REDD & REDD+

I am not able to find if REDD has been launched. If it has been launched, when was it launched? Or has it just been upgraded to REDD+ which are still under deliberations?

Not confusing if you go in the chronological order and make a chart of what is essential

Do you know what REDD+ is...v/s REDD...It’s an Indian contribution actually.

ü  REDD is just degradation and deforestation but REDD+ also includes conservation, sustainable management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks

Exactly... why did they come into picture...what purpose do they serve... what’s the connection to GHG emission?

ü  coz forests are the best reserves of the carbon stocks....if we don't conserve the co2 will be released to the atmosphere

Correct...  Look at the eco and politics of it ....not just the science.

When emission cuts and peaking of emission levels were talked about...developing world which has a good share of forests intact said, “Look if u want us not to destroy our forests for the sake of world environment then give us the credit. That is consider these forests as carbon sinks and make it part of the proposed carbon emission certificate trade.”

India went in a step ahead and said...include conservation too. Not just avoidance of deforestation

All for what?

ü  Headroom for growth

Correct... Or at least compensation for the conservation we do at cost of development for sake of world environment.

When carbon credits are traded then this can count... now many countries have gone for REDD readiness....none has reached the stage of measurable actions...

The implementation mechanism is still under discussion...As to verification, there is a strong call for international verification by developed world of developing world...because money is paid by west for the rest to conserve their forests. International treaties without binding clauses can never be tested on the parameter of operability

  

“UK, Norway and USA have already allocated $US280 million to a World Bank-led fund operating REDD projects.”- source Mrunal.com

Is verification in place for the developed countries who have accepted the reduction cuts? When was REDD operationalized? And in Warsaw meet 'Warsaw Framework for REDD+’ was decided on?

For REDD+, no one has agreed for binding cuts... No time schedules. No binding levels except for broad percentages...I don’t think there is anything to verify yet...

As far as funding...there are countries like Mexico & Brazil which have gone farther in that...UN REDD guides monitors etc... But don’t mistake that for acceptance to all that as discussed like international verification or binding targets etc.

Even that accord was only '' taken note of''. No one signed a binding agreement

So in reality nothing is being done on the ground?

It is...but mostly independent efforts by nations... with the hope that the idea of carbon credit trade might kick in... There is lot of politics involved. You read. Prepare the sheet tracking progress through all COPs of UNFCCC... If u still have doubts, come back😊😊

Am sure u r all making good progress with your prep... Economics and environment have become pivotal for UPSC these days... environment is one area for which compiled sources are rare to come by... so try to be vigilant and same time selective about sources...