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22 Working group session summariesSummary reportForestry and terrestrialcarbonRobust mechanisms to achieve meaningful reductions in emissionsfrom deforestation and land use must be included in a global climatedeal.Stabilizing CO2 concentrations at 450 ppmv requires areduction in global emissions by 17GT by 2020 from thebusiness-as-usual scenario. A vital contribution to thisreduction could come from the forestry sector and landuse change – up to 50% of total carbon reduction. However,‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forestDegradation’ (REDD) has not been prioritized in previousglobal climate negotiations, or in the Kyoto Protocol.The impacts of deforestation are two-fold: firstly, carbonis transferred from the living components of the planetto the atmosphere, and secondly, this transfer causes adisruption in the role of forests as carbon sinks.“Forestry and a pathway to terrestrialcarbon has to be included in COP15. Itcan’t be optional.”Rob Morrison, Chairman, CLSA Asia-Pacific MarketsCarbon markets can go some way towards providing thenecessary financing, through putting a price on forestcarbon. However, the carbon market will not be the solesolution, so other forms of innovative financing solutionsneed to be considered. Effective monitoring systems alsoneed to be put in place. A global coordination institution(possibly formed from an overlay of existing institutions)could also act as the focus point and lead driver of globalefforts. Active consideration of the welfare of local residentswhose livelihoods depend on forests will help buildsupport at a local level.This working group was developed and organized bythe Copenhagen Climate Council. For more information,please go to www.copenhagenclimatecouncil.com orwrite to us at ccc@copenhagenclimatecouncil.com.The paradigm shift to a focus on tackling climatechange through sustainable management of terrestrialcarbon is reflected in the recently-released draft ofthe post-2012 negotiation text under the UNFCCC. Keyprinciples of effective management include supportingsustainable development in both forest-rich andforest-poor countries, and supporting governments toestablish property rights and preserve human rights ofindigenous people living in affected areas, while recognizingthe importance of investments.There are many actors and players in the landscape ofland use management, including governments, agriculturalsectors, the forestry sector, and local residents.Although REDD has moved to the centre of negotiations,developing countries are still hesitant to form anyagreements. The incentives for developing countriesneed to be credible and reflect a market for ecosystemservices which includes REDD. This is especially importantfor countries that rely on agricultural crops (e.g.palm oil, sugar cane) and timber which contributes todeforestation, through incentivizing sustainable managementof land use. The rise of biofuel as an energysource also contributes to increased production of cropssuch as sugar cane.Recommendations to policymakers• Robust mechanisms to achieve meaningfulreductions in emissions from deforestationand land use must be included in a globalclimate deal. Terrestrial carbon should beincluded as a core dimension to addressingclimate change.• Global leaders need to create a new institutionor strengthen existing institutions tolead and enable coordinated efforts acrosscountries. This would include supportingpublic-private partnerships and financingmechanisms in exchange for environmentalservice.• Transparent and effective Measurement, Reportingand Verification (MRV) is essential forforestry credits and their distribution.