Without implementation of effective policies and measures to slow deforestation, clearing of tropical forests will likely release an additional 87 to 130 giga tonnes of carbon (GtC) by 2100, an amount equivalent to the carbon release from more than a decade of global fossil fuel combustion at current rates. The Bali Action Plan, adopted by UNFCCC at the thirteenth session of its Conference of the Parties (COP-13) in December 2007, therefore mandated Parties to negotiate a post-2012 legal instrument, including possible financial incentives for forest-based climate change mitigation actions in developing countries.
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD) is now widely recognized as a critical issue for climate change mitigation. However, many questions remain regarding the social and environmental risks and benefits to countries and communities. UNEP, primarily through the joint UNEP-UNDP-FAO UN-REDD Programme, is supporting capacity development, analysis and policy dialogue at country and international levels to find answers to these fundamental questions and ensure the environmental integrity of emerging REDD schemes.
The UN-REDD programme seeks to ensure international coherence in the REDD debate, increase understanding of the options for including a REDD mechanism in a post-2012 climate regime and build confidence in their feasibility. It is also helping build capacity in developing countries to design and implement REDD measures, strategies and mechanisms, and is supporting the development of solutions and approaches based on sound science for a REDD instrument under the UNFCCC. The programme works closely with the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, as well as with other initiatives, such as the Global Environment Facility Tropical Forest Account, Australia’s International Forest Carbon Initiative and the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
Associated with the UN-REDD Programme, UNEP is also working with a wide range of partners to implement pilot projects in Africa and Southeast Asia to test and gain experience in implementing REDD options. The REDD++ project is designed to support countries to develop best practices for avoided deforestation and forest carbon stock retention initiatives. It focuses on achieving multiple benefits and encouraging environmental and social safeguards through improving community livelihoods, conserving biodiversity and protecting water resources.
UN-REDD Programme Website