The United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is the largest worldwide supplier of REDD+ assistance, assisting its 65 partner nations in protecting their forests while meeting their climate and sustainable development targets. This article will explain to you about the UN-REDD Programme which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

UN-REDD Programme - Objectives

• The objectives of the UN-REDD Programme are to create the resources needed to considerably reduce global emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in poor countries, as well as to increase carbon stores in forests while contributing to national sustainable development.
• To achieve that purpose, the Programme has established three outcomes for the 2016-2020 work plan:
• REDD+ contributions to climate change mitigation and the provision of extra benefits have been designed.
• Country contributions to climate change mitigation via REDD+ are quantified, reported, and confirmed, and the appropriate institutional frameworks are in place.
• REDD+ contributions to climate change mitigation are implemented and protected by policies and procedures that represent results-based activities, such as the creation of suitable and effective institutional frameworks.
• The UN-REDD Program has developed programme guidelines to assist national beneficiary nations in meeting some of the SEPC requirements.
• There is also a focus on managing REDD+ monies in a transparent, fair, and responsible manner.

UN-REDD Programme - Strategy

The UN-REDD Programme aims to reduce forest emissions and increase forest carbon stocks while contributing to national sustainable development through four outcomes guided by its 2021-2025 framework.

Outcome 1 - Forest Solutions Realised

• At a level of 1 GtCO2e per year, forest-based emission reductions and enhanced removals of increasing quality (accuracy, certainty, and permanence) are unlocked.
• Countries and jurisdictions put in place REDD+ investment plans/programs in order to meet their NDCs (NDCs).
• Forest landscape restoration and carbon stock enhancement have been accelerated.
• Commodity supply chains that do not require deforestation have been developed.
• With policy-relevant monitoring systems, countries can measure high-quality and accurate activity data, emission factors, emissions, and emission reductions.
• REDD+ safeguards are addressed, respected, monitored, and reported on throughout the implementation process.

Outcome 2 - Forest Solutions Rewarded

• Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, USD 5 billion can be mobilised for REDD+ through results-based payment (RBP) schemes, carbon markets, and other transactions.
• RBPs were accessed in order to obtain measured, reported, and verified REDD+ results.
• Market transactions for forest carbon have been made easier.
• Forest carbon investments in the private sector have been mobilised.

Outcome 3 - Forest Solutions Enhanced

• In the 2020-2025 cycle, more than 15 countries significantly increase the forest component of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including quantitative targets.
• Mitigation actions in the forest and land use sectors have been assessed, accelerated, and improved over time.

Outcome 4 - Connecting Actors and Knowledge for Forest Solutions

• Forests and REDD+ help to catalyse a global, transformative Nature-based Solutions (NbS) movement to speed up climate action.
• To accelerate climate action, knowledge on how to scale up REDD+ implementation is captured, managed, and disseminated.
• The collective political and societal support for NbS has grown.
• Digital collaboration and cutting-edge technologies are being used to accelerate and improve NbS.

UN REDD+

• REDD+ is a UNFCCC-negotiated finance mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in poor countries.
• The framework, commonly known as the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (WFR), was established at COP 19 in Warsaw in December 2013 and provides comprehensive methodological and financial advice for REDD+ activity implementation.
• It is separated into three phases, generally corresponding to preparedness, implementation, and payment for outcomes.
• REDD+ is a voluntary climate mitigation path designed by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Parties (UNFCCC).
• The goal of REDD+ is to protect forest carbon stores, manage forests sustainably, and improve forest carbon stocks.
• REDD+ was originally discussed in 2005, with the goal of mitigating climate change by lowering net greenhouse gas emissions via improved forest management in poor nations.
• The majority of significant REDD+ choices were made by 2013, with the remaining components of the regulation completed in 2015.
• REDD+ is an effective, efficient, and fair system for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, according to proponents.

UN-REDD Programme - Impact

• UN-REDD countries have submitted to the UNFCCC over 700 million tCO2 of forest emission reductions, which is equivalent to taking over 150 million cars off the road for a year.
• Since its inception, more than a billion dollars have been channelled and mobilised, including 350 million dollars for REDD+ results-based payments.
• At the ministerial/cabinet level, 25 UN-REDD countries have adopted REDD+ policies. Deforestation has decreased significantly in 70% of the cases.
• More than two-thirds of the countries that have established REDD+ safeguards systems have received direct assistance from UN-REDD.
• UN-REDD has emerged as the leader and preferred partner in the development of robust social and environmental safeguards systems.
• More than 30 countries have established REDD+ processes that are participatory and socially inclusive.
• Indigenous peoples and rural women have been identified as critical REDD+ stakeholders.

REDD+ - Benefits of India

• India's consistent efforts to conserve and grow its forest and tree resources may be rewarded for delivering carbon service to the world community in addition to customary commodities and services to local people.
• The REDD+ incentives would be distributed to local populations active in forest preservation and management.
• This will secure the long-term protection of our forests against destruction.
• A REDD+ programme for India is anticipated to capture more than 1 billion tonnes of extra CO2 over the next three decades and deliver more than USD 3 billion in carbon service incentives under REDD+.

India’s Position on UN-REDD and REDD+

• India argues that REDD should be seen in the context of REDD+, rather than in isolation or in a shortened form, because reduction of deforestation and protection and enhancement of forests are two sides of the same coin and should be regarded as such.
• India's position was finally accepted at the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP13) in Bali, when elements of conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks were added to the then-existing text of reducing deforestation and forest degradation as part of the Bali Action Plan.
• Under its National Action Plan on Climate Change, it has launched an ambitious Green India Mission initiative.

Initiatives of India related to REDD+

• Reducing Deforestation - Except in a few states, there is no large-scale deforestation in India. Nonetheless, there is room to improve REDD+ performance by further decreasing deforestation.
• Reducing Forest Degradation - India has been monitoring and reporting forest cover based on tree crown density classifications for several years.
  • Thus, degradation in the Indian setting might be characterised as "the transition from greater to lower tree crown density and/or the loss of lower canopy biomass or soil disturbance, resulting in a drop in forest carbon stores.
  • The most cost-effective and feasible option for monitoring decline is to measure tree crown density.
• Conservation of Forest Carbon Stocks - In India, the area under Protected Area (PA) administration is expanding, and there is potential for REDD+ activities on 'Conservation of Forest Carbon Stocks.'
• Because all extraction is controlled or severely restricted in the PAs, forest vegetation, biodiversity, and, as a result, forest carbon stores are possibly maintained.
• REDD+ might be viewed as a potential funding or resource mobilisation instrument to boost PA management.
• Himalayan locations where green cutting has been prohibited for the previous three decades are also candidates for establishing the REDD+ idea of 'conservation of forest carbon reserves.'
• Sustainable Forest Management (SMF) is practised by executing the Forest Working Plan authorised by the Government of India.
  • The working plans are created in accordance with the National Forest Working Plan Code.
  • SMF activities can be used to incentivise the preservation of forest carbon stores by improving the quality of current stocks and allowing for the sustainable harvest of biomass.
• Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks - In the Indian context, enhancement of carbon stocks may be characterised as "conversion of non-forest or degraded forests to forests by afforestation, reforestation, restoration forestry, and forest management methods, resulting in carbon stock enhancement."
  • India has a large potential for undertaking these initiatives. Agroforestry and agricultural forestry may also be included in this category of REDD+ activities.
• The National Agroforestry Policy 2014 establishes a favourable environment for this endeavour.

Difference Between UN-REDD and REDD+

Conclusion

UN-REDD promotes the informed and meaningful participation of all stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, in the implementation of REDD+ activities agreed to under the UNFCCC. The UN-REDD Programme supports national governments' capacity to prepare and implement national REDD strategies with the participation of all stakeholders through its nine initial country programme activities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which organizations jointly established the UN-REDD Programme?

A) World Bank, UNEP, and UNDP
B) FAO, UNDP, and UNEP
C) UNESCO, FAO, and UNDP
D) UNEP, UNDP, and WHO

2. What is the primary goal of the UN-REDD Programme?

A) To promote renewable energy sources
B) To reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
C) To develop urban infrastructure
D) To support marine conservation efforts

3. In which year was the UN-REDD Programme established?

A) 2005
B) 2008
C) 2010
D) 2012

4. Which of the following is NOT a focus area of the UN-REDD Programme?

A) Supporting national REDD+ readiness efforts
B) Enhancing technical capacities for forest carbon monitoring
C) Developing urban transportation systems
D) Facilitating stakeholder engagement in REDD+ implementation

5. What does REDD+ stand for?

A) Renewable Energy Development and Deployment
B) Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
C) Resource Efficiency and Development Dynamics
D) Rural Education and Development Directive

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the UN-REDD Programme in assisting developing countries to combat climate change.

Answer: The UN-REDD Programme plays a pivotal role in aiding developing countries to combat climate change by focusing on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. It provides technical assistance, capacity building, and policy advice to develop and implement national REDD+ strategies. By promoting sustainable forest management and conservation, the programme helps countries mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.

Q2: Analyze the significance of stakeholder engagement in the success of REDD+ strategies supported by the UN-REDD Programme.

Answer: Stakeholder engagement is crucial for the success of REDD+ strategies as it ensures the inclusion of diverse perspectives, particularly those of indigenous peoples and local communities. Meaningful participation helps build trust, enhances transparency, and ensures the equitable distribution of benefits. The UN-REDD Programme emphasizes stakeholder engagement by providing capacity-building initiatives, safeguarding rights, and promoting participatory decision-making processes. This inclusive approach strengthens the legitimacy and effectiveness of REDD+ initiatives, leading to more sustainable and resilient outcomes.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges faced by the UN-REDD Programme in achieving its goals and suggest measures to overcome them.

Answer: The UN-REDD Programme faces several challenges, including insufficient financial resources, limited technical capacity in partner countries, and competing land-use interests. Political and governance issues can also hinder effective implementation. To overcome these challenges, the programme needs to enhance international cooperation and increase financial investments. Strengthening national institutions, fostering partnerships with private sectors, and ensuring strong legal frameworks for forest governance are essential. Promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building at all levels can further address gaps and enhance the programme's impact.

Previous Year Questions on UN-REDD Programme

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: The UN-REDD Programme focuses primarily on:

A) Marine biodiversity conservation
B) Renewable energy development
C) Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
D) Urban waste management

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The UN-REDD Programme focuses on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Critically analyze the role of international initiatives such as the UN-REDD Programme in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable forest management."

Answer: International initiatives like the UN-REDD Programme play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by promoting the conservation and sustainable management of forests. By providing technical and financial assistance, the programme helps developing countries implement REDD+ strategies, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The initiative also emphasizes stakeholder engagement, ensuring that indigenous peoples and local communities are actively involved. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, limited technical capacity, and political barriers must be addressed to maximize its impact. Strengthening governance, enhancing cooperation, and fostering innovative solutions can improve the programme's effectiveness and sustainability.