REDD+ could be 'fairy tales', says Global Forest Coalition, challenging ability of deforestation program, other market mechanisms to address causes of climate crisis; urges developing countries to reject it

Lorena Madrigal

Lorena Madrigal

DURBAN, South Africa , November 30, 2011 (press release) – At the inauguration of United Nations COP17, Global Forest Coalition has published a series of "Grimm REDD Fairy Tales" [1] to assist delegates in distinguishing truth from fiction regarding the controversial program of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+). Challenging the ability of REDD+ and other market mechanisms to address the underlying causes of the climate crisis, Global Forest Coalition charges that REDD+ could well be a collection of modern fairy tales - fabricated stories intended to lure the unwitting into a complex web of deception.

"It is very clear that the REDD Emperor has no clothes," said Simone Lovera, Director of Global Forest Coalition. "That's why we advise developing countries and local communities not bite the poisoned REDD apple"

REDD is intended to facilitate the transfer of significant amounts of climate finance from developed to developing countries, to protect the world's forests, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from those forests. But the program has raised widespread concern due to its failure to address issues of land tenure, Indigenous Peoples' rights, and the underlying drivers of deforestation, and its reliance on unstable carbon markets to provide financing.

A statement released on November 26 by the Indigenous Peoples' Biocultural Climate Change Assessment Initiative (IPCCA) [2] has alerted COP17 delegates to the devastating impacts that REDD+ projects are already having on Indigenous Peoples:

"REDD+ threatens the survival of Indigenous Peoples," the statement says. "We emphasize that the inherent risks and negative impacts cannot be addressed through safeguards or other remedial measures. We insist that all actors involved in REDD+ fully respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, in particular, the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) We caution, however, that adherence to the principle of FPIC is not a means to solve these negative impacts and this principle should not be used to justify REDD+."

Many governments are in favor of linking REDD+ to regulatory compliance carbon markets, by selling forest carbon credits from projects in developing countries as offsets. But, with serious doubt as to the ability of the UNFCCC to reach agreement on binding emissions reduction targets, it is clear that already faltering carbon markets will not provide any stable and equitable funding for REDD+.

Fiu Mataese Elisara of Samoa, one of the drafters of the IPCCA declaration, and chairperson of the Global Forest Coalition, said, "REDD+ is a neoliberal approach and a carbon market hypocrisy, driven by trade liberalization and privatization. It is a big lie and it needs to be exposed."

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

Share:

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.