Strengthening Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+

This research paper explores the technical and institutional challenges of establishing Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems for REDD+ in developing countries. It emphasizes the need for clear definitions of 'forest' and 'reference levels' (RL/REL), the utility of nested approaches to scale subnational efforts to national levels, and the critical role of capacity building and stakeholder involvement to ensure the credibility of carbon credits.

• The Cancun Agreements identify Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) as a critical element for REDD+ implementation, defining it as a three-part process: Measurement (data collection), Reporting (formal submission to the UNFCCC), and Verification (formal verification of reports).
• There is no globally agreed definition of 'forest' under the REDD mechanism, which creates uncertainty regarding which lands are eligible for activities and how to assess deforestation. The paper suggests a 'whole-landscape' approach, termed Reducing Emissions from All Land Uses (REALU), which uses the AFOLU accounting scheme to avoid dependence on a strict operational definition of forest.
• Reference Levels (RL) and Reference Emission Levels (REL) serve as the benchmarks for measuring REDD+ performance. Three main approaches to establishing these are historical baselines (retrospective), projected/modelled baselines (prospective), and historical adjusted baselines (which account for national socioeconomic circumstances).
• A 'nested approach' is proposed to allow countries to begin REDD+ efforts at the subnational level and gradually transition to a national system. This approach aims to maximize the potential of both project-based and government-led efforts while reducing the risk of leakage.
• The IPCC provides three tiers for estimating emissions, with Tier 1 being the least accurate and lowest cost, and Tier 3 providing the highest accuracy and monetization potential but requiring high analytical capacity and cost. Tier 2 is considered the minimum for reliable estimates.
• Developing countries face significant capacity gaps in MRV; fewer than 20% have submitted complete GHG inventories. Critical needs include technology transfer in GIS and remote sensing, the development of allometric equations, and the establishment of institutional frameworks to coordinate data.
• The cost of establishing MRV systems varies widely based on national circumstances. For a three-year period, reference scenario costs ranged from US$322,000 in the Republic of Congo to US$4,177,000 in Colombia, while MRV of emissions and removals ranged from US$350,000 in Liberia to US$30,234,000 in Mexico.
• Involving local communities and indigenous peoples through participatory processes is essential for 'ground-truthing' top-down measurements (such as GIS) and improving the overall accuracy of MRV programs.
• There is a need for coherence between MRV for REDD+ and MRV for Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). While integrating REDD+ as a NAMA could improve efficiency and funding, there are concerns that it could stall progress if NAMA frameworks reject reference scenarios.

APA

Bernard, F., & Minang, P. A. (2011). Strengthening Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_strengthening_mrv_kenya.pdf

Chicago

Bernard, Florence, and Peter A. Minang. Strengthening Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2011. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_strengthening_mrv_kenya.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bernard |first1=Florence |last2=Minang |first2=Peter A. |title=Strengthening Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+ |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_strengthening_mrv_kenya.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bernard2011strengthening, author = {Bernard, Florence and Minang, Peter A.}, title = {{Strengthening Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/redd_strengthening_mrv_kenya.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }