REDD+ in Nigeria’s Last Rainforest

REDD+ seeks to mobilize international finance from developed to developing countries to conserve the latter’s forests and, thus, increase the carbon dioxide absorbed and stored in those forests against a set baseline. This is based on evidence that global deforestation and land-use changes account for about a quarter of global carbon emissions. Countries can make additional gains by planting new forests or restoring formerly forested areas.

Across the world, political leaders, international organizations, civil society groups and analysts praised REDD+ as a relatively cheap and more natural way to address global emissions. The initiative received praise as a win-win undertaking that could conserve tropical forests, reduce emissions and conserve biodiversity. By providing significant climate finance, REDD+ could help to address rural poverty and fund green development pathways in developing countries. REDD+ is overseen by international institutions including the World Bank, the United Nations, Western development agencies, international NGOs such as Conservation International and the World Wildlife Fund, and governments of developing countries.