(openPR) - A new report from the UN, underlining the importance of private investment to help save the world’s forests, has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

Seattle, WA, September 20, 2011 -- A new report from the UN, underlining the importance of private investment to help save the world’s forests, has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The report called, ‘REDDy-Set-Grow Part II: Recommendations for International Climate Change Negotiators’ warned that without an agreement on establishing a plan to encourage private sector investment, we risk large financial and environmental losses.

Financial institution group, The UN Environment Programme’s Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), has called upon those involved with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to ensure that they clarify the role of private investment in maintaining forests. FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, stated, “ensuring a post-Kyoto Protocol agreement is made on the role of private investment in the continuation and development of REDD+ is vital".

REDD+ is the name for concept behind the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation.

The Kyoto Protocol is a set of legally binding targets and agreements established to help ensure countries did their bit to reduce carbon emissions. However, they are scheduled to expire next year and new agreements need to be put in place to ensure the process of reducing carbon emissions stays on track and protecting forests has a lot to do with this.

The report from the UNEP FI claims that failing to establish an effective regime for the protection of forests could result in global economic losses of as much as $1 trillion by 2100. It could also have a devastating impact on the people living all over the world who rely on forestry for their livelihoods, which totals an estimated one billion people.

Mr Collins added, “It’s imperative that a new agreement is made this year and that the powers that be take a sensible approach to attracting investment to forestry.”

One effective way to encourage investment in forestry that is backed by FRA is through direct investment firms like Greenwood Management, which runs sustainable plantations in Brazil and Canada.

An ineffective climate change regime on forests would entail losses in the global economy of $1 trillion per year by 2100, and affect a large portion of the estimated 1 billion people who rely on forests for their livelihood, according research done previously, the report adds.

An ineffective climate change regime on forests would entail losses in the global economy of $1 trillion per year by 2100

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206-316-8394
info@forestry-research.com
www.forestry-research.com