Abstract
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is an international climate policy instrument that is expected to tap into the large mitigation potential for conservation and better management of the world’s forests through financial flows from developed to developing countries. This paper describes the results and lessons learned from a pioneering REDD+ pilot project in Nepal, which is based on a community forest management approach and which was implemented from 2009–2013 with support from NORAD’s Climate and Forest Initiative. The major focus of the project was to develop and demonstrate an innovative benefit-sharing mechanism for REDD+ incentives, as well as institutionally and socially inclusive approaches to local forest governance. The paper illustrates how community-based monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) and performance-based payments for forest management can be implemented. The lessons on REDD+ benefit sharing from this demonstration project could provide insights to other countries which are starting to engage in REDD+, in particular in South Asia.
Highlights
Deforestation and forest degradation have received worldwide attention because of the implications for climate change
This paper describes one of the first REDD+ demonstration projects within the region, which is based on community management practice
The objective of this paper is to provide and disseminate lessons learnt from this project as input to the national REDD+ formulation processes, in the other SAARC
Summary
Deforestation and forest degradation have received worldwide attention because of the implications for climate change. In the case of Nepal, six co-benefits of implementing REDD+ have been identified by the Government’s REDD Cell [14] in addition to the financial incentive, these are: enhancement of local livelihoods; increase in the value of biodiversity; better ecosystem services to people and the environment; more resilient ecosystem-based climate change adaptation; improved governance, institutional setup, and policies for natural resource management at local to national levels; and contribution to achieving the objectives of other MEAs that the countries have ratified to The presence of established institutions and mechanisms for community management in Nepal provided an enabling environment for REDD+, the question of additionality needs further consideration This is because in the long run, REDD+ performance payments to a country such as Nepal will be based on measured improvements on the past situation regarding emissions and carbon stocks, as represented by a national baseline (Reference Emission Level). This is in line with the many calls for equity and social justice that have been made in the context of REDD+ [22,23]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
