Deforestation: Risk for the Climate – Chance for Kosova?

Abstract

Abstract 
Climate Change is a risk for the global economy. Within its contributing factors, deforestation seems to be one of 
the major causes for the elevation of earth’s temperature. By reverse logic, reforestation or at least keeping 
forests intact could help mitigating climate change. In order for this reverse logic to work, there has to be certain 
incentives for countries to maintain their forests intact. This paper analyses a specific framework of incentives, 
REDD+, and its possible implementation in Kosova. 
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is an effort to create a financial value 
for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested 
lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development. “REDD+” goes beyond deforestation and 
forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement 
of forest carbon stocks. 
It is predicted that financial flows for greenhouse gas emission reductions from REDD+ could reach up to US$30 
billion a year. This significant North-South flow of funds could reward a meaningful reduction of carbon emissions 
and could also support new, pro-poor development, help conserve biodiversity and secure vital ecosystem 
services. 
In South-eastern Europe at-large and in Kosova specifically, there are still forest reserves that can be used as 
object of REDD+ projects. This paper explores to which extent this is possible and goes into the procedural and 
institutional pre-conditions. 
By helping mitigation/adaptation of climate-change and its attributed risks, Kosova could profit financially and in 
terms of its own image vis-à-vis the international community building up, thus, financial and political capital.