This article explores the science-policy interactions between peer-reviewed
literature and decisions and declarations on Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry
(LULUCF) projects in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) taken at Conference of
the Parties (COP) meetings. The results are based on a literature analysis capturing 88
articles published from 1997 to 2005. By using a matrix search method and a structured
reading form, the method and analysis focussed on whether issues of CDM and LULUCF
were presented as ‘supportive of the inclusion of LULUCF’ and ‘critical of the inclusion of
LULUCF’. A matrix search method and a structured reading form were applied. Of the 88
articles, 66% included discussions supportive to the inclusion of LULUCF. Forty-nine
percent had a first author affiliated in natural sciences. Only 19% had first authors affiliated
in developing countries while the same number for contributing authors was 38%. The
results show no clear connection between scientific literature and decisions and declarations,
but indicate that policymakers set the research agenda by declarations, while
researchers feed the process up until decisions are made.