Climate Change and Forests

The global climate change problem has finally entered the world’s consciousness. While efforts to find a solution have increased momentum, international attention has focused primarily on the industrial and energy sectors. The forest, and land-use sector, however, remains one of the most significant untapped opportunities for carbon mitigation. The expiration of the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period in 2012 presents an opportunity for the international community to put this sector back on the agenda.

In this timely, wide-ranging volume, an international team of experts explain the links between climate change and forests, highlighting the potential utility of this sector within emerging climate policy frameworks and carbon markets. After framing forestry activities within the larger context of climate-change policy, the contributors analyze the operation and efficacy of market-based mechanisms for forest conservation and climate change. Drawing on experiences from around the world, the authors present concrete recommendations for policymakers, project developers, and market participants. They discuss sequestration rights in Chile, carbon offset programs in Australia and New Zealand, and emerging policy incentives at all levels of the U.S. government. The book also explores the different voluntary schemes for carbon crediting, provides an overview of best practices in carbon accounting, and presents tools for use in future sequestration and offset programs. It concludes with consideration of various incentive options for slowing deforestation and protecting the world’s remaining forests.

Climate Change and Forests provides a realistic view of the role that the forest and land-use sector can play in a post-Kyoto regime. It will serve as a practical reference manual for anyone concerned about climate policy, including the negotiators working to define a robust and enduring international framework for addressing climate change.

Charlotte Streck is a founding partner and director of Climate Focus B.V., a Rotterdam-based consultancy on the international carbon market. Previously she spent five years with the World Bank.

Robert O'Sullivan heads Climate Focus's North America office. He previously worked in the World Bank's Legal Department.

Toby Janson-Smith is senior director, Forest Carbon Markets, with Conservation International's Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB).

Richard Tarasofsky is deputy directorof the Environmental Law Section within the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Internation Trade.