How is REDD+ unfolding on the ground? An exploration of the social, political and biophysical issues

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Olive 1
11.00 – 12.30

Host
CIFOR

Co-organiser
Congo Basin Forest Fund

This learning event aimed to discuss early insights as to whether REDD+ initiatives can deliver on their goal of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while providing a range of co-benefits. The keynote presentation described the status of REDD+ in Brazil and discussed the pros and cons of a project-based approach. One panellist commented on how markets are preparing for REDD+ and how such markets are likely to interact with national level REDD+ programmes.  A second addressed the challenges of measuring and monitoring progress in reducing deforestation and assessing emissions reductions in data-poor environments such as Central Africa.  The final panellist discussed the policy and economic context in Indonesia following the bilateral signing of the Letter of Intent with Norway, and how this may motivate or inhibit progress in the development of REDD+ initiatives. 
 
Moderator
James Astill, Energy and Environment Editor, The Economist

Keynote speaker
Paulo Barreto, Senior Researcher, Imazon, Brazil

Panellists

• Brer Adams, Associate Director, Macquarie Global Investments, Australia
• Raymond S. Lumbuenamo, National Director, World Wide Fund for Nature, DR Congo
• Daju Resosudarmo, Scientist, CIFOR, Indonesia

Key questions

• We are gaining experience in REDD+ through demonstration activities, but the conceptual framework put forward by the UNFCCC is based on a national programme.  How can we reconcile project-based approaches with a national framework to measure, report and verify reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation?
• There are several models for financing REDD+, one of which is based on offset markets.  How can we reconcile potential buyers needs to know what their forest carbon rights are with a national approach to reducing emissions?
• Data on forest cover, carbon stocks, other gases and land use change are scarce in many tropical countries. How can MRV actions be improved to meet the requirements of the UNFCCC and international standards, or do we need alternative models with lower expectations?

Contacts
Louis Verchot l.verchot@cgiar.org
Levania Santoso l.santoso@cgiar.org