October 2014: The UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation (UN-REDD) released a policy brief on how REDD+ is contributing to the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

The brief also provides guidance on how REDD+ can be designed and implemented to maximize the contribution to the Aichi Targets including through consideration of the multiple values of forests, the provision of incentives for the conservation of natural forests, and the recognition of the rights of indigenous and local communities.

The brief cautions that REDD+ can also hinder the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets if non-native tree species are used, afforestation takes place on non-forested land with high biodiversity values, or if resource use pressures are displaced to other areas.

As such, the brief calls for: coordination between focal points for REDD+ and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), links between forest biodiversity conservation strategies and national REDD+ programmes, especially with regard to safeguards, synergies between REDD+ plans and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and the analysis and sharing of information on the potential impacts of REDD+ on biodiversity. [Publication: REDD+ and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets – Promoting synergies in international forest conservation efforts]