Voluntary social and environmental standards for REDD and other forest carbon programs Need for the Standards While activities that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) and contribute to conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) have the potential to deliver significant social and environmental co-benefits, many have highlighted the serious risks, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent communities. Recognizing that a UNFCCC agreement will focus on emissions reductions and, most likely, include only basic social and environmental safeguards, this initiative represents a complementary process to define and build support for a higher level of social and environmental performance from REDD and other forest carbon programs. Role of the Standards This initiative aims to develop standards that can be used by governments, NGOs, financing agencies and other stakeholders to design and implement REDD and other forest carbon programs that respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and generate significant social and biodiversity co-benefits. These standards will be designed to work for the new global REDD+ regime likely to emerge out of ongoing UNFCCC negotiations, that is for government-led programs implemented at national or state/provincial/regional level and for all forms of fund-based or market-based financing. If these voluntary standards are successful, they will: • help the early adopters to build support for their programs both nationally and internationally, for example enabling preferential access to funds; • encourage improved social and environmental performance for REDD and other forest carbon programs in other countries and sub-national states/ provinces. Components of the Standards The standards will consist of principles, criteria and indicators that define the issues of concern and the required levels of social and environmental performance. A process for monitoring, reporting and verification will also be defined to ensure the quality of assessments. © CI/Photo by John Martin © CI/Photo by Olivier Langrand © CARE/Photo by Phil Franks Goal of the Standards Effective social and environmental standards for REDD and other forest carbon activities make a substantial contribution to human rights, poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation goals whilst avoiding social or environmental harm. To learn more about the development of the REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards please contact: Joanna Durbin Director Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance jdurbin@climate-standards.org +1 703 623 4441 Phil Franks Global Coordinator CARE International Poverty, Environment and Climate Change Network phil@ci.or.ke + 254 716 430353 Principles, Criteria and Indicators A set of principles are the main framework for the standards and provide the key objectives that define good social and environmental performance of REDD+ programs. For each principle, a series of criteria define the minimum requirements that must be demonstrated related to processes, impacts and policies. Indicators provide the information to show that the criteria are met. Participants at a workshop on the standards in Copenhagen in May 2009 identified the following principles: Rights to land, territories and resources are recognized and respected.• The benefits of REDD+ programs are shared equitably with all stakeholders and rights holders.• Ecosystem services and biodiversity are maintained or enhanced.• The program contributes to sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation for forest dependent peoples.• All relevant stakeholders are able to participate fully and effectively in the program.• All stakeholders have timely access to appropriate and accurate information to enable transparency, accountability and full and • effective participation. The program complies with applicable local and national laws and international treaties and agreements • The program contributes to and is coherent with broader sustainable development objectives• Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Different options are under consideration for monitoring, reporting and verification that balance participation and ownership by stakeholders with enhanced transparency and accountability. The optimum approach for any situation will depend on the aims of the standards and the interests of the users. For example, the standards could be used to: • Define best practice guidelines for REDD+ policies and measures; • Assess the process of development of REDD+ policies and measures, notably the level and quality of stakeholder involvement; • Assess the quality and impacts of implementation of REDD+ policies and measures. An inclusive and participatory process for development of the standards The standards are being developed through an inclusive process engaging governments, non-governmental organizations and other civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples organizations, international policy and research institutions and the private sector. A Standards Committee representing a balance of interested parties will oversee the standards development and approve each draft of the standards. The majority of committee members will be from REDD countries recognizing that southern governments and civil society should lead the development and application of the standards. The standards development process is being facilitated by the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) and CARE International. The following steps have been adopted for Phase 1 of standards development: A multi-stakeholder workshop in Copenhagen to provide initial input for the design and content of the standards May 2009 Draft principles and criteria circulated to interested parties, stakeholders and advisors for comments Jun-Aug 2009 Consultation meetings with diverse stakeholders in three countries interested in early adoption of the standards Jul-Sep 2009 A draft version of the standards posted on-line for public comments during 60 days Oct-Nov 2009 Comments addressed in a new draft version of the standards for presentation at UNFCCC COP15 Dec 2009 A second public comment period and additional consultations with stakeholders Jan-Mar 2010 Standards finalized for piloting Mar 2010 Piloting and testing the standards in several countries is planned for Phase 2 starting in April 2010. Options for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Monitoring Self-assessment by government Government-led with stakeholder involvement Independent monitoring No public report Some information public All relevant information public Report plus comments public Reports and comments verified and public No verification Review by government appointed technical panel Verification by independent third-party Reporting Verification - ‹Transparency and Accountability› +