Researchers from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) highlight that understanding a country's forest cover and its changes is crucial for designing effective REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) policies.
Drone picture of ‘forest–agricultural mosaics’ stage in Côte d’Ivoire, reforestation alongside agricultural activities. AI generated picture.
REDD+, a UN-backed initiative, aims to support nature restoration by incentivising the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of forests. According to Arild Angelsen, a senior associate at CIFOR, effective REDD+ policies must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each country.
To provide clearer guidance, Angelsen and Tom Rudel, a professor at Rutgers University, have proposed a ‘forest transition approach’ in their paper published in the Review of Environmental Economics and Policy. This approach categorises forest conditions into three stages: core forests, frontiers, and forest–agricultural mosaics.
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In the ‘core forests’ stage, countries like Suriname and Gabon have high forest cover and low deforestation rates. Policies here should focus on maintaining this preservation by avoiding infrastructure projects that could accelerate deforestation.
The ‘frontiers’ stage, exemplified by Indonesia, is marked by accelerated deforestation. REDD+ policies should aim to reduce agricultural rent and stabilise forest cover, thereby shortening this stage.
Countries like El Salvador and Côte d’Ivoire, in the ‘forest–agricultural mosaics’ stage, experience reforestation alongside agricultural activities. Policies should promote tree planting, improved agricultural technologies, and environmental service payments.
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Angelsen emphasises the need to avoid policies that inadvertently encourage deforestation, such as infrastructure projects and certain agricultural subsidies. Balancing development objectives with conservation can create win-win scenarios, addressing both environmental issues and development goals in up-and-coming countries.
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