Five developing countries have received US$18 million in funding to plan how to implement a proposed scheme to reward countries that protect forests and reduce deforestation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and Vietnam will share the funds, which will enable them to prepare national action plans to take part in the proposed Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) mechanism – likely to be agreed upon at climate talks .

REDD will provide financial incentives for countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

Other preparations will include improved capacity to manage REDD locally and pilot the scheme in chosen districts, outline how payments would be distributed and raise REDD awareness.

New methodologies and technologies will be required for carbon accounting and ensuring real emission reductions.

There are already policies in place that enable local people to establish forest reserves, leading to increased biomass and poverty alleviation.

There is a lot of work to be done to measure and monitor carbon storage in the country’s forests. Carbon auditing will require intensification and, as it is a new subject, public awareness is essential.

Image to link: World prout assembly

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