Emissions tied to bolder incentives to cut down on deforestation

Europe is throwing its weight into bigger incentives for legal and sustainable forest management.

The European Commission is proposing regulation to oblige traders to seek guarantees that the timber products they deal in have been harvested according to the laws of the country of origin.

Operators who want access to the EU market would have to comply with the new rules.

Deforestation is responsible for almost 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so Brussels is also proposing to reward developing countries for emissions reductions they achieve by limiting deforestation.

The Commission proposes to fund this in large part from the proceeds of allowances sold by auction in the EU Emissions Trading System.

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