November 2014: In preparation for discussions on REDD+ safeguards at the forty-first meeting of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to the UNFCCC, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) prepared an analysis of submissions on national-level Safeguard Information Systems (SIS).

The analysis, titled ‘Further guidance for REDD+ safeguard information systems? An analysis of positions in the UNFCCC negotiations,’ considers inputs on further guidance on SIS and experiences and lessons learned from SIS development. The analysis also includes the results of a survey of country delegates to the UNFCCC and a review of submissions to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

Main findings reveal that a majority of submissions support the provision of further guidance on SIS by the UNFCCC, although many respondents highlight the importance of ensuring that such guidance doesn’t infringe upon sovereignty and national approaches.

The analysis also explores the suggested role of SIS in ensuring transparency and good governance, in supporting the participation of stakeholders, and in demonstrating and reporting on safeguard implementation. Based on the findings, CIFOR suggests that preparing additional guidance on how a national SIS system could be developed may achieve a balance between support from the UNFCCC and countries.

CIFOR is part of the CGIAR Consortium. [Publication: Further guidance for REDD+ safeguard information systems? An analysis of positions in the UNFCCC negotiations]