Theredddesk.org Website Review

What is REDD+? | The REDD Desk

Forests: why are they important? Combating climate change

What is REDD+?

Forests: why are they important?

Content

Drivers of Deforestation | The REDD Desk

Understanding the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation is vital in developing the policies and measures needed to effectively alter the current trends of forest loss and climate change, and to promote a positive future for biodiversity and human well-being. The underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation lie in the ever-increasing demand for food, fuel and forest products that result from not only a growing global population, but also from the higher incomes and resulting changing patterns of consumption of an increasing proportion of that population (see Boucher et al., 2012). This problem is exacerbated by the fact that growing demand causes an alarming increase in the price of a number of commodities, further incentivising land-use extension and encroachment into forests. The causes of deforestation vary both regionally and temporally. They generally do not exist in isolation but operate through a complex range of interactions with one threat facilitating another. Over the last 50 years there has been a shift from deforestation driven by largely state-driven activities to that caused by enterprise-driven activities (see FPP, 2012). From the 1960s to 1980s, small-scale subsistence activities were predominantly responsible as governments endorsed the colonisation of forests by facilitating access through infrastructural improvements and decreasing land prices (Boucher et al., 2012). Since then however, globalisation and urbanisation have heightened the demand from distant urban and export markets, weakening the previously strong ociation between local demand and deforestation and placing commercial enterprises at the heart of the problem (see Rudel et al., 2009). Globally, agriculture and timber extraction are the clear driving forces behind deforestation, with commercial and subsistence activities accounting for 40% and 33% respectively, and mining, infrastructure and urban expansion ulatively being responsible for the remainder (Honosuma et al., 2012). The main drivers vary between tropical regions. In Latin America, logging and agriculture play central roles, with beef, soy and sugar cane being the main agricultural commodities. Since the 2006 moratorium on the expansion of soy production in the Amazon, development of pasture for cattle has become the dominant threat in this region (Boucher et al., 2012). Across Asia the majority of deforestation is driven by large-scale agricultural and timber plantations, mainly for the production of palm oil, coconut, rubber and teak (Ibid.). Conversely, Africa remains in the early phases of forest cover transition, with small-scale activities such as fuel wood collection and charcoal production still playing a central role (Honosuma et al., 2012). Despite these general trends, the drivers of deforestation are dynamic and it is likely that rising demand will result in the homogenisation of threats as the activities responsible for deforestation throughout the tropics come to play an increasing role in Africa also. There is evidence of this already in the growing interest of timber companies in Africa’s tropical forests (Honosuma et al., 2012).

Drivers of Deforestation

Resources for Drivers of Deforestation

Gender and REDD+ | The REDD Desk

Gender equality is achieved when men and women enjoy equal rights and responsibilities, and when they are given or have access to equal opportunities, regardless of their . Efforts to ensure gender equality can apply to men, as well as women. However, given historical discrimination against women, giving specific attention to women is often required to address gender gaps or unequal laws and policies. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both men and women are considered and protected in a country’s policies, laws and regulations. Failing to address gender considerations could contribute to the marginalisation of women as REDD+ stakeholders and to their exclusion from the receipt of potential benefits from REDD+ activities. The lack of recognition of the rights of all stakeholders could threaten the sustainability of a REDD+ project and create an insecure environment for investors.

Gender and REDD+

Resources for Gender and REDD+

Land tenure | The REDD Desk

Clarifying tenure rights is central to an effective and equitable REDD+ mechanism as it can help identify who the key REDD+ stakeholders are, who should participate in decision-making processes as well as who should obtain benefits. In turn, developing REDD+ can provide an opportunity to recognise customary rights and to empower local rights-holders. However, while clarifying tenure is crucial to REDD+’s success, it is also a challenging undertaking in countries where rights are often unclear, weakly enforced or in conflict with one another. Lack of clarity on the identity of rights-holders and/or a lack of recognition of rights over land may lead to the exclusion of certain stakeholders from REDD+ planning and implementation. This carries the risk that REDD+ payments may not be allocated equitably. There is also a risk that unclear land tenure rights could incentivise corruption. Indeed, a lack of clear, recognised ownership could lead to land grabbing, either by national elites, or unscrupulous foreign investors (such as so-called ‘carbon cowboys’), leading to the displacement of communities. These factors all increase the risk of reversals or leakage of emissions and ultimately create an insecure environment for investors in REDD+. This can undermine the success of any national REDD+ scheme or payments for emission reductions.

Land tenure

Resources for Land tenure

Legal frameworks for REDD+ | The REDD Desk

For forest countries preparing to implement REDD+ and receive results-based payments, a clear domestic legal framework of enabling policies and legislation is needed to ensure that national systems not only deliver permanent emission reductions, but can also guard against the social and environmental risks created by REDD+, while also delivering co-benefits. Reforms to domestic legal frameworks may be necessary to meet the key requirements of the UNFCCC and those of the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility in order to qualify for results-based payments. Furthermore, depending on their design and implementation, domestic legal frameworks can be used to address a number of broader governance issues which are also critical for achieving effective, efficient and equitable REDD+ such as reducing corruption, and ensuring rights of access to information and public participation.

Legal frameworks for REDD+

Resources for Legal frameworks for REDD+