The UN-REDD Programme is pleased to launch its third Policy Brief, entitled "Putting REDD+ Safeguards and Safeguard Information Systems into Practice".

The UN-REDD Programme Policy Brief, entitled “Putting REDD+ Safeguards and Safeguard Information Systems into Practice” examines the current state of work on REDD+ safeguards and outlines some of the key considerations for countries as they develop approaches to promote and support REDD+ safeguards. The brief also provides information on how safeguards are currently being addressed and respected. 

The brief highlights the fact that despite the potential for REDD+ policies to bring significant benefits for people and the environment, concerns have been raised that REDD+ could have negative impacts, such as restricting access for local people to forest products or the financing of forest management strategies that harm biodiversity. These concerns about the impacts of REDD+ led to the establishment of REDD+ "safeguards" within United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) decisions.   Safeguards are procedures and approaches that can help to ensure that REDD+ activities do no harm to people or the environment.  Countries undertaking REDD+ activities need to develop country-level approaches that enable them to respond to the requirements outlined in these recent UNFCCC decisions and ensure that social and environmental risks are minimized and benefits enhanced. The generic framework presented in the brief is intended to be a useful tool for countries as they develop these approaches to safeguards.

Download the Policy Brief in English. French and Spanish versions of this UN-REDD Programme Policy Brief will be available on the UN-REDD Programme website in February.