June 2014: The UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation (UN-REDD), after five years of support for REDD+ readiness, has reviewed the evolution of the REDD+ landscape. The review focuses, in particular, on the five thematic areas of UN-REDD: measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), governance, stakeholder engagement, safeguards and multiple benefits, and the green economy.

The publication, titled ‘On the Road to REDD+,’ highlights a shift from a strong carbon focus to a more holistic focus on REDD+ as a contribution to sustainable development. The publication features milestones and case studies such as the participatory governance assessment (PGA) process in Indonesia, the participation of indigenous peoples in Paraguay, and mapping multiple benefits in Tanzania.

According to the review, UN-REDD has contributed to this shift and supported the advancement of REDD+ because of its flexible approach to readiness, its focus on information sharing, and south-south cooperation. UN-REDD has also benefited from the ability to leverage the expertise of the three UN-REDD agencies: the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).

The report notes that there remain ongoing challenges with regard to addressing the drivers of deforestation and establishing the appropriate policy and institutional environment for REDD+. However, given the success achieved in a number of countries, the publication highlights that are significant opportunities for the exchange of lessons learned and the further adaptation of the UN-REDD programme. [Publication: On the Road to REDD+ – The UN-REDD Programme’s Support to REDD+ Readiness 2008 – 2013]