Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) and payments for ecosystem services (PES)

Forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Particularly tropical forests do not only play a crucial role as a carbon sink, but host over half of the world’s species, counteract soil erosion, and ensure local water supply.

While the international community has repeatedly emphasized the importance of tropical forests and set the target to end deforestation by 2030, many tropical countries are among the poorest in the world and thus are often not able to bear the costs of forest conservation on their own. Without any external support, such as the international program REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), these countries promote resource intensive growth, which often entails extensive deforestation.

The trade-off between economic development and forest conservation is  the focus of our research. We try to understand the political and institutional drivers of deforestation and furthermore examine possible actions in terms of different policies.

Wehkamp, Johanna; Aquino A.; Fuss S.; Reed E.W., 2015, Analyzing the perception of deforestation drivers by African policy makers in light of possible REDD+ policy responses, Forest Policy and Economics, Vol. 59

Megevand C., H. Dulal, L. Braune, J. Wehkamp (2013): Deforestation Trends in the Congo Basin: Transport. Working Paper N° 77945, The World Bank Group, Washington DC.

Hourticq J., C. Megevand, E. Tollens, J. Wehkamp, H. Dulal (2013): Deforestation Trends in the Congo Basin: Agriculture. Working Paper N° 77938, The World Bank Group, Washington DC.