December 2011: The UN-REDD Programme has published a report on the business case for mainstreaming gender in REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries).

The report argues that integrating gender considerations in REDD+ planning makes good business sense. It examines why integrating gender considerations may increase efficiency, efficacy and sustainability, and proposes initial recommendations on how to do so. The report lists case studies showing how women’s participation has positively affected forest regeneration and the control of illicit grazing and felling; and how engaging women as decision makers in executive committees has lead to increase in forest carbon stock, increased sequestration of carbon dioxide, as well as increased community income.

The report recommends building capacity and ensuring that monitoring and evaluation plans include gender-sensitive indicators. [Publication: The Business Case for Mainstreaming Gender in REDD+]