Our Approach
The purpose of Avoided Deforestation Partners is to bring together input and different views from the private sector, NGOs and forest communities to identify which policy approaches will effectively protect the remaining forests and reduce deforestation, and engage the private sector in a meaningful, effective way.
This will be an ongoing process that will require additional input, economic analysis and research as the international policy is developed. That said, lessons learned from existing climate change policy indicates that any sensible policy approach to address deforestation in developing countries should:
- Advance environmental effectiveness and integrity. Policy should stimulate real and verifiable reductions in emissions and benefits to the climate.
- Use private sector funding. Given the scale of the problem and significant amount of funding needed to meaningfully reduce emissions from deforestation, Avoided Deforestation Partners recognizes that private sector engagement is crucial to provide the necessary funding.
- Use market mechanisms. The carbon market is the most efficient policy instrument at hand to engage the private sector and reduce global emissions cost effectively. The use of market mechanisms should therefore be encouraged.
- Consider Practicality. Policy to reduce emissions from deforestation must be practical. It must create workable incentives for governments, NGOs, indigenous groups and the private sector to become engaged and effectively protect forests over the long term.
- Respect indigenous people. The rights of indigenous communities using or living in a forest must be respected. These groups should be engaged, and should also be the principal beneficiaries of financial incentives to reduce deforestation.