Defining REDD+ Success

The document outlines key messages from a 2012 expert meeting on REDD+, emphasizing that safeguard information systems (SIS) can leverage existing national and international reporting architectures to reduce costs. It argues that private sector involvement is essential for bridging financing gaps and providing technical expertise, but requires policy certainty, particularly regarding carbon credit ownership and trading rights. The briefing suggests a 'nested approach' for resource mobilization and calls for further capacity building in MRV and benefit-sharing systems.

• REDD+ safeguard information systems (SIS) do not necessarily require the creation of new indicators or methodologies, as they can be built upon existing reporting architectures, including national legislation, international agreements, and pilot-level initiatives.
• Private sector engagement is critical for REDD+ success to provide technical expertise and bridge the gap between public financing and the needs of developing countries, though this involvement depends on policy clarity and certainty.
• Effective private sector investment in REDD+ requires specific enabling conditions, including clear arrangements for benefit-sharing, dispute settlement, insurance in contracts, and specifically, clarified rights for owning and trading carbon credits.
• A 'nested approach' is identified as the most promising policy option for mobilizing resources and private sector involvement, necessitating national baselines that unify accounting and crediting for subnational and project-level REDD+ baselines.
• Existing tools that can support the implementation of REDD+ SIS include the biodiversity registry of the Philippines, Ethiopia's Participatory Forest Management approach, Madagascar's Environmental and Social Dashboard, Vietnam's Forest Management Information System, and reporting under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2012). Defining REDD+ Success. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_main_messages_safeguard_nairobi.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Defining REDD+ Success. 2012. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_main_messages_safeguard_nairobi.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Defining REDD+ Success |date=May 2012 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_main_messages_safeguard_nairobi.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2012defining, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Defining REDD+ Success}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2012}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_main_messages_safeguard_nairobi.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }