Forestry, risk and climate policy

Promotie: dhr. M. Dutschke, 13.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Proefschrift: Forestry, risk and climate policy

Promotor(s): prof.dr. C. Jepma

Faculteit: Economie en Bedrijfskunde

Contact: Michael Dutschke, tel. 00 49 781 970 5749, e-mail: michael@biocarbon.net

Forestry, risk and climate policy

Forests and forestry in developing countries are major sources of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, but they are carbon dioxide sinks at the same time. They will suffer from increasing temperatures, but they can also help humanity to adapt to climate change. Land use decisions play a pivotal role in national development. Michael Dutschke resumes over a decade of policy advice. His dissertation starts by focusing the global frameset of forestrelated mitigation activities under the Climate Convention. The subsequent chapters shed light on the diverse underlying methodological and economic issues. The final chapter proposes how to collect funds for tasks of global common interest like the reduction of emissions from forests or supporting adaptation to climate change, while at the same time strengthening the commitment of the beneficiaries towards the international climate regime. Dutschke concludes that forestry is special compared to other sectors, and that environmental risks in striking the balance between environmental effectiveness, cost-efficiency and equity are posing important challenges. Besides identifying the key issues in climate forestry, he offers pragmatic solutions for the integration of forests in international climate policy.