Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Emergent‚ purpose is to protect tropical forests to prevent catastrophic climate change and combat the biodiversity emergency. We are a non-profit, not driven by shareholder value or commercial gain. Our goal is to end tropical deforestation while simultaneously preserving the planet‚ biodiversity and supporting the local communities that depend on those forests. That is our ambition, which we believe is eminently achievable. 

Emergent brings together public, private and philanthropic organizations to catalyze the market for high-integrity forest protection at massive scale ‚ reversing business-as-usual to make forests worth more alive than dead.

Regions of Operations:

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

We are a non-profit intermediary engaging between tropical forest countries and the private sector to mobilize finance to support emissions reductions in deforestation. We do this by developing and bringing-to-market practical, credible and large scale forest protection solutions.

Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Sustainable Development Goals:

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Emergent works directly with national and subnational governments who are working to reduce deforestation through large-scale programs. This is one of Emergent‚ key insights. Only governments have the regulatory powers and legitimacy with local communities to make the necessary difference. Governments are in‚ÄØan effective‚ÄØposition to engage Indigenous and‚ÄØlocal‚ÄØcommunities and ensure protection of their rights. 

Emergent uses a new, jurisdiction-only standard for its credits, created by its partner the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART). ART‚ standard, The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), represents the highest environmental and social integrity and includes strict provisions for the recognition of Indigenous peoples and local communities and protection of rights of all relevant stakeholders. Involvement of all stakeholders with a focus on Indigenous peoples is more likely to result in systemic change ‚ such as the recognition of Indigenous rights ‚ than community-level consultations. 

The standard also accords with the UNFCCC‚ Cancun Safeguards, a set of seven principles that require, inter alia: transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty; respect for the knowledge and rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities; the full and effective participation of these and other stakeholders; and the protection of biodiversity. 

More generally, a market for high-integrity forest protection has the potential to empower women and Indigenous peoples who have been bearing the brunt of climate change and deforestation. Through social safeguards and new policies and enforcement of existing policies, both women and Indigenous peoples can take control of their resources to improve their livelihoods and implement economic progress, developed with cultural identity in the case of Indigenous peoples. In general, uncontrolled deforestation and various associated illegal activities (land grabbing, illegal logging, use of slave labor) have negative impacts on poor and minority populations. This is especially the case for women and Indigenous peoples. Creating financial incentives for reduced deforestation will tend to create broader development opportunities, especially for women and Indigenous peoples. Promoting sustainable economic development is generally supportive of gender integrity and human rights in that it empowers citizens who are typically poorer and less educated to make decisions and choices for themselves, fostering independence and increasing their ability to control their decisions and natural resources.

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