Search
Action needed to make carbon offsets from forest conservation work for climate change mitigation

August 24, 2023 | Science | Source

Introduction: Researchers from Europe and the Americas evaluated the effectiveness of voluntary REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects by reviewing 26 projects across six countries using sophisticated causal inference methods. 

Key findings: Surprisingly, most projects did not significantly reduce deforestation as claimed, with actual reductions falling short of expectations. This discrepancy arises from flawed methodologies in establishing deforestation baselines, leading to inflated claims of project success. The findings underscore the urgent need for revising baseline construction methods to ensure accurate attribution of reduced deforestation to projects, safeguarding both incentives for forest conservation and the integrity of global carbon accounting. While some projects demonstrated success, particularly in Peru, challenges persist in realizing the full potential of REDD+ initiatives. Addressing these issues requires collaborative efforts among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to refine methodologies and enhance the effectiveness of forest conservation strategies on a global scale.

Figure | Cumulative deforestation from the baseline scenarios adopted by the REDD+ projects versus observed cumulative deforestation in the SCs. Orange, REDD+ projects; SCs, blue. Shaded blue areas are possibility intervals. Dotted red lines indicate the observed cumulative deforestation in the project sites. Dashed black lines indicate the project implementation year. Asterisks indicate a significant reduction in deforestation in the REDD+ site compared with the SC based on placebo tests (scales differ).

Viewed Articles
Action needed to make carbon offsets from forest conservation work for climate change mitigation
August 24, 2023 | Science | Source | Introduction: Researchers from Europe and the Americas evaluated the effectiveness of voluntary REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
Read More
Integrated biochar solutions can achieve carbon-neutral staple crop production
February 9, 2023 | Nature Food | Source |   Introduction: The Paris Agreement spurred global efforts for net-zero emissions. China aims to peak emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060,
Promoting net-zero economy through climate-smart agriculture: transition towards sustainability
June 27, 2023 | Sustainability Science | Source | Introduction: Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) offers a pathway to achieve a net-zero economy by balancing agricultural productivity with environmental
An overview of underutilized benefits derived from Azolla as a promising biofertilizer in lowland rice production
January, 2023 | Heliyon | Source |  Introduction: Azolla, an aquatic fern with nitrogen-fixing capabilities through its symbiotic association with Aenabana azollae, has the potential to serve as an ec
Biochar for agronomy, animal farming, anaerobic digestion, composting, water treatment, soil remediation, construction, energy storage, and carbon sequestration: a review
May 7, 2022 | Environmental Chemistry Letters | Source | Introduction: Biochar, a recycled material created from organic waste, has diverse applications across various sectors due to its role in clima
Opportunities for mitigating net system greenhouse gas emissions in Southeast Asian rice production: A systematic review
February 28, 2024 | Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment | Source |  Introduction: Despite existing mitigation efforts, integrated approaches addressing system-wide emissions—including soil organic c
TOP