New UN-REDD knowledge management briefs explore the UN-REDD Programme support on NFMS and forest governance
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the UN-REDD Programme recently published two informational briefs on National Forest Monitoring Systems and Forest Tenure and REDD+.
“Developing capacity for national forest monitoring systems: UN-REDD support and innovative solutions for collecting, managing and reporting forest data”
This info brief provides a detailed overview of the UN-REDD Programme’s support and expertise in planning and implementing National Forest Monitoring Systems, or NFMS. A valuable tool, NFMS provide countries with high-quality, reliable data on forests and land use, including forest-carbon estimates. Such information is critical to informing national forest policies and practices and to meeting international climate and sustainable development goals.
Check out the key messages of the info brief, Developing capacity for national forest monitoring systems: UN-REDD support and innovative solutions for collecting, managing and reporting forest data:
- Forests are a crucial part of the climate solution if sustainably managed, and sustainable management requires up-to-date, unbiased, accurate and transparent information.
- National forest monitoring systems (NFMS) are a foundation for national decision-making, monitoring the implementation and effects of forest policy actions, sustainable forest management, REDD+ and the enhanced transparency framework for action and support of the Paris Agreement under UNFCCC, through the provision of transparent, reliable, relevant, accessible and sustainable forest data.
- Since its inception, the UN-REDD Programme has supported over 50 countries in the development of multipurpose national forest monitoring systems.
- The Programme has helped 30 countries to meet their international reporting requirements under UNFCCC and continues to support the strengthening of national forest monitoring systems to generate data to improve the quality of reporting and enhance transparency.
- To help practitioners to put forest monitoring systems in place, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has developed a range of supporting materials, including the Voluntary Guidelines for National Forest Monitoring and various free, open-source software tools and platforms, such as Open Foris and SEPAL. Those resources have provided a foundation for UN-REDD capacity development over the past 10 years.
“Forest Tenure and REDD+: Good practice, lessons learned and recommendations”
This info brief explores the UN-REDD Programme’s promotion of forest tenure rights and support for country efforts to mitigate climate change through REDD+ activities. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is an important climate mitigation strategy, defined by three phases: 1.) readiness; 2.) implementation of national strategies and results-based demonstration activities; and 3.) results-based actions.
Examine the key messages of the info brief, Forest Tenure and REDD+: Good practice, lessons learned and recommendations, here:
- Guided by the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure, the UN-REDD Programme stands firm in its long-term commitment to supporting countries in clarifying and securing land and forest tenure rights as a key enabling condition for addressing the drivers of deforestation and degradation.
- In view of its potential to sequester vast amounts of carbon and achieve impact at scale, while providing a range of co-benefits that include the conservation of biodiversity and the improvement of livelihoods, the securing of collective tenure rights is high on the list of priorities in efforts to reduce deforestation and degradation under REDD+.
- Increased security of tenure increases the resilience of a community to natural disasters and other external threats, such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, by catalysing community collaboration. Clarity of tenure also opens the door to investment in health and education, improved infrastructure and public services.
- A gender gap persists in tenure rights. By excluding women from tenure rights and resource governance, they are excluded from vital opportunities to better understand forest dynamics and to contribute to household food security and prosperity. Increased awareness of the issues facing women, matched by greater consideration and action to overcome obstacles by both men and women, is essential.
UN-REDD is the flagship UN knowledge and advisory partnership on forests and climate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forests and forestry and enhance forest carbon stocks. It is the largest international provider of REDD+ assistance, supporting its 65 partner countries to protect their forests and achieve their climate and sustainable development goals.
For more information about the UN-REDD Programme, please go to: https://www.un-redd.org/