1. International Seminar 2017
REDD+ (PLUS) MECHANISM IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
ROOM C103,
NATURAL SCIENCE BUILDING C
UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA
DATE:
CHRIS GIRO WAGATORA

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE Introduction
Origin and Evolution of REDD+ under the UNFCCC
Why is REDD+ (Plus)?
What is REDD+?
Phases of REDD+
UNFCCC - International Guidance on REDD+: Cancun Agreements (Decision 1/CP.16)
REDD+ Readiness in the Solomon Islands
Background
REDD+ Vision
Institutional Arrangement
Where we are now – Solomon Islands
REDD+ Programs & Activities
Challenges

3. Introduction Growing concern about environmental issues during 1980s
1992: Rio Earth Summit in Brazil: International United Nations conference
Three conventions emerged to address environmental issues:
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)
United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
UNFCCC: aimed to bring countries together to limit the impacts of climate change (by lowering human emissions) and adapt to the projected impacts (climate change adaptation, e.g. sea level rises)

4. Origin and Evolution of REDD+ under the UNFCCC
2005: 11th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) in Montreal:
Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica introduced the idea of reducing emissions from deforestation - leads to two years of consultation period
2007: 13th COP in Bali:
Introduced the idea of developing countries undertaking climate change mitigation activities
Introduction of REDD+ in the “Bali Action Plan”
2009: 15th COP in Copenhagen:
Technical methodological guidance – Decision 4/CP.15
2010: 16th COP in Cancun
Wide-ranging REDD+ guidance adopted – Decision 1/CP.16
2013: 19th COP in Warsaw:
Warsaw Framework for REDD+: The most comprehensive package of decisions to date on REDD+ - totaling seven decisions – which almost completes UNFCCC COP guidance on REDD+
2015: 21st COP in Paris:
The Paris Agreement adopted wherein REDD+ recognized under Article 5: This now means that Parties can proceed to implement REDD+ activities in line with the previous COP Decisions as highlighted above

5. Why is REDD+ (Plus)?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognised the contribution of emissions from the forestry sector in developing countries to climate change
Research showed that reducing emissions from the forest sector was an opportunity to reduce emissions and increase removals cost-effectively (IPCC, 4AR)
This lead to address the forest sector in developing countries as a means to mitigate climate change, informally known as REDD+

6. What is REDD+ (Plus)?
Five activities are eligible under the REDD+ in developing countries (para. 70 Decision 1/CP.16):
Reducing emissions from deforestation
Reducing emissions from forest degradation
Conservation of forest carbon stocks
Sustainable management of forests
Enhancement of forest carbon stocks
Countries can focus on activity/ies most relevant to their national circumstances
National level (sub-national only as a temporary measure)
Voluntary participation by developing countries only
REDD +

7. Phases of REDD+ Phase II Phase III Phase I
- Capacity building
- Design of National Plans, policies & measures
Phase II
Implementation of national policies and action plans, demonstration activities
Phase III
- Positive incentives for verified performance
READINESS
Choice of REDD+ activities will depend on national circumstances
Demonstration activities must be “results-based” – they have to result in positive outcomes
The mitigation performance of REDD+ has to be measured and reported by the country, and verified

8. UNFCCC – International Guidance On REDD+: Cancun Agreements (Decision 1/CP.16)
REDD+ activities will be implemented through policy approaches & positive incentives
REDD+ should be implemented in three phases
Countries that want to participate should develop the following elements:
A national strategy or action plan
A benefit sharing mechanism
A national forest monitoring system (NFMS)
A safeguards information system (seven REDD+ safeguards) under Cancun agreements)
To ensure protection against negative impacts and strengthen multiple benefits, gender, rights of indigenous people, environmental protection.
Forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels – RELs/RLs (performance benchmarks – National Multipurpose Forest Inventory)
Countries should address: drivers of D&D, land tenure issues, forest governance issues, gender considerations and REDD+ safeguards

9. REDD+ Readiness in the Solomon Islands
Background Information
Comprised of almost 1000 Islands
Total Land Area: 28,000km square
90% of Land Covered by Forest (tropical rainforest)
87% of land is under customary owned, 9% is owned by the government 4% private land
Population in 2015: About 642,000
80% of the Population lived in rural areas and depend extensively in subsistence farming
Average Annual Temperature: between 25ºC– 30ºC
Average Annual rainfall: between 2,000mm – 5,000mm

10. Map of Solomon Islands

11. REDD+ Vision – Solomon Islands
“Establish a sustainably managed forest sector that supports rural livelihoods, maintains the quality of the environment, contributes to the socio-economic development of the nation and, through reducing levels of emissions from the forest sector contribute towards global actions to mitigate climate change”.

12. Management Arrangement

13. Where we are now– Solomon Islands
The next steps and process
Cabinet approved and endorsed REDD+ Readiness Roadmap and Guidelines
Review and Prioritized the REDD+ Roadmap activities.
Roadmap Implementation

14. REDD+ Programs & Activities
Support (Funding)
MoFR
MoFR/Integrating global environment commitments in investment and development decision-making (IGECIDM - GEF)
MoFR/MECDM/ IGECIDM - GEF
MoFR/MECDM/IGECIDM - GEF
MECDM/MoFR/IGECIDM – GEF
IGECIDM – GEF
IGECIDM – UNDP
IGECIDM - GEF
Programs
REDD+ Policy Development
National Biomass Survey and Carbon Inventory Piloting
REDD+ Awareness & Consultations
Capacity Development towards NFI implementation
Development of safeguard Framework
Strengthened EIA guidelines (Agriculture/Forestry)
Strengthened Organizational REDD+ implementation unit (Recruited new Officers)
Formally established National REDD+ committee and focal Points.

15. Challenges
New Concept or idea – currently Solomon islands yet to benefit from REDD+
Long term investment before financial return or benefit
Driven by resource owners in order to be succeeded
Performance based result payment
Challenges of land rights, timber rights and carbon rights – how will these be reconciled
Capacity Building towards REDD+

16. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! TAGIO TUMAS!!! ARIGATOU GOZAIMAS!!!