Can REDD payment alone protect the forest?

Abstract

Data suggests that Asia has made a net increase in forest area – largely due to the reported increase for China – but still contains the country with the largest net emission (Indonesia). Vietnam can be seen as a ‘nutshell’ of this situation, with parts of the country that resemble Indonesia’s net deforestation pattern, and parts that resemble China’s net increase in forest area (and reduction in forests carbon - stock). Vietnam was one of the first countries to turn the corner on ‘forest transition’ without having first completely depleted the forest. However, while reported forest area increased, net emissions continued to rise as carbon - rich forest was lost and plantations of low carbon - stock were added. Current REDD+ activities in Vietnam mainly focus on Reference Emission Level; Monitoring, Reporting and Verification; Benefit Distribution System and capacity building