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FOREIGN-ASSISTED AND SPECIAL PROJECTS SERVICE
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Supporting REDD+ safeguards: Discussion Paper of the REDD+ Working Group of the GIZ Sector Network Natural Resources and Rural Development (SNRD) Asia Towards a common approach of German Technical Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the Pacific

As a result of the international negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the concept of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) emerged. The “+” of REDD+ includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. However, during the design of a REDD+ mechanism, Parties recognized that REDD+ measures will not likely be sustainable unless local livelihoods and ecological aspects are taken into consideration. Moreover, some stakeholders voiced concerns about possible negative social and environmental impacts of REDD+ activities. Hence, at the Conference of Parties (COP) 16 in 2010, the Parties to the UNFCCC agreed on a set of broad “safeguards” principles being designed to guide REDD+ implementation. The “COP 16 Safeguards” are principles or conditions to be promoted and supported so that people and the environment are not harmed but actually benefit from REDD+ activities. In the Southeast (SE) Asia and Pacific Region, the German Development Cooperation is supporting a number of countries with the design and piloting of a REDD+ mechanism. This discussion paper aims at developing a common approach among the technical cooperation modules of these programs with regard to supporting REDD+ safeguards implementation. First of all, the paper briefly describes relevant policy documents that serve as a basis for developing a common approach such as the UNFCCC agreements, guidance provided by three global REDD+-related initiatives as well as relevant strategy papers of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). For example, the BMZ Forest Sector Concept calls for social and environmental safeguards related to project planning and implementation such as participation of all stakeholders as well as biodiversity conservation. According to the BMZ Human Rights Policy, it is required for program and project implementation to ensure that no adverse impacts occur. The principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be adhered to in the planning of measures that affect Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Finally, national forest programs (NFPs), as agreed in intergovernmental negotiations on forests, provide a guiding framework also for REDD+ programs or projects. Second, based on an overview of REDD+ implementation activities supported by the German Development Cooperation in Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, the discussion paper highlights the full spectrum of approaches and activities on REDD+ and especially safeguards implementation. Finally, the discussion paper outlines a number of statements that constitute the common approach of German Technical Cooperation programs in the SE Asia and Pacific Region. These include that the seven safeguards of the Cancun Agreements build the basis on how the German Technical Cooperation supports partner countries in SE Asia and the Pacific in terms of REDD+ implementation. Apart from information on how the safeguards are being addressed and respected, partner countries are also encouraged to monitor impacts of REDD+ measures. The establishment of safeguards and safeguards information systems (SIS) should be built on existing instruments in a bottom-up approach. Instruments for a rights-based approach should be explored, such as FPIC, and finally, partner countries are advised to implement safeguards and develop SIS in a simple and cost-efficient way, so as to avoid overburdening REDD+

File: 
PDF icon Supporting REDD+ Safeguards discussion paper.pdf
Physical Location: 
CD REDD+ 2016 kp2
Project Title: 
Modernization of Forest Policy and Piloting of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Project