REDD+ side event at COP29: Boosting Forests: Empowering Parties to raise climate ambition with REDD+

Background: When developing countries submit a proposed forest reference emission level and/or forest reference level (FREL/FRL), in the context of REDD+ results-based payments, these FRELs/FRLs shall undergo a technical assessment (TA). This TA process allows developing countries to engage with REDD+ experts and discuss their FRELs/FRLs. As the next step, these countries can submit a modified FREL/FRL in response to the technical inputs of the experts. Since the adoption of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ in 2013, 93 FRELs/FRLs have been submitted to the UNFCCC by 63 Parties, and 88 among them have been modified as a result of the facilitative process. While the TA process enhances transparency, accuracy, consistency, and completeness of FRELs/FRLs, there has been a lack of analysis on the contribution of the TA processes to FRELs/FRLs improvement and overall reporting quality.

Parties also need to submit national REDD+ strategies and safeguards information systems to be eligible to seek and obtain results-based finance – however, these are not subject to a technical assessment. Nevertheless, those Parties that did prepare and report these documents frequently also highlight the contribution of the preparation process to coordination and implementation of REDD+ activities. About 30 Parties have reported national REDD+ strategies and/or safeguards information systems. In order to promote further implementation of REDD+ and to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, it is an appropriate moment to share experience with the role and impact of REDD+ reporting and the TA process under the UNFCCC, while also encouraging Parties to continue to make use of the reporting system for transparency and to be able to receive results-based payments.

Objectives: In order to highlight the contribution of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ to mitigation actions in the forest sector over the past decade, this event aims to:

• Look at how 2025 NDCs can be informed by a decade of REDD+ reporting and the TA process for FRELs/FRLs;

• Emphasize the importance of REDD+ strategy and safeguard reporting;

• Clarify the significant role of REDD+ reporting and the TA process in building capacity for REDD+ reporting and fostering higher ambition;

• Collect and discuss open questions from Parties and stakeholders.

Impact and outcomes of the event: The participants will gain insight into the role of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ in enhancing the integrity of climate action in the forest sector and strengthening the capacities of developing countries for REDD+ implementation. Furthermore, the event will highlight the importance of encouraging Parties and stakeholders to raise REDD+ implementation to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030.

Target audience:

• Parties interested in REDD+ implementation;

• Stakeholders interested in providing technical and/or financial support to REDD+ implementation, including technical experts, IGOs, NGOs, financial entities, academia.

Time/Location: Monday, 18 November, 18.30–20.00, SE Room 9 (150 pax), Blue Zone, Baku Stadium

Panelists: 

1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Ms. Amy Duchelle, Senior Forestry Officer, team lead of the Forests and Climate Team, Forestry Division, FAO

2. Ghana, Mr. Thomas Yaw Gyambrah, Manager, Programs & MRV Climate Change Directorate Forestry Commission of Ghana

3. Guyana, Mr. Nikolaus Oudkerk, Coordinator, Office of the President, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Guyana

4. Indonesia, Dr. Nur Masripatin, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia

5. United Kingdom, Ms. Maggie Charnley, Head of International Forest Unit, United Kingdom

6. Ms. María José Sanz Sánchez, REDD+ expert from the UNFCCC Roster of Experts

7. Mr. Luis Panichelli, REDD+ expert from the UNFCCC Roster of Experts

Agenda: