The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) stands as the UN’s knowledge and advisory platform dedicated to forest solutions in combating the climate crisis. Established in 2008, it leverages the technical expertise of key entities such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- Objectives:
- UN-REDD aims to contribute significantly to addressing the climate emergency by actively reducing carbon emissions and promoting carbon sequestration. The program focuses on ensuring the environmental integrity of carbon emission reductions while concurrently advocating for non-carbon benefits, including biodiversity conservation, local livelihood support, and the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights.
- International Collaboration:
- As part of the post-2012 framework under the Bali Action Plan, COP 13 resolved to incorporate Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) into its agenda. The specific details were to be determined at COP 15 in Copenhagen. UN-REDD collaborates with developing nations, providing technical assistance to implement REDD+ and meet the standards set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for REDD+ results-based payments.
- Partnerships and Programs:
- Beyond UN-REDD, several programs, such as the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, and others, actively support nations engaged in REDD+ initiatives. The UN-REDD Programme, along with the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and the Forest Investment Programme (FIP), works collaboratively to streamline safeguard guidelines and procedures, ensuring efficiency in REDD+ implementation across countries with multiple programs.
- Global Presence:
- The UN-REDD Programme maintains its Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, overseeing its global efforts and collaborations. To further assist nations, the program has developed the Social Principles Risk Identification and Mitigation Tool, offering valuable support in navigating the complexities of REDD+ implementation.
OBJECTIVES
The UN-REDD Programme aligns its objectives with the overarching goal of significantly reducing worldwide emissions arising from deforestation and forest degradation, particularly in economically challenged nations. Simultaneously, it strives to augment carbon stores within forests, contributing to the larger framework of national sustainable development.
Key Objectives:
- Emission Reduction and Carbon Storage: The primary objective is to mobilize resources that result in a substantial reduction of global emissions linked to deforestation and forest degradation. This goal is complemented by an emphasis on increasing carbon storage within forest ecosystems.
- Contributions to Climate Change Mitigation: The UN-REDD Programme, within its 2016-2020 work plan, focuses on three key outcomes. It aims to design REDD+ contributions that not only mitigate climate change but also provide additional benefits. These contributions are designed to be quantified, reported, and confirmed at the country level, with the establishment of appropriate institutional frameworks.
- Implementation and Protection: The program works towards the effective implementation and protection of REDD+ contributions to climate change mitigation. This involves the formulation and enforcement of policies and procedures that represent results-based activities. It includes the creation of suitable and effective institutional frameworks to safeguard the achievements of REDD+ initiatives.
UN REDD+
UN REDD+: Pioneering Climate Mitigation Through Forest Conservation
REDD+, an acronym for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, stands as a finance mechanism negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This innovative framework aims to curtail greenhouse gas emissions originating from deforestation and forest degradation in economically challenged nations.
Key Elements:
- Establishment and Framework: The Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (WFR), formulated during COP 19 in December 2013, serves as the cornerstone of REDD+. This framework provides comprehensive guidance, both methodologically and financially, for the effective implementation of REDD+ activities.
- Phased Approach: REDD+ unfolds in three distinct phases: preparedness, implementation, and payment for outcomes. This phased structure ensures a systematic and strategic approach to addressing the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation.
- Voluntary Climate Mitigation: REDD+ operates as a voluntary climate mitigation initiative pioneered by the UNFCCC Parties. Its primary objective is to safeguard forest carbon stores, promote sustainable forest management practices, and enhance overall forest carbon stocks.
- Historical Development: The concept of REDD+ was initially discussed in 2005, envisioning climate change mitigation by reducing net greenhouse gas emissions through enhanced forest management in impoverished nations. Crucial decisions regarding REDD+ were largely made by 2013, with the final regulatory components concluded in 2015.
- Triple Goal: REDD+ integrates a triple-pronged goal. It aims to protect existing forest carbon stores, ensure sustainable forest management practices, and augment forest carbon stocks, collectively contributing to the global fight against climate change.
- Efficiency and Fairness: Advocates of REDD+ assert its effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness as a system for reducing emissions stemming from deforestation and forest degradation. The framework strives to strike a balance between environmental conservation, socioeconomic considerations, and climate change mitigation.
FOREST CARBON PARTNERSHIP FACILITY
- The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global alliance uniting governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples with a shared commitment to combat deforestation and forest degradation.
- Focused on activities encompassed by REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), the FCPF emphasizes emissions reduction, forest carbon stock conservation, sustainable forest management, and the augmentation of forest carbon stocks in developing nations.
Key Components:
- Global Collaboration: The FCPF serves as a collaborative platform, engaging governments, businesses, civil society entities, and Indigenous Peoples worldwide. This broad coalition underscores the inclusive and collective approach required to address the challenges of deforestation.
- Lead Role of World Bank: Operating as the trustee and secretariat, the World Bank assumes pivotal functions within the FCPF. This involves coordination, facilitation, and administration to ensure the smooth implementation of the initiative’s objectives.
- Delivery Partners: The World Bank, along with the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, functions as Delivery Partners. Under the Readiness Fund, these partners play a crucial role in providing support for REDD+ readiness, combining financial and technical assistance.
Objectives:
- Supporting REDD+ Efforts: The primary objective of the FCPF is to assist countries in their REDD+ endeavors by offering both financial and technical assistance. This support aims to enhance the capacity of nations to effectively implement strategies for emissions reduction and sustainable forest management.
- Performance-Based Payment System: The FCPF pioneers a performance-based payment system for REDD+ activities. By linking payments to actual performance in emissions reduction, it encourages tangible and measurable outcomes, fostering accountability and efficiency.
- Livelihoods and Biodiversity: The FCPF aims to explore and test approaches to sustain or enhance the livelihoods of local communities while concurrently conserving biodiversity. This multifaceted objective underscores the FCPF’s commitment to balancing environmental conservation with social and economic considerations.
- Knowledge Dissemination: The FCPF places a strong emphasis on disseminating the knowledge acquired through Emission Reductions Programs (ERPs). This knowledge-sharing aspect ensures that successful strategies, lessons learned, and best practices are broadly communicated to benefit the global community.
The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility stands as a dynamic and collaborative force, demonstrating the potential for coordinated international efforts to combat deforestation and advance sustainable forest management practices. Through its diverse partnerships and multifaceted objectives, the FCPF contributes significantly to the global pursuit of climate and environmental sustainability.
FAQs – UN-REDD+ PROGRAM AND REDD
1. What is the UN-REDD Program?
A: The UN-REDD Program, or United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, is a knowledge and advisory platform addressing the climate crisis. Established in 2008, it leverages technical expertise from entities like FAO, UNDP, and UNEP.
2. What are the objectives of the UN-REDD Program?
A: The program aims to reduce global emissions by combating deforestation and promoting carbon sequestration. It emphasizes environmental integrity, biodiversity conservation, livelihood support, and indigenous rights.
3. How does the UN-REDD Program collaborate internationally?
A: UN-REDD collaborates globally by providing technical assistance to developing nations for REDD+ implementation. It aligns with post-2012 frameworks and partners with organizations like the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and others.
4. What is REDD+?
A: REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. It’s a UNFCCC-negotiated finance mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in economically challenged nations by protecting forests and enhancing carbon stocks.
5. What is the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (WFR)?
A: The WFR, established during COP 19 in 2013, provides comprehensive guidance for REDD+ activities, offering methodological and financial advice for its implementation.
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