What is REDD+

What is REDD+

R – Reducing
E – Emissions from
D – Deforestation and forest
D – Degradation
+ – Forest Conservation Sustainable Forest Management and                Carbon Stock Enhancement

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that deforestation and forest degradation are responsible for about 12% of all global greenhouse gas emissions and are, therefore, a major contributor to climate change.

REDD+ is an effort to reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon stock in the forestry sector. It is a forest-based climate change mitigation framework which provides potential economic benefit for developing countries. The five activities for REDD+ are: 1.) Reducing Deforestation, 2.) Reducing forest Degradation, 3.) Forest Conservation, 4.) Sustainable Forest Management and 5.) Carbon Stock Enhancement (the acronym REDD+).

The UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Conference of the Parties (COP16), Cancun 2010 decision encourages developing countries to contribute to reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the forest sector by undertaking REDD+ activities.

The Phases of REDD+ in Belize:

REDD+ requires years of 1.) Planning (Readiness), 2.) Implementation of Strategic Actions and 3.) Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of Actions.


Phase 1: Readiness


The REDD+ Readiness phase is a 3-year strategic planning phase from 2017 – 2020. This phase is where national experts will gather necessary data, identify safeguards, policies, programs and formulate a REDD+ strategy. This phase will also include consultations with many stakeholders to plan efficiently for the way forward with REDD+.


Phase 2: Implementation


The REDD+ Implementation phase is where policies and strategic actions for REDD+ will be implemented. This phase will include multiple stakeholders to be involved in the implementation of the REDD+ plan for Belize.


Phase 3: MRV for Results-Base Payments


The REDD+ MRV phase is where actions should be fully measured, reported and verified. In this phase, our national targets for REDD+ should be met and results-based payment discussions and negotiations can be initiated.

The REDD+ Components:

There are five (5) components of REDD+ in Belize:


1. REDD+ Organizational Framework, Consultations and Grievance Redress.


The REDD+ Organizational Framework: ensures improved collaboration and better decision-making processes in the forest sector. The National Climate Change Office will work closely with the Forest Department, Department of the Environment, Ministry of Finance & Economic Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and other government agencies, which are also represented under the Project Steering Committee and Technical Expert Committees.


As a part of the REDD+ structure, the REDD+ Coordination Unit has been established to coordinate all REDD+ related activities in Belize.


Communication and Consultation: an important activity under this component is the development of a consultation and participation plan which guides stakeholder engagement throughout REDD+. It is supported by a REDD+ Communication Plan that will help build awareness and foster greater information sharing with and among various stakeholders, including multi-sectoral government agencies, civil society, private sector, indigenous peoples and development partners.

REDD+ Benefits:

Protect Forest Goods & Services

Through REDD+, Belize can build its capacity to safeguard our forest ecosystem goods (eg. Medicine, food, firewood, timber, etc.) and services (eg. Clean water, protection of soil, flood prevention, job, etc.) from the effects of Climate Change.


Build Resilient Communities


When large areas of forest are destroyed, our local species and communities are most at risk and poses a threat to people and their livelihoods, (eg. Loss of homes, food, jobs and limited resources). REDD+ is a critical response to climate change, helping Belize to choose better and sustainable climate actions to protect our forests, people and their livelihoods.


Reduce Carbon Emissions


Forest loss emit more carbon and adds more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, increasing global warming. REDD+ is a Climate action that addresses the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.


Absorb Carbon Emissions


Forests can store up to 40% of the world’s carbon. As such, the more forests we have, the more carbon they can absorb.


Carbon Payments


REDD+ mechanism within the UNFCCC rewards or compensate tropical countries that reduce their emissions or absorb carbon by keeping or restoring forests. These payments can be decided based in several factors, primarily dependent on valid data reflecting carbon tonnes per hectares

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