UN-REDD PNG National Programme

Description of Intervention

The UN-REDD Programme was set up in 2008 to assist tropical forest countries in establishing a fair, equitable and transparent REDD+ regime. The proposed National Programme (NP) for PNG builds on the 2009 draft NP which has received approval in principle from the Policy Board. The country‘s Vision 2050 envisages low-carbon economic development, aiming to increase per capita GDP by a factor of three by 2030, while maintaining an aspirational goal of net carbon neutrality by 2050.

Problems to be Addressed

Stabilising greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere at safe levels requires significant reductions in the current rates of deforestation. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) and maintaining healthy forests also can deliver important additional benefits to the forest-dependent poor and for biodiversity conservation. Recognising the challenge of halting deforestation in the short and medium term, international criteria for determining REDD priorities may include preserving forests highly valued for biodiversity or ecosystem services (e.g., water regulation, erosion and flood control); and protecting those living in poverty and relying on forests for subsistence.

The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD Programme) is a collaboration among FAO, UNDP and UNEP. A multi-donor trust fund was established in July 2008 that allows donors to pool resources and provide funding to activities towards this programme. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) represents a suite of policies and programmes to provide positive incentives to developing countries for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by halting or preventing the destruction of their forests. REDD policies are essential for halting deforestation, which is a major source of GHG emissions that cause climate change. Additional mitigation measures in the forestry, agriculture and land use sector are necessary to achieve climate goals. Maintaining and expanding forest cover through restoration, securing protected area systems, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability and recovering degraded lands are essential complements to REDD.

CI is working toward the establishment of transparent and profitable markets for carbon credits generated by voluntary REDD initiatives, which also aim to increase the involvement of the business community. To demonstrate how REDD policies and mechanisms can work, CI has created an extensive REDD training and education programme; developed tools of engagement and benefit sharing to ensure that REDD can benefit vulnerable communities; worked with partners for developing decision-making tools for policy development and economic planning, such as the OSIRIS economic model; and set up pilot forest carbon projects around the world. CI is also a leading proponent of the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance, which has developed voluntary standards to maximise the many benefits of projects that reduce deforestation.

Aims

It aims to support the Government of PNG to further enhance its efforts towards REDD+ readiness and places heavy emphasis on the development of a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for PNG, as an important complement to PNG‘s domestic climate-change efforts.

Objectives

Regional REDD+ Policy: The Pacific Island Countries have a joint, coherent framework for the implementation of REDD+. REDD+ Information Platform: The implementation of REDD+ activities in the Melanesian PICs has been qualitatively improved through the use of a regional and supra-regional information and support platform. REDD+ Readiness: To implement the central elements of REDD+ in three countries. In one country this will lead to the fulfilment of the requirements to participate in REDD+.

How it fits into the EbA concept

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Relevant Publications

Web page: Adaptation Learning Mechanism. Project Description.