The role of forests and protected areas in climate change mitigation: a review and critique of the ecosystem services and REDD+ approaches

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the biggest human impacts on the planet and are directly related to climate change. Emissions from deforestation are acknowledge as the second biggest cause of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for up to 20% of CO₂ equivalent released into the atmosphere in 2010. One of the main strategies internationally adopted to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, which is now gaining importance for the climate change mitigation, is the implementation of protected areas. The current paradigm of protected area management is based on market instruments, exemplified by the REDD + initiatives and payment for ecosystem services schemes. However, critics of this perspective argue that it is directly influenced by neoliberalism and privileges capital accumulation over the conservation of the environment. Through a critical analysis of the existing literature, the present article suggests that protected areas are an efficient strategy for reducing deforestation, but it is still insufficient and needs to be accompanied by complementary actions for the control of territories outside protected areas, which prevents the redirection of illegal activities.