Will the global forestry carbon market turn to REDD credits? And where are the opportunities for Asia? The Carbon Markets 2010 conference offers a view into REDD, highlighting developments in Southeast Asia.

While nearly $150 million has been spent to date on carbon offsets from planting trees and preserving forests, the market is in a precipitous position over limitations in the CDM for forestry projects. However, the industry got a boost at the Copenhagen talks, when nations promised a $3.5 billion international scheme to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD), with the U.S. alone pledging $1 billion, according to Reuters reports.

According to the UN REDD Program website, “REDD - Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries - is an effort to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.”

A recent report published by ICF consulting and UNEP proposed that Public and Private sector carbon market buyers and investors can play complimentary roles in fostering investment in REDD activities. While public buyers are essential to engage governmental and public agencies, the private sector has limitless opportunities either as projects financiers or carbon credits buyers, and private sector activity will definitely have a role to play in growing the collective capacity to identify, develop and sustain REDD activities.

Asia seems to be at the forefront of developments, with UN REDD program pilot projects in Vietnam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and Cambodia, The Philippines, Nepal and Sri Lanka nominated as REDD Observer countries.

At the Carbon Markets 2010 conference in Singapore on 6-7 May 2010, Mr. Darius Sarshar, Eco Products Manager at New Forests Asia will be speaking about “REDD, Bio-banking and the Emergence of New Commercial Framework for SE Asia's Forests”. This topic will offer carbon buyers and investors insights into how forestry can emerge as the next big carbon opportunity in Asia.

If you are keen to find out more about REDD, CDM, the status of the global forestry carbon markets, and upcoming opportunities in Asia, you should come to Singapore and attend the Carbon Markets 2010 conference. Get experts’ views on your top Carbon market concerns, and meet like-minded executives to discuss future collaborations and ventures.

You can click on the links below to explore the full conference agenda, or sign up to attend the conference.