Why Are Forests Important to Climate Change?
Carbon sink: A permanent expansion of forest area through plantation or reforestation can lock up excess atmospheric greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change. Carbon source: Some 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by clearance of natural forests for other land uses (deforestation) or unsustainable forest management (degradation). To mitigate climate change effectively we must reduce such practices. Adaptation: Forests can form part of a climate change adaptation strategy through sustainable productive management for livelihood security and the provision of ecosystem services through forest protection. Why Is Climate Change Relevant to RECOFTC? Delivering BENEFITS from forests to local people: Carbon sequestered in sinks or saved from emission can be traded as Certified Emission Reductions (CERs, UN-approved) or Voluntary Emission Reductions (VERs). Potential benefits are substantial. But will they accrue to local people? Forest carbon sink projects have been disappoi
