Lessons learned from REDD+ readiness processes Pierre GUEDEZ Paramaribo, Nov 2015

8 important lessons learned Clear vision of REDD+ Understanding UNFCCC requirements Sequence of activities during readiness Importance of the scale of implementation Political dimension of REDD+ Knowledge management and capacity building Communication Stakeholder engagement

1. A clear vision of REDD+ Why? How? Does it build on national development plan and strategies? Relation with INDC, CC strategy, adaptation efforts? How it relates to other sources of funds for activities related to forests?

2. Understanding UNFCCC requirements and integration within the national context COP decisions need to be taken into consideration from the political, social, economic, cultural and environmental context of the countries Existing processes, laws and regulations Need for a REDD+ national strategy, or use another existing strategy? Non market vs market?

3. Sequence during the development of REDD+ readiness activities Need to understand drivers of deforestation in order to identify potential policy or measure or address them Need to identify policies and measures to address drivers of deforestation to understand how safeguards are going to be implemented Articulation between the 4 requirements

4. Importance of the scale of implementation Results assessed against the FREL, on a national scale. Importance of a national approach. Importance of local perspective and participation, where deforestation takes place.

5. The importance of the political dimension of REDD+ Drivers of deforestation are outside forest stakeholders Need involvement of different actors and sectors to protect the forests Articulate funds for land use activities

6. Knowledge management and capacity building at individual, technical and institutional levels Institutional strengthening Technical capacities REDD+ as an evolving process Step wise approach

7. Clear, audience-oriented communications Several perceptions and understanding on forests, climate change, REDD+ Different expectations A lot of technical terminology Reducing emissions (UNFCCC) vs protecting forests for future generations (Suriname) Importance of simplifying and targeting communication

8. Importance of participation For the 4 pillars of REDD+ Based on legal and institutional realities Participation can take many form, such as information, consultation, collaboration. Needs to be carefully planned, taking into account expectations, capacities, realities, requirements … Focus on IP. But need to work beyond IP to include RO, mining, planning, etc