protecting
forests
climate
to regulate
the
The international negotiations
on climate change bring the safeguarding
and sustainable management of the tropical
rainforests to the forefront.
12 to 15% of greenhouse gases
(GHG) result from woodland clearance and
degradation of the tropical forests following
fires and tree felling. And vegetation growth
contributes to reduction of the greenhouse effect
through CO2 storage.
Regarding the role of these ecosystems in climate
regulation, the United Nations are planning the setting
up in 2013 of a special scheme: REDD+ or “Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
and the role of conservation, forest management and
the growth of carbon stocks”. Although the methods
of application have not yet been determined, this
mechanism aims to pay those developing countries
which succeed in preserving or expanding their forests. To
achieve this, they must meet three criteria: avoid producing
GHG emissions, take into account the forest carbon storage,
adopt good governance and manage their forests.
Assessment
Assessment of the regulatory influence tropical
rainforests exert on climate is complex and difficult.
In French Guiana, research scientists are studying
the carbon stored by the tropical rainforest and
the changes of this store in forests used for their resources.
The investigations will help define forms of forest usage
that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Message
issued by
the Indonesian
authorities
aiming to
control access
to forests
and their uses.
Measuring
carbon
flux in
the Guiana
forest.
Forest fire
in the Amazon.
Did you know? To produce 1 m
3
of its wood, half of which is made up
of carbon, the tree processes 1 tonne of CO2
and thus helps alleviate climate change •
Every year
the forest destroyed
is equivalent to
of the surface area
of France
19
MINISTÈRE
DES
AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
ET EUROPÉENNES
1/4
FTH/en - 2011