Lessons to be learned from REDD+

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is introduced in this guide as it can be used as a comparison to illustrate how an equivalent agriculture programme under SBSTA may help with mitigation of, and adaptation to, the negative effects of climate change. It also shows how a dedicated space and effort can bring an issue firmly into the UNFCCC.

REDD 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. Over time, more issues were brought under REDD and are now brought together under ‘REDD+’. REDD+ goes beyond deforestation and forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Implementing effective and efficient REDD+ strategies calls for gender-sensitive, inclusive and equitable stakeholder involvement. This means capturing the perspectives and experiences of men, women and youth in all stages of REDD+ processes. In particular, it means understanding local conditions and contexts such as land tenure and resource use rights, participation of women, men, and youth in the forest sector, and the local underlying drivers (social, economic, political) of deforestation.

When negotiations started on forests, Parties were very divided and there was a lack of knowledge and understanding, very much as we see today on agriculture. The establishment of a SBSTA work programme helped deal with some of those questions, and it eventually contributed to REDD being included in the Convention.

The REDD process bears many resemblances to the agriculture negotiations, but the scope and purpose of REDD+ are very different. Essentially, REDD+ is a mitigation financing mechanism that covers a limited number of countries, without an adaptation component. Agriculture is critical to all countries and requires a holistic solution that includes adaptation, mitigation and food security. Therefore, working solutions for agriculture and climate change should not be considered only as a mitigation financing mechanism.

The following infographics, links and videos provide a short explanation of the REDD+ scheme.