Tropical Forests Climate Initiative 2009 Legislative Priorities
Tropical deforestation is a major cause of global warming, releasing about 15 percent of the world's greenhouse gases. This is more than the total emissions of every car, truck, plane, ship and train on earth. At UCS we are working to address this issue by promoting domestic and international policy recommendations that reward tropical countries for certified reductions in their emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Legislative Priorities
Include Tropical Deforestation in Climate Change Legislation – Climate change bills should support reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by allocating auction revenue for international forest protection, while allowing for the purchase of limited emission offsets from tropical forests. These provisions should be included in the climate change bill passed by Congress, and auction revenue allocation should be raised to 4%.
Provide Funding for Pilot Efforts and Early Action to reduce Tropical Deforestation – Other countries are already providing the resources needed to fund tropical nations' development of the capacity to reduce their deforestation rates and earn credits through international carbon markets. Norway, for example, is contributing over $ 500 million annually. The U.S. can strengthen its position in the U.N. Climate Negotiations by similarly supporting reducing emissions from deforestation.
Push U.S. Negotiators to support Reduced Deforestation in International Climate Agreements – Reductions in tropical deforestation are not included in the Kyoto Protocol, but there is ongoing support for including these measures in current climate change negotiations, which will culminate in December of 2009. During the climate change talks U.S. negotiators need to support reducing tropical deforestation as a key element of a strong climate agreement.
