scholarly journals Governing Ecosystem Carbon

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Boer
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Carbon Accounting ◽  
Climate Politics ◽  
Reform Agenda ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Managed Ecosystems

Governing carbon stored in natural and human-managed ecosystems is an emerging area in global climate politics. Many developed and developing countries are devising and implementing a range of reform programs that aim to reduce emissions and increase sequestration in the land use, land use change and forestry, and agricultural sectors. In developing countries, mitigation programs and projects on the ground have accelerated under the global program Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). The article applies a governmentality framework to analyze these policies and programs as forms of administrative, economic, and deliberative rationalities and associated technologies. What emerges in the analysis is that governing is conducted through common technologies including policy instruments and rules, stakeholder engagement processes, and the application of the same technical monitoring and carbon accounting methodologies. In the case of REDD+, there has been strong emphasis on the introduction of market and incentive approaches, but the major reforms have focused on government regulatory programs and building technical and administrative capacity. Importantly, this is allowing national and sub-national governments to extend their authority across all aspects of the reform agenda, which poses significant challenges for reducing forest loss in developing countries.

The biopolitics of carbon accounting in Indonesia’s forests

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry J Boer
Keyword(s):  
Global Climate ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Forest Carbon ◽  
Carbon Accounting ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Numeric Representation ◽  
Spatial Logics ◽  
Substantial Effort

Across developing countries substantial effort and resources have been dedicated to setting up systems for the measurement, recording and verification of greenhouse gas emissions in the forestry and land-use sectors – a key initiative of the global climate programme Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. This paper approaches these systems through the lens of conservation biopolitics, identifying the calculative processes and spatial logics that attempt to regulate the life and death of the forest. It uses an example of the Indonesian National Carbon Accounting System to explore how a biopolitical apparatus of constant data accumulation and presentation integrates an infinitely complex set of ecological processes across highly differentiated spatial landscapes, and organises these into governable carbon domains. The Indonesian National Carbon Accounting System provides a visual and numeric representation of the various policy and socio-economic processes that drive and limit carbon emissions, and identifies where this occurs in the landscape. By understanding these forest–carbon–human dynamics, programmes can be designed that change how populations access, use and potentially restore the life of the forest. For state and non-state interests alike, the System was viewed as a critical tool for both developing and evaluating the performance of multiple forest carbon initiatives. It also offers a surveillance apparatus to regulate the carbon market and to discipline the actions of various agents that utilise forests and land. Critically, the biopolitical utility of these systems have been undermined by waning commitment within Indonesia to overhaul forest governance towards carbon outcomes.

scholarly journals Economic Globalization Impacts on the Ecological Environment of Inland Developing Countries: A Case Study of Laos from the Perspective of the Land Use/Cover Change

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 3940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Lichun Sui ◽  
Xiaomei Yang ◽  
Zhihua Wang ◽  
Dazhuan Ge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Economic Globalization ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Matrix Analysis ◽  
Ecological Environment ◽  
Environment Change ◽  
Topographic Analysis

Economic globalization promotes the economic development of underdeveloped regions but also influences the ecological environments of these regions, such as natural forest degradation. For inland developing regions with underdeveloped traffic routes, are the effects on the ecological environment also as obvious? To reveal the response characteristics of the ecological environment of the inland developing countries to globalization, we took Laos as an example, and used the land use/cover change data and also its exports and imports data to analyze the ecological environment change since the millennium. Land use transfer matrix analysis showed that Laos had encountered a large conversion of 14.43% natural forest to plantation forest since 2000 to 2017, and also a degradation of 5.94% natural forest to shrubland and grassland. Landscape pattern analysis showed that these changes were the main reasons of the fragmentation of ecological patches, which would lead to a reduction in biodiversity. More, topographic analysis further showed that natural forest degradation mainly took place in high-altitude and large slope areas, which could increase the potential of natural hazards such as floods. Coupling analysis with its exports and imports data indicated that economic globalization still had a significant impact on the country’s ecological environment although Laos is an inland developing country. Laos should strengthen the regulation of renewable resources such as forests and water resources, to avoid losing the renewable resources market while still enjoying the dividends of economic globalization. At the same time, it is necessary to accurately evaluate the indirect impacts of development on neighboring countries to ensure sustainable development.

scholarly journals Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in Nepal: A Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banu Gauli ◽  
Suraj Upadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Forest Resource ◽  
Redd Plus ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
The Government ◽  
Available Information

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in developing countries is a mechanism that allows industrialized countries to offset their emissions by purchasing carbon credits from developing countries, which reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by avoiding such activities. The Government of Nepal is committed to REDD through reversing deforestation and forest degradation, conservation of existing forest and enhancing forest carbon stocks, while addressing livelihoods concerns at the same time since 2009 and now it has been flourished in the country along with concept of sustainable development of the forest resource of country. Nepal has undergone different stages during this process and has planned certain strategy for the future. The assemblages of the available information on REDD in Nepal is important to over view its holistic prospect, aspect and potentiality in the least developing country like Nepal which holds the greater possibility to be benefited from the REDD. Nepal is now in the process to prepare national REDD strategy by 2013 and there are different On Going REDD -Plus Piloting Initiatives in Nepal. Nepal has greater potentiality of being benefited from REDD though some policy related to it needed to be redefined and clarify. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/init.v5i0.10257  The Initiation 2013 Vol.5; 75-83

Safeguards, Standards, and the Science-Policy Interfaces of REDD+: Greening Land Use Through Forest-Based Mitigation in Costa Rica?

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Wallbott ◽  
G. Kristin Rosendal
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Mitigation Projects

This article looks at the evolving concept of “Green Economy” and its potential synergies and trade-offs with biodiversity governance and land use management. By analyzing the accelerating debate and institutionalization of forest-based mitigation projects that are inclined to market-based funding in developing countries through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+), this study aims to critically engage with the promises of a Green Economy that have been purported internationally. We empirically analyze the global development of REDD+ safeguards and standards with a special focus on the role of science–policy interfaces and monitoring, reporting, and verification. These outlines are projected to the exemplary case of Costa Rica, a front-runner in developing land use approaches with a strong reputation for conservation and sustainable forestry.

A Regime Paralyzed: An Exploration of Current Climate Politics and the Urgent Need for Reform

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna Owen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
International System ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Climate Politics ◽  
International Climate ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
To Come ◽  
Climate Crisis

The science on climate change is in: legitimate scientists have been unable to provide serious scientific evidence that casts doubt on the fact that anthropogenic, that is, human-caused climate change is occurring. Less clear are the speed of climate change and the extent of damages to environmental and human health if emissions from fossil fuels continue unabated. The most recent international conference on the environment, namely the 2013 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or Conference of the Parties (COP) 19, was characterized by bitter intergovernmental negotiations and non-committal by major emitters to watered-down agreements. COP 19 exemplifies the inadequacies inherent in the current international system, which render it incapable of effectively addressing climate change; in other words, the international community remains unable to come to an agreement or agreements that mitigate the effects of climate change now, while establishing adaptation mechanisms for the future as the effects of climate change become increasingly pronounced. The efficacy of the current regime is impeded not only by its singular, non-binding approach to emissions reduction, but also by the ability of a small number of major emitters’ ability to hinder agreements. In order to make rising to the challenge of the global climate crisis politically feasible, the international climate regime must abandon the current emissions cap approach and adopt an incremental approach to negotiations, crafting sector-specific agreements that aim to gradually reduce emissions in a viable and equitable manner.

Understanding India's Representation of North–South Climate Politics

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangrila Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Global South ◽  
Spatial Politics ◽  
Climate Politics ◽  
The North ◽  
North And South ◽  
First World ◽  
Differential Contribution ◽  
Insight Into

This paper examines India's role in perpetuating North-South imaginaries in global climate politics. A Global South perspective on climate politics is premised on the differential contribution of developed and developing countries towards climate change, differential adaptive capacities, and the overriding need of developing countries to focus on poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Meanwhile, the North-South binary has been extensively critiqued in the literature for the heterogeneity of each category, narrowing gaps between North and South, and the state-centrism implicit in such a categorization. Based on the understanding that the reproduction of the North-South frame in climate discourses is inherently political, I examine the politics behind their reproduction, rather than focus on the validity of these categories. Based on fieldwork in Delhi and Copenhagen, my paper provides insight into the spatial politics of climate policy negotiations. The categories North and South, developed and developing, or First World and Third World constitute powerful spatial imaginaries that strongly influence the negotiating positions of Indian officials in global climate politics, even as India's image as a developing country is increasingly questioned in light of its status as an emerging economy and major emitter. The self-identification of Indian officials with the imaginary of the Global South is a crucial feature of global climate politics.

Economic Instruments to Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions: REDD+

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawshan Ara Begum
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Forest Monitoring ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Economic Instruments ◽  
Reduce Emissions

Deforestation causes up to 10% of global anthropogenic carbon emissions. Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks can contribute to controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and limit global warming and climate change. However, global warming cannot be limited without decreasing the use of fossil fuel or emission-intensive energy sources. The forestry sector could contribute 7%–25% of global emissions reduction by 2020. Apart from emissions reduction and sink (mitigation), forests also provide cobenefits such as ecosystem services (providing food, timber, and medicinal herbs); biodiversity conservation; poverty reduction; and water quality, soil protection, and climate regulation. In 2005, the UNFCCC introduced a cost-effective mitigation strategy to reduce emissions from deforestation (RED) in developing countries. The UN’s initiative to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) aims to transform forest management in developing countries, where the majority of tropical forests are located, using finances from developed countries. REDD+ seeks to reward actors for maintaining or restoring forests, acting as an economic instrument by putting a monetary value on every tonne of CO2 that is prevented from entering the atmosphere. Implementation of REDD+ requires economic and policy instruments that can help to control GHG emissions by enhancing carbon sinks, reducing deforestation and forest degradation, and managing sustainable forests. Payment for environmental services offers opportunities for either cofinancing or economic valuation in regard to REDD+ implementation. The challenge is to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective instrument. REDD+ fulfills the current needs for economic instruments and incentives that can be implemented with existing land use and forestry policies to control global GHG emissions. However, REDD+ requires forest governance, law enforcement, clarification of land and resource rights, and forest monitoring to work in the long term. REDD+ payments can be made for results-based actions, and the UNFCCC has identified potential ways to pay for them, but challenges remain, such as clarifying financing or funding sources, distribution of funding and sharing of benefits or incentives, carbon rights, and so on. Different aspects pf the implementation, effectiveness, and scale of REDD+ and their interactions with economic, social, and environmental benefits are important for successful REDD+ implementation.

scholarly journals Framework for Accounting Reference Levels for REDD+ in Tropical Forests: Case Study from Xishuangbanna, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 416
Author(s):  
Guifang Liu ◽  
Yafei Feng ◽  
Menglin Xia ◽  
Heli Lu ◽  
Ruimin Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Reference Levels ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
High Spatial Resolution Image ◽  
Land Use Scenario ◽  
Reduce Emissions

The United Nations’ expanded program for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) aims to mobilize capital from developed countries in order to reduce emissions from these sources while enhancing the removal of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by forests. To achieve this goal, an agreement between the Parties on reference levels (RLs) is critical. RLs have profound implications for the effectiveness of the program, its cost efficiency, and the distribution of REDD+ financing among countries. In this paper, we introduce a methodological framework for setting RLs for REDD+ applications in tropical forests in Xishuangbanna, China, by coupling the Good Practice Guidance on Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and land use scenario modeling. We used two methods to verify the accuracy for the reliability of land classification. Firstly the accuracy reached 84.43%, 85.35%, and 82.68% in 1990, 2000, and 2010, respectively, based on high spatial resolution image by building a hybrid matrix. Then especially, the 2010 Globeland30 data was used as the standard to verify the forest land accuracy and the extraction accuracy reached 86.92% and 83.66% for area and location, respectively. Based on the historical land use maps, we identified that rubber plantations are the main contributor to forest loss in the region. Furthermore, in the business-as-usual scenario for the RLs, Xishuangbanna will lose 158,535 ha (158,535 × 104 m2) of forest area in next 20 years, resulting in approximately 0.23 million t (0.23 × 109 kg) CO2e emissions per year. Our framework can potentially increase the effectiveness of the REDD+ program in Xishuangbanna by accounting for a wider range of forest-controlled GHGs.

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