27 May 2010: The UN-REDD Programme, Chatham House and other forest governance experts met in London, UK, from 24-25 May 2010, to discuss how to monitor governance safeguards in the implementation of a mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+).
The two-day workshop focused on monitoring governance aspects of REDD+, such as creating coherent and enabling policy environments, stakeholder accountability, and enforcing the rule of law. It aimed to establish a common understanding to develop a basis for a framework and guidance on monitoring governance for REDD+. The framework is meant to help negotiators at the upcoming UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany, and to coordinate ongoing activities.
Monitoring and verification of governance is already being considered in REDD+ implementation activities carried out by several organizations, including UN-REDD, the World Resources Institute (WRI), Global Witness and Chatham House. The soon-to-be established interim REDD+ partnership, agreed upon in Oslo, Norway, on 27 May 2010, calls for consistent standards and systems to monitor governance. [UN-REDD Press Release] [Climate Change Policy & Practice Story on the Oslo Meeting]