Yet, forest conservation often loses out to extractive industries and agribusiness when valued through a purely economic lens. They found a carbon price range between US$33 to US$1,677 per metric tonne of carbon dioxide would be required. The researchers point to the need for diversified sources of conservation funding that complement carbon markets. “Understanding how these mechanisms complement one another will give a fuller picture of how forest transitions could be financed in Southeast Asia,” Lim said. Zeng says he hopes the research prompts decision-makers to prioritise the broader value of forests to society over short-term economic gains.