The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD Programme) is scheduled to hold a 3-day event in Abidjan.

The event scheduled, from June 3 to June 6, 2024, is for African countries to share REDD+ successes, and best practices, and learn from each other, with a focus on social inclusion and equity.

The event will share and validate national findings, facilitate peer learning, and develop tailored strategies to enhance REDD+ effectiveness in African countries.

The event will provide training on social and environmental measures for REDD+ implementation, led by experts in social inclusion, with a focus on practical strategy design and peer-to-peer learning.

Over 35 participants from more than 12 African countries, including experts, REDD+ representatives, and technical staff from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, alongside civil society, academia, private sector groups, and other stakeholders involved in REDD+ implementation in Côte d'Ivoire will participate in the workshop.

African forests are crucial for combating global warming, but despite efforts to reduce deforestation, Africa still loses millions of hectares of forest cover annually. Many countries have adopted REDD+ to mitigate climate change, but its full potential remains unexplored.

African countries are at different stages of REDD+ implementation, with some making progress and others facing challenges. Common areas of struggle include financing, carbon markets, social inclusion, sustainable agriculture, and governance, highlighting the need for targeted support and knowledge sharing.

About REDD+

REDD+ is a UN initiative that combats climate change by preserving forests, which account for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

REDD+ includes extra elements beyond reducing deforestation and forest degradation, focusing on sustainable forest management, conservation, community support, and addressing drivers of deforestation.

Here's how REDD+ works

The aim is to protect forests from deforestation and degradation, preserving their ecosystem services and carbon stocks, especially when faced with conversion for uses like agriculture.

The goals also include enhancing forest carbon stocks and ensuring sustainable forest management to provide long-term benefits for the environment, society, and the economy.

Ensuring Social and Environmental Integrity in Forest Projects

REDD+ aims to ensure that forest projects and programs don't harm the environment or vulnerable communities, including the poor, indigenous peoples, local communities, and women. This is crucial as forest interventions impact women, men, youth, and the environment.

To achieve high-integrity carbon credits, REDD+ actions must adhere to international standards on human rights, indigenous peoples' and women's rights, community rights, gender equality, and inclusive participation.

The demand side of carbon credits expects REDD+ initiatives to improve living standards and environmental management. The Learning Lab will offer training sessions to enhance participants' capacity and knowledge in establishing social and environmental measures for REDD+ implementation.