Carbon InVEST case studies & policy Emily McKenzie 3 April, InVEST Training, Bangkok

Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Beneficiaries of climate regulation service provided by forests compensate those who conserve forests. GHG reductions must be verified, permanent and additional To create incentives, REDD payments must exceed lost income Standards to demonstrate additional benefits for biodiversity and local communities (co-benefits).

Voluntary carbon markets Individuals or companies buy certified reductions in carbon emissions Motivated by ethics or reputation Certification schemes exist for ‘charismatic’ carbon activities that deliver additional benefits (CCBA) Less strict requirements than REDD

Policy questions: InVEST and land-based carbon projects Could land-based carbon projects provide additional carbon storage? Where are these gains greatest? Where could land-based carbon projects provide additional co-benefits? Where would REDD+ and voluntary carbon projects be feasible? Would activities to reduce GHG emissions lead to unacceptable losses of other services?

InVEST’s niche Simple approach to carbon mapping Adds perspective of multiple ecosystem services / co-benefits

Central Sumatra Today Sumatra Ecosystem Vision Government spatial plan What might the future look like? (60% more forest than 2008) Same amount of natural forest as 2008 (but likely worse)

Gains and losses in carbon stocks from 2008 to Vision Plan Carbon gain Carbon loss 2058

Priority districts for investing in forest carbon projects High priority districts have: -High deforestation risk - Large biomass carbon stocks - Relatively low agricultural value

Carbon stock

Relative importance of Tiger Conservation Landscapes for Ecosystem Services in Central Sumatra 5000 % !! % difference in services between TCLs and rest of landscape

Landscape-wide change in services and habitat under alternative scenarios

Implementing the Vision here would enhance wildlife habitat and sequester carbon… And benefit downstream communities through improved water quality. High habitat quality increase AND High biomass carbon stock increase AND Large reduction in nutrient export (N or P) (Green Vision – Govt plan)

Example from Tanzania Carbon storage on the current landscape…

Conservation 2025 CurrentBAU 2025 Confidential draft, Feb 2009 Thanks to Dr Ruth Swetnam Comparison of carbon storage and sequestration in different scenarios…

2000 Conservation 2025 BAU t/C t/C or -3.6% of 2000 value t/C or - 13% of 2000 value LOSS Confidential draft, Feb 2009 Thanks to Dr Ruth Swetnam

Lessons Opportunity cost information needed Carbon maps from InVEST typically used for project site scoping Scenarios important for demonstrating additionality

Resources to help InVEST REDD+ Tip Sheet InVEST in Practice: Land-Based Carbon Offsets

Any questions?

Carbon Activity Identify decisions in GMS where carbon information could be useful (How) would you want to apply InVEST to support those decisions?