REDD PROCCESS IN DRC: Evolution, challenges and

prospects

By Jean ILUNGA MUNENGMinistry of Environment/ DR CONGO

May 18 2011, Hanoi (Vietnam)

Synthesis

• DRC continues its preparation of REDD+ policies in line with its ambitious projects

• Coordination of technical and financial partners in national process has begun

• Additional resources are essential to ensure national REDD+ efforts continue

Plan1. Structures - National Committee - Inter-ministerial Committee - National Coordination 2. Achievements - Identification of stakeholders - Information, education and raising awareness: workshops - Technical studies - R-PP3. R-PP Implementation - Starting pilot initiatives and REDD register - Continuation of technical studies (SESA, studies of the causes, feedback experience, etc.) - Development of anticipated action plans 4. Challenges and lessons learned5. Conclusion

1. Structures

A decree of the Prime Minister was signed in November 2009 creating:

A REDD national committee (14 members) involving all stakeholders, in particular members of Parliament, civil society, indigenous and local communities;

An inter-ministerial committee with Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, Mines, Land Planning, Town Planning and Habitat

A REDD national coordination in charge of daily coordination for REDD, already being implemented

2. Achievements

2.1 Contact With Stakeholders• Financial partners Norway, FCPF and FIP (World Bank), UN-REDD, CBFF, Japan, GIZ,

AFD, OIBT, Rainforest Foundation• Technical partners OFAC-FORAF, OSFAC, USAID-CARPE, WWF, CI, AWF, WCS, UNIKIN,

UNIKIS, UNILU, UPN, WRI, INERA, IFA Yangambi, WHRC, ONFI• Civil society Work Group Climate REDD (GTCR), environmental NGOs (RRN,

DGPA, Linapyco, CODELT, CEDEN, OCEAN, PremiCongo, GTF, etc.)• Private sector FIB, FEC, NOVACEL, ENRA, SAFBOIS/JADORA, ESCO Congo, ERA

2.2 Information, Education and Awareness Raising Workshops

• Kick-off workshop in Kinshasa (August 21–22, 2009)• Provincial workshops (5): Kisangani, Bukavu, Matadi,

Lubumbashi and Mbandaka• MRV workshop: organized by DIAF with FAO (October

2009) and with OIBT (July 2010)• Validation workshops for R-PP (January–February 2010)• Capacity-building workshop for journalists and • Decision-makers : Matadi, Lubumbashi, Mbandaka

(2010)• Various academic conferences (UNIKIN, UPN, UNIKIS,

UNILU, ISP Lubumbashi, ISP Gombe)• Capacity-building workshop : MECNT managers,

Members of national and inter-ministerial committee

2.3 Technical Studies• Study on the causes and drivers of deforestation

and degradation in DRC • Exploratory study of REDD+ potential in DRC:

REDD potential for each program and sector in order to better illustrate the systemic dimension of REDD strategy

• Feedback experience on the alternatives to DD• REDD Environmental and Social Impact Study • National analysis of sectoral programs being

implemented • Study on the framework of REDD implementation

and distribution of benefits

2.4 RPP

3. Activities In Progress and RPP Implementation

3.1 Starting of Pilot Initiatives and REDD Register

• Implementation of REDD+ geographically integrated projects

• Register of REDD+ activities and financing in DRC

• Implementation framework, accreditation process and contractual framework

• Support and coordination of REDD+ projects and initiatives

3.1.1 Geographically Integrated REDD Pilot Projects in DRC

3.1.2 Register of Projects (Integration at the National Level )

• Seminar on certification presented in Cancun and finalization of the technical details

• Pre-collection of data for first REDD+ projects (see census)

• Training program of the executives of the DDD/DES for registry management

3.1.3 Process of accreditation and contractual frameworkProposal for agreement on the procedure and criteria for a transparent and participative accreditation process for REDD+ projects in consultation with stakeholders

3.1.4 Support and coordination of REDD+ projects and initiativesConstitution of a first inventory of REDD+ projects and initiatives in DRC (12 projects - and several initiatives; including 6 under implementation). Joint work with the project leaders in the framework of the investment phase

3.2 Studies under implementation

• SESA (REDD Evaluation study of environmental and social impacts)

• Diagnosis of causes and drivers of deforestation in DRC

• Analysis of sectoral programmes• Feedback experience on alternatives to

deforestation and forest degradation

3.3 Development of anticipated action programs

Preparation and launching of six anticipated REDD+ programs: • Reduction of subsistence agriculture impacts on forest • Improvement of energy efficiency in wood stoves• Aforestation/Reforestation in the provisioning basins of the big cities• Modernization and land security• Support implementation of a national policy on land and town

planning• Integrated program at the Mai Ndombe district level

Framing and development of partnerships for operational projects: • Workshop “REDD+ and Private Sector” (February 2011, 60 participants)• Finalization of the support program for REDD+ projects: prospective listing

of potential partners, supports of communication, ToR of the future international forum of project leaders, ToR for support for project development

• Launching of the census of activities and partners at the local level

5.Challenges and Lessons Learned for the REDD+ National Process

• To simultaneously advance preparation and investment to maintain and accelerate national mobilization; coordinate financial and technical activities and to reinforce technical quality and participatory preparation

• To manage REDD+ national process as a start-up: adaptation and flexibility, change management, innovation

• To strengthen the national leadership and the engagement of international partners to encourage coordination between multilateral institutions and bilateral donors

• To mobilize international financing to accelerate the readiness process; challenges are exacerbated by the delay of the disbursement of the FCPF grant, difficulties in coordinating programs under implementation and support of the national roadmap

Moving Forward

• Continue the efforts of national coordination, to reaffirm the principle of “unique process”

• Concretize the goodwill of partners into action• Agree on additional financing to directly

support the readiness process• Move forward with a broader framework of

the REDD+ process by reinforcing the relationship between environment and climate change

Conclusion: DRC at a Crossroads?REDD+ can constitute a lever for true sustainable

development, in a socially and ecologically responsible manner.

• The process of transformation is complex and naturally imperfect

• National authorities ready to engage• International financings is a determining factor of

credibility• The place of REDD+ in the national post-electoral

development strategy will be largely determined by the credibility of the international financings. There is one year more to go.