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Written question asked by Lord Eden of Winton (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 January 2009.

Climate Change: Deforestation

Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 16 December (WS 107), how the recently agreed framework for countering deforestation and the United Kingdom contribution of up to £100 million will help people in forest countries.
Answer

At the 14th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Poznan, Ministers from key developed and developing countries signed a statement outlining their commitment to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and encourage sustainable forest management and conservation. The agreement to these principles is an important step towards reaching agreement on including forests in a future climate change agreement. The statement covers the following key principles: criteria for national strategies, recognising that national ownership and commitment to REDD in developing countries is a precondition for success; the need for a reliable framework for monitoring, reporting and verification which is crucial to the integrity and credibility of REDD efforts; recognition that financial flows to REDD efforts must be substantial, results based and predictable in the long-term; and, the importance of transparency, co-operation and rationalisation between funding agencies. There is currently a large investment gap in efforts to develop an international REDD demonstration framework. Recognising this, the UK will make a contribution of up to £100 million to support and address the transformational investment needs of countries to make the reforms necessary to reduce deforestation and degradation. The funding will provide support to countries seeking to initiate change towards low carbon emission and climate resilient sustainable forest management. It will help to demonstrate and implement the measures required for a country to reduce overall emissions from forestry and potentially access payments from a future REDD funding mechanism.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
451; 706 c144WA
Session
2008-09
Related items
Climate Change
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects
Conservation Developing countries Development aid Forests Climate Change Convention
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk