Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD Plus) via the Copenhagen Accord - Summer

Advisor: Kathleen Callahan

This report examines the role of forest-based climate mitigation strategies within the framework of the Copenhagen Accord, the primary outcome of the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). Signed by more than 100 countries, the Accord recognizes the importance of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) as a key approach to limiting global temperature increases to below 2°C. The study explores the environmental science underlying REDD+ and its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with deforestation and land-use change.

Since the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases—particularly carbon dioxide—have risen significantly due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. Forest loss and degradation account for roughly 17 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making them one of the largest anthropogenic sources. REDD+ initiatives aim to mitigate these emissions by preserving forests, enhancing carbon stocks, and improving forest management practices. Tropical forests are a particular focus, as they account for the majority of global deforestation and forest-related emissions.

The report also highlights implementation challenges, including insufficient financing, limited institutional capacity in developing countries, and the lack of standardized international methodologies for measuring and verifying forest carbon stocks. Despite these obstacles, ongoing pilot projects demonstrate the potential for REDD+ to become an important mechanism for climate mitigation and sustainable forest management.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.