Humane Society International (HSI)

HSI proposes a single framework for terrestrial carbon stores and AFOLU that merges LULUCF with the proposed REDD framework. To that end, Graham et al. recommend a flexible “carbon stores approach” that rewards developing countries with both high and low historical deforestation rates for maintaining and maximising their carbon stocks based on the extent to which land is maintained at, degraded below or restored to its natural carbon carrying capacity. To avoid perverse outcomes, such as the clearing of primary natural forests to create short rotation fuel and fibre crops, Graham et al. state that any post-2012 agreement must adopt appropriate definitions and associated accounting and reporting protocols for forests, deforestation and forest degradation.

Funds for the new mechanism would be generated through two streams: i) HSI supports the inclusion of a REDD market mechanism in the UNFCCC post 2012 agreement and proposes the use of trust funds to allow upfront capital payments to be converted into permanent income streams for landholders and communities conditional on the ongoing success in maintaining and restoring natural ecosystems; ii) HSI strongly encourages governments and other agencies to maintain and substantially increase funding (in parallel to any market funding) for the protection of carbon stores and biodiversity and urges donor governments to assist recipient governments to develop lists of priority areas where cost-effective protection of carbon dense landscapes with high biodiversity conservation values can be achieved.