NDC Final

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KEY MESSAGES

• The Land Use, Land-Use Change and


Forestry (LULUCF) sector can provide up to
one third of the emission reductions needed
to avoid the most severe consequences of
climate change.

• The conservation and sustainable


management of forests can lead to significant
reductions in emissions, with approximately
3.3 Gt CO2/year of cost-effective mitigation
potential in the tropics alone, representing
the most significant opportunity to increase
the ambition of nationally determined
contributions (NDCs) in many tropical forest
countries.

• Ninety per cent of NDCs now include the


Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry
sector in their scope (compared to just 76 per
cent of the first NDCs), but only about 26 per
cent of NDCs include quantitative mitigation
targets, such as hectares reforested, and an
even smaller proportion include greenhouse-
gas-based targets for the sector.1

• The UN-REDD Programme has supported LINKING REDD+, THE


20 tropical forest countries to integrate and
enhance LULUCF sector actions relating to
REDD+, increasing the ambition of their
PARIS AGREEMENT,
NDCs, through initiatives such as UNDP’s
Climate Promise.
NATIONALLY
• The objectives under REDD+ directly relate DETERMINED
to Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate
action) and 15 (life on land). However,
sustainable forest management and REDD+
CONTRIBUTIONS AND
actions deliver noncarbon benefits and
contribute to several other SDGs, including
THE SUSTAINABLE
Goal 3 (good health and well-being), Goal 1
(no poverty) and Goal 5 (gender equality). DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
1 Nationally determined contributions under the Paris
REALIZING THE
POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
Agreement: Revised synthesis report by the Secretariat.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
25 October 2021.

FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT


AND IMPLEMENTATION
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

INTRODUCTION Despite the enhanced role of the LULUCF sector


in new and updated NDCs, only about 20 per cent
The Paris Agreement under the United Nations of all NDCs include quantifiable targets for this
Framework Convention on Climate Change sector, such as hectares reforested, with less than
(UNFCCC) cements the crucial role that forests half of those (about 8 per cent of first generation
play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. NDCs) including greenhouse gas-based targets
Countries are increasingly recognizing this role, for the sector, or metric tons of carbon dioxide
including the Land Use, Land-Use Change and equivalent. This makes it challenging to estimate
Forestry (LULUCF) sector as part of their mitigation the true mitigation potential reflected across
efforts in their new or updated NDCs. The NDCs, NDCs. However, global studies estimate that, if
which form the backbone of the Paris Agreement, fully implemented, the sector could deliver about
are high-level political commitments made by 25 per cent of planned emission reductions by
countries to undertake transformative low-carbon 2030, based on the first NDCs.3,4
and climate-resilient action and contribute to the
global response to climate change. In 2019, UNDP conducted a major survey of
countries, focused on NDCs. More than 130
Ninety per cent of the “second generation” countries responded, providing information
NDCs—new or updated NDCs that were due on their plans for 2020 with respect to
to be submitted to the UNFCCC by December revising national climate plans and current
2020—include the LULUCF sector within their NDC implementation status, as well as critical
scope, as compared to just 76 per cent of the bottlenecks and success factors. The results of
“first generation” NDCs submitted. According the survey showed that the most common ways
to the UNFCCC Synthesis Report (2021),2 57 per in which governments planned to revise their
cent of NDCs refer to forests specifically as a NDCs were through the creation of stronger
domestic opportunity for reducing greenhouse links with the SDGs and the alignment of their
gas emissions. The most prevalent policy NDCs with development and sectoral plans and
options highlighted in NDCs were “afforestation, targets (e.g., REDD+).5 The survey was repeated
reforestation and revegetation” (52 per cent) and in 2021, with 122 countries providing responses.
“sustainable forest management” (31 per cent). The purpose was to provide a global snapshot
“Cross-cutting” options (37 per cent) included of the overall progress made across each of the
activities such as expanding national protection key building blocks for NDC implementation.
systems for forests and wetlands and developing The report showed that the number of countries
capacity-building plans for institutions responsible that had enhanced their NDCs or intended to do
for monitoring forest- and land-use change. so – by strengthening greenhouse gas emission
reduction targets and adaptation goals – rose
Within the “afforestation, reforestation and from 75 countries in 2019 to 178 in 2021, with
revegetation” category, countries highlight most countries having abided by the key principle
increasing reforestation rates through public– of submitting increasingly ambitious NDCs every
private partnerships, using endemic tree species five years.6
that are more resistant to pests and diseases,
planting and developing forests, prioritizing The results of these large-scale surveys help to
production forests, large timber forests and demonstrate progress that has been made, but it
coastal forests and increasing seedling density in is also clear that many countries have not yet fully
forest land to enhance net carbon sequestration. explored the opportunities that REDD+ can bring
Many countries refer to REDD+ in their NDCs. to the NDC process, to facilitate both mitigation
Specific measures captured under REDD+ include,
3 The Bonn Challenge and the Paris Agreement: How can
for example, the expansion of early warning forest landscape restoration advance Nationally Determined
systems for deforestation and the drafting and Contributions? (International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Climate Focus, 2017).
INTRODUCTION

implementation of zero-deforestation agreements. 4 The key role of forests in meeting climate targets requires
science for credible mitigation (Grassi et al., 2017).
5 The Heat Is On: Taking Stock of Global Ambition (UNDP and
2 Available at https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris- UNFCCC, 2019). Available at https://outlook.ndcs.undp.org/.
agreement/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs/nationally- 6 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Global Outlook
determined-contributions-ndcs/ndc-synthesis-report. Report 2021: The State of Climate Ambition (UNDP, 2021).

2
and adaptation efforts in the forest sector. This
points to the importance of the UN-REDD
knowledge management workstream in building
the linkages between NDCs and REDD+ and with
the Sustainable Development Goals for the forest
sector.

METHODOLOGY AND IMPACT


The UN-REDD Programme has been delivering a
knowledge management workstream to provide
technical analysis and practical knowledge
to countries on how to better mainstream
their REDD+ efforts and align them with the
provisions of the Paris Agreement, particularly
with regard to the submission and review of their
NDCs and the advancement of the SDGs. The
issues considered as part of the workstream are
summarized in the present brief. The aim of the
support offered in the context of the workstream
is to promote synergies between REDD+ and
NDCs, while also aligning with the Sustainable
Development Goals, through knowledge sharing
©UN-REDD Programme
at the regional and global levels and provision
of technical assistance to countries. The present
section considers the following key aspects of
National REDD+ strategies include robust
REDD+, which are supported through UN-REDD,
analysis of and consensus on the drivers of
with clear implications for NDCs, including the
deforestation and forest degradation in a given
tracking of NDC progress through the enhanced
country, enabling a deep understanding of the
transparency framework for action and support:
direct and underlying causes of emissions from
(a) national REDD+ strategies/action plans;
the LULUCF sector, and, therefore, which climate
(b) national forest monitoring systems and
mitigation policies and measures to prioritize
measurement, reporting and verification; and (c)
and enact. Strategies include a national vision
REDD+ results-based finance.
and related sectoral and cross-sectoral targets
NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGIES: REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES
that may be integrated into NDCs. Another core
NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGIES:
component is the theory of change and related
REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES
policies and measures that clarify how to turn
the LULUCF sector from a source of emissions
A major pillar of REDD+ readiness is the
to an opportunity for sustainable development,
development of national REDD+ strategies,
climate change mitigation and adaptation. Lastly,
which include specific targets and objectives
national REDD+ strategies often include an
for the forest sector, an analysis of the drivers
implementation framework that countries can
of deforestation and forest degradation, and
build on for the implementation of their NDCs.
also address land tenure, forest governance and
gender issues, as well as safeguards. National
In many developing countries, another important
REDD+ strategies are developed through a
and related factor to consider is that the timeline
participatory approach built upon cross-sectoral
for the implementation of national REDD+
coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement,
strategies typically coincides with that for NDCs.
which are critical for the achievement of NDCs
and the SDGs.

3
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

BOX 1. EFFECTIVE INTEGRATION OF THE NATIONAL REDD+


STRATEGY INTO THE NDC AND NDC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN:
GHANA

Ghana developed and submitted its first NDC to the UNFCCC in September 2015.8 The NDC specified
a package of five components to meet the policy goal for the agriculture, forestry and other land use
(AFOLU) sector, titled “Promote sustainable utilization of forest resources through REDD+”:
• Continue 10,000 ha annual reforestation/afforestation of degraded lands
• Double 10,000 ha annual reforestation/afforestation of degraded lands, translating to 20,000 ha on
an annual basis
• Support enhancement of forest carbon stocks through 5,000 ha per annum enrichment planting
and enforcement of timber felling standards
• 45 per cent emissions reduction through results-based emission reduction programme in cocoa
landscape
• Wildfire management in transition and savannah dry lands under Ghana’s national REDD+
strategy, also published in 2015, developed through a multistakeholder process and enjoys high-
level political support. The strategy seeks to reduce carbon emissions and restore forests, move
towards sustainable agriculture and landscapes, expand platforms for collaboration and economic
development and generate innovative, substantial and sustainable economic and noneconomic
incentives and benefits to improve the livelihoods of women, men and children.
Informed by extensive stakeholder consultations, three national and subnational REDD+ programmes
are presented in the national REDD+ strategy as being the main areas of focus for REDD+ implementa-
tion:
1. The improvement of land use and socioeconomic development in the high forest zone and cocoa-
growing areas
2. The addressing of wood harvesting and agricultural practices in transition and savannah zones
3. Policy and legislative reforms to support REDD+ and a sustainable forestry sector
When comparing the AFOLU components of the NDC with the strategic interventions in the national
REDD+ strategy, their overall consistency is evident. This is further reinforced by the country’s NDC
implementation plan, which includes the specific interventions set out in the national REDD+ strategy.

8 Ghana subsequently submitted its updated first NDC in September 2021.


NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGIES: REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES

Additionally, in the process of developing In some cases, national REDD+ strategies and
their national strategies or action plans, many investment plans had already been prepared or
developing countries have undertaken scoping were being developed alongside the intended
exercises to identify investments needed for nationally determined contribution, which, for the
REDD+ implementation. In some countries, this majority of countries, became their first NDC. In
work has resulted in REDD+ investment plans a number of those cases, REDD+ was, therefore,
that complement national REDD+ strategies, already presented in the first NDC. For example,
elaborating the plan to activate those strategies: in the case of Ghana, the national REDD+
budget, estimation of emission reduction strategy was developed the same year as the
potential, packaging of policies and measures NDC submission (2015) and was well reflected in
into actionable programmes, etc. Such plans are the first NDC.
ready to be financed and provide a strong basis
for the implementation of the forest component Unlike Ghana, however, many countries
of NDCs. finalized their national REDD+ strategies after
intended nationally determined contributions

4
were submitted. In those cases, specificity and to incorporate the elements discussed above.
quantification of the role of forests were generally The box below provides a summary of the
not reflected. country’s use of Green Climate Fund and Global
Environment Facility (GEF) funding to implement
There are, nevertheless, several cases in the PROAmazonía programme and how this was
which new or updated NDCs have since been captured in its NDC. The country’s NDC was
enhanced to more fully incorporate REDD+. developed through collaborative efforts between
Ecuador was one of the first countries to do various national institutions led by the Ministry
so, having enhanced its NDC through REDD+, of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and

BOX 2. ACCESSING GREEN CLIMATE FUND FUNDS FOR


REDD+ RESULTS AND INTEGRATION INTO A COUNTRY’S NDC:
PROAMAZONÍA IN ECUADOR

The deforestation rate in Ecuador was 109,000 ha per year from 2000 to 2009, with over 99 per cent of
deforested land being transformed into agricultural areas. The country’s REDD+ action plan (2016–
2025) addresses the drivers of this deforestation with the aim of reducing gross emissions by at least
20 per cent by 2025 and contributing to reducing the net deforestation rate through REDD+ policies,
measures and actions.

In July 2019, Ecuador became the second country to receive financial resources from the Green Climate
Fund for having successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. The investment
is being used to co-finance the country’s REDD+ action plan until 2025, implemented in synergy with
PROAmazonía, the country’s integrated programme for forest conservation and sustainable production.
PROAmazonía, supported by funds from the Green Climate Fund and the GEF, is a keystone of the
country’s NDC.

Ecuador submitted its intended nationally determined contribution in 2015. While the intended NDC
recognized the impact that activities in the forestry sector and appropriate management of protected
areas have on climate change and established plans to improve the work and set objectives and
concrete goals, it did not make explicit reference to REDD+. However, the role of REDD+ in meeting
the country’s NDC progressed in 2018, as part of the first generation NDC. The NDC, which covers the
period from 2020 to 2025, indicates that 25.35 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from the
LULUCF sector and asserts that the reduction of emissions in this sector will contribute substantially
NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGIES: REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES
to mitigating climate change, while generating additional social and environmental benefits. For the
sector, the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is based on comparison with the UNFCCC
REDD+ reference level (2000 to 2008). The LULUCF action plan of the NDC is informed by the national
REDD+ action plan, and sets the same quantified greenhouse gas target:

• A reduction of at least 25 per cent in gross emissions by 2025, compared to the forest reference
emission level for 2000 to 2008

The reference to the national REDD+ action plan as the strategy for reducing deforestation in the
entire country reinforces the idea that the action plan is the jurisdictional strategy around which, in
practice, all the interventions to be implemented in the country by subnational jurisdictions are to be
coordinated. PROAmazonía is explicitly referenced as the key programme supporting NDC imple-
mentation. Given that the national REDD+ action plan is essentially the foundation for the LULUCF
component of Ecuador’s NDC, it follows that this component is based on several years of participatory
process and feasibility studies, achieved through the REDD+ readiness process.

With the support of PROAmazonía, the NDC implementation plans for the LULUCF and agriculture
sectors are also being developed. PROAmazonía is playing a major role, not only with respect to the
content of the NDC, but also as a driving force for the implementation of the NDC on the ground.

5
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

Livestock, the National Institute of Statistics and and includes REDD+ in the set of sectoral policies
Census and the National Secretariat for Planning referred to as supporting implementation of its
and Development, and with the support of climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.
UN-REDD, including targeted support from the On the data side, the updated NDC was informed
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United by a more detailed and robust assessment of
Nations (FAO). In order to develop a robust NDC mitigation and adaptation measures, in-depth
with respect to the AFOLU sector, Ecuador used analysis and improved information and data,
the knowledge gained during the implementation including the most recently available national
of its UN-REDD National Programme and greenhouse gas inventory supplemented by the
targeted support. This technical basis was key best available data from various official sources
in order to develop the reference scenario and and reports.
mitigation activities for the sector.
In the case of Cambodia, this potential for
Other countries have made these enhancements enhancement was explicitly recognized in the first
more recently and elected to reflect the NDC, with an explanation that while the LULUCF
finalization and endorsement of the REDD+ sector was included more generally in the initial
strategies in their new or updated NDCs. NDC, a precise list of actions and greenhouse
gas effects would be updated after finalization
Looking to Kenya, for example, although of the REDD+ strategy. Cambodia submitted its
the country’s first NDC recognized the major updated NDC in 2020, delivering on its stated
contribution of forests to emissions and included intention to enhance the focus on REDD+, with
the AFOLU sector in its scope, it made no specific the support of the Climate Promise. The country
reference to REDD+. Moreover, the NDC stated transitioned from sectoral targets to an economy-
that the global land-use data approach used to wide target, aimed at raising its mitigation
develop the NDC led to significant uncertainty ambition to a 42 per cent reduction in 2030
in the business as usual and mitigation potential compared with business as usual. This includes an
estimates for the LULUCF sector. Harnessing the AFOLU sector target to halve the deforestation
opportunity to draw on REDD+ progress made rate by 2030. UNDP supported Cambodia in
since that time, the country’s updated NDC refers its modelling efforts, leading to the inclusion of
explicitly to the enhancement of REDD+ activities this ambitious quantitative target that addresses

BOX 3. CLIMATE PROMISE: HELPING COUNTRIES MEET THEIR


CLIMATE GOALS
NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGIES: REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES

The UNDP Climate Promise was launched during the 2019 Climate Action Summit with the objective
of supporting any developing country wishing to enhance its NDC in the lead-up to the twenty-sixth
session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change. By leveraging the UNDP country office network on the ground in 170 countries and territories,
an extensive climate change portfolio and global policy expertise, UNDP was able to offer support to
120 countries around the world, making the initiative the world’s largest source of support in relation
to the NDC revision process. The support offering is underpinned by quality criteria focused on the
core principles of inclusion and ownership, robustness and feasibility in NDC design. Recognizing the
collaborative principles of the NDC Partnership, the Climate Promise has been working with over 35
partners to coordinate technical and financial NDC revision support to countries – including UNEP
and FAO for nature-based solutions and agriculture, forest and land use, respectively. The initiative is
funded by core donors including the European Union, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden.9

9 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Global Outlook Report 2021: The State of Climate Ambition.

6
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

BOX 4. THE CAPACITY-BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR TRANSPARENCY:


BUILDING GLOBAL CAPACITY TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY IN
THE FOREST SECTOR

The FAO global project entitled “Building global capacity to increase transparency in the
forest sector (CBIT-Forest)” is a two-year project financed by the Capacity Building Initiative
for Transparency trust fund of the Global Environment Facility. The global project will
strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of developing countries to collect, analyse
and disseminate forest-related data. It will also support countries in meeting the Enhanced
Transparency Framework (ETF) requirements of the Paris Agreement and provide information
necessary to track progress made in implementing and achieving NDCs.

the largest source of emissions in line with the level (FREL) and MRV advancements that have
national REDD+ strategy. The revised NDC is been achieved through REDD+ readiness efforts.
clearly more robust and comprehensive. With the support of UN-REDD, REDD+ countries
have developed or substantially improved
NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING their own national data on greenhouse gas
SYSTEMS AND MEASUREMENT, emissions by sources and removals by sinks for
REPORTING AND VERIFICATION the forest sector. In many developing countries,
national REDD+ data for the forest sector are
National forest monitoring systems (NFMS) and more sophisticated and include more data

NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEMS AND MEASUREMENT, REPORTING AND VERIFICATION


related measurement, reporting and verification points than the LULUCF sector greenhouse gas
(MRV) activities compose another key pillar of inventory submitted as part of their national
REDD+ which can contribute significantly to the communications or biennial update reports to
NDC enhancement process and, in particular, to UNFCCC. Therefore, national forest monitoring
reporting on NDC progress as part of the biennial system and FREL development, carried out as
transparency reports to be submitted in 2024 part of REDD+ readiness efforts, has enabled
and beyond, in the context of the Enhanced many countries to include an unprecedented level
Transparency Framework (ETF). Under the Paris of detail in their LULUCF emissions and removals
Agreement, each Party will report on the progress profiles.
made towards achieving its NDC, in addition
to submitting an annual national greenhouse However, for many countries, forest sector data
gas inventory report. Previously, developed have not been fully integrated into the NDC
and developing countries had reported using process. The inclusion of a description of the
different systems with different levels of detail. assumptions and the methodological basis
From December 2024 onwards, all parties will applied, particularly the baselines or reference
have common reporting requirements (with levels, is particularly important for the land sector
flexibility provisions embedded). Reporting and could be enhanced by integrating REDD+
on NDC progress under the ETF will help to data. Even if it is not mentioned directly in the
increase understanding of collective global NDC itself, it becomes particularly relevant to
progress towards achieving the goals of the Paris ensure that the reporting on NDC progress in the
Agreement. biennial transparency reports builds on REDD+
data in those countries where such data are
The greenhouse gas-based estimates contained available.
in the NDC for the forest sector may be improved
given the ongoing forest reference emission

7
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

BOX 5. REDD+ MONITORING AS A FOUNDATION FOR NDC


AMBITION AND TRANSPARENCY: SURINAME’S SECOND
GENERATION NDC

Suriname’s updated NDC focuses on four key areas, namely, forests, electricity, agriculture and trans-
port. The country is committed to maintaining 93 per cent forest cover but requires significant interna-
tional support to conserve this valuable resource in perpetuity.

In the updated NDC, Suriname quantified its previous commitment to increase the percentage of for-
ests and wetlands under protection, giving a figure of at least 17 per cent of the terrestrial area by 2030
(unconditional target).

Additionally, Suriname quantified references to the drivers of deforestation, identifying mining (71 per
cent), infrastructure (15 per cent), urbanization (4 per cent), agriculture and pasture (4 per cent) and
burning (3 per cent) as the main drivers of deforestation in the country. The data were drawn from the
readiness phase of the national REDD+ process.

The updated NDC included reference to the 2018 forest reference emissions level submitted to UN-
FCCC, under methodological approaches for estimating anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and
removals for the NDC.

Suriname was able to build upon progress on its REDD+ national forest monitoring system10 to deliver
the enhanced NDC. In December 2016, Suriname launched its national land monitoring system through
a geoportal known as “GONINI”.11 This portal includes broader land-use monitoring and land-cover
maps and information about mangroves and protected areas. The country’s national forest monitoring
system is integrated into GONINI and consists of six components:

(a) A satellite land monitoring system;

(b) Near real-time monitoring;

(c) A sustainable forestry information system;

(d) Community-based forest monitoring;

(e) A national forest inventory;

(f) Reporting.

Having this type of comprehensive land use monitoring system will facilitate the country’s efforts to
track NDC progress under the ETF.

10 More information is available at www.surinameredd.org/en/reddplus-suriname/national-forest-monitoring-system/.


11 More information is available at www.gonini.org/.
COUNTRY CASES

8
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

Setting up and/or improving systems and further in box 5, the NDC built on the national
processes for national forest monitoring systems forest monitoring system for REDD+, which will
and MRV is also important in the context of also contribute to the data and information needs
the ETF under the Paris Agreement. There for reporting under the ETF .
is a significant opportunity to strengthen
the robustness of NDCs by mapping REDD+ RESULTS-BASED FINANCE
complementarities and potential contradictions
between the national data used for NDCs and There are several cases in which results-based
the data used for REDD+ submissions. This payments are or will be applied in initial NDC
information can be the basis for improving implementation efforts, primarily through the
the information elements that facilitate clarity, Green Climate Fund. During the first phase of
transparency and understanding in relation to the the Fund’s pilot programme on results-based
forest sector. payments for REDD+, eight countries (Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador,
Suriname is an example of a REDD+ country Indonesia and Paraguay) received $496 million
that has already submitted its updated NDC, for 102 Mt CO2 emissions reductions in the
with enhancements reflecting REDD+ readiness forest sector between 2014 and 2018. Countries
efforts. For example, the existing stakeholder receiving REDD+ results-based payments must
engagement platforms that were established reinvest the proceeds in activities in line with their
under the REDD+ readiness process were current or future NDCs, their REDD+ strategies,
used to raise awareness of the NDC among all or low-carbon development plans, as detailed
stakeholders, including indigenous and tribal in the terms of reference for the programme. In
peoples. On the technical side and as discussed the countries listed above, REDD+ results-based

COUNTRY CASES

©UN-REDD Programme

9
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

payments are being reinvested in implementing those developing countries that are interested in
a national REDD+ strategy or action plan, opportunities to access carbon market finance,
strengthening sustainable forest and land-use which presents an important source of investment
management policies, paying for ecosystem to potentially contribute to NDC implementation,
services and implementing social forestry together with other sources of public sector
initiatives to deliver even greater emissions REDD+ finance.
reductions and improved livelihoods. As the
national REDD+ strategy often serves as the A more recent example of a source of results-
basis for the LULUCF component of a REDD+ based payments and market-based finance for
country’s NDC (as described in the cases of REDD+ action in the context of NDCs is the
Ghana and Ecuador, above, and Chile, below), it Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest
follows that results-based finance for REDD+ is finance (LEAF) Coalition, a voluntary global
an important source of funds for supporting the coalition bringing together the private sector
implementation of the conditional LULUCF NDC and governments to provide finance for tropical
components. and subtropical forest conservation. The LEAF
Coalition requires proceeds from the sale of
To date, investment in forests and other LULUCF verified emission reductions to be utilized by
sector emissions reductions has fallen short. the host (supplier) country to further its priorities
Climate finance provided for forest-related consistent with achieving its NDC and sustainable
mitigation represents between 0.5 and 5 per economic development, with priority given to
cent of the investment that is needed to harness forest protection and forest restoration, including
the full mitigation potential of the forest sector. its REDD+ strategy or action plan. Final purchase
Readiness efforts towards results-based payments agreements with buyers will be contingent on the
have provided a foundation to build on for host country providing a high-level investment
REDD+ RESULTS-BASED FINANCE

©UN-REDD Programme

10
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

BOX 6. ACCESSING GREEN CLIMATE FUND FUNDING FOR REDD+


RESULTS AND INTEGRATION INTO A COUNTRY’S NDC: CHILE

Chile has received a total of $63.7 million in results-based payments from GCF. The National
Forestry Corporation will invest those funds in the implementation of 10 measures established
under the National Strategy on Climate Change and Vegetation Resources (ENCCRV), targeting 25,000
ha of forested areas and other land. The measures will involve sustainable forest management,
restoration, reforestation and afforestation activities in the five administrative regions that span
from Maule to Los Lagos, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing
greenhouse gas removals while respecting environmental and social safeguards and ensuring
a gender-sensitive and inclusive approach. The expected climate benefit of these activities is
expected to be the removal of around 256,000 tons of CO2 per year, from 2020 to 2030. These
emissions reductions and removals will be achieved through the implementation of sustainable
forest management activities over 17,853 ha and restoration activities over 7,688 ha during the
six years of the project’s implementation.

The project provides a good case for complementarity and coherence by blending Green
Climate Fund investments with other ongoing initiatives to support Chile implement its
ENCCRV, such as the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’s Carbon Fund. The preparation of
the National Strategy and the achievement of the emission reductions for which results-based
payments were received were fully aligned with the country’s NDC, with the National Strategy
proposed as a public policy instrument developed to comply with the national commitments
made in the NDC. The specific contribution of the forest sector to the NDC involves the
sustainable management and recovery of 100,000 ha of forest, which is conditional on the
extension of Decree-Law 701 and the adoption of a new native forest recovery and forestry
promotion law. The NDC also includes the afforestation of 100,000 ha of mainly native
species, subject to the adoption of the new law. Owing to the limited availability of resources
for supporting the implementation phase of the National Strategy, REDD+ results-based
payments will be fully used for its implementation. In addition, it is expected to trigger public-
private financing that has a greater environmental impact and results in social development
projects. Consequently, the use of the results-based payments received by Chile from the GCF
i.e., the “use of proceeds”, will contribute to the achievement of the National Strategy’s overall
objective and the country’s NDC.12

12 FP120: Chile REDD-plus results-based payments for results period 2014–2016 (Chile and Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations; Decision B.24/09. 4 Dec. 2019).
REDD+ RESULTS-BASED FINANCE

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AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

framework that demonstrates how proceeds will NDC targets has not yet been delivered.
be deployed in line with these requirements. Nonetheless, linking REDD+ climate finance (e.g.,
Green Climate Fund results-based payments) to
LESSONS LEARNED climate mitigation implementation programmes
can facilitate countries’ NDC ambition related to
Key lessons have been learned through the the land-use sector.
UN-REDD experience, as well as through several
complementary initiatives and programmes, Measurement, reporting and verification and
particularly the Climate Promise and the Capacity monitoring: Although much progress has been
building Initiative for Transparency. made in the field of measurement, reporting and
verification and monitoring for REDD+, this is
The forest and land-use sector, which offers not yet prevalent in the broader land-use sector.
significant potential for scaling up ambition in In seeking to include and scale up the potential
NDCs, has unique characteristics that must be of the LULUCF sector for more ambitious NDCs,
carefully considered when integrating REDD+ into it will be important for countries to build upon
NDCs. These characteristics include the sector’s existing MRV and monitoring systems. REDD+
highly dynamic nature, the fact that the impact MRV and national forest monitoring systems can
of climate change is already being felt, and the be a good starting point as these can potentially
risk of reversals and emissions displacement. be expanded to include wider measurement,
The unique aspects of the sector have over- reporting and verification and monitoring for the
arching and cross-cutting effects on the six factors land-use sector.
identified below.
Social and environmental safeguards: Social
Evolving UNFCCC landscape: The UNFCCC and environmental safeguards are a central pillar
landscape is constantly evolving, and it is vital for the implementation of REDD+. Countries
to adapt and improve over time. The recent engaged in REDD+ have invested, learned
finalization of the “Paris Rulebook” demonstrates and progressed considerably in promoting and
this clearly. Analysis and interpretation are supporting social and environmental safeguards
currently under way to identify the implications for the implementation of REDD+ policies and
of key aspects of the Rulebook for forests and measures. The integration of REDD+ and the
REDD+, in particular, Article 6 and the final forest and land-use sectors in NDCs should
elements of the ETF. build on existing processes and experiences in
countries that are engaged in REDD+.
In-country coordination: National coordination
on data collection and reporting under UNFCCC SUSTAINABILITY
(and other conventions) can be challenging
and sometimes leads to duplication of efforts. Parties to UNFCCC were requested to submit
Creating or strengthening relevant existing second generation NDCs by 2020 and every
interministerial coordination bodies at the five years thereafter (e.g., by 2020, 2025 and
institutional level can help overcome this 2030). A total of 116 new or updated NDCs
challenge, including leveraging those already have been communicated by 143 Parties and
established for REDD+, where applicable. Cross- recorded in the UNFCCC interim NDC registry
sectoral coordination is a challenge but will be as at 12 October 2021. The Climate Promise has
key to achieve NDC targets and goals for the supported the majority of developing countries
LULUCF sector. in submitting new or updated NDCs, including
53 countries (out of a total of 110) that had
Finance: Finance related to climate action, NDCs requested LULUCF-related support through the
and REDD+ is a critical component in achieving programme. In many of these countries, REDD+
LESSONS LEARNED

successful climate change mitigation action below is being integrated as a key means of enhancing
2°C. The conditional components of NDCs are ambition. The next phase of the Climate Promise
complex and the level of finance required to aims to help countries move from pledge to
support the achievement of current conditional impact. UNDP, together with partners, will scale

12
LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

©UN-REDD Programme

up support in at least 100 countries to help them With this work embedded in the Climate Promise
use their NDCs as sovereign plans for investment and being carried out in coordination with other
in key drivers of sustainable development, such as related NDC support initiatives, such as the
energy, water, nature-based solutions, forests and NDC Partnership, and given that the UN-REDD
agriculture. UNDP will bring together its extensive Programme is committed to supporting countries
infrastructure, networks and substantive offers in enhancing the ambition and implementation of
to provide comprehensive support in the area of forest-related NDC components until 2025, there
NDC implementation. By leveraging its strengths is a sustained route to amplify the impact of this
at the global, regional and country levels, it will area of work.
help deliver NDCs and transition towards net-zero
emissions and climate-resilient development
pathways.
SUSTAINABILITY

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LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

CONCLUSION not without its challenges. Within countries,


the teams working on the NDC and REDD+
As countries continue to update their NDCs, are often from different ministries or different
advance in NDC implementation and prepare to sections of the same ministry, which may hinder
track NDC progress, they are learning valuable a coordinated approach. With most REDD+
lessons through their experiences in REDD+ countries having finalized their national REDD+
readiness and implementation, as summarized strategies and other REDD+ readiness elements,
above. Key elements include consistency in recently submitted new or updated NDCs and
the use of databases and forest-related data now considering the finalized elements of the
and methodologies for the preparation of enhanced transparency framework, this is the
different national reports under UNFCCC and right time to foster interministerial connections
the Paris Agreement. In addition, REDD+ offers in the context of both NDC implementation and
clear evidence of the importance of enhanced reporting on NDC progress. Benefits for countries
participatory processes that involve cross- include increased robustness and credibility
sectoral national stakeholders, including both of their NDCs and maximized opportunities
policymakers and technicians. It is vital to ensure for international financial support through the
that such processes adopt a gender-sensitive establishment of clear targets and activities that
and socially inclusive approach, wherein gender- are bolstered by highly participatory processes
responsive and socially inclusive multi-stakeholder and aligned with social and environmental
consultations are undertaken with a wide range safeguards. UN-REDD is primed to support
of State and non-State parties, including women’s countries in addressing these coordination
and youth organizations, indigenous peoples’ challenges and fostering linkages across sectors
groups and others.13 Another main takeaway and ministries.
is that a robust, multipurpose national forest
monitoring system will not only contribute to Not only can REDD+ enhance NDC ambition
tracking mitigation actions defined under REDD+ and implementation in the forest sector, but
strategies, but will also allow tracking of progress considerations and lessons learned from REDD+
in the context of the enhanced transparency implementation can also help to inform technical
framework. guidance, dialogue and initiatives related to
the broader range of nature-based solutions in
Although there is clear potential to solidify NDCs, therefore contributing to realizing the
synergies between REDD+ and NDCs, this is full potential of nature to achieve global climate
goals, as recognized in the Glasgow Climate Pact.
CONCLUSIONS

13 See www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/
womens-empowerment/gender-equality-in-national-climate-
action--planning-for-gender-.html

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LINKING REDD+, THE PARIS AGREEMENT, NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS
AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS
FOR NDC ENHANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

CONTACT Climate Ambition. (UNDP, 2021). Available


at www.undp.org/publications/nationally-
Kimberly Todd determined-contributions-ndc-global-outlook-
Technical Specialist, Climate and Forests report-2021-state-climate
United Nations Development Programme
kimberly.todd@undp.org • Enhancing Forest Targets and Measures in
Nationally Determined Contributions. (World
WEBSITES AND OTHER KEY Wildlife Fund for Nature, 2020). Available
RESOURCES at https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/
downloads/forests_and_ndcs_v4.pdf
• FAO CBIT-Forest: www.fao.org/in-action/
boosting-transparency-forest-data/ • Aligning NDCs and SDGs: Lessons Learned
en/#:~:text=The%20project%20Building%20 and Practical Guidance (UNDP, 2017). Available
global%20capacity,and%20contributing%20 at www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/
to%20tackling%20climate Climate%20and%20Disaster%20Resilience/
FINAL_NDC-SDG-9Nov.pdf
• FAO Climate Change: www.fao.org/climate-
change/our-work/what-we-do/ndcs/en/ • Nature-based Solutions for NDCs, Pathway
Framework (UNDP, 2019). Available at
• UNDP Climate Promise: www.undp.org/ www.ndcs.undp.org/content/ndc-support-
content/undp/en/home/climatepromise.html programme/en/home/impact-and-learning/
• NDC Partnership Climate Action Enhancement library/nature-based-solutions-for-ndcs-
Package: https://ndcpartnership.org/caep pathway-framework.html

• NDC Partnership Knowledge Portal: https:// • Considerations for Integrating Nature-based


ndcpartnership.org/knowledge-portal Solutions in NDCs: Illustrating the Potential
through REDD+ (UNDP, 2021). Available
• NDC Enhancement: Opportunities in the
at https://www.undp.org/publications/
Forest and Land-use Sector (World Resources
consideration-integrating-nature-based-
Institute, 2019). Available at www.wri.org/
solutions-nationally-determined-contributions
publication/ndc-enhancement-opportunities-
forest-and-land-use-sector

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)


Global Outlook Report 2021: The State of

RESOURCES

15
UN-REDD PROGRAMME
SECRETARIAT

International Environment House,


11-13 Chemin des Anémones,
CH-1219 Châtelaine,
Geneva, Switzerland.

Email: un-redd@un-redd.org
The United Nations Collaborative Programme
Website: www.un-redd.org
on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
Forest Degradation in Developing Countries. Workspace: www.unredd.net

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