Kyoto Protocol compliance and non-compliance

The Kyoto Protocol only allows for reforestation of land cleared before 1989. This must be done by:

• tree-planting;
• assisted natural regeneration.

These actions meet Clean Development Mechanism criteria and are ‘Kyoto compliant’.

The Kyoto Protocol represents what was politically possible and strategic ten years ago.  It does not address emissions from on-going deforestation even though this produces 20% of global CO2 emissions, threatens biodiversity and compromises other environmental goods and services provided by forests at a global and local level. Apart from avoided deforestation it also excludes rehabilitation of degraded woodland and action on the front-line where clearance is recent.

Overall it is generally accepted that deforestation creates more emissions than air travel, vehicles and shipping combined. World Land Trust therefore believes these ‘Kyoto non-compliant’ actions are a crucial and very effective means to mitigate climate change, while delivering many other environmental benefits. Furthermore, situations on the ground often demand a combination of Kyoto compliant, and non-compliant, measures. We therefore deliver our voluntary offsets using both approaches, although they are accounted separately. Special arrangements can be made for ‘Kyoto compliant’ offsetting only, but they will normally be matched by a non-compliant ‘avoided deforestation’ component.

Matching reforestation with avoided deforestation also has an important bearing on carbon neutrality. Offsets through tree-growth are only fully delivered over 20 years while preventing clearance of standing forest gives an early gain where the threat is imminent. These are exactly the areas where World Land Trust works.