30 October 2013: The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) has reported on a study assessing community participation in monitoring REDD+ projects, which reveals that only about half of REDD+ projects include a community monitoring component.

The assessment also evaluates the effectiveness of community monitoring, concluding that it is comparable in quality to monitoring conducted by professional foresters. The assessment examines plot-based community monitoring in combination with remote sensing, data on wood density and the application of conversion factors.

Overall, the assessment calls for further action to align the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) text on local participation with on-the-ground REDD+ investments. The assessment states that, in addition to meeting international commitments, increased support for community monitoring could improve REDD+ outcomes while building local capacity.

In order to expand community participation in monitoring, the assessment suggests the use of low-tech field methods as well as more balanced power relationships with regard to local versus national and international stakeholders in REDD+.

ICRAF is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [ICRAF Press Release] [Publication: Community Monitoring for REDD+: International Promises and Field Realities]