What is the World Banks role in directing carbon finance to the Amazon?
: The World Bank, through its leadership of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, the Forest Investment Program, and a number of other Climate Investment Funds is supporting the use of carbon finance to offset OECD GHG emissions and promote reduced deforestation in places like the Amazon. Many question the effectiveness of carbon markets and these funds in reverting the upward trend in GHG emissions. The World Bank is nevertheless moving steadily to position itself as the principal mechanism for carbon finance. With the FCPF, the Bank is supporting the formulation of REDD preparation plans in Amazon countries – with the exception of Brazil. Given the urgency of ensuring of zero deforestation, the FCPF process could offer important leverage in achieving this goal. Yet the national focus of the FCPF process and the non-participation of Brazil raises questions about how effective the Bank’s coordination of Amazon countries can be in addressing regional drivers of deforestation and achie
