Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute.
REDD-plus and Forest-DRR Research and Development Center.

How far have we reached ?
Overview the history of REDD-plus and explore opportunities

Date and Venue

February 6, 2019 10:00-17:30 (Open 09:30)

Ito Hall, Hongo Campus of the University of Tokyo（7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo）

https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/adm/iirc/en/access.html

Objective

Discussions on the rules of REDD-plus under the agenda of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were started in 2005. A consensus so called the Warsaw REDD-plus framework that consists seven decisions was adopted by the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) in 2013 and its importance was finally stated in the Paris Agreement adopted by the COP 21 in 2015.

In parallel with the negotiations under the UNFCCC, progress to overcome technical and institutional challenges in implementing REDD-plus are being made. For example, various low-cost deforestation monitoring methods, which meet local conditions, are developed and started being used. Many REDD-plus countries already submitted forest reference levels and/or reference emission levels. Referable guidance on safeguards for REDD-plus are also developed voluntarily, which are being used to establish safeguard information systems.

Further, progress has been made in the development of policies and financing mechanisms which have potential to incentivize REDD-plus implementations. For example, various efforts have been tried to develop measures to prevent deforestation, including the tools to prevent illegal logging, which is one of the key drivers of deforestation in many tropical timber producing countries. Various funds and financing mechanisms have become available to support implementing REDD-plus for many countries and regions. Since public finance of REDD-plus is not lucrative, it is important to enhance the investment of the private sector, and mobilize finance including by CSR activities for less privileged people in developing countries to achieve SDGs while contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The aim of this REDD-plus international seminar is to overview the history of development and most recent trends in both of the technical and institutional aspects of REDD-plus, and explore current and future opportunities. The seminar will provide a good opportunity to discuss the potential of REDD-plus for multiple stakeholders including the private sector.

Program

Keynote speech: Why Forests? Why Now More Than Ever? An update on the science, economics, and politics of REDD+

Ms. Frances Seymore (Distinguished Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute (WRI))

Keynote speech: Reviewing the development of national REDD-plus governance and schemes

Dr. Ruandha Agung Sugardiman (Director General of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia)

Session 1: Review of monitoring methods and safeguards system for REDD-plus

Dr. Marieke Sandker (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO))

Mr. Joaquim Armando Macuacua (Forestry Ministry of Land Environment and Rural Development, Mozambique)

Dr. Annalisa Savaresi (University of Stirling, U.K.)

Session 2: Progress review of REDD-plus from the viewpoint of policy and finance

Dr. Gerhard Dieterle (International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO))

Mr. Satoshi Ikeda (Financial Services Agency (FSA))

Mr. Kiyoshi Okumura (International Finance Corporation (IFC))

Panel discussion: Challenges and opportunities of REDD-plus, where we are and what to do now?

Ms. Frances Seymour     Dr. Ruandha Agung Sugardiman
Dr. Marieke Sandker     Mr. Joaquim Armando Macuacua
Dr. Annalisa Savaresi     Dr. Gerhard Dieterle
Mr. Satoshi Ikeda       Mr. Kiyoshi Okumura

How far have we reached ?
Overview the history of REDD-plus and explore opportunities