The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) estimates that deforestation contributes 15-20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (Figure below). The forestry sector was excluded from the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period. The post-Kyoto agreement set to start after 2012, reduced emissions from deforestation in developing countries, popularly known as REDD, has emerged as a key issue. The REDD mechanism is controversial and complicated and faces stiff opposition due to the link to carbon trade. There is also uncertainty that it will generate real benefits for the global climate, forests and forest communities .
Source: EarthTrends, 2008; using data from the Climate Analysis Indicators Tool, 2008
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