Background

According to the FAO (2005), deforestation, mainly conversion of forests to agricultural land, continues at an alarming rate of approximately 13 million hectares per year (for the period 1990–2005).  Deforestation results in immediate release of the carbon originally stored in the trees as CO₂ emissions (with small amounts of CO and CH₄), particularly if the trees are burned and the slower release of emissions from the decay of organic matter.  The IPCC WGIII (2007) estimated emissions from deforestation in the 1990s to be at 5.8 GtCO₂/yr.  The IPCC also notes that reducing and/or preventing deforestation is the mitigation option with the largest and most immediate carbon stock impact in the short term per hectare and per year globally as the release of carbon as emissions into the atmosphere is prevented. 

The agenda item on “Reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries and approaches to stimulate action” was first introduced into the COP agenda at its eleventh session in Montreal (December 2005).  The governments of Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica, supported by 8 other Parties, through their submission FCCC/CP/2005/MISC.1, requested for this issue to be taken up on the agenda.  This proposal received wide support from Parties and there was general agreement on the importance of the issue in the context of climate change mitigation, particularly in light of the large contribution of emissions from deforestation in developing countries to global greenhouse gas emissions.  The COP established a contact group on this item which drafted conclusions on initiating a process to address the issue of reducing emissions from deforestation.

Since its twenty-fourth session in May 2006 the SBSTA has continued its consideration of the 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.

More information on the SBSTA agenda item.

The Conference of the Parties (COP), at its eighteenth session, decided to undertake a work programme on results-based finance in 2013 to progress the full implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70.

More information on the COP work programme.

The COP in its decision 1/CP.18, paragraphs 34–38, requested the SBSTA and the SBI, at their thirty-eighth sessions, to jointly initiate a process with the aim of addressing the following matters:

(a). The need to improve the coordination of support for the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70;
(b). To provide adequate and predictable support, including financial resources and technical and technological support, to developing countries for the implementation of those activities;
(c). To consider existing institutional arrangements or potential governance alternatives including a body, a board or a committee.

The COP has invited Parties, relevant organizations and stakeholders to support ongoing efforts, capacity building, demonstration activities and mobilization of resources relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries and to share the outcomes of these efforts with the SBSTA by providing corresponding information to the secretariat. In decision 2/CP.13 the COP also requested the secretariat to develop a web platform where this information will be made available. The REDD Web Platform can be accessed through the following link:
REDD Web Platform

The REDD interactive discussion forum was developed following a request from SBSTA 32 to enhance sharing of information, experiences and lessons learned on the use of the IPCC guidance and guidelines. All experts interested to participate in such discussions are welcome to register through the following link:
REDD Discussion Forum