Reducing deforestation is vital to reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change, but cutting down trees also serves as a source of income to communities globally. This evaluation studies the effectiveness of a Payments for Ecosystem Services program in Uganda, which paid landowners not to cut trees on their forested property. The study found the program to be a cost-effective solution for reducing deforestation and abating emissions.
![“It wasn’t until I started working with Desirée [Plata] that I started applying materials science as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That was a profound insight,” says Audrey Parker.](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_mini_image/public/post-images/MIT-Audrey_Parker-01-press.jpg?itok=gxwqhKlE)