29 July 2011
ASB Produces Policy Brief on Emissions Embodied in Trade and Land Use
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The brief, titled "Emissions Embodied in Trade (EET) and Land Use in Tropical Forest Margins," highlights that discussions on REDD+ have not effectively considered the implications of emissions embodied in trade and describes how emission reductions objectives may lead to displacement of land use practices, how market demand can shape land use behaviors, and the policy implications from emissions embodied in trade.

July 2011: The Alternatives to Slash and Burn Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins (ASB) has released a policy brief titled “Emissions Embodied in Trade (EET) and Land Use in Tropical Forest Margins,” which explores the role of commodities for export emerging from deforestation, forest degradation and agriculture.

The brief highlights that discussions on REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stock) have not effectively considered the implications of emissions embodied in trade. It describes how emission reductions objectives may lead to displacement of land use practices, how market demand can shape land use behaviors, and the policy implications from emissions embodied in trade. The brief highlights trade-based and area-based approaches to emissions accounting and the role of private companies in accepting transparent emissions accounting, stressing the positive role of market demand for greener commodities. It calls for standardized footprint accounting methods applicable across commodities and stresses the need for consideration of international emission displacement in REDD+ discussions. The brief calls for improved transparency in land-use planning and implementation, joint development of comparable standards for carbon footprints, and consideration of emissions embodied in trade within the UNFCCC and World Trade Organization (WTO).

ASB is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [Publication: Emissions Embodied in Trade (EET) and Land Use in Tropical Forest Margins]