Outline

Background Key Messages of the Policy Brief Recommendations for synergies between the CBD and UNFCCC

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

Background
In 2011, the Swiss-Philippine Initiative launched the policy brief Towards Building a Governance Framework for REDD-Plus Financing
It outlined 5 key messages to unlock and properly orient REDD-Plus financing in the global and national REDD-Plus regime.
BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS
Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

Phase I : Key Messages

1. The international community should catalyze adequate REDD-Plus financing in all phases of REDD-Plus 2. Unlocking private finance requires demand for REDD-Plus credits and incentives for sustainable investments 3. Planning for REDD-Plus financing should be part of a broader policy approach which orients investments towards country-specific strategies and objectives 4. REDD-Plus payments should cover the implementation and monitoring of environmental, social and governance safeguards 5. Governments in REDD-Plus countries should ensure balanced investments within and outside the forest sector in order to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation
BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS
Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

Beyond carbon credits?: KEY QUESTIONS ARISING FROM PHASE 1: Revenue generation mechanisms 1. WHAT EXPERIENCES AND BEST forPRACTICE HAVEinvestments REDD+ WE LEARNED IN
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION? 2. HOW DO WE LINK FINANCE WITH SAFEGUARDS?

3. HOW CAN THE UNFCCC AND CBD INTERFACE WORK ON REDD-PLUS?

How should safeguards influence investments and vice-versa? GOVERNANCE BEST PRACTICES IN
AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS
Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

Phase II of the Swiss-Philippine Initiative

Objectives: 1. Generate LESSONS LEARNED and crystallize BEST PRACTICES from national and field based experiences on REDD-Plus development and implementation.
Demonstrate how safeguards are dynamically being interpreted at the ground level. Contribute towards grounding international and national discussions towards practical REDD-Plus safeguards implementation.

2. Developing synergistic GUIDANCE on safeguards in both the UNFCCC and CBD processes, especially on:
improving REDD-Plus safeguards implementation the establishment of the Safeguards Information System (SIS)
BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS
Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

REDD-Plus at the UNFCCC

Elements of REDD+ Package Launch of the REDD-Plus Mechanism (with 7 safeguards) REDD-Plus Financing Sources National Forest Monitoring Systems Measurement Reporting and Verification (MRV) Financing Modalities Safeguards Information System (SIS) Governance Biodiversity Drivers of deforestation Relevant COP COP 16 in 2010 COP 17 in 2011 COP 18 in 2012

COP 19/20 in 2013/2014

Hyderabad, 2012
TBD

Forest Reference Levels

Standards and Safeguards

TBD
TBD

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

Phase II: Activities

PARTICIPANTS AND FIELD PRACTITIONERS FROM: Switzerland Philippines Workshop APRIL Philippines Safeguards working Nepal group Costa Rica Kenya Tanzania Vietnam Nepal Workshop Indonesia Field practitioners and AUGUST France national policymakers Canada + several NGOs and field practitioners

OCTOBER

Side Event at CBD COP-11 Hyderabad Launch of Policy Brief

DECEMBER

Side Event at UNFCCC COP-18 Doha Launch of Policy Brief

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

Phase II : Key Messages

1. REDD-Plus implementation succeeds when it adds value to the overall national forest management strategy and local development goals.

2. Transparency and effective participation in REDD-Plus entail ownership of forest governance structures by empowered local stakeholders

3. REDD-Plus should demonstrate that it facilitates sustainability of the forest sector by providing multiple benefits, including the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the associated rights of indigenous and local communities, particularly in areas of high biodiversity value.

4. The Safeguards Information System is a critical platform for demonstrating compliance with REDD-Plus safeguards that secures results-based payments.

5. REDD-Plus payment schemes should form part of an innovative and sustainable financing strategy linked to broader performance parameters.
BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS
Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

1. REDD-Plus implementation succeeds when it adds value to the overall national forest management strategy and local development goals.
Among its safeguards, REDD-Plus should ensure actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements. A common challenge is finding a niche for REDD-Plus where various forest management strategies and programs already exist

Experience shows that countries that develop their REDD-Plus strategies with the explicit purpose of adding value to existing efforts have a much higher chance of succeeding and gaining traction nationally and locally

REDD-Plus could be demonstrated to add emphasis on how existing plans to avoid and reduce deforestation and degradation can be logically bundled for livelihood support and biodiversity protection, and vice versa.

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES

Several examples of countries where REDD-Plus organically fits with broader forest management/conservation goals: Tanzanias integration of REDDPlus with local agricultural strategies and Village Land Forest Reserves Vietnams NBSAP The Philippines Ecotowns and the National REDD-Plus Strategy Indonesias proposed equivalent standards across land use sectors Nepals comprehensive coordination through the REDD Cell

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

2. Transparency and effective participation in REDD-Plus entail ownership of forest governance structures by empowered local stakeholders
REDD-Plus is known for its emphasis on the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders in decision-making.

Numerous international initiatives and standards have emerged in recent years that promote the development of frameworks, criteria and indicators to demonstrate good governance and environmental integrity, among others (e.g. FCPF Guidelines for the SESA and ESMF, the REDD-Plus SES and CCB Standards and UN-REDD SEPC).
There are calls from national and field-based experiences that a more contextspecific and demand-driven approach towards the establishment of forest governance structures is necessary. National and field practitioners cite difficulties of having to comply with different standards for different funding mechanisms, which can result in the doubling of efforts and mechanistic monitoring that can ultimately hinder genuine ownership of forest governance.

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES

Costa Rica, Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam and the Philippines are attempting to overcome these challenges through the Harmonization and mutual recognition of standards by states and donors States and NGOs taking the lead on developing nationally appropriate safeguards guidelines
Indonesias PRISAI or shieldthe countrys own REDD-Plus Principles, Criteria and Indicators Standard The Philippines REDD-Plus 101 and REDD-Plus Roadshows
Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

3. REDD-Plus should demonstrate that it facilitates sustainability of the forest sector by providing multiple benefits, including the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the associated rights of indigenous and local communities, particularly in areas of high biodiversity value.
REDD-Plus requires that actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, and incentivize the protection and conservation of ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits. Conservation of natural forests and biodiversity are intimately tied to access rights, livelihoods, and possible related conflicts. There are unique and practical examples whereby REDD-Plus projects have been designed from the very beginning as platforms to conserve, enhance and provide multiple benefits beyond just emission reduction Such benefits have ranged from jobs creation, tenure, ecotourism opportunities, improved water quality, landslide hazard mitigation and other ecosystem services. National and field experiences cite simple and practical reality: REDD-Plus has to be demonstrated as providing short and long-term opportunities rather than taking them away; facilitating sustainable outcomes and an improvement in the quality of life rather than just carbon outcomes.

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES

In Nepal and Tanzania, REDD-Plus establishes local land registries to secure tenure In the Philippines, the National REDD-Plus Strategy adopts a Triple Bottomline Approach where carbon, biodiversity and community are equally valued Kenyas Wildlife Works Project demonstrates the powerful role of jobs creation and well organized alternative livelihoods in ensuring the sustainability of REDD-Plus

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

4. The Safeguards Information System is a critical platform for demonstrating compliance with REDD-Plus safeguards that secures results-based payments.
It was agreed in Cancun and reaffirmed in Durban that a system for providing information on how safeguards are addressed and respected - a safeguards information system (SIS) is a pre-requisite for obtaining results based finance for REDD-Plus.

Parties undertaking REDD-Plus activities should periodically provide a summary of information on how the safeguards are being addressed and respected in national communications, or through communication channels agreed by the Conference of Parties. Advice developed under the CBD on the application of REDD-Plus relevant biodiversity safeguards, particularly on indicators, is directly relevant to the SIS and further guidance to be developed under the UNFCCC. Parties are now in the process of developing their SIS, establishing frameworks, standards and indicators to use as a basis for monitoring, drawing on international standards, existing systems, and cross-fertilisation.

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES

Experience from several countries stresses the importance of participatory and inclusive monitoring, and the value of community monitoring. In Costa Rica, indigenous knowledge and community approaches form the main basis for their safeguards indicators (eg. water quality) Kenyas Wildlife Works Project is developing hybrid expert and community driven indicators. And also provides upfront payments for the development of project level SIS Indonesia is utilizing Participatory Governance Assessments (PGA) to contextualize international standards Nepals Community Forest User Groups monitor the forest, their governance structures and social development BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS
Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

5. REDD-Plus payment schemes should form part of an innovative and sustainable financing strategy linked to broader performance parameters.
In Durban, it was recognized that a diversity of funding sources including public, private, market based and non-market based financing would be necessary in order to meet the scale of financing required for the full implementation of REDD-Plus. REDD-Plus finance has become a subject of interest in the public and the private sectors alike, as there is growing evidence from national experiences that REDD-Plus investments and payments can be logically integrated into existing and/or broader sustainable financing strategies cutting across areas related to REDD-Plus (i.e. ecosystem services, agriculture, local livelihoods, environment-related taxes and levies). REDD-Plus financing models are neither homogenous nor static. They are dynamic and adaptive to local realities and capacities, and oriented towards cost-effectiveness and competitiveness. Hence, these models need to be embedded unto a broader sustainable financing strategy and be demonstrated to add value to existing and/or new investments

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES

Various models are now emerging where REDD-Plus financing is adaptively and innovatively managed based on the priorities and intended outcomes of a particular area.
Tanzanias trial payment scheme to test appropriate benefit sharing schemes Vietnams R-Coefficient, where social and environmental benefits are valuated towards informing economic instruments Costa Ricas National Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) system serving as the platform for REDD-Plus implementation and financing

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

CONCLUSIONS: Realizing synergies between the UNFCCC and CBD on biodiversity and governance safeguards

The UNFCCC and the CBD are independently developing advice and guidance on REDD-Plus safeguards. At national levels, strategies and action plans on REDD-Plus, biodiversity and adaptation are being developed, often by different agencies even though they are inextricably linked.

Extensive national experience from which best practices can be drawn already exists. Parties and stakeholders alike would benefit from synergistic guidance from the UNFCCC and the CBD that draws on such national and project level experiences to ensure it is not only practical but also relevant and can be adapted to national and local realities.

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

RECOMMENDATIONS: Realizing synergies between the UNFCCC and CBD on biodiversity and governance safeguards
1. 1. Synergy between National REDD-Plus Strategies, Adaptation Plans, Biodiversity Plans (NBSAPs) for efficient and effective coordination Mutual recognition of CBD and UNFCCC guidance. Clarity on cross-fertility of decisions and enhanced mechanisms for coordination, esp. with respect to REDD-Plus SIS

2.

A process established towards developing common standards and guidance at international and national level for the implementation of safeguards and mutual recognition of equivalent standards (eg. REDD SES and PRISAI)
Recognition that effective mitigation and adaptation require sustained REDD-Plus actions that build on strong local governance structures and multiple benefits models, equally valuing carbon, community and biodiversity. Ensuring a transparent, effective and participatory process for developing SIS is critical, recognizing the role of community monitoring at local levels and governance assessments at national level Establishing governance frameworks to ensure equitable distribution of benefits. Trial payments can be helpful to test sustainability and appropriateness of schemes. Establish an analytical process to understand the costs and benefits of different financing/benefit sharing schemes to test the effectiveness of considering broader performance parameters in designing performance based-payments

3.

4.

5. 6.

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies

Thank you.

BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS FOR REDD-PLUS

Valuing national and field-based experiences for UNFCCC-CBD synergies