Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)

This guide provides an introduction to the social and environmental safeguards and standards associated with REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). It details the frameworks established by the UNFCCC and other international bodies, such as UN-REDD and the World Bank, to mitigate risks to forest-dependent communities and Indigenous peoples while enhancing the social and environmental benefits of carbon-focused forest conservation.

• The UNFCCC's 'Cancun Agreements' establish seven safeguards that countries implementing REDD+ should 'promote and support'. These include ensuring actions are consistent with national forest programmes, maintaining transparent forest governance, respecting the knowledge and rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities, and ensuring the 'full and effective participation' of relevant stakeholders.
• The Warsaw Framework for REDD+, produced at COP19, requires developing country Parties to provide summary information periodically on how safeguards are being addressed and respected. However, there are concerns that this information may only be provided after REDD+ implementation activities have started, potentially leaving the readiness and policy phases unmonitored.
• Beyond the UNFCCC, other internationally recognized standards exist, including the UN-REDD Programme’s Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria (SEPC), the REDD+ Social and Environmental Standards (REDD+ SES), and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) safeguards, which include World Bank operational policies (OPs).
• A critical distinction exists between different standards regarding community consent: while UN-REDD and REDD+ SES explicitly recognize Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), the FCPF (World Bank) framework is noted to include only consultation and not consent.
• The concept of 'carbon rights' is central to REDD+ benefits but lacks a global legal regime under the UNFCCC. Consequently, these rights are determined by national legislation or individual contracts, which can significantly impact whether benefit-sharing arrangements are equitable.
• REDD+ presents a 'paradox' where the financial valuation of forest carbon could lead to the dispossession of communities, economic or physical displacement, and exacerbated land grabbing if safeguards are not effectively enforced.
• Gender equality is a noted opportunity for improvement in REDD+; while the Cancun Agreement requests parties to address 'gender considerations', the mandate is considered weak because gender equality and equity are not explicitly stated in the UNFCCC REDD+ safeguards.
• National safeguards development processes are intended to translate general international principles into operational statements suited to a country's specific political, cultural, and ecological context, but progress in developing these systems has been slow.
• Case studies highlight failures in the implementation of safeguards: in Panama, the National Coordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples withdrew from the UN-REDD National Joint Programme due to a lack of effective participation and non-recognition of representative institutions.

APA

Natural Justice (n.d.). Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/REDD_SAFEGUARDS_English.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). n.d. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/REDD_SAFEGUARDS_English.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/REDD_SAFEGUARDS_English.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljusticendreducing, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/REDD_SAFEGUARDS_English.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }