REDD+ MRV and results-based payments

Status of, and trends in, the Global Core Set of Forest-related Indicators

The strong commitment of the international community, and especially the CPF members, to provide the information necessary for monitoring progress towards global goals, targets and indicators in a comprehensive, efficient, timely and meaningful way led to the idea of developing a global core set of forest-related indicators (GCS). The aim was to simplify and harmonize concepts and terminology while respecting the needs of all potential users. The concrete work on the GCS was initiated in 2016 through an organization-led initiative on the development of global forest indicators. Following the recommendation of this initiative, the CPF members established a GCS taskforce, which developed the GCS. The GCS was presented to the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and FAO’s Committee on Forestry, which welcomed the progress made in developing the GCS and acknowledged its value for assessing progress and better focusing data-collection efforts to reduce duplication. The two bodies also encouraged the application of those indicators that are ready to use and requested the CPF to continue developing the remaining indicators, particularly those that may require additional efforts but are manageable through various data sources. This is an accompanying document of the FAO report, State of the World’s Forests 2022 (SOFO 2022). It provides an overview of the GCS and presents the latest data on the status and trends of the 21 indicators. SOFO 2022, which examines three potential forest pathways for addressing global challenges, is available separately.

Global assessment of forest education

The role of the forest in countries’ efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are widely recognized. To maximize the contribution of forests to the SDGs, a workforce trained in forestry and a broad range of other forestrelated disciplines are needed as are widespread public knowledge and understanding of forest topics. However, recent literature highlights concerns that forest education is often not meeting the fast-changing needs of the labour market and the importance of forests and of forest managers and policymakers is often under-appreciated. The scope of this report covers education and training related to forests, trees outside forests and other wooded land (i.e. natural forests, forest plantations, woodlands, agroforests and urban forests). It includes education delivered through programmes of forestry and forest sciences as well as programmes of broader scope, (e.g. natural resources management, environmental sciences). It covers all levels of formal education: primary, secondary, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and universities and colleges (UC). This report reveals awareness of some overarching actions that would benefit forest education, including ameliorating a negative public image of professional forestrelated jobs and careers; developing better collaboration between educational institutions, the forest sector (private and public) and the general public; improving demographic diversity in the post-secondary student population; and strengthening digital readiness at all levels of education. The data collected by global survey on forest education supplemented by the six regional consultations represent a wealth of current information on the status and needs in forest education.

An assessment of uptake of the Global Core Set of Forest-related Indicators

The twenty-fifth session of the Committee on Forestry (CPF) requested FAO to analyse - in collaboration with members of the CPF - the uptake of the Global Core Set of forest related Indicators (GCS) by other reporting processes and the extent to which they decrease reporting burden on countries. To respond to this request, conducted a user survey among the CPF partners and other forest data and information reporting processes. The survey received 26 responses from 22 organizations, with 100 percent coverage of CPF Members. The survey results show that the majority of the indicators are considered "of interest" to the various responding organizations, and that none of the indicators is considered superfluous or unnecessary. For most indicators, less than half of the organizations collect data themselves, leaving that role to organizations with the appropriate mandate and resources. In all cases, organizations that collected data cooperated with others, notably through instruments like the CFRQ and the Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JFSQ). The organizations that did not collect data themselves mostly used data from a trusted partner, representing a significant reduction of the reporting burden on countries.

Forests and Trees for Human Health: Pathways, Impacts, Challenges and Response Options

The United Nations estimates that less than half of the global population is covered by essential health services. Adding to the low rate of coverage, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused further healthcare disruptions that could reverse decades of improvements. Moreover, in recent years, there has been a surge in zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19, SARS, MERS, Ebola, Malaria, and the avian flu, and illness and deaths from such diseases are expected to spike in the future. Several studies have concluded that nature, particularly forests, contributes to physical and mental well-being and can notably improve human health. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can strengthen the momentum for combatting these pressing challenges. The third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. This global assessment report aims to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by highlighting the nexus between SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 15: Life on Land, as well as relevant links to other SDGs. A total of 44 scientists and experts contributed to this assessment, with a core Expert Panel of 16 scientists with diverse expertise, including forestry, ecology, landscape design, psychology, medicine, epidemiology, and public health.

Joint Call to Action for Forests towards 2030

The Collaborative Partnership on Forests is an innovative voluntary inter-agency partnership established in 2001 to support the UN Forum on Forests and its Member States, and to enhance cooperation and coordination on forest issues. Through its resolution 2015/33, the UN Economic and Social Council defined the core functions of the CPF as a component of the International Arrangement on Forests. The CPF is comprised of 16 global international organizations, institutions and secretariats that all have substantial programmes on forests. On 18 September 2023, the Heads and senior representatives of the CPF member organizations met to commit to reinforcing actions to strengthen global and national efforts to fully unlock the contribution of forests to SDGs and achieve the CPF joint vision for forests towards 2030, by launching The CPF Joint Call to Action for Forests towards 2030.Convinced that renewed and enhanced commitment, anchored in international solidarity and effective cooperation, and collective action are needed, The CPF Joint Call to Action is a vehicle to bring much needed attention to the importance of achieving the Global Forest Goals and to the contribution of forest conservation, restoration and sustainable use to achieving the SDGs. This is even more urgent considering the global climate crisis, biodiversity loss, wildfires, and the need to support vulnerable people across the globe and acknowledging that the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Summit is a critical moment to take stock of progress made, address remaining barriers, and accelerate action for achieving joint vision for forests by 2030. The purpose of this CPF Joint Call to Action outlines how the CPF will scale up its efforts in supporting the role of forests in achieving Global Forest Goals and SDGs towards 2030, but does not intend to establish new structures or frameworks. It contains a list of priority areas for actions, which are expected to result in more effective and impactful implementation and synergies, with lower transaction costs. In this way, the CPF-wide effort will serve as a flagship for the Decade of Action for the SDGs.

Good practices in sample-based area estimation

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+), as well as greenhouse gas reporting for the agriculture, forestry and other land use sector, requires land use changes to be characterized to estimate the associated greenhouse gas emissions or absorptions. It is becoming increasingly common to generate these estimates using sample-based area estimation (SBAE). This technique has been widely used in recent years in the generation of activity data – particularly for estimating areas of deforestation – for REDD+ measuring, reporting and verification. However, implementing countries and agencies have repeatedly highlighted the lack of guidance on how to address certain frequently encountered issues with this approach. This paper seeks to enable donors, academia, and countries that currently use or want to use SBAE for generating activity data for REDD+ or for other national or international reporting purposes, to delve into current good practice and existing literature, as well as gain a better understanding of the most pressing research needs in the area. The paper moreover will give non-experts an overview of area estimation, as well as its applications and limitations.Published by FAO with the collaborative support of several partners in the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI), the World Bank and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the paper is expected to contribute to improved forest data.

Guyana's National Institutional Arrangements for the Issuance of Correspondingly Adjusted Carbon Credits

Guyana's national institutional arrangements for the issuance of correspondingly adjusted carbon credits are designed to align with UNFCCC standards and ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. They are also designed to facilitate ongoing sales within the voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

Submission of Document under Article 6

The Government of Guyana is providing an update on the signing authority for the submission of Initial and Annual Reports under Article 6.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) Validation Report

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this validation report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents validation findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the Guyana Forestry Commission TREES Registration Document prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission. The Program validation was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the systematic, independent, and documented evaluation of a TREES Registration Document against applicable requirements of TREES.

Trees Verification Opinion 2021

Aster Global confirms all verification activities, including objectives; scope and criteria; level of assurance; and the Monitoring Report’s adherence to TREES and validated Registration Document, as documented in this report, are complete. Aster Global concludes without any qualifications or limiting conditions that the Program meets the requirements of ART/TREES. Aster Global applied a positive opinion that the Program meets the requirements of ART.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) Verification Report Calendar Year 1 (2021) for the Second 5-year Crediting Period

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this verification report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents verification findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the Guyana Forestry Commission TREES Monitoring Report prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission. The Program verification was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the quantification, monitoring, and reporting of GHG emissions; demonstration of implementation of the Cancún Safeguards; and verification, registration, and issuance of TREES credits.

Guyana Forestry Commission Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS) Year 5 Interim Measures Report

This Report describes the satellite imagery and GIS datasets, and processing of these data. It also provides a summary of the Interim Measures; that report on Guyana's progress towards implementation of REDD+.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS) MRVS Report – Assessment Year 2019 Version 2

Version 1 of the Report was released for a 6-week period. Following the period of public review, Version 2 of the report is produced and addresses all comments made under the public review process and feedback to each comment, including corresponding revisions to the report to address these comments where these apply. This Version is subject to independent third-party verification. The final version of the Report (Version 3) includes all elements of Version 2, and additionally, integrates the findings of the verification process, and is made public via the GFC website.

Government of Guyana, Submission for UN REDD Info Hub Lima Hub

The table contains: Country, Year, Results (tCO2/year), Assessed Forest Reference Level (tCO2/year), Quantities for Which Payments were received (tCO2/year), Entity paying for results and Links to Documentation.

A low-carbon development strategy, Transforming Guyana’s Economy While Combating Climate Change

This document is the third draft of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). It reflects the outcome of almost a year of review and consultation within Guyana, coupled with input from climate change negotiations at the United Nations, and other international climate change initiatives. The document sets out Guyana’s strategy to forge a new low carbon economy over the coming decade. It identifies the eight priorities that will be the initial focus of LCDS implementation in 2010 and 2011, gives an outline of the priorities for the period 2012-2015, and sets out the framework for further consultation and strategy development on Guyana’s long-term low carbon development.

Letter of Approval and Authorization 2021

Host Country Letter of Assurance and Authorisation related to REDD+ and Guyana’s Jurisdictional ART TREES Programme – Guyana ART Programme ID: 102.

Explanatory Note 1, Submission for UN REDD Info Hub, Government of Guyana

Norway’s payments to Guyana for reduced emissions from deforestation were based on the methodology agreed between both parties and set out in the Joint Concept Note (JCN). The payments covered performance in the period 2009 to 2015 – and while most payments were performance based, there were some elements that were not. Only the performance-based payments are shown in this table.

Article 6, Paragraph 2 Initial Report (AIR) Referred to in Decision 2/CMA.3, Annex, Chapter IV.A (Initial Report) in Respect of Authorisation of ITMOs

Article 6, Paragraph 2 Initial Report for the cooperative approach "Emissions Reductions from Sustainable Management of Forests".

Guyana First Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

This publication has been prepared by the Government of Guyana with support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Gauss International Consulting.

Annual Report to the UNFCCC on Agreed Electronic Format Referred to in Decision 2/CMA.3, Annex IV.B

This report contains the following: Submission, Elements of Authorization, Actions and Holdings.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS) MRVS Report – Assessment Year 2020

In 2020 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its third phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This document outlines the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next five years 2020 – 2024.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System MRVS, Year 8 MRVS Report

In 2017 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its second phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This document outlines the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next four years 2017 to 2020.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), Year 7 MRVS Report

In 2017 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its second phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This document outlines the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next four years 2017 to 2020.

Accuracy Assessment Report, Year 7 Guyana REDD+ MRVS

This report was commissioned by Indufor Asia Pacific Ltd for the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) in support of a system to Monitor, Report and Verify (MRVS) for forest resources and carbon stock changes as part of Guyana’s engagement in the UN Collaborative Programme on REDD+. The scope of the work was to conduct an independent assessment of deforestation, forest degradation and forest area change estimates for the period January–December 2017. Specifically, the terms of reference asked that confidence limits be attached to forest area estimates.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), Year 6 Interim Measures Report, 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016, Version 3

In 2017 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its second phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This Road Map establishes the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next four years 2017 to 2020. The framework for reporting continues to be the REDD+ Interim Indicators, as well as the reporting requirements as had been outlined in the 2009, 2011, and 2012 and 2015 versions of the Joint Concept Note (JCN).

Trees Verification Opinion 2016-2020

The criteria followed by Aster Global included ISO 14064-3, ISO 14065, and documents provided by ART located at https://www.artredd.org. These documents included: The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) v2.0, August 2021; TREES Validation and Verification Standard v2.0, December 2021; and TREES Environmental Social and Governance Safeguards Guidance Document, August 2021.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program, The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), Verification Report – Final v2

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this verification report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents verification findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the GuyanaForestry Commission (hereafter, referred to as “Program” or “program”) TREES Monitoring Report prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission (hereafter referred to as “Participant”). The Program verification was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the quantification, monitoring, and reporting of GHG emissions; demonstration of implementation of the Cancún Safeguards; and verification, registration, and issuance of TREES credits.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program, The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), Validation Report – Final v1

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this validation report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents validation findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the Guyana Forestry Commission (hereafter, referred to as “Program” or “program”) TREES Registration Document prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission (hereafter referred to as “Participant”). The Program validation was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the systematic, independent, and documented evaluation of a TREES Registration Document against applicable requirements of TREES.

Verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership (Year 5)

DNV GL AS (DNV GL) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment– Government of Norway to perform a verification of the Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014 - Year 5 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) - Interim Measures Report, Version 3 dated 30 November 2015 produced by the Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting, Verification System (MRVS), Year 4 Interim Measures Report, 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013

This Report describes the satellite imagery and GIS datasets, and processing of these data. It also provides a summary of the Interim Measures that report on Guyana's progress towards implementation of its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership (Year 4)

DNV GL AS (DNV GL) has been contracted by the Ministry of Environment– Government of Norway to perform a non-accredited verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership. According to the Joint Concept Note (JCN) signed between both parties, these indicators will serve to evaluate Guyana’s performance regarding REDD+ until a MRV system is in place which will serve to accurately monitor the emissions from deforestation.

Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), Year 3 Interim Measures Report, 01 January 2012 – 31 December 2012, Version 3

This report aims to fulfil in part, the deliverables of Specific Activity Areas 1-3 of the forest area assessment initiative of Guyana‘s MRVS, as provided by Indufor and the GFC. The programme of work under Year 3 of the MRVS Roadmap in forest area assessment, extends to February 2013. At the completion of this all specific activities identified in the Terms of Reference will be completed, specifically item 4 (an independent Accuracy Assessment) as well as the associated capacity building activities.

Verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership, Monitoring Period: 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 – Year 3

DNV Climate Change Services AS (DNV) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment– Government of Norway to perform a verification of the Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 – Year 3 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) -Interim Measures Report, Version 3 dated 6 December 2013 produced by the Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Verification of Interim Performance Indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ Partnership, Monitoring Period: 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2011 – Year 2

DNV KEMA Energy and Sustainability AS (DNV) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment – Government of Norway to perform a non-accredited verification of the Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2011 – Year 2 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring and Verification System (MRVS) - Interim Measures Report, Version 26 July 2012 produced by the Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Guyana Forestry Commission Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS), Interim Measures Report Final

This report aims to fulfil in part, the deliverables of Specific Activity Areas 1-3 of the first bid issued for the development of Guyana's MRVS as provided by the Remote Sensing and GIS consultant. Noteworthy is the fact that the contract for this work under year 1 of the MRVS Roadmap, extends to March 2011. At the completion of this contract, all specific activities identified in the Terms of Reference will be completed, specifically item 4 (the independent Accuracy Assessment) as well as the associated capacity building activities.

Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) Accuracy Assessment Final Report

This report was commissioned by the Guyana Forestry Commission in support of a system to MRV for forest resources and carbon stock changes as part of Guyana’s engagement in the UN Collaborative Programme on REDD+. The scope of the work was to conduct an independent assessment of forest area and forest area change estimates for the period 1990 to 2010. Specifically, the terms of reference asked that confidence limits be attached to forest area estimates.

Verification of Interim Performance Indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ Partnership, Monitoring Period: 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010 – Year 1

Det Norske Veritas Certification AS (DNV) has been commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Environment to perform a non-accredited verification of Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 October 2009 to 30 September – Year 1 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) – Interim Measures Report, Version 16 March 2011 produced by Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway regarding Cooperation on Issues related to the Fight against Climate Change, the Protection of Biodiversity and the Enhancement of Sustainable Development

The objective of this MoU is to foster partnership between Guyana and Norway on issues of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable, low carbon development. Of particular importance is the establishment of a comprehensive political and policy dialogue on these issues, and close cooperation regarding Guyana's REDD-plus efforts, including the establishment of a framework for result-based Norwegian financial support to Guyana's REDD-plus efforts.

Joint Concept Note on REDD+ cooperation between Guyana and Norway

On November 9th, 2009, Guyana and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding cooperation on issues related to the fight against climate change, in particular those concerning reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD-plus1), the protection of biodiversity, and enhancement of sustainable, low carbon development. This Joint Concept Note constitutes the framework for taking this cooperation forward. Specifically, this concept note addresses Paragraphs 2 (c), 3 and 4 of the MoU signed between Guyana and Norway, to enable the acceleration of Guyana’s REDD-plus efforts, based on the results of which Norway will start providing financial support. Being aware that REDD-plus is a new concept, and that this partnership is in the forefront of developments, Guyana and Norway – while considering that this Joint Concept Note clearly lays out their agreed positions as of November 2009 – will also be open to revising and further developing its content to reflect increased insights as the Partnership, and other related efforts, moves forward and lessons are learned.

Community Monitoring of Natural Resource Systems and the Environment

Community monitoring can track environmental phenomena, resource use, and natural resource management processes of concern to community members. It can also contribute to planning and decision-making and empower community members in resource management. While community monitoring that addresses the environmental crisis is growing, it also gathers data on other global challenges: climate change, social welfare, and health. Some environmental community monitoring programs are challenged by limited collective action and community participation, insufficient state responsiveness to data and proposals, and lack of sustainability over time. Additionally, community members monitoring the environment are increasingly harassed and sometimes killed. Community monitoring is more effective with improved data collection, improved data management and sharing, andstronger efforts to meet community information needs, enable conflict resolution, and strengthen self-determination. Other promising areas for development are further incorporating governance issues, embracing integrated approaches at the community level, and establishing stronger links to national and global frameworks.

The Concept, Practice, Application, and Results of Locally Based Monitoring of the Environment

Locally based monitoring is typically undertaken in areas in which communities have a close attachment to their natural resource base. We present a summary of work to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of locally based monitoring and we outline tests of this approach in research and practice over the past 20 years. Our tests show that locally based monitoring delivers credible data at local scale independent of external experts and can be used to inform local and national decision making within a short timeframe. We believe that monitoring conducted by and anchored in communities will gain in importance where scientist-led monitoring is sparse or too expensive to sustain and for ecosystem attributes in cases in which remote sensing cannot provide credible data. The spread of smartphone technology and online portals will further enhance the importance and usefulness of this discipline.

Connecting Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches in Environmental Observing

Effective responses to rapid environmental change rely on observations to inform planning and decision-making. Reviewing literature from 124 programs across the globe and analyzing survey data for 30 Arctic community-based monitoring programs, we compare top-down, large-scale program driven approaches with bottom-up approaches initiated and steered at the community level. Connecting these two approaches and linking to Indigenous and local knowledge yields benefits including improved information products and enhanced observing program efficiency and sustainability. We identify core principles central to such improved links: matching observing program aims, scales, and ability to act on information; matching observing program and community priorities; fostering compatibility in observing methodology and data management; respect of Indigenous intellectual property rights and the implementation of free, prior, and informed consent; creating sufficient organizational support structures; and ensuring sustained community members’ commitment. Interventions to overcome challenges in adhering to these principles are discussed.

Can Community Members Identify Tropical Tree Species for REDD+ Carbon and Biodiversity Measurements?

Biodiversity conservation is a required co-benefit of REDD+. Biodiversity monitoring is therefore needed, yet in most areas it will be constrained by limitations in the available human professional and financial resources. REDD+ programs that use forest plots for biomass monitoring may be able to take advantage of the same data for detecting changes in the tree diversity, using the richness and abundance of canopy trees as a proxy for biodiversity. If local community members are already assessing the above-ground biomass in a representative network of forest vegetation plots, it may require minimal further effort to collect data on the diversity of trees. We compare community members and trained scientists’ data on tree diversity in permanent vegetation plots in montane forest in Yunnan, China. We show that local community members here can collect tree diversity data of comparable quality to trained botanists, at one third the cost. Without access to herbaria, identification guides or the Internet, community members could provide the ethno-taxonomical names for 95% of 1071 trees in 60 vegetation plots. Moreover, we show that the community-led survey spent 89% of the expenses at village level as opposed to 23% of funds in the monitoring by botanists. In participatory REDD+ programs in areas where community members demonstrate great knowledge of forest trees, community-based collection of tree diversity data can be a cost-effective approach for obtaining tree diversity information.

Community Monitoring of Carbon Stocks for REDD+: Does Accuracy and Cost Change over Time?

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) is a potentially powerful international policy mechanism that many tropical countries are working towards implementing. Thus far, limited practical consideration has been paid to local rights to forests and forest resources in REDD+ readiness programs, beyond noting the importance of these issues. Previous studies have shown that community members can reliably and cost-effectively monitor forest biomass. At the same time, this can improve local ownership and forge important links between monitoring activities and local decision-making. Existing studies have, however, been static assessments of biomass at one point in time. REDD+ programs will require repeated surveys of biomass over extended time frames. Here, we examine trends in accuracy and costs of local forest monitoring over time. We analyse repeated measurements by community members and professional foresters of 289 plots over two years in four countries in Southeast Asia. This shows, for the first time, that with repeated measurements community members’ biomass measurements become increasingly accurate and costs decline. These findings provide additional support to available evidence that community members can play a strong role in monitoring forest biomass in the local implementation of REDD+.

A Multicountry Assessment of Tropical Resource Monitoring by Local Communities

The rapid global growth of conservation schemes designed to incentivize local communities to conserve natural resources has placed new importance on biological monitoring to assess whether agreements and targets linked to payments are being met. To evaluate competence in natural resource monitoring, we compared data on status and trends collected independently by local-community members and trained scientists for 63 taxa and five types of resource use in 34 tropical forest sites across four countries over 2.5 years. We hypothesized that the results would vary according to differences in the education and value systems of the monitors. We found that, despite considerable differences in countries, cultures, and the types of natural resources monitored, the community members and the scientists produced similar results for the status of and trends in species and natural resources. Our findings highlight the potential value of locally based natural resource monitoring for conservation decisionmaking across developing countries.

Testing Focus Groups as a Tool for Connecting Indigenous and Local Knowledge on Abundance of Natural resources with Science-Based Land Management Systems

One of the clearly stated intentions of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is to bring both “western scientific” and “indigenous and local” knowledge systems within synthetic global, regional, and thematic assessments. A major challenge will be how to use, and quality-assure, information derived from different knowledge systems. We test how indigenous and local knowledge on natural resources in Miskito and Mayangna communities in Nicaragua, validated through focus groups with community members, compares with information collected on line transects by trained scientists. Both provide comparable data on natural resource abundance, but focus groups are eight times cheaper. Such approaches could increase the amount and geographical scope of information available for assessments at all levels, while simultaneously empowering indigenous and local communities who generally have limited engagement in such processes.

Community Monitoring for REDD+: International Promises and Field Realities

Will community monitoring assist in delivering just and equitable REDD+? We assessed whether local communities can effectively estimate carbon stocks in some of the world’s most carbon rich forests, using simple field protocols, and we reviewed whether community monitoring exists in current REDD+ pilots. We obtained similar results for forest carbon when measured by communities and professional foresters in 289 vegetation plots in Southeast Asia. Most REDD+ monitoring schemes, however, contain no community involvement. To close the gulf between United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change texts on involving communities and field implementation realities, we propose greater embedding of community monitoring within national REDD+ pilot schemes, which we argue will lead to a more just REDD+.

How much do large-scale and small-scale farming contribute to global deforestation?

The study presented in this document expands on the work conducted during the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2020 Remote Sensing Survey (RSS) and revisits the extensive dataset of areas where deforestation occurred over periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2018 to subclassify and assess deforestation drivers. Notably, considering the importance it would have in designing appropriate strategies for halting deforestation, the study assesses the share of agriculture-driven deforestation linked to small-scale and large-scale farming, both for cropping and livestock systems. The goal was not only to further characterize the global deforestation drivers in 2000–2018 but also to identify methods and tools that can help in exploring the deforestation drivers using Earth Observation – by adding more options to the original FRA RSS query and by trying to define subjective characteristics of the activities.

The world’s mangroves 2000–2020

This report provides global and regional estimates of the area covered by mangrove forests, including area changes between 2000 and 2020. It analyses the drivers of these global, regional and subregional changes for the periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2020 with the aim of improving understanding of these drivers, their interactions and how their relative importance has shifted over time. In the study that underpins this report, FAO developed and validated an easy, repeatable methodology that integrates remote sensing with local knowledge. An FAO team and 48 image interpreters worldwide collected and analysed data on mangrove area in 2020, change in mangrove area between 2000 and 2020, and the drivers of change over the two decades. It is the first global study of mangrove area to provide information on land use rather than land cover.

Unlocking the secrets of mangroves

Where land and sea meet, a unique ecosystem is found: mangrove forests. Whether offering protection from climate change, supporting livelihoods, biodiversity and more, mangroves benefit us all. In the first study of its kind, FAO, with experts around the world, uncovered a wealth of information on the extent of mangrove forests globally, as well a glimpse into what causes mangrove losses and gains. Find out more about this precious ecosystem and see how mangroves affect our daily lives.

REDD+ Story Indonesia

Indonesia submitted its 1st forest reference emission level in 2016. Since then, Indonesia has taken concrete steps to halt deforestation and forest degradation, including the 1st submission of the REDD+ results in 2018, as well as the National Strategy and Safeguard Information Summary in 2019. As a result, Indonesia received results-based payments equating to the reduction of approximately 20 million tons of CO2. Indonesia's REDD+ story does not end here. In 2022, Indonesia successfully completed both the technical assessment process for its 2nd forest reference level and the technical analysis process for its 2nd REDD+ results. This article describes Indonesia’s REDD+ success story to date.

Nested governance for effective REDD+: Institutional and political arguments

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Forest Enhancement (REDD+) has become a central focus of global climate change mitigation efforts. Even though the international demand for forest-based carbon sequestration is the key driver of REDD+, forest protection strategies must be implemented on the ground. This cross-scale nature of REDD+ explains why scholars and policy makers increasingly favor nested governance arrangements over either fully centralized or fully decentralized REDD+ governance. The focus of the literature on nested REDD+ governance has mostly been on monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon emission reductions across sub-national, national, and international levels. We build on Ostrom’s principle of ‘nested enterprises’ to argue that REDD+ must be designed to systematically and formally link national policy reforms with the organization and execution of sub-national (regional and local) forest conservation efforts led by forest users. We also contribute new insights on the political dimensions of nestedness in REDD+, with important roles for inter-community forestry associations and forest rights movements.

Forest Policy, Institutions, and REDD+ in India, Tanzania, and Mexico

This article investigates forest policies and institutions surrounding REDD+ in three heavily forested countries: India, Tanzania, and Mexico. The comparative analysis leads to three key insights. First, each of the case study countries has multiple land tenure statutes that result in different distributions of the costs and benefits of forest protection for key stakeholders. Second, land tenure regimes that offer local communities the most secure forest rights are not necessarily those associated with benefit-sharing mechanisms outlined in national REDD+ policy proposals. Third, a credible commitment by government to share REDD+ benefits with forest-dependent people is contingent on the interests of key actors involved in the policy process. Political and administrative structures that limit the power and authority of forest government bodies lead to more responsive and accountable policy outcomes.

REDD-plus COOKBOOK

This Cookbook is an easy-to-understand technical manual which provide basic knowledge and techniques required for REDD-plus with the main focus on the forest carbon monitoring methods. It comprises of four parts: "Introduction", "Planning", "Technical", and "Reference Guide". "Introduction" is designed for the policy makers and their partner organizations working for the introduction of REDD-plus at national/sub-national level, "Planning" is intended for the planners and managers of REDD-plus implementing organizations/ countries working on REDD-plus at national/sub-national level, and "Technical" for the experts who work on the REDD-plus activities at national/sub-national level.

REDD-plus Libro de Recetas

This Cookbook is an easy-to-understand technical manual which provide basic knowledge and techniques required for REDD-plus with the main focus on the forest carbon monitoring methods. It comprises of four parts: "Introduction", "Planning", "Technical", and "Reference Guide". "Introduction" is designed for the policy makers and their partner organizations working for the introduction of REDD-plus at national/sub-national level, "Planning" is intended for the planners and managers of REDD-plus implementing organizations/ countries working on REDD-plus at national/sub-national level, and "Technical" for the experts who work on the REDD-plus activities at national/sub-national level.

Nesting REDD+ Pathways to Bridge Project and Jurisdictional Programs

This paper reflects on historic carbon market approaches to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), identifying common approaches to crediting REDD+ at various scales, shares case studies of existing country approaches to REDD+, and proposes future options for countries seeking to nest REDD+ at various scales. By discussing the relative merits of on-the-ground and policy-led approaches, we hope to spur new insights and discussion around the role of REDD+ crediting in the coming years. We believe more guidance around this particular issue is critical in order to advance the tools needed to reduce emissions in the next decade.

10+ years of UN-REDD expertise and best practice;

10+ years of UN-REDD expertise and best practice; to the most current topics and knowledge from our broad range of Programme experts.

REDD+ Sudan Webpage

Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation; (REDD+) is a global mechanism to mitigate the climate change caused by forest loss or degradation, while mobilizing financial resources for socio-economic development in forest countries. The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) supports selected countries in the preparation and subsequent implementation of their national REDD+ strategies. The objective of the project is aiming to achieve REDD+ Readiness by end of 2017, the main activities of Sudan R-PP is; support the management arrangement, information sharing, stakeholders consultation and participation. Preparation of the REDD+ strategy including social and environmental assessment. Some aspect of national forest monitoring

Support for the design of the MRV system in the framework of REDD+ readiness in the Sudan

The objective of this study is to undertake institutional mapping, gap analysis and capacity needs assessment for the Greenhouse Gases Inventory (GHG-I) process for the purpose of development of National Communications (NCs), Biennial Update Reports (BURs) and (REDD+). This will help to support the design of (MRV) system in the framework of REDD+ readiness in Sudan.

TECHNICAL ANNEX OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA In Accordance with The Provisions of Decision 14 / Cp.19

This Technical Annex reports the results obtained by reducing emissions from deforestation for the period 2014 and 2015.

REDD+ information tracking system of Chile

In order to increase the transparency of the REDD+ approach implementation in the Chilean territory. Chile implemented an interim procedure to gather information about the REDD+ activities that are being undertaken in the accountability area of the country, corresponding to the Maule, Bio-Bio, La Araucanía, Los Rios and Los Lagos regions, and including the newly created Ñuble region, considering the period between the years 2014 to 2016. To feed the information system, every two months the Monitoring Measurement System (MMS) monitors existing public registries under existing forest carbon standards (including Verified Carbon Standard, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo, Climate Action Reserve, American Carbon Registry). Any REDD+ Project found in the registries will be uploaded to the database. It will facilitate future tracking and ensure that there is no past or future double payment. The current status of this information system is publicly available at https://www.enccrv.cl/medicion-y-monitoreo, this database is linked to the Monitoring and Measurement System (MMS). Currently, CONAF is working in the development of a transaction registry system called “Emission Reduction Registry System”. It is being developed and tested by a consortium formed by IHS Markit and Santiago Climate Exchange, in a consultancy for CONAF (Financed by the FCPF Readiness program). This Registry System is currently being tested and the expected result is to have a public platform were the transactions of emission reductions generated by Chile and by private organizations can be consulted, avoiding double payment situations and increasing transparency. After the end of the consultancy, this national alternative will be evaluated by Chile, along with other alternative registry/tracking systems provided by the interested international organizations. This decision is still pending review of the international platforms available, looking for the implementation of a national permanent registry system. This interim REDD+ information tracking system is under the management of CONAF and is meant to track the verified archived ER, and not the transactions made in the carbon market.