Know Your Rights Related to REDD+

The document outlines the basic concepts of REDD+, the associated safeguards agreed upon under the UNFCCC, and the specific human rights—such as self-determination, land tenure, and free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)—that may be impacted by forest governance initiatives. It provides practical advice for community leaders on negotiating REDD+ activities and lists national and international mechanisms for seeking justice and reporting rights violations.

• REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is an international solution to climate change under the UNFCCC that provides incentives to developing countries to stop or reverse forest loss, with the "+" including conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
• The UNFCCC established seven REDD+ safeguards in Cancun in 2010 to ensure activities are consistent with national forest programs, maintain transparent governance, respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, ensure stakeholder participation, conserve natural forests and biodiversity, address reversal risks, and reduce emissions displacement.
• Governments implementing REDD+ are obligated to develop national strategies, establish a national forest monitoring system (NFMS) and a safeguards information system (SIS), and comply with both national laws and international human rights and environmental obligations.
• Several critical rights are identified as being potentially impacted by REDD+, including the right to self-determination, the right to culture, rights to lands, territories, and natural resources, the right to participation and access to information, and the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) allows communities, primarily Indigenous Peoples, to give or withhold consent before activities affecting their lands or resources are implemented, requiring that decisions be made without coercion, intimidation, or manipulation.
• Communities can seek remedies for rights violations through various channels, including regional bodies like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, UN mechanisms such as the Human Rights Council, and independent bodies of International Financial Institutions like the World Bank Inspection Panel or the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO).

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). Know Your Rights Related to REDD+. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_Guide_May2014.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Know Your Rights Related to REDD+. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_Guide_May2014.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Know Your Rights Related to REDD+ |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_Guide_May2014.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndknow, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Know Your Rights Related to REDD+}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_Guide_May2014.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }