Statement from The Nature Conservancy on California Air Resources Board’s Endorsement of the Tropical Forest Standard
San Francisco, CA
The Tropical Forest Standard was endorsed today by the California Air Resources Board, which outlines key steps to conserve forest carbon and reduce deforestation, a major source of global emissions. Science shows that with concerted global action between now and 2030, better land stewardship offers 37 percent of the solution for keeping global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius or below—the same as if the world today put a complete stop on the burning of oil. But we must act now.
The Tropical Forest Standard is a set of guidelines that provides a basis for assessing the climate value of standing forests, while also ensuring environmental and community safeguards. It provides a framework to quantify the value achieved from greenhouse gas reductions associated with forest conservation that can be aligned with a variety of incentives, such as supply chain policies, cap and trade programs or low carbon fuel standards, among others to drive that change.
“Nature is one of our most powerful tools to address climate change. How we manage and conserve our forests and lands in California and across the globe are key to reducing global emissions responsible for climate change and we are poised to make incredible impacts,” said Michelle Passero, Director of the California Climate Program, The Nature Conservancy. “When we protect nature, nature protects us.”
The Tropical Forest Standard also includes social and environmental safeguards, transparency, and clear processes to engage participation in local communities. California’s Air Resources Board continues to show its leadership in addressing climate change and recognizing the vital roles forests, farms, ranches, and local communities play in any climate change solution
The California Air Resources Board’s endorsement of the Tropical Forest Standard is a framework our global community can also use to disincentivize tropical forest degradation and deforestation, which are a significant source of global emissions. We applaud California’s leadership.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.