REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

What is REDD+?

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+), is an essential part of the global efforts to mitigate climate change. FAO supports developing countries in their REDD+ processes and in turning their political commitments, as represented in their Nationally Determined Contributions, into action on the ground. 

At the core of this work are forests and the fundamental role they play in climate change mitigation, by removing COfrom the atmosphere and storing it in biomass and soils. This also means that when forests are cleared or degraded, they can become a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by releasing that stored carbon.  It is estimated that globally, deforestation and forest degradation account for around 11 percent of COemissions. Halting deforestation is a cost-effective action that has a clear impact in reducing global GHG emissions. FAO’s support also helps countries during the later implementation phase of REDD+.

FAO's support on REDD+

National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS)
Forest Reference (Emission) Levels (FR(E)L)
Safeguards and Safeguards Information System (SIS)
National Strategies/Action Plans (NS/AP)

 

 

REDD+ in Focus

Country commitments to mitigate and adapt to climate change are an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 global goals that countries have adopted to guide development efforts. The REDD+ mechanism contributes directly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 and 15. Those address climate change, reducing deforestation and sustainable use of ecosystems. REDD+ can also contribute to achieving other SDGs – including those which address poverty reduction, health and well-being, hunger alleviation, and improving institutions. 
With FAO’s technical support, countries can use REDD+ actions as catalysts to deliver on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) are among the climate actions that most countries have included in their NDCs, which underscores the important role these sectors play in climate change mitigation and adaption. Many NDCs have also made specific reference to REDD+ plans, offering an opportunity to mainstream REDD+ and climate efforts into countries’ national planning processes and ultimately, actions on the ground.
FAO’s support to countries is based on technical expertise in assessing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and finding opportunities for forest carbon conservation, management and enhancement. FAO also helps countries design and implement REDD+ mitigation actions, which offer both carbon and non-carbon benefits, taking advantage of cross-sectoral expertise and building on existing experience. FAO works to strengthen collaboration with other initiatives and helps to promote public-private partnerships to scale up investments on REDD+ implementation. 

Country highlights

Over the past two years, the cocoa trees in Monique N'Guessan Amlan’s plantation in eastern Côte d'Ivoire have been steadily perking up. That marks a change from before, when several were drying out and dying altogether under the relentless onslaught of the tropical sun, making it hard for the 64-year-old widow to support her four children, who are still studying.