NEW! Building accountability in REDD+ through independent grievance and redress mechanisms
A briefing Paper from Rainforest Foundation Norway, June 2011
Summary
A key challenge under REDD+ is to find ways to mitigate carbon emissions from forests while ensuring social and human rights 'safeguards' for forest based communities affected by REDD+ activities. Although weak safeguards or a lack thereof will increase the risk of conflict and opposition to REDD+, there has so far not been sufficient political commitment to ensure the implementation of relevant safeguards. The establishment of independent grievance and redress mechanisms at national and international levels could foster accountability and help reduce conflicts by providing avenues for timely feedback and 'early warning' on adverse impacts of REDD+.
The concept of REDD+ has received broad support globally. This is partly due to its potential to deliver multiple benefits. Not only may REDD+ be an effective measure against climate change. It can also be a tool for the protection of natural forests, and thereby contribute to the protection of biological diversity and to secure the livelihoods of forest dependent communities.
The envisaged REDD+ funds will increase the value of standing forests. This may however set in motion processes that eventually undermine the rights and livelihoods of forest dependent communities, and increase the level of conflict over forest resources. REDD+ funding should therefore be provided within the framework of policies and legal measures ensuring human rights and environmental and social integrity.
[1] REDD+ means: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.