Why are there so few afforestation and reforestation Clean Development Mechanism projects?

S Thomas; P Dargusch; Steve R Harrison; John L Herbohn

doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2009.12.002

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Why are there so few afforestation and reforestation Clean Development Mechanism projects?

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Why are there so few afforestation and reforestation Clean Development Mechanism projects?

S Thomas, P Dargusch, Steve R Harrison and John L Herbohn

Land Use Policy, Vol.27(3), pp.880-887

2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2009.12.002

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Abstract

emissions offsets

carbon markets

climate policy

afforestation

Of the more than 1600 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects that are currently registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), only four are afforestation or reforestation projects. This paper asks why there are so few CDM afforestation or reforestation (CDM A/R) projects given the many economic, social and environmental benefits that such activities potentially offer. The authors discuss the question from two perspectives: namely the constraints to the development of CDM A/R projects and the features of 'successful' CDM A/R projects. Constraints to the development of CDM A/R projects include financial, administrative and governance issues. Analysis of the four registered CDM A/R projects suggests that 'successful' CDM A/R applications are likely to be characterized by the following: initial funding support; design and implementation guided by large organizations with technical expertise; occur on private land (land with secured property rights attached); and most revenue from Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) is directed back to local communities. It is argued that the CDM needs to be reformed to support the development of more CDM A/R projects, particularly with regards to incorporating greater flexibility, simplifying the methodological and documentation procedures of CDM registration, and redefining the role of the UNFCCC in CDMs from one of adjudication to one of facilitation. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Details

Title: Why are there so few afforestation and reforestation Clean Development Mechanism projects?
Authors: S Thomas (Author) - University of Queensland
P Dargusch (Author) - University of Queensland
Steve R Harrison (Author) - University of Queensland
John L Herbohn (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Land Use Policy, Vol.27(3), pp.880-887
Publisher: Pergamon
Date published: 2010
DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2009.12.002
ISSN: 0264-8377
Organisation Unit: Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449058202621
Output Type: Journal article

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