Understanding REDD: A Washington Monthly Event
on Carbon Emissions and Deforestation

October 30, 2009

On October 30, panelists Tia Nelson, Nigel Purvis, and Steve Schwartzman discussed the new market mechanism, REDD — Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation — that aims to allow residents of tropical forest properties to earn more money from standing forests than from their removal. Tropical deforestation accounts for 20 percent of all carbon emissions into the atmosphere, more than the combined emissions of every car, truck, ship, plane and train on the planet. Commission Executive Director Nigel Purvis spoke to the New America Foundation audience on the REDD issue and the Commission's recommendations.