Implementation of REDD+ in sub-Saharan Africa: state of knowledge, challenges and opportunities

Deforestation and forest degradation represent an important part of global CO2 emissions. The identification of the multiple drivers of land-use change, past and present forest cover change and associated carbon budget, and the presence of locally adapted systems to allow for proper monitoring are particularly lacking in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Any incentive system to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) will have to overcome those limits. This paper reviews the main challenges to implementing effective REDD+ mitigation activities in SSA. We estimate that SSA is currently a net carbon sink of approximately 319 TgCO2 yr−1. Forest degradation and deforestation put the forest carbon stock at risk (mean forest carbon stock is 57,679 TgC). Our results highlight the importance of looking beyond the forest sector to ensure that REDD+ efforts are aligned with agricultural and land-use policie

Evaluating the Potential of Commercial Forest Inventory Data to Report on Forest Carbon Stock and Forest Carbon Stock Changes for REDD+ under the UNFCCC

In the context of the adoption at the 16th Conference of the Parties in 2010 on the REDD+ mitigation mechanism, it is important to obtain reliable data on the spatiotemporal variation of forest carbon stocks and changes (called Emission Factor, EF). A re-occurring debate in estimating EF for REDD+ is the use of existing field measurement data. We provide an assessment of the use of commercial logging inventory data and ecological data to estimate a conservative EF (REDD+ phase 2) or to report on EF following IPCC Guidance and Guidelines (REDD+ phase 3). The data presented originate from five logging companies dispersed over Gabon, totalling 2,240 plots of 0.3 hectares.We distinguish three Forest Types (FTs) in the dataset based on floristic conditions. Estimated mean aboveground biomass (AGB) in the FTs ranges from 312 to 333 Mg ha-1. A 5% accuracy is reached with the number of plots put in place for the FTs and a low sampling uncertainty obtained (± 10 to 13 Mg ha-1). The data could be used to estimate a conservative EF in REDD+ phase 2 and only partially to report on EF following tier 2 requirements for a phase 3

Financing and current capacity for REDD+ readiness and monitoring, measurement, reporting and verification in the Congo basin

This paper provides the first critical analysis of the financing and current capacity for REDD+ readiness in the Congo Basin, with a particular focus on the REDD+ component of national forest monitoring and measurement, reporting and verification (M&MRV). We focus on three areas of analysis: (i) general financing for REDD+ readiness especially M&MRV; (ii) capacity and information for REDD+ implementation and M&MRV; (iii) prospects and challenges for REDD+ and M&MRV readiness in terms of financing and capacity. For the first area of analysis, a REDD+ and M&MRV readiness financing database was created based on the information from the REDD+ voluntary database and Internet searches. For the second area of analysis, a qualitative approach to data collection was adopted (semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, surveys and observations). All 10 countries were visited between 2010 and 2012. We find that: (i) a significant amount of REDD+ financing flows into the Congo Basin (+US$550 million or almost half of the REDD+ financing for the African continent); (ii) across countries, there is an important disequilibrium in terms of REDD+ and M&MRV readiness financing, political engagement, comprehension and capacity, which also appears to be a key barrier to countries receiving equal resources; (iii) most financing appears to go to smaller scale (subnational) REDD+ projects; (iv) four distinct country groups in terms of REDD+ readiness and M&MRV status are identified; and (v) the Congo Basin has a distinct opportunity to have a specific REDD+ financing window for large-scale and more targeted national REDD+ programmes through a specific fund for the regionREDD+ voluntary database, the UN-REDD Programme and the Congo Basin Forest Fund.http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.orghb201

Options for sampling and stratification for national forest inventories to implement REDD+ under the UNFCCC

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Developing countries that are willing to participate in the recently adopted (16^thSession of the Conference of Parties (COP) in Cancun) mitigation mechanism of Reducing emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation - and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) - will have to establish a national forest monitoring system in order to assess anthropogenic forest-related greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks. Such a system should support the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) requirement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as the REDD+ mechanism is results-based. A national forest inventory (NFI) is one potential key component of such an MRV system. Following the Decision adopted during the 15^thSession of the COP in Copenhagen, the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidance and Guidelines should be used as a basis for estimating anthropogenic forest-related greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks and changes in forest carbon stocks and area.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>First, we present the key indispensable elements of the IPCC Guidance and Guidelines that have been developed to fulfil the UNFCCC reporting requirements. This is done in order to set the framework to develop the MRV requirement in which a NFI for REDD+ implementation could be developed. Second, within this framework, we develop and propose a novel scheme for the stratification of forest land for REDD+. Finally, we present some non-exhaustive optional elements within this framework that a country could consider to successfully operationalise and implement its REDD+ NFI.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Evidently, both the methodological guidance and political decisions on REDD+ under the UNFCCC will continue to evolve. Even so, and considering that there exists decades of experience in setting up traditional NFIs, developing a NFI that a country may use to directly support REDD+ activities under the UNFCCC represents the development of a new challenge in this field. It is therefore important that both the scientific community and national implementing agencies acquaint themselves with both the context and content of this challenge so that REDD+ mitigation actions may be implemented successfully and with environmental integrity. This paper provides important contributions to the subject through our proposal of the stratification of forest land for REDD+.</p

Toward a More Representative Monitoring of Land-Use and Land-Cover Dynamics: The Use of a Sample-Based Assessment through Augmented Visual Interpretation Using Open Foris Collect Earth

High-quality data for REDD+ monitoring, measurement, and reporting are critical for the continued success of REDD+ implementation and Results-Based Payments. Collect Earth is a free, user-friendly, and open-source software for land monitoring developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The tool allows countries to undertake land monitoring easily and rapidly through a sample-based approach and generate Activity Data (data on the magnitude of human activity resulting in emissions or removals during a given period of time) through augmented visual interpretation with low costs. Under the Paris Agreement, countries will have to update the greenhouse gas inventories that they report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change every two years through the Biennial Update Reports. One of the important benefits of using sample-based approaches such as the one proposed by Collect Earth is the possibility to achieve a detailed classification of the land-use sub-categories with high accuracy of the estimates for land-use changes occurring since 2000. However, most guidance documents developed for capacity building in developing countries for REDD+ reporting only advocate developing land-cover and land-cover change maps using remote sensing. As several countries already use Collect Earth and the sample-based methodology to report on REDD+, this commentary advocates for a more representative approach and a methodological debate on the potential of sample-based approaches using remote sensing, and when possible combined with ground truthing, to estimate Activity Data for REDD+ and countries’ greenhouse gas inventories for the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sector in general

Toward a More Representative Monitoring of Land-Use and Land-Cover Dynamics: The Use of a Sample-Based Assessment through Augmented Visual Interpretation Using Open Foris Collect Earth

High-quality data for REDD+ monitoring, measurement, and reporting are critical for the continued success of REDD+ implementation and Results-Based Payments. Collect Earth is a free, user-friendly, and open-source software for land monitoring developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The tool allows countries to undertake land monitoring easily and rapidly through a sample-based approach and generate Activity Data (data on the magnitude of human activity resulting in emissions or removals during a given period of time) through augmented visual interpretation with low costs. Under the Paris Agreement, countries will have to update the greenhouse gas inventories that they report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change every two years through the Biennial Update Reports. One of the important benefits of using sample-based approaches such as the one proposed by Collect Earth is the possibility to achieve a detailed classification of the land-use sub-categories with high accuracy of the estimates for land-use changes occurring since 2000. However, most guidance documents developed for capacity building in developing countries for REDD+ reporting only advocate developing land-cover and land-cover change maps using remote sensing. As several countries already use Collect Earth and the sample-based methodology to report on REDD+, this commentary advocates for a more representative approach and a methodological debate on the potential of sample-based approaches using remote sensing, and when possible combined with ground truthing, to estimate Activity Data for REDD+ and countries' greenhouse gas inventories for the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sector in general

Implementation of REDD+ in sub-Saharan Africa: state of knowledge, challenges and opportunities

Deforestation and forest degradation represent an important part of global CO 2 emissions. The identification of the multiple drivers of land-use change, past and present forest cover change and associated carbon budget, and the presence of locally adapted systems to allow for proper monitoring are particularly lacking in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Any incentive system to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) will have to overcome those limits. This paper reviews the main challenges to implementing effective REDD+ mitigation activities in SSA. We estimate that SSA is currently a net carbon sink of approximately 319 TgCO 2 yr −1 . Forest degradation and deforestation put the forest carbon stock at risk (mean forest carbon stock is 57,679 TgC). Our results highlight the importance of looking beyond the forest sector to ensure that REDD+ efforts are aligned with agricultural and land-use policies.