Last year in Durban, the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) failed to provide significant additional clarity and positive incentives on issues relating to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Let me first give you the context and a brief overview of what happened in the lead to Durban.

Last year in Cancun, the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed on a set of 7 social and environmental safeguards to ensure that REDD+ activities do not adversely affect human rights and biodiversity and promote multiple benefits. In addition, a mandate was given to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to provide guidance for the establishment of a Safeguards Information System (SIS), which would serve as means to ensure that the implementation of the REDD+ safeguards is monitored and reported on.

Image: Tech109

Daniela Rey, Climate and Forests Lawyer for ClientEarth, shares her views on what are the sticking points on the current REDD+ safeguards negotiations at Durban. Below are her recommendations for ensuring that the design of the Safeguards Information System (SIS) is transparent, participatory and accurate.

Last year in Cancun, the Parties to the UNFCCC agreed on a set of 7 safeguards to ensure that REDD+ activities do not adversely affect human rights and biodiversity and promote multiple benefits. In addition, a mandate was given to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to provide guidance for the establishment of a Safeguards Information System (SIS), which would serve as means to ensure that the implementation of the REDD+ safeguards is monitored and reported on.  Leading up to Durban and as we write this blog, Parties have been sharing their views with regards to the design of the REDD+ Safeguard Information System.

As the negotiations progress in Durban, there are several major issues being negotiated. These include:

As State Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol (KP) prepare to meet at the Conference of the Parties in Durban, South Africa, from November 28 to December 9, we expect they will be moving forward towards a decision on REDD+ that offers the opportunity to ensure the effective implementation of the REDD+ safeguards. Daniela Rey and Josh Roberts from our Climate and forests team discuss.

photo: Threat to Democracy

photo: CIAT

Daniela Rey one of our Climate & Forest Lawyers from Chile gives her take on the opportunities for South American countries in climate negotiations.

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photo: the city project

In the final day of the Cancun negotiations on the world’s attention has focused on what industrialised countries, especially the US, Japan, and the EU will agree. The voice and choice of rich developed countries has frequently dominated the climate negotiations' progress, however, South American countries now more than ever, have a critical opportunity and role to play in ensuring the next international climate change agreement is effective, efficient and fair.

photo: josiah townsend