This blog marks the Forests in a future climate regime event at ODI on 9 March, with Johan Eliasch, Prime Minister's Special Representative on Deforestation and Clean Energy, and Frances Seymour, Director-General of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). It argues that the prospect of ‘reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation' (REDD) becoming part of the post-Kyoto ‘Copenhagen agreement' in December offers real potential for the poor. The financial flows could be substantial and, because they are targeted on the forest custodians, the poor could benefit.

 

However, the blog points out that the risks are also significant. It warns of the dangers of well-intentioned but inappropriate policies that end up oppressing the poor rather than improving their wellbeing.  It calls for a commitment to REDD implementation in a way that, at the very minimum, is ‘no-cost' for the poor.