Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) programmes developed

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is a new incentive based scheme under climate change with the primary objective of providing financial incentives for forest dependent communities to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (predominantly CO2) from forest lands in Developing Countries. Under this scheme, countries will measure and monitor the emissions of CO2 resulting from deforestation and degradation within their borders. After a certain time period, they will calculate the amount of emissions that were reduced and receive tradable forest carbon credits based on the reduction. These credits can then be sold on the global carbon market. In addition, well-designed REDD frameworks can also have a positive effect on the management of forest lands; the conservation of associated biological diversity and ecosystem services; and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

The Ministry is currently developing a National Joint Programme under the UN-REDD programme supported by the UNDP, UNEP and FAO to enable it access funds to implement the programme. The Forestry Department is currently spearheading work on this but the CCFU plays an important role and is expected to continue doing so in its implementation.