The Politics of German Finance for REDD+

Abstract

The concept of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and its framing of forest protection as a climate mitigation approach mark a clear paradigm shift – after decades of up-front financing of traditional ODA projects REDD+ follows the logic of ex-post payments for measured and verified performance within much larger jurisdictions. Germany has been among the major donor countries supporting forest protection for a long time: during the last three decades it has continuously supported developing countries in their efforts to cope with unsustainable use and conversion of forests through direct programming and activities within its bilateral development cooperation. Convinced of the urgency to facilitate an effective transformative change in the global land sector, Germany continues its support and is also among those countries that promoted REDD+ early on. It considers the concept as a major chance to slow down and eventually reverse the overuse and conversion of forests, especially in recognition that traditional development assistance has not succeeded in stopping the detrimental uses of forest lands. REDD+ is seen as a way to break new ground in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of international support.