Rapid Carbon Stock Appraisal (RaCSA)

“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level” (IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, 2007). About 20% of the emissions of carbondioxide (CO ) and other greenhouse gasses that cause this global climate change are due to land use change in the tropics. While most policies have so far focused on the fossil fuel use that causes the bulk of the CO emissions, the land use change component can no longer be ignored. Global mechanisms for providing economic incentives for maintaining and restoring C-stocks are taking shape. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regulates the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) that includes, under specific rules, afforestation and reforestation activities. Currently under discussion is a similar approach to reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation in developing countries (REDD). Voluntary market mechanisms, not part of the commitments to emission reduction that UNFCCC countries have pledged, target various combinations of landscape level restoration and protection of tree cover and carbon stocks

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