Forest Carbon revenues for local governments and local communities
The climate crisis heightens the risk of an already disaster-prone Philippines. It raises alarm bells for the pressing need for adaptation measures. However, as the country moves into high gear to address the impacts of climate change, the government should not lose site of the opportunities to mitigate climate change as well. One natural resource that can provide not only a “climate cooling effect” but also a “cash compensating contribution” is our Philippine forests.
Though the Kyoto protocol has recognized the power of forests to sequester carbon through afforestation and reforestation projects via the Clean Development Mechanism, it was only in 2007 when the UNFCCC formally recognized the possibilities of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD). In this mechanism, industrialized nations would pay developing countries to halt deforestation and thus halt the release of emissions into the atmosphere.
Studies have it that 20% of all emissions are from deforestation and land use change and thus it is being argued that if deforestation can be arrested, it will provide immediate opportunity to mitigate climate change at relatively low cost and it would buy time for other technological changes (renewable energy, etc). Many industrialized nations are looking forward to a post Kyoto agreement with REDD in carbon emission reduction compliance markets.
Though many Southeast Asian governments like those of Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos are engaging in capacity building initiatives and pilots on REDD, the Philippine government is yet to take an active role in REDD implementation in the country.
The Philippines is not a natural REDD country considering its low forest cover of 24% (DENR, 2003). But advocates of a responsibly implemented REDD see that the Philippines has a lot to provide in terms of an enabling mechanism for REDD. The legal framework to recognize community rights over land and resources lays the foundation of the democratization of carbon rights and revenues. Across governance indicators the Philippines has performed better than other Southeast Asian nations (Kaufman, et al 2008). Good governance is the basis for land-use planning that could ensure permanence of forest carbon stocks required by REDD projects.
But implementing REDD is not only about forest carbon, it is also about delivering co-benefits. Many conservationists and development workers feel that through REDD, forest habitats and watersheds would be conserved, pollinators important for food security would be protected and forest stewards can be compensated for forest conservation activities.
REDD is already being implemented in voluntary carbon markets and carbon trades between USD 2-5/ton. REDD projects in West Kalimantan, Indonesia have been cinched between Australian banks and local governments and institutions. These initiatives promise to bring at least USD5-10M of carbon revenues per year for each area of approximately 50,000 has (Mallari, 2009). The Philippines with an estimated 765-2503Mt of above ground forest carbon (Gibbs, 2007) stands also to gain millions of US dollars a year on REDD schemes. Provinces which hold the last frontier forests such as Palawan, Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora and Quezon have a lot to gain from this scheme.
In order to galvanize discussion on shaping REDD into a mechanism that maximizes equity and ecosystem benefits, civil society organizations have bonded together to form CoDe REDD, a movement promoting Conservation and Community Development through REDD. CoDeREDD collaborators include among others the Non-Timber Forest Products –Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP), Kalahan Educational Foundation (KEF) Upholding Life and Nature (ULAN), Environmental Legal Assistance Center, Inc. (ELAC), Philippine Federation for Environmental Concerns (PFEC), Women in Society, Culture and Environment (WISE), AnthroWatch (AW), Fauna & Flora International (FFI), Go Organic Mindanao (GOM) and Interface Development Interventions (IDIS). Together they are conducting awareness building regional consultations on REDD. Capacity building, mapping and piloting efforts will also soon be underway.
Paying the town “REDD”, appears to be the new, cutting edge climate mitigation strategy which can also provide financing for cash-strapped local governments and communities in forest conservation and sustainable development efforts. The government would do best not to miss this opportunity by developing a strategic direction and program on REDD in the Philippines.
For information about CoDe REDD, email: codereddphils@gmail.com
