Reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries: approaches to stimulate actions
Decision 2/CP13
The decision provides a mandate for several elements and actions by Parties relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries:
- Further strengthening and supporting ongoing efforts;
- Support for and facilitate capacity-building, technical assistance and transfer of technology relating to methodological and technical needs and institutional needs of developing countries;
- Explore a range of actions, identify options and undertake demonstration activities to address drivers of deforestation relevant to each country’s national circumstances; and
- Mobilize resources to support the efforts mentioned above.
A set of indicative guidance has been included for the implementation and evaluation of demonstration activities. Parties are also encouraged to apply the IPCC Good practice guidance for Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry for estimation and reporting of emissions and removals.
In 2008, the SBSTA will undertake a programme of work on methodological issues related to a range of policy approaches and positive incentives that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. The SBSTA is expected to report on the outcomes, including any recommendations on possible methodological approaches, to the COP at its fourteenth session (December 2008).
The COP has invited relevant organizations and stakeholders to support efforts relating to ongoing activities, capacity building, demonstration activities and mobilization of resources and to share the outcomes of these efforts with the SBSTA. The secretariat will make available information submitted by Parties, relevant organizations and stakeholders on a Web platform (to be developed as soon as possible).
In 2008 and 2009, policy approaches and positive incentives relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries will be considered under the process of the Bali Action Plan.
For the full text on the decision, go to: 
Decision 2/CP.13
Decision 4/CP.15
The COP, at its fifteenth session, adopted the decision on Methodological guidance for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Decision 4/CP.15 provides guidance on the following issues:
Guidance relating to implementation of activities in decision 2/CP.13
The COP, in its decision, requests developing country Parties to take the following guidance into account when implementing activities relating to decision 2/CP.13:
- To identify drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and the means to address them;
- To identify activities within the country that result in reduced emissions and increased removals and stabilization of forest carbon stocks;
- To use the most recent IPCC guidance and guidelines, as appropriate, as a basis for estimating forest-related greenhouse gas emissions and removals, forest carbon stocks and forest area changes;
- To establish robust and transparent national forest monitoring systems and, if appropriate, sub-national systems as part of national monitoring systems, using a combination of remote sensing and ground-based forest carbon inventory approaches. Monitoring systems should provide estimates that are transparent and consistent, as far as possible accurate, and that reduce uncertainties, and results are available and suitable for review as agreed by the COP.
The COP invited Parties to share lessons learned and experiences gained in the application of the guidance above and the annex to decision 2/CP.13 through the web platform on the UNFCCC website.
It also provided general guidance for the establishment of forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels. These levels should be established transparently taking into account historic data and adjusted for national circumstances.
Guidance relating to capacity-building and further work
(i) Guidance on capacity-building include:
- All Parties in a position to do so are encouraged to support and strengthen the capacities of developing countries to collect and access, analyse and interpret data, in order to develop estimates,
- Parties in a position to do so and relevant international organizations are invited to enhance capacity-building in relation to using the IPCC guidance and guidelines,
- The secretariat has been requested, subject to the availability of supplementary funding, to enhance coordination of the capacity-building activities in the context of existing initiatives.
(ii) Further work include:
- Work may need to be undertaken by the IPCC, in accordance with any relevant decisions by the COP
- The COP also encourages, as appropriate, the development of guidance for effective engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities in monitoring and reporting.
For the full text on the decision, go to: Decision 4/CP.15