New WWF report values price of Amazon’s ecological services, recommends FSC certification
WWF has released a new report that puts a price on the ecological services of the Amazon forest, such as carbon stocks, and recommends selective timber harvesting under FSC certification. Forest management according to FSC’s internationally recognised standards delivers environmental services to local and global communities including clean air and water, and contributes to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
© WWF NetherlandsKeeping the Amazon forests standing: a matter of values valued the avoided emissions from deforestation or degradation over large areas of the Amazon at between €55/ha and €78/ha per year. These include erosion protection (up to €185/ha/y), pollination services by rainforest insects in Ecuadorian coffee plantations (€38/ha/y), non-timber forest products such as honey, fruits and mushrooms (€40-80) and ecotourism (€2.5 -5.5).
This compares to the returns from the production of commodities such as beef and soya - the main Amazonian products imported by Europe. Soya generates €230 to 470/ha annually and cattle breeding adds up €40 to 115/ha/y. The study states that while the major areas of Brazilian soya production are outside the Amazon, the economic interest for this commodity is adding to pressure in the region.
The WWF report shows that the revenue currently received from economic activities in which the natural environment remains intact is not high enough to offset the non-sustainable activities, but finding mechanisms to secure global payments for the forest’s ecological services would be a major impetus to both preserving the forest and paying for and providing for proper management.
An emerging mechanism to tackle climate change is the so-called REDD mechanism (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) where industrialized countries would pay for forest preservation and the combating of CO2 emissions in tropical countries.
Johan van de Gronden, General Manager of WWF-Netherlands, comments: “REDD is not the only mechanism for the realization of sustainable forest management, but certainly the one that is the most promising.”
WWF Brazil emphasised the importance of tackling issues at the receiving end of any REDD mechanism, such as the lack of clarity concerning land ownership, the illegal occupation of land and the illegal land market.
“National and international companies should also play a role of leadership, selecting their suppliers and cleaning and decarbonising their productive chains thus participating actively of the sustainable development of the Amazon”, said Denise Hamú, CEO of WWF-Brazil.
As the fourth-largest trade partner of Brazil, the Netherlands is the largest importer of soya in the world after China.
Van de Gronden said, “Especially because of its large contribution to the Brazilian economy, the Netherlands can play a leading role in stimulating a sustainable economic development of the Amazon region by choosing to import sustainable produced goods - such as FSC certified timber - only.”
WWF commission Copernicus Institute of the University of Utrecht and the Institute for Environmental studies (IVM) to carry out the study.
Keeping the Amazon Forests Standing: a matter of values (pdf)