Unep Redd+

UN-REDD Programme Fact Sheet
ABOUT REDD+
Photo: Riccardo Gangle / UN-REDD Programme

What is REDD+? forest sector by:
Deforestation and forest degradation account for 11 per • reducing carbon emissions from deforestation;
cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, more than the • reducing carbon emissions from forest degradation;
entire global transportation sector and second only to • conservation of forest carbon stocks;
the energy sector. • sustainable management of forests; and
• enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
In response, Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have
developed a climate change mitigation approach
designed to incentivize developing countries to
reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation.
This mitigation approach is known as REDD+ and is

defined as “reducing emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation in developing countries, and the role
February 2016
of conservation, sustainable management of forests and

enhancement of forest carbon stocks”.
REDD+ aims to incentivize developing countries to

contribute to climate change mitigation actions in the
How does REDD+ benefit developing Why is REDD+ important?
countries?
Developing countries that meet UNFCCC REDD+ Deforestation and forest degradation have long been
requirements (see box “Elements of UNFCCC Warsaw recognized as significant sources of carbon emissions,
Framework for REDD+”) will receive results-based as trees store carbon and when they are destroyed this
payments for verified emissions reductions. As such, carbon is released into the atmosphere contributing to
REDD+ creates an incentive for these countries to reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change.
emissions from forests, and invest in low-carbon paths to
sustainable development. As up to 11 per cent of carbon emissions are caused by
deforestation and forest degradation, it is important that
By implementing REDD+ actions, countries will the reduction of these emissions is part of the global
contribute to conserving their national biodiversity and plan to fight climate change. REDD+ is the identified
to the global fight against climate change. In addition to mechanism to do so.
the environmental benefits, REDD+ also offers social and
economic benefits. Most recently, it is being integrated In addition to their carbon storage role, forests are
into green economy strategies. valuable in many other ways. This includes water
regulation, soil protection, non-timber forest products
REDD+ is also a tool to realize achievement of the including food and fibre, climate regulation and
transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable biodiversity. In fact, it is estimated that 1.6 billion people
Development adopted by world leaders in September depend on forests. As such, by conserving forests,
2015. The new agenda calls on countries to begin efforts REDD+ offers a broad range of social, environmental and
to achieve 17 Sustainable Development Goals over the economic benefits to developing countries and forest
next 15 years. While REDD+ is directly linked to Climate communities.
Action (goal 13), it can also play an important role
towards Responsible Consumption and Production (goal
12), Gender Equality (goal 5), Life on Land (goal 15), and
Decent Work and Economic Growth (goal 8) among
others.
2
What is the difference between REDD+
and the UN-REDD Programme?
REDD+ is a voluntary climate change mitigation
approach that has been developed by Parties to the
UNFCCC. It aims to incentivize developing countries
to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation, conserve forest carbon stocks, sustainably
manage forests and enhance forest carbon stocks.
The United Nations Collaborative Programme on

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation in Developing Countries – or UN-REDD
Programme – is a multilateral body. It partners with
developing countries to support them in establishing
the technical capacities needed to implement REDD+
Photo: Pablo Cambronero / UN-REDD Programme

and meet UNFCCC requirements for REDD+ result-
based payments. It does so through a country-based
approach that provides advisory and technical support
services tailored to national circumstances and needs.
The UN-REDD Programme is a collaborative initiative of
the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), and harnesses the technical expertise of these
UN agencies. Other examples of REDD+ multilaterals
include the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and Forest
Investment Program, hosted by The World Bank.
What is REDD+ “readiness”? What are the phases of REDD+?

REDD+ readiness refers to the efforts a country The UNFCCC defines the three phases of REDD+ as:
undertakes to develop the capacities needed to
demonstrate and implement REDD+, and meet UNFCCC Phase 1: Readiness:
REDD+ requirements. REDD+ readiness support is Countries design national strategies and action plans
provided to developing countries through bilateral with relevant stakeholders, build the capacity to
and multilateral initiatives, including the UN-REDD implement REDD+, work on REDD+ related policies and
Programme. This includes both financial and technical measures, and design demonstration activities.
support on REDD+ related areas of work including
governance, stakeholder engagement, developing Phase 2: Demonstration:
a REDD+ national strategy/action plan, designing a National strategies, policies and action plans proposed
safeguards information system, and developing a forest in Phase I are demonstrated and tested. This may include
emission reference level and a national forest monitoring results-based demonstration activities and may require
system. additional capacity building, technology development
and transfer.
Phase 3: Implementation:
Results-based actions are implemented at the national
level and results are fully measured, reported and
verified. Countries can access results-based payments
when they have completed the reporting, assessment
and analysis processes under the UNFCCC.
Photo: CIFOR
3
Why is stakeholder engagement
important for REDD+?
Full and effective stakeholder engagement is
indispensable to REDD+ for a number of reasons. Firstly,
UNFCCC decisions have consistently called for Parties
to ensure the full and effective participation of relevant
stakeholders in the design and implementation of
REDD+ national strategies/action plans.
Secondly, there has been a strong demand for

meaningful stakeholder engagement from donors,
indigenous peoples, civil society and REDD+ countries
since the early days of REDD+.
Thirdly, because of the transformational reforms REDD+
Photo courtesy: Julie Pudlowski/WWF

can necessitate, success depends on partnerships and
buy-in across a large swath of government, society,
business and institutions. Stakeholder engagement is not
merely a matter of integrating the views of the different
actors that are concerned by REDD+, but can also craft
partnerships, consensus and inclusive and gender-
sensitive policies that will make REDD+ transformational,
attainable and enduring.
Particular attention should be made to engagement with

forest-dependent communities, including indigenous
peoples, which play a key role in the conservation
and sustainable management of forests and possess
knowledge and institutions that can contribute to REDD+
objectives.
Additional Resources
UN-REDD Programme Collaborative Online Workspace: www.unredd.net
UNFCCC REDD+ page: bit.ly/UNFCCC-REDDpage
UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform: redd.unfccc.int
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: sustainabledevelopment.un.org
UNFCCC COP21 Paris Agreement: unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/cop21/eng/l09.pdf
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility: www.forestcarbonpartnership.org
UN-REDD Programme
Website: www.un-redd.org
International Environment House,
Online Workspace: www.unredd.net
11-13 Chemin des Anémones,
CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland. Social media links: bit.ly/UN-REDD-links
Email: un-redd@un-redd.org

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UN-REDD Programme Fact Sheet

Photo: Riccardo Gangle / UN-REDD Programme

This mitigation approach is known as REDD+ and is

of conservation, sustainable management of forests and

REDD+ aims to incentivize developing countries to

The United Nations Collaborative Programme on

Photo: Pablo Cambronero / UN-REDD Programme

What is REDD+ “readiness”? What are the phases of REDD+?

Secondly, there has been a strong demand for

Thirdly, because of the transformational reforms REDD+

Photo courtesy: Julie Pudlowski/WWF

Particular attention should be made to engagement with

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