capture).
Now that you have read quite a bit about REDD+, head over to the comments section below and share your thoughts on this initiative as well as how it can be made to better serve the purpose of offsetting carbon.
Till then, this is the Forest Sage signing off. See you in the next blog!
