Land-use change, primarily through tropical
forest loss and degradation, is estimated to
contribute between 6–17% of all anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emissions (van der Werf et al.
2009). The maintenance and enhancement of
natural carbon stocks are therefore considered
key climate change mitigation measures,
especially through the developing mechanism
on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
forest Degradation, forest conservation,
sustainable management of forests and
enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+).
Well-planned and carefully implemented REDD+
actions can have positive outcomes that are
additional to emissions reductions. Such
‘co-benefits’ include biodiversity conservation
and maintenance of ecosystem services, as well
as direct improvements to livelihoods and the
rights and well-being of local people.
Spatial analyses relating to co-benefits can
provide key information to support planning
and decision-making on REDD+ at national and
sub-national scales. To do so, they should be
based on data developed at an appropriate
scale and should address those benefits and
challenges deemed most important by key
stakeholders and practitioners.
This report presents results from an initial effort
to produce such analyses for Cambodia. It
includes new data on the distribution of
terrestrial carbon stocks in Cambodia and
analyses of its relation to areas of importance
for biodiversity, Protected Areas and other land
management units, and pressures (such as
forest cover loss). It is expected that the study
will be developed further in collaboration with
other institutes and stakeholders