This week, the Peruvian forests have a reason to celebrate

With more than 68 million hectares of forests, Peru has one of the five largest, most diverse and best preserved tropical forest areas in the world. It is also estimated to be one of the world’s four largest tropical forest carbon stores.

These forests are in DANGER.  Look at the situation in the Peruvian Amazon:

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] In Peru, around 50% of total GHG emissions -or 71 million tons of CO2 per year- are generated by changes in land use, mainly through the conversion of amazon forest to subsistence agricultural practices at a rate of around 110,000 ha/year. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] Deforestation of tropical forests represents one of the most significant anthropogenic land use changes in history. Emissions from land-use change constitute over 46% of the overall GHG emissions of the LAC region, a figure significantly above the world average of 18%. The LAC region lost four million hectares per year between 2005 and 2010, which amounted to the world’s worst deforestation rates. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] These deforestation rates have severe consequences on global and local climatic conditions, on the loss of biodiversity, and on increased flooding, siltation and soil degradation. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] Deforestation also represents threats to the livelihoods and cultural integrity of forest dependent people and the supply of forest products as well as ecosystem services for sustaining Peruvian growing population. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] It is estimated that the impacts of climate change in Peru could cause losses that exceed 20% of GNP by 2050, due to the fact that the country´s main economic sectors (mining, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism) are highly sensitive to climate change. 

So, how do we reduce emissions from deforestation, while at the same time provide the necessary food to a growing population, AND preserve the forests and the ecosystem services they provide, AND create jobs and new economic opportunities in sustainable agriculture and forestry?

The GOOD NEWS is that the Government of Peru, Norway, Germany and the IDB have COME UP WITH PART OF THE SOLUTION:

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] Peru is taking action to reduce its forest related emissions and to make its forest and agriculture sector carbon neutral by 2021, while recognizing millions of hectares of indigenous peoples’ land claims. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] Norway just committed up to US$300 million until 2020 to pay for verified results in the reduction of deforestation, while Germany supports Peru on climate and forest issues, and will consider further contributions on the basis the delivery of results. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] Peru will work to deter the conversion of soils under forests and protection categories to agricultural use and will take measures to reduce deforestation from logging, natural resource extraction and mining. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] The IDB will provide technical assistance and accompany Peru to achieve the commitments upon which financial resources will be received. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] The country will establish a new forest law and an ambitious public private coalition with multilateral companies committed to ambitious zero deforestation policies. 

[dropcap type=”circle” color=”#ffffff” background=”#669933″]>[/dropcap] Peru will develop measurement and reporting systems to monitor the results of all these activities and the environmental and social impacts of keeping its forests alive.

While this is a huge step towards a new development model of protecting the natural capital of Peru while shaping a more robust economy, much more needs to be done to have an inclusive and fair process to involve native communities, to involve the private sector and to maintain political will on the basis of this great milestone for Peruvian forests.

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Read more:

• Heading towards the UN Climate Summit in New York
• Six reasons to smile on World Environment Day
• Confessions of a tree-hugger