By G Kindermann, M Obersteiner, B Sohngen, J Sathaye, K Andrasko, E Rametsteiner, B Schlamadinger, S Wunder, and R Beach.
Tropical deforestation is estimated to cause about one-quarter of anthropogenic carbon emissions, loss of biodiversity, and other environmental services. United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change talks are now considering mechanisms for avoiding deforestation (AD), but the economic potential of AD has yet to be addressed. We use three economic models of global land use and management to analyze the potential contribution of AD activities to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. AD activities are found to be a competitive, low-cost abatement option. Finally, some caveats to the analysis that could increase costs of AD programs are described.
http://www.pnas.org/content/105/30/10302.full?sid=24167b63-ea85-4f33-8d7...