Using Forests for Carbon Markets Can Lead to Negative Effects on Land Management
May 7, 2024
By Chelsea Harvey & E&E News
The focus on forests as carbon sinks in the fight against climate change can have unintended consequences on land management, including the exclusion of local communities, according to a report from the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. The report, published on Monday, highlights the potential negative impacts of relying too heavily on market-based solutions, such as carbon offsets, and calls for a broader approach to global forest governance.
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The report, which provides a scientific review of recent trends in global forest governance, will be officially launched at the U.N. Forum on Forests in New York on Friday. It emphasizes the crucial role that forests play in the fight against climate change, as they naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, the report warns that focusing solely on their carbon value neglects other important benefits, such as their cultural significance to Indigenous communities.
The report criticizes the limited focus on deforestation rates in international forest governance and management discussions, arguing that it fails to consider the diverse needs and demands connected to forests globally. Forest managers should also evaluate the social impacts of forest policies on communities that depend on them, rather than solely relying on carbon as a metric of success or failure.
The growing popularity of market-based governance techniques, such as forest carbon markets, has been driven by the emphasis on carbon. However, studies have shown that many carbon offset projects have not effectively reduced deforestation rates. Additionally, forest carbon markets can exclude local communities from forest management discussions and prioritize short-term financial gain over sustainable forest management.
Report co-author Constance McDermott, an expert on forest governance at the University of Oxford, warns that market-based incentives can perpetuate inequalities and have negative effects on sustainable forest management. She suggests that non-market-based mechanisms, such as state regulation and community-led initiatives, offer alternative pathways for just forest governance.
The report concludes that while combating climate change is crucial, it should not be the sole priority in global forest management. The effectiveness of international forest governance should also be measured against the diverse needs and services that forests provide to people.
Reprinted from E&E News with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2024. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environment professionals.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the role of forests in the fight against global warming and the focus on forests as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article highlights the importance of sustainable forest management and the need to consider the diverse needs and demands connected to forests globally.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article mentions that market-based governance techniques, such as forest carbon markets, can lead to inequalities and exclude local communities from forest management discussions.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article touches on the need for sustainable practices in forest management and warns against prioritizing short-term financial gain over long-term sustainable forest management.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
The article emphasizes the need to consider forests as a critical resource in climate change mitigation and integrate forest-related measures into national policies and strategies.
Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests
The article highlights the importance of sustainable forest management and the need to go beyond deforestation rates to measure the effectiveness of international forest governance.
Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
The article points out that market-based governance techniques can exclude local communities from forest management discussions, indicating a need to empower and include all stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
The article warns against prioritizing short-term financial gain over long-term sustainable forest management, suggesting the need for companies to adopt sustainable practices and report on their sustainability efforts.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
Note: The absence of specific indicators in the article does not mean that there are no indicators available. It simply means that the article does not provide explicit information on indicators.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: scientificamerican.com
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