Bolsonaro to merge environment and agriculture ministries in threat to the Amazon
1/11/2018: Conservationists fear move will put short-term business interests in Brazil ahead of the world’s biggest terrestrial carbon sink, indigenous communities and rich eco-systems.
Source: The Guardian
Tropical deforestation now emits more CO2 than the EU
18/10/2018: According to a new analysis, tropical forest loss currently accounts for 8 percent of the world’s annual carbon dioxide emissions. If tropical deforestation were a country, it would be the third-biggest emitter globally.
Source: Mongabay
Conflicting data: how fast is the world losing its forests?
9/10/2018: Researchers must reconcile two contradictory sets of statistics on tree loss in order to determine whether promises made by nations to protect and restore forests are on target.
Source: Yale Environment 360
The value of tropical forests in the climate change equation
4/10/2018: If tropical deforestation were a country, it would rank third in carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions, only behind China and the US. More numbers that demonstrate just how important tropical forests are in preventing further climate change.
Source: World Resources Institute
New Study Finds More Than a Quarter of Global Tree Cover Loss is Commodity-Driven Deforestation
13/9/2018: More than a quarter of global tree cover loss between 2001 and 2015 was associated with commodity-driven deforestation, not likely to be forested again.
Source: World Resources Institute
Indonesian president signs 3-year freeze on new oil palm licenses
20/9/2018: President Jokowi first announced his moratorium on oil palm licences more than two years ago, in the wake of the 2015 Southeast Asian haze crisis. At last, he has signed it.
Source: Mongabay
Securing community forest rights is key to achieving climate goals
19/9/2018: Vast forest areas are managed by indigenous and local communities, yet these forest-dependent people may be unable to protect vital carbon reserves unless their rights are formally recognized. Source: Devex
The forested path to climate stability
30/8/2018: Halting deforestation is critical for climate stability — this alone could reduce the world’s net carbon emissions by up to 30%. Furthermore, forests and land offer the most cost-effective way to store more carbon. Source: Mongabay
Tread Softly Comment: In an appeal to the influential Global Climate Action Summit starting this week, forest campaigners set out the basic case for allocating more resources to halt deforestation, especially in tropical regions. The argument that the current allocation of only 1% of global mitigation finance represents a missed opportunity is very strong but it's also very familiar. The writers don't offer explanations, nor why the San Francisco Summit agenda offers so little space to the topic. Relevant Briefing: Tropical Forests and Climate Change
Indonesia's Deforestation Dropped 60 Percent in 2017, but There's More to Do
14/8/2018: Indonesia must build on recent reductions in tree cover loss and protections for peatlands. To get there, they'll need more international support, innovative schemes such as peatland restoration and continued monitoring. Source: World Resources Institute
Tread Softly Comment: At last some positive news about reducing deforestation in vital countries such as Indonesia. Clearly defined quantitative data, involving a reliable source in Global Forest Watch, supports the government's own assertion that 2017 was an impressive year for restoring control of the country's forest inventory. The reduction in primary forest loss in protected peat is vertiginous. Relevant Briefing: Deforestation and Forest Degradation
Indonesia forest assessment casts an optimistic light on a complex issue
30/7/2018: Indonesia has released its inaugural report on the state of its forests, highlighting recent successes in conserving an ecological treasure trove that makes up the third-largest span of tropical rainforest in the world. Source: Mongabay
Tread Softly Comment: It's not easy to grasp what's happening to tropical forest resources in Indonesia. The vast geography embraces all the issues - virgin forest, peatlands, palm oil plantations, forest and peat fires, not forgetting corporate promises of zero deforestation. The crux of analysis often lies in the definition of forest cover and this important government report is no different. What is different is the report's total silence on China, whose role is known to be fundamental in logging activities in other countries in the region. Relevant Briefing: Causes of Deforestation