11 March 2013: The Program on Forests (PROFOR) has reported on a World Bank seminar that reviewed forest-friendly growth in three major forestry centers, the Amazon, the Congo Basin and Indonesia.

The seminar considered each of the forests within the context of a model based on four stages of forest cover change: stage 1 – undisturbed or minimally disturbed forests; stage 2 – frontier forests with high deforestation; stage 3 – forest mosaics with stable forest cover and little change; and stage 4 – increasing forest cover through afforestation and reforestation. Participants looked at each forest area with regard to this model to inform policies in favor of forest-friendly growth.

Presentations on Brazil highlighted the historical anomaly of decoupled economic growth and deforestation rates, which has been driven by government efforts to limit deforestation and reduce illegal logging, as well as increases in key commodity prices. This is analogous to the beginning of stage 3, in which forest cover change rates decrease.

In the Congo Basin, by contrast, deforestation and degradation rates have almost doubled when comparing the period 1990 – 2000 with 2000 – 2005, indicating a stage 2 status. Indonesia, with the highest deforestation rates in the world, also falls into a stage 2 qualification.

To reduce forest loss and degradation, and move on from stage 2, participants discussed the importance of improved forest law and governance, in addition to enhanced planning to address multiple land uses in forests. The meeting also examined potential benefits from new financial incentives through REDD+. [PROFOR Press Release]