News Tip: Expert Available to Comment on U.N. Climate Change Conference Talks Surrounding Possible REDD+ Deal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2010
CONTACT: Erin McKenzie
(919) 613-3652
erin.mckenzie@duke.edu

Brian Murray
Director for Economic Analysis, Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
http://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/people/murray/

Murray researches the economics of climate change policy, and is leading an effort to develop protocols and methods for reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) in the Amazon region. He is currently attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Cancun, but will be reachable by phone and email.

Quotes:

"A deal on REDD+ in Cancun would be a significant, positive step forward.  Not only would it signal that the U.N. process can work to forge an agreement among countries -- something that the Copenhagen meeting left in doubt -- it would take a major step forward in global efforts to reverse the loss of forests by providing finance to get the job done.

"There are still several important issues to work out, such as the connection of REDD+ to developed countries emission-reduction commitments, the role of markets in financing the transition and the enforcement of safeguards to ensure transparency, protect biodiversity and the rights of forest-dependent people. But a REDD+ agreement in Cancun would lay the foundation for those discussions moving forward."