RBI recently advised Dutch MPs on the potential of achieving part of the climate goals of the Netherlands through global collaboration. The current post-2030 climate policy documents discussed in Parliament lack this aspect, with the exception of a letter to Parliament dated March 17, 2023, in which the Dutch Government announces that it shifts its focus from ‘climate neutrality in the Netherlands’ to ‘climate neutrality for the Netherlands’ in 2050’. This allows emissions offsetting within the EU.

While supporting this direction, RBI has advocated for extending compensation possibilities to outside the EU. This should involve tropical forest preservation and restoration under the UN’s REDD+ framework and the Paris Agreement’s Article 6. This approach offers cost-effective climate mitigation, as well as biodiversity conservation and sustainable growth in pivotal regions around the globe.

RBI’s new Memorandum of Understanding for 2023 and subsequent years has been signed by its members.

The MoU outlines the objectives of the REDD+ Business Initiative, as well as its rules of engagement. Additionally, the MoU announces the establishment the RBI Foundation as the executive branch of the REDD+ Business Initiative.

The RBI Foundation was legally established on January 25 of this year and has obtained the ANBI status from the Dutch Tax Office (Belastingdienst). ANBIs are entitled to certain tax advantages related to inheritance, gifts and donations. As part of the application for an ANBI status, a multi-year work plan has been drawn up and placed on this website.

A recent study published in Nature on March 15, 2023, indicates that just a quarter of the emissions from the deforestation and degradation of humid tropical forests are currently recouped through regrowth. Thus, it’s crucial to prioritize the protection of mature forests. Nevertheless, the study highlights the significant carbon uptake of regenerating degraded forests and secondary forests on formerly deforested areas, which currently represent 10% of the total forest area. The carbon absorption capacity of these areas is considerable and should be fully exploited.

This carbon sink is roughly equivalent to offsetting half of South America’s annual fossil fuel emissions. The research, using satellite data from the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative, focused on Kalimantan, the Amazon, and Central Africa. The findings showed that, per hectare, Kalimantan had the highest carbon uptake compared to the Amazon and Central Africa.

Moreover, the research team discovered that degraded forests in Borneo accumulated carbon at a rate approximately 50% faster than in the Amazon and Central Africa, likely due to its favorable climate and environment.

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Space_for_our_climate/Recovering_forests_regain_a_quarter_of_carbon_lost_from_deforestation

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05679-w

 

For the first time researchers have found a clear correlation between deforestation and regional precipitation. A team at Leeds University has proven this using satellite and meteorological records from 2003-17 across the Amazon, Congo and SE Asia. At the largest measured scale of 200km squared (40,000 sq km), the study discovered rainfall was 0.25 percentage points lower each month for every 1 percentage point loss of forest.

So the more rainforests are cleared in tropical countries, the less rainfall will be available for local farmers. The study notes that crop yields could decline by 1.25% for each 10 percentage point loss of forest cover. This can enter into a vicious cycle, as reductions in rainfall lead to further forest loss, increased fire vulnerability and weaker carbon drawdown.

The study provides a compelling argument for tropical forest conservation in order to help maintain a cooler and wetter local climate, with benefits for nearby agriculture and people.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05690-1

 

A recent publication in the Guardian(18-01-’23) criticizes the Verra standard throughwhich the majority of the world’s REDD+ credits are issued. Verra is accussed of greatly overestimating the carbon reduction their credits represent. In a response Verra claims that the methods of the studies used by the critics are notrepresentative for the realized results on the ground.

RBI’s position is that the studies used by The Guardian do not jusitify their far reaching claims and further scientific analysis is needed. Neverthless we feel that a thorough scrutiny of the methods used by Verra and other certifiers is very important. This will help to improve the integrity, transparancy and accountablity of the market. But we shouldn’t let scepticism overtake justified criticism aimed at scaling up themuch needed  forest conservation in the tropics via the Voluntary Carbon Market.

Our position is very well reflected in the open letter of Sylvera, subscribed by RBI and almost 50 other organizations representing a mix of developers, ratings platforms, NGOs, marketplaces, intermediaries, and industry bodies.