This report covers the technical assessment of the voluntary submission of Vanuatu on its proposed forest reference level (FRL) in accordance with decision 13/CP.19 and in the context of results-based payments. The FRL proposed by Vanuatu covers the activities reducing emissions from deforestation, reducing emissions from forest degradation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks, which are among the activities included in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70.

For its submission, Vanuatu developed a national FRL. The FRL presented in the original and modified submissions, for the reference period 2008–2017, corresponds to 732,441 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

The assessment team notes that the data and information used by Vanuatu in constructing its FRL are transparent, complete and mostly in accordance with the guidelines contained in decision 12/CP.17, annex. This report contains the assessed FRL and a few areas identified by the assessment team for future technical improvement in accordance with the provisions on the scope of the technical assessment contained in decision 13/CP.19, annex.