1. REDD+ and biodiversity
Andrew Haywood
KOTA KINABALU 9 December 2015

2. European Union The EU supports a policy target of:
halting global forest cover loss by 2030
reduction of tropical deforestation by at least 50% by 2020
Since 2006 the EU has contributed approx. 30% of total global finance dedicated to the protection of tropical forests.
This has supported tropical forest countries to reduce emissions in the forest sector while respecting robust socio-environmental safeguards.

3. Risks and opportunities
Source: Compiled from Miles & Dickson (2010); Pistorius et al. (2010); Swan et al. (2014)

4. UNFCC Cancun safeguards
Complement/consistent with the objectives of national
forest programmes and relevant international
conventions and agreements
Full and effective participation of relevant
stakeholders, in particular … local communities
Consistent with conservation of natural forests and biodiversity … incentivise the protection and conservation
of natural forests and ecosystem services
REDD-plus is more than just forest carbon stocks and on how much monetary value they have. It’s also about how it would change the lives of those whose culture, survival and heritage depend on the forests themselves.
The safeguards ensure that REDD-plus will be implemented in an inclusive, transparent manner, with respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities and with consideration for the protection of biodiversity.
Moving away from do no harm
In 2010, countries took a significant stride in recognizing the role of safeguards in implementing REDD-plus projects at the 16th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Cancun, Mexico - See more at:
Address the risks of reversals
Reduce displacement of emissions

5. CBD – Aichi targets 5
“Rates of loss … of forests, is at least halved and
where feasible brought close to zero … degradation and
fragmentation is significantly reduced” 7
“areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are
managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity” 11
“at least 17% of terrestrial … areas … are conserved through … systems of protected areas … integrated into
wider landscapes” 14
“essential [ecosystem] services are … restored and
safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women,
IPLC, the poor and vulnerable” 15
“contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has
been enhanced … including restoration of at least 15% of
degraded ecosystems”

6. The challenge for countries
How to minimise
the risks and
maximise the opportunities?
How to operationalise Cancun safeguards and meet Aichi targets ?
Cost
Effective
How to go beyond
‘do no harm’ minimum compliance?
How to achieve
‘do good’ co-benefit performance of REDD+?

7. National Options National policy strengthening National safeguards
Integrated subnational planning
While much can be done at the international levels, minimising the risks to, and maximising the opportunities for biodiversity under REDD+ and CBD will require translation from CANCUN safeguards and AICHI targets into national policies
Regulatory instruments
Economic instruments

8. National policy strengthening
National Options
including explicit statements of biodiversity objectives in REDD+ programmes (and visa versa)
establishing inter-ministerial and multi-stakeholder institutions to co-ordinate a participatory reform agenda
National policy strengthening

9. National Options National safeguards
review and reform existing policies practices to meet international safeguards
developing national safeguards based on one existing framework
adopting key elements of existing multilateral frameworks
National safeguards

10. Integrated subnational planning
National Options
socio-economic and land use planning
low-emissions development planning
forest protection and development planning
Integrated subnational planning

11. Regulatory instruments
National Options
harmonised indicators for monitoring against REDD+ standards and biodiversity targets
participatory forest data collection, management and application for local management and national reporting
Regulatory instruments

12. National Options Economic instruments
biodiversity premiums added to the payment for emission reductions/enhanced removals
risk mitigation discount - downward adjustment in risk scores for demonstrable positive biodiversity impact
Economic instruments

13. Renewed International Policy incentives
‘Demand side’ appetite
concerted move towards results-based action (FCPF; UN-REDD; EU MS)
readiness investors seeking non-carbon performance (CF)
‘Supply side’ appetite
perceived high costs and technical challenges of carbon MRV
incentive structures rewarding non-carbon elements?
REDD+ and Strategic Plan for Biodiversity are mutually supportive
build synergies between NBSAPs and national REDD+ programmes
comprehensive land-use planning, applying the ecosystem approach
monitoring of changes in biodiversity
NBAPS = national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

14. Is biodiversity a co-benefit or core asset?
Investing in forest biodiversity
Crucial to the long-term success of REDD+
Basic asset delivering carbon sequestration services
Ecologically stable forests, with the evolutionary potential to adapt to climate change
Necessary to sequester carbon over the long-term
Minimise the risk of reversed emission reduction/enhanced removal
‘High biodiversity’ REDD+ projects may be the best and most certain business case for REDD+