REDD and REDD+

Deforestation in Malaysian Borneo

Sugarcane Deforestation, Bolivia, 2016-06-15 by Planet Labs

Marcha por el clima Madrid 06 diciembre 2019, (16)

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and its extension REDD+ are international policy mechanisms developed to incentivize the conservation of forest areas in tropical countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The concept emerged from the recognition that deforestation and forest degradation account for a significant portion of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, contributing to climate change. REDD+ goes beyond deforestation and degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Background

The idea of REDD was first introduced in 2005 during the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Montreal, Canada. It was designed to serve as a countermeasure against the increasing rates of deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics, which not only contribute to global warming but also result in biodiversity loss and affect the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities.

REDD Mechanism

REDD operates under the principle that countries that are able to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation should be financially compensated. The mechanism involves the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of forest-related emissions by countries, which then form the basis for the issuance of carbon credits. These credits can be sold on international markets, providing financial incentives for forest conservation.

REDD+ Expansion

REDD+ expands the scope of the original REDD mechanism to include three additional activities:

• Conservation of forest carbon stocks
• Sustainable management of forests
• Enhancement of forest carbon stocks

This expansion allows for a broader range of forest management activities to be recognized and compensated, not just the prevention of deforestation and degradation.

Implementation Challenges

Despite its potential, the implementation of REDD and REDD+ has faced several challenges. These include issues related to land tenure and rights, the measurement and verification of carbon stocks and emissions reductions, and ensuring that the benefits reach the local communities and indigenous peoples who are the stewards of the forests. There is also the challenge of ensuring that REDD+ projects do not result in the displacement of emissions, a phenomenon known as leakage, where conservation efforts in one area lead to increased deforestation elsewhere.

Current Status

As of now, REDD and REDD+ projects have been initiated in several countries, with support from international organizations, governments, and the private sector. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) are among the key entities providing financial support for REDD+ implementation. The success of these projects varies, with some showing promising results in terms of emissions reductions and benefits to local communities, while others struggle with the challenges mentioned above.

Conclusion

REDD and REDD+ represent important efforts in the fight against climate change, offering a pathway to reduce emissions from one of the most critical sectors – forestry. However, their success depends on overcoming significant implementation challenges, ensuring equitable benefit-sharing, and integrating these mechanisms into broader national and international climate change strategies.

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