REDD+ and forests in the Paris Agreement

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1 REDD+ and forests in the Paris Agreement

2 GHG emissions accelerate despite reduction efforts Forests 11% Working Group III contribution to PCC AR5 Most emission growth is CO 2 from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes.

3 The Emergence of REDD+

4 What is REDD+? Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is an effort to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering positive incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development with developed countries adequate and predictable support. Financing is equally expected to come from the private sector. The key idea is results-based payments (or finance) to be derived from verified carbon emission reductions or removals.

5 Purpose of REDD+? COP21 Draft Agreement Article 3bis The purpose of the REDD-plus mechanism shall be to incentivize the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and to promote conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, while enhancing the noncarbon benefits derived as a result of the multiple functions of forests, including alleviating poverty and building ecosystem resilience.

6 How does REDD+ work to reduce GHG? Emissions (Gt CO2) Projection Reference Period Emissions Reductions Actual Emissions Year Green shaded area is reduced emissions from REDD+ actions The simplified option shown above does not reflect removals, but only emission reductions. REDD+ is not only about reduced emissions, but also about potential carbon removals from the atmosphere through sustainable forest management and restoration.

7 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime The UNFCCC did relatively little to address carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries until the mid 2000s. Deforestation was largely excluded from the scope of the Kyoto Protocol s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), whereby only afforestation and reforestation are eligible for emissions accounting purposes. CDM never achieved substantial forest action because of cumbersome rules and due to the fact that the European Union (EU) did not allow forest carbon in their Emissions Trading Scheme (the EU s market for trading carbon emissions). Image: UN Photo/F. Leather

8 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime At COP 11 in 2005, the governments of Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea submitted a proposal to include the effort to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation (RED) in the climate negotiations agenda. Between 2005 and 2010, the idea of establishing a global mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries quickly emerged and gained traction in the UN climate regime. Montreal s Palais des congrès, site of UNFCCC COP 11/CMP 1 in 2005

9 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right), flanked by Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, addresses a joint press conference at COP 13 in Bali. In 2007, as part of the Bali Action Plan, the UNFCCC COP 13 formally initiated negotiations to provide incentives and policy approaches for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries and supporting the conservation and sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+). Photo: UN Photo/E. Schneider

10 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime (From left to right) Connie Hedegaard, Minister for Climate and Energy of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark, UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, and Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, briefing correspondents at COP 15 in Copenhagen, Over succeeding rounds of negotiations, the UNFCCC has adopted numerous decisions that have provided the architecture of a global REDD+ mechanism. A large number of countries confirmed their support and pledged funding for the establishment of such a mechanism as part of the 2009 Copenhagen Accord.

11 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime The UNFCCC COP has moreover established rules and provided methodological guidance for the eventual operationalization of REDD+ as part of the 2010 Cancun Agreements, the 2011 Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, the 2012 Doha Climate Gateway and the 2013 Warsaw Framework for REDD+.

12 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Decision 2/CP.13 from the Bali Action Plan The decision includes an Annex with indicative guidance for demonstration activities. The Annex introduced the concept of results-based performance comparing emissions to the historic emissions taking into account national circumstances. Also, the subnational approach was introduced as a step towards national implementation.

13 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime 1/CP.16 from Cancun the Cancun Agreements The Cancun Agreements is a key decision in defining REDD+ and establishing an implementation framework for REDD+. It defined the five REDD+ activities, introduced the concept of the three-phased approach ending with full results-based implementation, which requires national forest monitoring systems as well as the seven safeguards.

14 The four REDD+ design elements 1/CP.16 from Cancun the Cancun Agreements Overview of the four design elements and where the respective methodological guidance can be found in the UNFCCC decisions.

15 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime 1/CP.16 from Cancun the Cancun Agreements Paragraph 70 of the decision Encourages developing country Parties to contribute to mitigation actions in the forest sector by undertaking the following activities, as deemed appropriate by each Party and in accordance with their respective capabilities and national circumstances: (a) Reducing emissions from deforestation; (b) Reducing emissions from forest degradation; (c) Conservation of forest carbon stocks; (d) Sustainable management of forest; (e) Enhancement of forest carbon stocks;

16 I. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation Deforestation is the human-induced conversion of forest to non-forested land. Deforestation in Northern Thailand The deforestation process typically converts the carbon stored in forests into CO 2 through the burning and decomposition of forest organic matter. Image: Thomas Enters

17 II. Reducing Emissions from Forest Degradation Forest degradation is the human-induced loss (through e.g. logging or fires) of carbon stocks within forest land that remains forest land. These forest stocks typically degrade and/or lose their ability to absorb atmospheric CO 2.

18 III. Conservation of Forest Carbon Stocks Conservation refers to any effort to conserve forests. Conservation is generally considered as an emissions neutral activity as it preserves a status quo, and can hence be considered as actively maintaining a carbon stock. Mangroves in Los Haitises National Park, Dominican Republic Image: A. Bielousov (CC BY-SA 3.0)

19 IV. Sustainable Management of Forests When the rate of extraction from forests is in line with the rate of natural growth, the forest can be said to be sustainably managed, although this is a somewhat narrow definitions by foresters. Timber extraction can also be improved through applying reducing impact logging. Forest management in Lao PDR Image: Thomas Enters

20 V. Enhancement of forest carbon stocks Enhancing carbon stocks can include: (i) converting non-forested land into forested land; and (ii) the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in degraded forests, through e.g. restoration. Image: UN Photo/L. Abassi

21 The Five REDD+ Activities The five REDD+ activities have not been further defined in the UNFCCC decisions to allow for flexibility of implementation by developing country Parties. However, this means that sometimes countries struggle to understand what the activities may mean in their national context, or which activities to prioritize. Given the technical and procedural complexity involved in the implementation of the REDD+ activities, Parties agreed that this should be done in three phases.

22 A phased approach to REDD+ implementation During the negotiations in Cancun, countries collectively agreed on the importance of having an iterative, flexible and learning-by-doing approach to REDD+ implementation. In practice, the phases are more continuous and discreet than originally thought. Source: UNFCCC Decision 1/CP.16, para 73

23 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime 1/CP.16 from Cancun the Cancun Agreements Countries are also requested to address, inter alia: 1) the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation; 2) land tenure issues; 3) forest governance issues; 4) gender considerations, 5) the safeguards; and 6) ensure the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, inter alia, indigenous peoples and local communities, when they develop and implement their national strategy or action plan.

24 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime 1/CP.16 from Cancun the Cancun Agreements The safeguards to be promoted and supported cover all procedural, social and environmental aspects. They are to be in line with existing national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements, cover national forest governance structures, respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities, the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, consistency with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, the need to enhance social and environmental benefits, actions to address the risk of reversals and actions to reduce displacements of emissions.

25 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime 1/CP.16 from Cancun the Cancun Agreements The decision also initiated further technical and methodological work on drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, on national forest monitoring systems, on forest reference emissions levels (FREL) and forest reference levels (FRL), on safeguards and on measuring, reporting and verifying (MRV) as well as work on the financing of phase three results-based actions which should be fully measured, reported and verified.

26 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Five FREL/FRL building blocks Scope Forest definition Data Scale Construction methodology What REDD+ activities, carbon pools and gases are included? What forest definition is used? Emission Factors and Activity Data What geographical area is covered? National or Subnational? Bringing it all together: historical average / projection / adjustment

27 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime What is an NFMS? NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEM MONITORING MRV Monitor REDD+ interventions Measure changes in GHG emissions and removals from forests

28 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Decision 2/CP.17 from Durban This main importance of this decision is to clarify that the seven safeguards will apply regardless of the source of financing, and that appropriate market-based approaches to support results-based actions, as well as non-market-based approaches could be developed. This decision also requests for further work on the financing of results-based actions.

29 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Decision 2/CP.17 from Durban Agrees that systems for providing information on how the safeguards referred to in appendix I to decision 1/CP.16 are addressed and respected should, taking into account national circumstances and respective capabilities, and recognizing national sovereignty and legislation, and relevant international obligations and agreements, and respecting gender considerations:

30 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Decision 2/CP.17 from Durban on safeguards Be consistent with the guidance identified in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, paragraph 1; Provide transparent and consistent information that is accessible by all relevant stakeholders and updated on a regular basis; Be transparent and flexible to allow for improvements over time; Provide information on how all of the safeguards referred to in appendix I to decision 1/CP.16 are being addressed and respected; Be country-driven and implemented at the national level; Build upon existing systems, as appropriate;

31 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Decision 9/CP.19 the Warsaw Framework for REDDplus This decision builds on the Doha decisions and highlights the need to scale up financing. It clarifies that REDD+ countries should have all the four elements listed in the Cancun Agreements in place: A national strategy or action plan; A national forest reference emission level and/or forest reference level or, if appropriate, as an interim measure, subnational forest reference emission levels and/or forest reference levels;

32 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Decision 9/CP.19 the Warsaw Framework for REDDplus This decision builds on the Doha decisions and highlights the need to scale up financing. It clarifies that REDD+ countries should have all the four elements listed in the Cancun Agreements in place: A robust and transparent national forest monitoring system for the monitoring and reporting, and A system for providing information on how the seven safeguards are being addressed and respected and submit the summary of information on safeguards before they can receive results-based financing.

33 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Decision 9/CP.19 the Warsaw Framework for REDDplus Countries promote & support the Cancun Safeguards throughout REDD+ implementation 1 2 Safeguard information system (SIS) to provide information on how the country is addressing and respecting the Cancun safeguards Summary of information on how the Cancun safeguards are being addressed and respected submitted before results-based payments 3

34 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Lima Climate Call for Action The Warsaw Framework on REDD+ largely concluded negotiations on forests, with some remaining technical issues such as the need for further guidance on the issue of REDD+ safeguards. In Lima some Parties wanted to discuss the technical issue of REDD+ Methodological Guidance. However in the end Parties agreed that there would be no Lima COP decision on this agenda item. This issue will be taken up at the next negotiating session in 2015.

35 The Emergence of REDD+ in the UN Climate Regime Lima Climate Call for Action In decision 9/CP.19 the COP decided to establish the Lima REDD+ Information Hub on the REDD+ Web Platform as a means to publish information on the results of REDD+ activities, and corresponding results-based payments. The Lima REDD+ Information Hub aims to increase transparency of information on REDD+ results-based actions.

36 Looking towards Paris REDD+ Web Platform has been established (see: redd.unfccc.int) Countries that submitted a proposed forest reference emission level and/or forest reference level: Brazil Colombia Ecuador Guyana Malaysia Mexico The Lima REDD+ Information Hub i s still under construction, but will be launched before the Paris COP (sta rting 30 November 2015). Brazil submitted a summary of information on safeguards

37 Looking towards Paris Three draft decisions were recommended during Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) 42 nd session in June 2015 for consideration and adoption by the 21 st COP in Paris. These draft decisions pertain to (i) safeguards, (ii) alternative policy approaches and (iii) noncarbon benefits. In doing so, SBSTA has now completed its considerations of REDD+ methodological issues and guidance.

38 Looking towards Paris Draft decision on safeguards Decides that there is no need for further guidance pursuant to decision 12/CP.17, paragraph 6, to ensure transparency, consistency, comprehensiveness and effectiveness when informing on how all the safeguards are being addressed and respected.

39 Looking towards Paris Draft decision on alternative policy approaches 5. Decides that developing country Parties seeking to receive support for the design and implementation of alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests, may consider the following elements: (a) Development of national strategies or action plans for the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, in order to support the integral and sustainable management of forests; (b) Identification of support needs, including financial resources and technical and technological support;

40 Looking towards Paris Draft decision on alternative policy approaches (c) Development of proposals demonstrating how alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests, are contributing to the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70; (d) Consideration of outcomes and areas of improvement in accordance with national circumstances by using adaptive management and learning, as appropriate;

41 Looking towards Paris Draft decision on alternative policy approaches Decides to conclude its consideration of alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests, in the context of decision 1/CP.18, paragraph 39.

42 Looking towards Paris Draft decision on non-carbon benefits Decides that methodological issues related to non-carbon benefits resulting from the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, do not constitute a requirement for developing country Parties seeking to receive support for the implementation of the actions and activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16 or results-based payments pursuant to decision 9/CP.19;

43 Looking towards Paris Draft agreement and draft decision on workstreams 1 and 2 of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (23 October 2015) [Article 3bis] on REDD-plus 1. [Mechanisms for forest mitigation and adaptation are] [A REDD-plus mechanism is] hereby defined. 2. The REDD-plus mechanism consists of relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties, including decisions 9 to 15/CP.19 and decision XX/CP.21.

44 Looking towards Paris [Article 3bis] on REDD-plus 3. The purpose of the REDD-plus mechanism shall be to incentivize the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and to promote conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, while enhancing the noncarbon benefit derived as a result of the multiple functions of forests, including alleviating poverty and building ecosystem resilience.

45 Looking towards Paris Group work Decision 9/CP.19 the Warsaw Framework for REDD-plus A system for providing information on how the seven safeguards are being addressed and respected and submit the summary of information on safeguards before they can receive results-based financing. Addressed and respected has not been defined. The two terms are different, but what do they mean? How would you provide information that indicates safeguards are addressed and respected?

46 Looking towards Paris Group work 3. What is missing here to provide more guidance?

47 Looking towards Paris and beyond Bhutan: INDCs and forests Bhutan intends to remain carbon neutral where emission of greenhouse gases will not exceed carbon sequestration by our forests, which is estimated at 6.3 million tons of CO 2. Bhutan will maintain a minimum of 60 percent of total land under forest cover for all time in accordance the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Efforts will also be made to maintain current levels of forest cover, which currently stand at 70.46%, through sustainable forest management and conservation of environmental services.

48 Looking towards Paris and beyond Cambodia: INDCs and forests LULUCF: Cambodia intends to undertake voluntary and conditional actions to achieve the target of increasing forest cover to 60% of national land area by In absence of any actions the net sequestration from LULUCF is expected to reduce to 7,897 GgCO 2 in 2030 compared to projected sequestration of 18,492 GgCO 2 in 2010.

49 Looking towards Paris and beyond India: INDCs and forests India hereby communicates its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) in response to COP decisions 1/CP.19 and 1/CP.20 for the period 2021 to 2030: 5. To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO 2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

50 Looking towards Paris and beyond Lao PDR: INDCs and forests To increase forest cover to 70% of land area (i.e. to million hectares) by Once the target is achieved, emission reductions will carry on beyond 2020.

51 Looking towards Paris and beyond Mongolia: INDCs and forests Furthermore, in the forestry sector, a programme is underway to develop a detailed inventory along with the identification of mitigation options. In future communications, Mongolia intends to include actions for mitigation in the forestry sector to reduce GHG emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by 2% by 2020 and 5% by 2030 (according to State policy on forest, 2015).

52 Looking towards Paris and beyond Viet Nam: INDCs and forests Forest cover will increase to the level of 45%. Integrate and effectively use domestic and international resources for implementation of programmes and projects related to forest management and development, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation such as REDD+, the policy of payment for forest environmental services (PFES), etc.

53 Looking towards Paris and beyond Green Climate Fund RBPs/RBF may come from a variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources, Green Climate Fund (GCF). As of 30 September 2015 the GCF had US$909 million available. Current requests for proposals are for US$168 million. Current proposals under consideration by the GCF this week do not include forestry proposals.