THE LAST STAND OF THE - GRASP

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC)
Avoiding dangerous climate change requires a multifaceted approach.
Terrestrial ecosystems (agriculture, forestry and land
use) are a major source of carbon emissions and are a critical
element within the portfolio of mitigation options. Currently a
proposed global framework for reducing emissions from deforestation
and forest degradation which includes conservation,
sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon
stocks, (REDD+) presents a cost effective method and reliable
way of limiting emissions. REDD+ promises to reduce annual
carbon dioxide emissions by seven gigatonnes, for an estimated
US$15–25 billion between 2010 and 2015.
The Democractic Republic of Congo has a forest surface of about
1.45 million km 2 , including 850,000 km 2 of dense humid forests
(which represents about half of African dense humid forests). Carbon
stocks in forest biomass are the second largest in the tropical
world, making the DRC a perfect candidate for REDD+ and, depending
on estimates, range from 20 to 37 billion tonnes of carbon.
There is therefore great potential for REDD+ to generate a significant
stream of income for the forest and land use sector in country.
The forests are a source of livelihoods for millions of forest
and rural dwellers and REDD+, if designed and implemented effectively,
efficiently and equitably could bring about related social,
economic and environmentally desirable outcomes and benefits.
Despite the huge challenges some of which are highlighted in this
rapid assessment report, there has been concerted national activity
and effort focused on the development of a REDD readiness
roadmap and plan since early 2009. This has included more than
15 months of consultation and analysis to grasp the weaknesses
and challenges and position them within the international context
of risks and opportunities for REDD+. The DRC is committed
at the national level to capatalize on this asset and plan, implement
and benefit from REDD in partnership with civil society and
relevant stakeholders. REDD success relies on the credibility of
political commitment and the implementation strategy. The key
issues relate to governance, civil society engagement, benefits
distribution, ongoing reforms of the forest and economic sectors,
and a monitoring, reporting and verification system that will not
only deliver carbon credits but also the co-benefits that REDD+
can generate – such as the conservation of great apes habitats.
DRC has just developed a substantive and detailed REDD+
readiness plan which includes building capacity, institutions and
awareness about REDD+. The components include understanding
the drivers of deforestation and addressing these, placing the
national REDD+ national strategy into the decentralization logic
and monitoring efforts at the local level, addressing tradeoffs
and alternatives for forest products and mobilizing international
funding sources to support an ambitious program by securing
credibility, effectiveness and good governance conditions. The
aspirations lie to moving the country along a path toward deep
transformation where the full potential of the forest sector is realized
for livelihoods and the economy, ecosystem services, biodiversity
and climate change mitigation.
(Source: UN-REDD Programme)
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