Press release

African and Asian decision makers to gain expert skills and knowledge on REDD+ planning

May 1, 2011
NAIROBI—May 2, 2011—Over 120 African and Asian government negotiators, land managers, representatives of non-government organizations and climate change scientists are meeting this month to enhance their skills and understanding of the REDD+ implementation process at regional workshops in Cameroon and Vietnam, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Alternatives to Slash and Burn Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins (ASB).

REDD+ is a climate change mitigation mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It goes beyond reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) to encompass sustainable management of forests, conservation and enhancement of carbon sinks in developing countries.

The 2010 Cancun agreements emphasized the need for nationally driven plans for effective implementation of REDD+. Given the complexity of the rapidly evolving subject, decision makers and key stakeholders need to be well equipped with the knowledge and skills required to formulate national strategies to ensure success of REDD+.

REDD+ after Cancun: moving from negotiation to implementation is the theme of the two-and-a-half day workshops to be held in Douala on May 10–12 and Hanoi on May 18–20 2011. They offer a series of expert presentations and in-depth discussions about the REDD+ process. Policy and technical topics will include:

  • Safeguards—how to ensure REDD+ projects are implemented without causing harm to the communities and existing biodiversity
  • Co-benefits—how countries can accrue other environmental and social benefits from REDD+ in addition to monetary value of projects
  • Measurement, Reporting and Verification—best approaches for systems that guarantee integrity and transparency in the REDD+ implementation process.

"REDD+ planning needs to be consistent with sustainable development goals, to ensure economic, environmental and social benefits are included," said Deborah Murphy, senior associate with IISD's climate change and energy program.

"This is a follow-up to the REDD+ task force meeting we had in Manila early this year, which identified policy needs  for key research areas with the overarching goal of drawing on country experiences and lessons learned to inform REDD+ development," said ASB global coordinator, Peter Minang.

The IISD-ASB workshop is supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and will target participants from countries benefiting from the UN-REDD and Forest Carbon Partnership Facility programs. It is one in a series of training programs aimed at building REDD+ capacity for decision makers and other stakeholders in developing countries. These events will especially benefit from regional and international experts and facilitators who will explore priority areas and commonalities between these countries.

To allow for continued interaction and learning among participants and other key stakeholders, IISD and ASB have recently launched a web platform on Building REDD+ Capacity in Developing Countries that includes information on REDD+ initiatives and actions throughout Asia and Africa, lessons learned and critical issues moving forward.

About IISD and ASB

The International Institute for Sustainable Development is a non-partisan, charitable organization specializing in research, analysis and information exchange. IISD applies human ingenuity to improve the well-being of the world's environment, economy and society. The Institute champions sustainable development around the world through innovation, partnerships, research and communications. Through a dynamic portfolio of projects and programs, IISD has partnered with over 200 organizations worldwide. IISD has been ranked by sustainability experts as one of the most effective sustainable development research organizations in the world. Please visit www.iisd.org for more information.

Founded in 1994, the Alternatives to Slash and Burn (ASB) Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins brings together local knowledge, policy perspectives and science to understand the tradeoffs associated with different land uses and the roles of markets, regulation, property rights and rewards. While ASB is coordinated by the World Agroforestry Centre, it is a global partnership of international and national-level research institutes, non-governmental organizations, universities, community organizations, farmers' groups, and other local, national, and international organizations. Please visit www.asb.cgiar.org for more information.

For more information about the workshops, please contact Ottawa-based IISD project manager Jessica Boyle +1 613-238-9883 [email protected], http://www.iisd.org or Nairobi-based ASB Programme Associate Florence Bernard +254 20 722 4000 [email protected], www.asb.cgiar.org.

For additional comment, please contact IISD media and communications officer Nona Pelletier +204 958-7740 [email protected] or ASB communication officer Elizabeth Kahurani +254 20 722-4000 or via USA +1 650 833- 6645 [email protected].

                          

About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands-on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.