REDD-plus and Biodiversity - Convention on Biological Diversity

<strong>REDD</strong>-<strong>plus</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>
Foreword
Climate change, l<strong>and</strong> degradation <strong>and</strong> biodiversity are interconnected, not
only through effects of climate change on biodiversity <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> management,
but also through changes in biodiversity <strong>and</strong> ecosystem functioning
that affect climate change. The observed changes in climate have already adversely
affected biodiversity at the species <strong>and</strong> ecosystem level, with further
changes in biodiversity being inevitable with further changes in climate. The
degradation of many ecosystems is in turn significantly reducing their carbon
storage <strong>and</strong> sequestration capacity, leading to increases in emissions of
greenhouse gases.
In the light of this scenario, we can no longer sit idly by: immediate <strong>and</strong> concerted action to combat climate
change <strong>and</strong> to save biodiversity is required if we are to meet the Millennium Development Goals,
maintain essential ecosystem services, <strong>and</strong> improve the quality of life for the world’s poor.
Reducing emissions from deforestation <strong>and</strong> forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable
management of forests <strong>and</strong> enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (<strong>REDD</strong><strong>plus</strong>)
may be part of the solution. If well designed <strong>and</strong> implemented, <strong>REDD</strong>-<strong>plus</strong> can decrease emissions
of greenhouse gases <strong>and</strong> provide considerable benefits for biodiversity <strong>and</strong> livelihoods.
This potential has been recognized by the Parties to the <strong>Convention</strong> on Biological Diversity (CBD), who
invited Parties, other Governments, <strong>and</strong> relevant international <strong>and</strong> other organizations to ensure that
<strong>REDD</strong>-<strong>plus</strong> actions do not run counter to the objectives of the CBD, but support the implementation of
the programme of work on forest biodiversity, <strong>and</strong> provide biodiversity benefits for forests, <strong>and</strong>, where
possible, to indigenous <strong>and</strong> local communities (Decision IX/5).
I trust that this publication will provide impulses for seizing the opportunities that lie in <strong>REDD</strong>-<strong>plus</strong> for
combating climate change <strong>and</strong> saving biodiversity.
I would also like to thank our partners who contributed to the development <strong>and</strong> review of this publication,
including the UN-<strong>REDD</strong> Programme, Conservation International, the Department for Environment,
Food <strong>and</strong> Rural Affairs (Defra) of the United Kingdom, the Forest Stewardship Council, the Global
Canopy Programme, <strong>and</strong> the University of Freiburg.
Ahmed Djoghlaf
Executive Secretary
Secretariat of the <strong>Convention</strong> on Biological Diversity
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CBD
7