January 2011: The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), the World Bank Institute, the Partnership for Tropical Forest Margins (ASB) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) are developing a training manual providing guidance on how to estimate the opportunity costs of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, and conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+).

The training manual on “Estimating the opportunity costs of REDD+,” which will be available at the end of February 2011, will be complemented by workshops. The manual and workshops will: provide tools and methods for estimating opportunity costs to engage in REDD; create support for effective learning for professionals from government, universities, NGOs and private business; and help identify data needs for analysis and accurate estimates. The opportunity cost analysis provides monetary estimates of how stakeholders and economic sectors will be effected by REDD policies and payments. ASB is a member of the CGIAR. [REDD+ Brochure]