Understanding small-holder forest conservation motivations and the implications for climate policy

Institute for Rural Futures (BCSS) Research Seminar

• Time: Tuesday, 10 March, 2015, 1.00 – 1.50pm.
• Location: Institute for Rural Futures Seminar Room (Building CO12)
• Title: Understanding small-holder forest conservation motivations and the implications for climate policy
• Presented by: Professor Oscar Cacho*

Please join us.

Background:
Deforestation is a leading cause of biodiversity loss and an important source of global carbon emissions. This means that there are important synergies between climate policy and conservation policy. The highest rates of deforestation occur in tropical countries, where much of the land at the forest frontier is managed informally by smallholders and where governance systems tend to be weak.

Deforestation is often accompanied by fires that release large amounts of carbon dioxide. These emissions are especially high in the case of peatlands which contain thick layers of carbon-rich matter.

These features must be considered when designing policies to reduce emissions from deforestation such as REDD+. A critical requirement for reducing deforestation is the willingness of small holder farmers to participate in such schemes.

This seminar will outline the results of research that evaluates the motivations driving land conversion by small holders in Sumatra. In the area surveyed, rates of peatland deforestation are high and the land is being cleared for palm oil plantations.

* Professor Oscar Cacho started his professional life as a marine biologist and later became an economist. His research interests tackle problems of sustainability in agriculture and natural resources, particularly in developing countries. He is Professor, Graduate School of Business, UNE Business School.