Governance and economic incentives for reducing the contribution of tropical deforestation to climate change

Deforestation occurs mostly in tropical countries and contributes a large share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing tropical deforestation therefore has an important role in global responses to climate change. This research investigates whether, and how, deforestation can be slowed through better governance and by providing economic incentives to forest-rich tropical countries, including Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The research will inform the design of incentive mechanisms for avoided deforestation under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is part of the post-Kyoto Protocol negotiations. It will also inform donor and international agencies to better target governance programmes.