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Protecting tropical forests from the rapid expansion of rubber using carbon payments

Author

Listed:
  • Eleanor M. Warren-Thomas

    (University of East Anglia
    University of York)

  • David P. Edwards

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Daniel P. Bebber

    (University of Exeter, Stocker Road)

  • Phourin Chhang

    (Forest and Wildlife Research Institute, Forestry Administration, Royal Government of Cambodia, Hanoi Street 1019, Phum Rongchak, Sankat Phnom Penh Tmei, Khan Sen Sok)

  • Alex N. Diment

    (Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Street 21, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmorn)

  • Tom D. Evans

    (Wildlife Conservation Society Global Conservation Program)

  • Frances H. Lambrick

    (University of Oxford, South Parks Road)

  • James F. Maxwell

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Menghor Nut

    (Forestry Administration, Royal Government of Cambodia, 40 Preah Norodom Boulevard)

  • Hannah J. O’Kelly

    (Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Street 21, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmorn)

  • Ida Theilade

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Paul M. Dolman

    (University of East Anglia)

Abstract

Expansion of Hevea brasiliensis rubber plantations is a resurgent driver of deforestation, carbon emissions, and biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian rubber extent is massive, equivalent to 67% of oil palm, with rapid further expansion predicted. Results-based carbon finance could dis-incentivise forest conversion to rubber, but efficacy will be limited unless payments match, or at least approach, the costs of avoided deforestation. These include opportunity costs (timber and rubber profits), plus carbon finance scheme setup (transaction) and implementation costs. Using comprehensive Cambodian forest data, exploring scenarios of selective logging and conversion, and assuming land-use choice is based on net present value, we find that carbon prices of $30–$51 per tCO2 are needed to break even against costs, higher than those currently paid on carbon markets or through carbon funds. To defend forests from rubber, either carbon prices must be increased, or other strategies are needed, such as corporate zero-deforestation pledges, and governmental regulation and enforcement of forest protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleanor M. Warren-Thomas & David P. Edwards & Daniel P. Bebber & Phourin Chhang & Alex N. Diment & Tom D. Evans & Frances H. Lambrick & James F. Maxwell & Menghor Nut & Hannah J. O’Kelly & Ida Theilad, 2018. "Protecting tropical forests from the rapid expansion of rubber using carbon payments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03287-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03287-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Yvonne Kunz & Fenna Otten & Rina Mardiana & Katrin Martens & Imke Roedel & Heiko Faust, 2019. "Smallholder Telecoupling and Climate Governance in Jambi Province, Indonesia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-28, April.
    2. Baehr, Christian & BenYishay, Ariel & Parks, Brad, 2023. "Highway to the forest? Land governance and the siting and environmental impacts of Chinese government-funded road building in Cambodia," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Knoke, Thomas & Gosling, Elizabeth & Paul, Carola, 2020. "Use and misuse of the net present value in environmental studies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    4. Kan, Siyi & Chen, Bin & Han, Mengyao & Hayat, Tasawar & Alsulami, Hamed & Chen, Guoqian, 2021. "China’s forest land use change in the globalized world economy: Foreign trade and unequal household consumption," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    5. Hao, Xinyu & Sun, Wen & Zhang, Xiaoling, 2023. "How does a scarcer allowance remake the carbon market? An evolutionary game analysis from the perspective of stakeholders," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).

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