Carbon penance

Carbon penance

The world's forests are a key storehouse of carbon--containing roughly 60 per cent of the carbon stored on the Earth. Deforestation releases this carbon into the atmosphere, adding to emissions. Land-use-related emissions--significantly from deforestation--contribute some 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to estimates. The answer then seems simple plant trees to absorb co₂ and ensure existing forests are not cut.

The rich world cut down its forests in the pre-20th century and while the co₂ released is still in the atmosphere, it can now claim that its re-planted areas absorb co₂. The forests of the tropical world have become the favourite targets as the poor in developing countries are preached the virtues of keeping their forests intact and planting more trees.Forests in the South have also become the favourite 'offset' tool--planting trees to buy carbon credits (see box Excuse for inaction?).

It is also not understood that forests of the South are not wilderness areas but habitats of millions of people, who use their resources to meet subsistence and survival needs. Forests are also economic assets for countries and keeping forests "pristine" will require huge losses. In this context, the world will have to figure out how it can "avoid" emissions and learn how it can pay for 'standing' forests and not wait to cut them down.

This is an important issue in India. Some years ago, the supreme court suggested that forested states, which lose revenue because of the ban on felling of trees, should be compensated for keeping forests intact. It said there is no incentive to protect 'forests as forests'. After the ban on the felling of forests, the forested state of Arunachal Pradesh, lost 84 per cent of its state revenue.

Currently, there is a provision to calculate the net present value of forests to pay as compensation when forests are cut down for development projects. But this is payment for destruction. There is no provision to put a value on existing forests.

Forest-rich states have been demanding monetary compensation for preserving forests. They say there has to be a mechanism that supports and encourages avoiding deforestation. This money must be shared between states and forest-dwelling communities. The aim would be to pay for existing dense forest cover at rates which reflect the opportunity costs of the forests. This will create local stakes in forest protection. In addition, planting forests will bring local benefits as well as global returns.

At the conference of parties in Bali in December, the world will discuss a proposal of the group of countries called Forestry Eight to pay for avoided deforestation costs. Will the world learn to talk of things that matter?
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