Elias, Patricia --- "Rediscovering ambition, implementation and operationalization" [2016] ELECD 623; in Voigt, Christina (ed), "Research Handbook on REDD-Plus and International Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016) 391

Book Title: Research Handbook on REDD-Plus and International Law

Editor(s): Voigt, Christina

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781783478309

Section: Chapter 14

Section Title: Rediscovering ambition, implementation and operationalization

Author(s): Elias, Patricia

Number of pages: 17

Abstract/Description:

In this chapter I will explore the rationale behind breaking the barriers to increasing REDD+ ambition and the need for, but challenges of, flexible operationalization and implementation of this emissions reductions and forests conservation mechanism. Historically, destruction of tropical forests through deforestation and forest degradation causes the emissions of 5.3 Gt of CO2eq annually. The most common activities associated with deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics are those that are driven by the global commodity trade, most notably for palm oil, soy, beef and wood products. However, REDD+ provides a durable and widely applicable vision for shifting towards a green economy in which these commodities are still produced, but their production is decoupled from deforestation and degradation. In many ways, the global nature of the drivers of deforestation and degradation present a financial challenge to REDD+ ambition. Another challenge to increasing ambition is the dependence of REDD+ on action by developing countries as well as financing from developed countries. This means that ambition by all actors is necessary to fully achieve the emissions reductions potential of REDD+, and in essence ties the success of REDD+ to a global commitment to address climate change. Although it is still a relatively new concept, and there are numerous challenges to generating ambition, recent successes in REDD+ provide the promise that ambition can be rekindled.