REDD and the global climate policy negotiating regimes: Challenges and opportunities for Africa
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Authors
Nhamo, Godwell
Issue Date
2012-02-28
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
UNFCCC; climate change; Africa; carbon trading
Alternative Title
Abstract
Prior to developments in Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun in 2010, global climate policy negotiations seldom culminated in concrete decisions concerning ways in which Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) could be linked to sustainable development and carbon markets in developing countries, such as those in some parts of Africa.That changed with the expansion of the REDD initiative, to REDD . Key arguments in the discussions have concerned contested methodologies for measuring, reporting and verifying carbon stocks; ensuring adequate technology transfer; and rectifying the shortage of local experts to deal with REDD . However, there has been no contestation on the fact that REDD creates financial value for carbon stored in forests, an aspect that would encourage developing countries to reduce emissions from
deforestation and degradation of forested lands and to invest in low-carbon
growth paths. This article sheds light on how REDD has developed in global
climate negotiations and how African governments have and should engage with
REDD . The conclusion is that since the Bali Action Plan of 2007, there has
been significant progress in creating enabling global architecture with regard to
REDD , and African governments should now grasp the opportunities offered
by REDD while advocating for a fair, legally binding and ethical arrangement
to engage over the forests which are so key to many of their economies.
Description
Citation
Godwell Nhamo (2011): REDD+ and the global climate policy negotiating regimes: Challenges and opportunities for Africa, South African Journal of International Affairs, 18:3, 385-406. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10220461.2011.622954
Publisher
Routledge
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1022-0275