InfoBrief 3 introduced the importance of degradation
in forest carbon emissions in Mexico, particularly in the case of tropical dry
forest. In InfoBrief 5 (see side menu) we address the institutional framework
that is developing in Mexico as regards finance and incentives for REDD+
activities, and highlight why inclusion of degradation is so difficult.
A national baseline has been set, but it includes only
emissions from deforestation and forest fires. Under the national REDD+ strategy, activities coordinated from the
public sector will use existing incentives and public programs to reduce
emissions from these sources.
On a parallel track, activities promoting carbon
removals and enhancements can be developed within existing voluntary carbon
markets.
Reduced degradation however remains as the largely forgotten
orphan child of REDD+. This is due to lack of historical data, which is a
problem worldwide. One option for targeting degradation would be to allow the
development of such projects in the carbon markets and to develop and accredit
a methodology to create credible baselines at the level of individual forest
properties.
