1.5 USAID Climate Change/REDD+ Policy Overview Evan Notman Climate Change Office Bureau of Economic Growth, Education and Environment, USAID FEBRUARY 2015 Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+ 1

Overview of USG and REDD+ in the context of climate change and development strategy Understand REDD+ safeguards in relation to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Understanding USG approach to SES in climate and REDD+ KEY ISSUES FOR THE SESSION 2 Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+

USAID’s work on REDD+ is part of our broader approach to climate and development Goal: To help countries accelerate their transition to climate-resilient, low emission development Overarching Principle: To strengthen development outcomes through direct climate change program investments and by integrating climate change throughout USAID programming, learning, policy dialogues, and internal operations. Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+ 3

Strategic Goal: to enable countries to accelerate their transition to climate resilient, low emissions development to promote sustainable economic growth. Strategic Objectives: 1.Accelerate the transition to low emission development through investments in clean energy and sustainable landscapes for climate change mitigation; 2.Increase resilience of people, places, and livelihoods through investments in climate change adaptation; and 3.Strengthen development outcomes by integrating climate change in USAID programming, learning, policy dialogues, and operations. 4 USAID CLIMATE CHANGE & DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+

CC+D STRATEGY RESULTS FRAMEWORK 5 SO 1 Accelerate transition to low emissions development IR 2.3 Identify and disseminate actions that increase climate resilience IR 3.3 Lead by example through adoption of low emissions and energy-saving operations Goal: Climate-resilient low emissions development SO 2 Increase resilience of people, places, and livelihoods SO 3 Strengthen development outcomes by integrating climate change in Agency programming, learning, policy dialogues, and operations IR 1.2 Invest in land use practices that stop, slow, and reverse emissions from deforestation and degradation of forest and other landscapes IR 1.1 Establish foundation for low carbon energy systems IR 2.2 Establish effective governance systems IR 2.1 Improve access to science and analysis for decision-making IR 3.2 Elevate the role of development in climate change dialogues and policies IR 3.1 Integrate climate change across USAID’s development portfolio AdaptationIntegration Mitigation

6 USAID STRATEGY Alignment Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+ USAID STRATEGY ALIGNMENT

USG REDD+ Strategy (2010): –“USAID is beginning a new program to contribute to greater social and environmental soundness in REDD+ planning and implementation and to provide leadership on this theme among REDD+ donors.” Strategy lists “Social and Environmental Aspects of REDD+” as a policy priority 7 SES – A KEY ELEMENT IN USG REDD+ STRATEGY Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+

FOREST EMISSIONS IN NATIONAL LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT National Development Planning – Integrating forest sector into broader processes for long-term, climate-resilient development – Identifying policy options that address drivers of emissions from land use through sectoral integration LEDS supports countries to: – Understand emissions profile – Identify & analyze mitigation options – Recognize gaps in information USG: EC-LEDS Program –Organizing framework for support –Inter-agency coordinated efforts –Facilitates integrated approach 8 Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+

REDD+ has been the focus of significant international attention and an important part of US climate work USG Fast Start pledge included $1 billion for REDD+ and related forest mitigation activities High visibility initiative, high scrutiny in international negotiations Addressing mitigation opportunities from non-forest lands now included in SL pillar. SL is a key element of GCC mitigation, including LEDS, for many developing countries Some Sustainable Landscapes Key Points Session 1.5 – Overview of USAID’s SL Pillar 9

The Issue: Landscapes are a significant source of GHG emissions in developing countries, and are the primary source in many The Response: Preserve forests through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) Reduce emissions from agricultural lands and other landscapes that are significant sources of emissions through policy and on-the-ground engagement Sustainable Landscapes: basics 10

FOREST AND AGRICULTURE MITIGATION Avoiding losses of carbon stocks –Reducing deforestation and forest degradation Reducing GHG emissions Increasing carbon stocks –Replanting or creating forests –Developing agroforestry –Sustainable forest management Removing GHG emissions Reducing emissions from agriculture 11

CC+D STRATEGY SO 1: MITIGATION Anticipated outcomes Greenhouse gas emissions reduced or sequestered through expanded use of clean energy or improved ecosystem management Partner countries implement laws, policies, or regulations addressing climate change mitigation Increased number of institutions with improved capacity to address climate change mitigation Public or private resources leveraged for climate change Low Emission Development Strategies supported in 20 partner countries Session 1.5 – Overview of USAID’s SL Pillar 12

Goal: contribute to moving a country into a low greenhouse gas emissions, high carbon sequestration development pathway in the land use sector Programs should work toward one or both of the following results: a.National frameworks for low emission development established or improved b.Capacity in partner countries for national scale implementation of LEDS in the land-use sector, including REDD+ activities, increased In EC-LEDS partner countries, FY14 SL funding must be used for activities that support the improvement of implementation of a partner country’s LEDS 13 SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES (SL) PILLAR DEFINITION Session 1.5 – Overview of USAID’s SL Pillar

USAID GUIDANCE ON SL SL Criteria Summary Table Focused (Direct/Initiative)Indirect Funding Source Focused Sustainable Landscapes control level Any related sector outside of Focused GCC funds; including other Initiatives Objective Explicit, primary goal or objective of slowing, halting, or reversing GHG emissions from land use Includes a goal or objective of slowing, halting, or reversing GHG emissions from land use Priority Activities All activities must link to national or sub-national climate change mitigation planning or implementation including:  Creation of national strategic plans on climate change mitigation  Emissions inventories or MRV for land use  Social and environmental aspects of REDD+ and other land use Indirect programs must address emissions from land use and land use change to qualify for indirect SL attribution. Relevant activities include: Creating incentives to improve land use, such as through agroforestry and improved fertilizer use Developing economic incentives or alternative livelihoods to reduce conversion of ecosystems Creation of protected areas Land tenure reform Indicators One or more GCC indicators, including mandatory SL indicator: Quantity of greenhouse gas emissions, measured in metric tons of CO 2 -equivalent, reduced or sequestered as a result of USG assistance - unless not applicable

Session 1.5 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+ 15 QUESTIONS?

Social and Environmental Soundness: feasibility and compatibility of development with local cultural, socio- economic, and environmental conditions SES approach: policies, tools, and best practices to ensure that SES is achieved in development Key elements of SES include: 1.Safeguards and safeguard information systems 2.Standards 3.Impact assessments 4.Benefits and costs and 5.Stakeholder engagement, rights and benefit-sharing. 16 WHAT IS SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SOUNDNESS? Session 1.3 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+

Safeguards: measures to protect against, or minimize, social and environmental damage or harm. Standards: measures that assess performance in comparison with agreed criteria Session 1.3 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+ 17 SAFEGUARDS VS. STANDARDS

UNFCCC Cancun Safeguards The 7 UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguards, agreed in Cancun in 2010, are the internationally-agreed minimum requirements: a)actions consistent with the objectives of national forest programs; b)transparent and effective national forest governance structures; c)respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities; d)the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular, indigenous peoples and local communities; e)actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity; f)actions to address the risks of reversals (i.e., permanence); and g)actions to reduce displacement of emissions (i.e., leakage). 18

Promotes sustainability of development initiatives Applies through all phases of REDD+ 19 IMPORTANCE OF SES FOR REDD+ Includes social and environmental safeguards, standards, impact assessment, stakeholder participation, human rights, biodiversity Fosters collaboration with other donors and partners Session 1.3 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+

20 KEY PRINCIPLES FOR REDD+ SES PrincipleWhat it meansHow it’s applied Do no harm Avoid, minimize or mitigate negative social & environmental impacts Avoid restricting access to traditional lands / livelihoods Avoid harming the environment Do good Increase positive social and environmental benefits Support local economic development No regrets Undertake development activities that will be beneficial irrespective of global negotiations on REDD+ financing Add value to other development objectives, i.e., foster social equity Better environmental management through better governance, economic development Session 1.3 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+

Building capacity for effective stakeholder engagement and good governance Rights to land, trees, and carbon Multiple benefits and costs Social and environmental impact assessment Cost and benefit sharing, including distribution of any carbon finance payments Livelihoods Ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation 21 KEY SES ISSUES Session 1.3 – USAID: CLIMATE CHANGE and REDD+