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Exploring demand side incentives for sustainable palm oil in Asia
Global palm oil production has more than doubled in the last decade. Whilst expansion has in some cases contributed to economic growth and poverty reduction in poorer countries, the loss and degradation of tropical forests and peatlands, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on ecosysten services is often a by-product.
Demand for palm oil is only set to increase worldwide. To capitalise on this demand Indonesia plans to raise its palm oil production to 40 million tonnes a year by 2020. A number of 'supply side' measures are being taken to address the threats of palm oil expansion into Indonesia's tropical rainforests - these include a moratorium on new concessions in primary forests and peatlands, the implementation of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) system and certification to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
To be effective 'supply side' measures need concurrent 'demand side' incentives to ensure market uptake of sustainable palm oil and achieve systemic change across the whole sector. For example, differentiated tariffs could be implemented to favour sustainability over business-as-usual palm oil. To initiate a dialogue and increase understanding of the potential opportunities and challenges surrounding 'demand side' incentives for sustainable palm oil the Global Canopy Programme (GCP), together with the United Nations Office for REDD+ Coordination (UNORCID) held a regional workshop in Feb 2014.
Click here to download a copy of the event report.
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Stark warning from the private sector about waning interest in REDD+
GCP, UNEP FI, FFI and IPAM recently produced a report titled 'Stimulating demand for REDD+ emissions: The need for a strategic intervention 2015 - 2020' which highlighted the extent of the challenge which REDD+ faces in stimulating demand for forest and land use emission reductions, with the report estimating that supply between 2015 and 2020 is up to 39 times larger than demand.
Only last week however, two leading private sector trade assocoations - the Climate Markets and Investment Association (CMIA) and the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) announced on behalf of its members that the private sector does not have the confidence to invest in REDD+ at scale whether financially or through implementation support. Given the lack of progress the private sector are becoming ever more disenfranchised with REDD+ and if anything are scaling back not scaling up their activities in this area. Click here to read the full announcement.
At a time when the IPCC's WG II is due to deliver its feedback as to the expected regional impacts of climate change and following on from the WG 1 results which identified greenhouse gases from the forests and land use sector as being the second largest contributor to climate change, the global community should be looking at solutions to initiate greater action, not less.
As recognised in the 'Stimulating demand for REDD+ emissions' report, urgent incentives need to be put into place in combination with clear and transparent policy signals to encourage REDD+ investment to flow. Without such actions being deployed then countries run the risk of limiting investment in REDD+ to developed governments - which is not sufficient to limit the harmful greenhouse gas emissions which result from the deforestation and degradation of lands.
Click here to download a copy of the full report.
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Latest update from the REDD desk
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a pioneer at the global level in the use of market mechanisms to reduce deforestation. Its Payment for Ecosystem Services Programme (PPSA) pays private owners of forests to conserve them or allow forest to regenerate in return for the ecosystems they produce. From 1997 - 2010 PPSA protected 710,000 hectares. To find out more about Costa Rica's REDD+ programme click here.
Bolivia
Bolivia has been a staunch opponent of REDD+ since 2010. In 2012, Bolivia announced its alternative to REDD+, the Joint Mitigation and Adaptation Mechanism for Holistic and Sustainable Forest Management (MCMA). To read more about Bolivia click here.
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Contact us
www.globalcanopy.org
 @GlobalCanopy
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Events
First Globe UK Natural Capital Legislation Conference
Tues 1 April 2014, London, UK
GCP's Executive Director, Andrew Mitchell will be presenting at this conference on behalf of the Natural Capital Declaration. The conference will bring together legislators, experts, policy makers, and business leaders in developing methods for measuring and accounting for change in natural capital assets to explore the key issues, risks and opportunities associated with natural capital accounting in the UK.
To attend this conference email secretariat@appg-biodiversity.org.uk
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IIED Workshop - Moving Ahead with REDD+: Prospects and Challenges
9 - 10 April 2014, London, UK
GCP's Head of Policy, Matt Leggett will be presenting at the forthcoming IIED workshop. This 2 day interactive workshop aims to address the following key issues which are critical to the successful implementation of REDD+:
- Are governments really committed to the long term successful implementation of REDD+?
- What are current and potential sources of REDD+ financing and what is the potential for scale?
- REDD+ the way foward.
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Creating Appropriate Incentives to Scale up Private Setor Investment in REDD+ from 2015 - 2020
Thurs 15 May 2014, London, UK
Critical to the successful reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the deforestation and degradation of land is the need to rapidly scale up investment in REDD+. This half day workshop hosted by GCP and UNEP FI, in collaboration with CMIA, IETA and LSE aims to examine the following key issues:
- Why is current private sector investment in REDD+ so low?
- How can private sector invesment be scaled up from 2015 - 2020?
- What activities need to be undertaken by both developed country and tropical forest governments to create the right enabling environments for REDD+ finance to flow?
- What must the UNFCCC climate change negotations in Lima and Paris deliver for REDD+ to be effective?
For more information about this event click here or to attend this event email info@globalcanopy.org
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APFP 2010-2014