REDD: Bridging the Gap between Negotiation and ActionKey Messages from Capacity Building Workshops for REDD Negotiators

and Stakeholders from Developing Countries

IISD and ASB-ICRAF are Building the Capacity of REDD Negotiators, Stakeholders and Land ManagersThe International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Alternatives to Slash and Burn Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins, World Agroforestry Centre (ASB-ICRAF) delivered two workshops on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD) in November 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam and Nairobi, Kenya. These regional workshops aimed to:

− Increase understanding of the REDD negotiations and technical issues related to REDD for developing country negotiators and stakeholders

− Bring together stakeholders and negotiators to discuss experiences, interests and concerns

− Provide a platform for South-South cooperation and exchange of experiences and lessons learned on REDD

The Workshop program included expert presentations and group discussions on the key building blocks of an international REDD mechanism, and participants developed key messages for Copenhagen.

The workshops were delivered with the generous support of the Government of Norway. Further information on IISD—ASB-ICRAF’s work on REDD and the key messages developed by the workshops can be found at http://www.iisd.org and http://www.asb.cgiar.org.

Key messages for Copenhagen The following key messages are a summary of common ideas and views expressed at the workshops; they do not necessarily represent the positions of or consensus among participants. For details, see the IISD-ASB policy brief available at Forest Day and the IISD and ICRAF booths:

1. Scope: Include REDD+ in an international climate agreement. Agriculture should also be in the agreement, and negotiators need to consider all options for including agriculture.

2. Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV): MRV requirements must strike the balance between ensuring the integrity of greenhouse gas reductions and encouraging participation and early action. MRV requirements should not make REDD less attractive than other mitigation actions in developing countries.

3. Baseline: Explore the applicability of IPCC guidelines to meet the needs of REDD+

4. Leakage: Explore regional cooperation to address transboundary leakage

5. Co‑Benefits: Promote co-benefits in the communities involved in or affected by REDD projects

6. Stakeholder involvement: Stakeholder involvement is critical for successful REDD implementation. Safeguards are important to ensure full and effective participation, but these should not be a barrier to project development, or impose greater costs on REDD projects than other mitigation projects.

7. Financing: Support a combination of fund and market-based approaches; ensure adequate accessto funding for countries at different stages of REDD readiness; ensure that REDD credits are accepted by emissions trading systems

8. Capacity building: Provide adequate capacity building and support to allow for effective implementation of REDD

9. Phased Approach: A phased approach can allow for REDD implementation in “REDD ready” countries, while building the necessary capacity in less ready countries. Adequate financing must be provided at all stages.

Workshop for REDD negotiators and stakeholders in Asia Workshop for REDD negotiators and stakeholders in Africa

The first workshop for Asia was held, 11 – 13 November, 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The workshop was attended by 39 negotiators and stakeholders from the following countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Vietnam.

The first workshop for Africa was held, 16 – 18 November, 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop was attended by 56 negotiators and stakeholders from the following countries: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

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