Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing countries (REDD) can be an effective tool for addressing the challenges of climate change. By paying poor countries to combat deforestation and forest degradation” developed countries could help tackle two problems that together account for around 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet forests also serve as an important source of resources for some of the poorest and most vulnerable rural peoples. How can we square the environmental benefits of REDD with the urgent challenge of poverty alleviation in these same areas? According to Duncan Macqueen of IIED” democratic community forest enterprises are both successfully avoiding deforestation and alleviating poverty in their communities.

Maximizing the positive impact of community forest enterprises depends upon mustering enough political support in developing countries for policy reforms that provide these entities with the resources they need to function effectively. Furthermore” building successful community forest enterprises often demands a substantial financial commitment from international donors. Securing land and forest tenure” fostering the growth of community organizations into democratically run businesses” and subsidizing sustainable forest management models all require the infusion of significant financial resources. Thus” investing in the community forest model is a vital task for the developed world to undertake.

Read Duncan Macqueen's article in its entirety here.