Paul Moutinho, Amazon Institute for Environmental Research, noted the challenge of addressing emissions from deforestation, and suggested that the current Brazilian proposal on reducing deforestation carries forward from the concept of “compensated reduction” discussed at climate COP 9.

Annie Petsonk, Environmental Defense, highlighted the importance of reducing deforestation and emphasized that monitoring deforestation is possible.

John Holdren, Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC), highlighted that forest destruction in the tropics is a major source of GHG emissions, noting the role of forest burning in this regard. He outlined that the considerable uncertainties that might exist in monitoring forest emission reductions due to burning can be, and need to be, addressed.

Daniel Nepstad, WHRC, suggested the Brazilian initiative demonstrates that emissions from deforestation could be reduced cheaply. He stressed that tropical forests must be a part of the solution to global warming and that cultural and biodiversity survival in preservation efforts must not be left out.

Marina Silva, Minister of Environment, Brazil, noted that deforestation has been reduced by 50% in Amazonia due to a recent Brazilian government initiative, and underscored the need for positive incentives for this initiative to go forward. She concluded that if it is hard for countries dependent on fossil fuels to change their developmental model, then it is equally hard for countries dependent on natural resources to change theirs.

Participants discussed the possibilities of networking with stakeholders for furthering forest conservation, the role of indigenous people in the Brazilian forest protection effort and the repercussions of keeping forestry out of CDM limits for African countries.