Colin Challen MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group (APPCCG) invited the Founder & CEO of Worldview Impact to a meeting on REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), in conjunction with ODI (Overseas Development Institute) and GCP (Global Canopy Programme) on Tuesday 19th February, 3-5pm in Committee Room 11 at the House of Commons. The meeting focussed on the progress made on REDD at the recent Bali COP and on key questions in the development of REDD over the next two years and how challenges relating to the politics and practical implementation of REDD policies and projects might be resolved. Participants were reminded that "if we lose tropical forests, we will lose the fight against climate change” (Sir Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, speaking in Bali.)

During the discussions it was widely agreed that deforestation and degradation are a source of up to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions and therefore a vital issue in debates about mitigating climate change. It was mentioned that large-scale financial mechanisms (possibly linked to carbon markets) may offer a cost-effective means of incentivising tropical developing countries to reduce deforestation rates, if effective policies can be put in place. The participants agreed that in addition to mitigating climate change, REDD also has the potential to contribute significant environmental and social benefits in developing countries.

This meeting brought together key REDD negotiators and observers who were at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. The speakers included Kevin Conrad from Papua New Guinea, John Lanchberry from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Jim Penman from DEFRA and Andrew Mitchell from the Global Canopy Programme. During the discussions that followed the presentations, Bremley mentioned that they must me a practical way to get the money from the REDD projects directly to the poor in these target countries. He also stated that the poor lack the capacity and training to benefit from such initiatives and therefore governments must provide clear incentives and guidance to the forest dependent communities on the actual benefits of REDD. Bremley also highlighted about his on going project in Sri Lanka with Worldview Impact and how that learning experience could be replicated in other developing countries.

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