REDD+ is a United Nations framework designed to reward developing countries for activities that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. It works by creating a financial value for the carbon stored in forests, making them more valuable standing than cut down, thereby contributing to global climate action.
REDD+ (an acronym for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) is a global climate change mitigation mechanism developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its primary purpose is to channel climate finance to developing nations to support them in protecting their forest resources. Given that deforestation and forest degradation are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, REDD+ provides a performance-based system to make forest conservation financially attractive.
The mechanism has evolved from its initial concept ("REDD") to "REDD+", incorporating a broader scope of forest management activities. It operates on the principle that countries that successfully reduce their rates of deforestation and forest degradation below a pre-established baseline receive financial payments. These funds can come from public or private sources, often through the sale of carbon credits on the voluntary carbon market.
The core activities eligible for support under the REDD+ framework include:
- Reducing emissions from deforestation: Preventing the outright conversion of forests to other land uses.
- Reducing emissions from forest degradation: Halting activities that damage a forest's health and reduce its carbon storage capacity, such as unsustainable logging.
- Conservation of forest carbon stocks: Protecting existing, intact forests to keep their carbon locked in.
- Sustainable management of forests: Implementing practices that ensure forests can be used for economic purposes without being depleted.
- Enhancement of forest carbon stocks: Actively increasing the amount of carbon stored through activities like reforestation and afforestation.
Concrete Examples
- National Programme (Brazil): The Amazon Fund, largely financed by Norway and Germany, is a prime example of a large-scale REDD+ initiative. Brazil received results-based payments for verifiably reducing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, with the funds being reinvested into further conservation and sustainable development projects.
- Project-Level (Kenya): The Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project in Kenya protects over 200,000 hectares of dryland forest from being converted to farmland. The project generates income for local communities through the sale of verified carbon credits, creating sustainable livelihoods and direct incentives for conservation.
These projects generate carbon credits that companies can purchase to offset their emissions. It's a key instrument in the world of nature-based solutions and climate finance. [Learn more about the differences between voluntary and regulated carbon markets]. For a highly detailed overview, refer to the official UN documentation. [Source: UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform].