Forests and climate change: Lessons from UNREDD

Clearing and degradation of the world’s forests is a significant source of carbon emissions. In global climate change policy the main answer to address this is the so-called REDD+ framework, which aims to provide economic incentives for enhanced forest conservation and –management.

A recent DIIS seminar reviewed progress in one of the major REDD+ initiatives, namely the UNREDD programme which aims to support developing countries in reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation.

Mike Speirs, Senior Adviser to UNREDD, presented progress to date and future prospects for the programme. This was followed by comments and questions from the attending participants.

Discussion points included the need to address the rights of forest communities, the importance of addressing the actual drivers of deforestation and degradation, and avoiding that REDD+ is seen by national governments as a silver bullet that relieves them of other forest governance responsibilities.

Download Mike Speirs' presentation in the right column.