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This manual aims to train and help facilitators at different levels to explain the REDD+ concept and climate change to various stakeholders, including project implementers, local communities and indigenous people.

This handbook is the result of collaboration between two regional RECOFTC projects – Grassroots Capacity Building for REDD+ in Asia (REDD+ Grassroots Project) and Grassroots Equity and Enhanced Networks in the Mekong Region (GREEN Mekong Program). The objective of this question and answer handbook is to support grassroots facilitators who are engaged in delivering training programs on promoting social equity in climate change mitigation, specifically in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). It is also a quick reference material for key stakeholders at provincial or district levels, particularly forestry officials, who are engaged in local and regional level learning processes for promoting equity in the development of climate change mitigation measures, and related forest management practices. Although several, more complex, publications on the approach of REDD+ are available and, more recently, material on REDD+ related equity issues have been published, the fact remains that grassroots stakeholders have limited access to concise and easy-to-read material on equity in REDD+. As a consequence, it remains a challenge for grassroots stakeholders to comprehend and use relevant information to promote equity at the local level. Moreover, the concept of social equity is complex, even abstract to some extent; simpler explanations that can be easily understood and articulated at the local level are necessary. Low capacity of grassroots stakeholders, including local civil society and non-government organizations (CSOs and NGOs), impedes them from effectively articulating their aspirations and perspectives to policy-makers, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation by vested interest groups. This question and answer (Q&A) handbook therefore aims to provide simple explanations on some of the key aspects of social equity in the context of forests, climate change and REDD+. Khmer http://www.recoftc.org/node/38748 Lao http://www.recoftc.org/node/38752 Thai http://www.recoftc.org/node/38749 Vietnamese http://www.recoftc.org/node/38750

Given the role that forests play in mitigation and adaptation to climate change, there are potential synergies between REDD+ and the ability of populations to adapt to the impacts of climate change. As many countries in the region develop their national adaptation strategies, explicit incorporation of forests within these plans needs to be ensured. Conversely, mitigation activities such as REDD+ rarely include explicit references to adaptation or the development of adaptive capacity (FAO, 2012). Additionally, failure to consider mitigation and adaptation in the context of forests and forest based communities may result in an undermining of sustainable forestry practices and a loss of rights and livelihoods among vulnerable communities. Exploring the role of forests for mitigation, adaptation, and livelihoods can identify potential synergies and trade-offs.These case studies are based on local experiences in Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam in an attempt to explore how community forestry may contribute to adaptation and mitigation goals. They are exploratory and descriptive in nature and although not purporting to be representative of the region, they provide a foundation for a better understanding of these relationships.

The United Nations climate change talks in Cancun changed the shape of REDD+ negotiations and global forest policies. What effect will the decisions from the talks have on forests and forest users in Asia and the Pacific? Eleven climate change and forestry experts gathered to reflect on these issues, and this booklet summarizes their responses to 12 key questions.

Over the past two years, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests have brought together regional experts to reflect on the outcomes of the 15th and 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The resulting booklets Forests and Climate Change After Copenhagen: An Asia-Pacific Perspective and Forests and Climate Change After Cancun: An Asia-Pacific Perspective were distributed widely and very well received.In February 2012, RECOFTC, FAO, and CoDe REDD, with support from GIZ-BMU, REDD-net, NORAD, ASFN, and SDC, brought together 13 climate change and forestry experts in Quezon City, Philippines, to discuss the implications on the forestry sector in the Asia-Pacific region of decisions taken at COP 17, held in Durban, South Africa, in November and December 2011. This booklet summarizes their responses to a set of 13 key questions raised at the workshop.

Over the past three years RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have brought together regional experts to reflect on the outcomes of the 15th, 16th and 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The resulting booklets “Forests and Climate Change after Copenhagen,” “after Cancun” and “after Durban” were distributed widely and very well received. In February 2013, RECOFTC and FAO, along with host institution, the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, brought together 11 climate change and forestry experts in Bogor, Indonesia, to discuss the implications of decisions taken at the COP 18 held in Doha, Qatar in November and December 2012 on the forestry sector of the Asia-Pacific region. This booklet summarizes their responses to a set of 12 key questions raised at the consultation.  

Following Copenhagen, forestry stakeholders have raised many questions about the meaning of COP15 for people, forests, and forestry. FAO and RECOFTC recently brought together 12 experts in Bali to debate the issues and provide answers to a dozen key questions. This report summarizes the discussions.

Community forestry can be part of an approach that ensures important rights such as basic livelihood needs, forest access and tenure and participation in decision-making are met. It also provides a basket of multiple benefits with the potential to incentivise sustainable forest management whether or not carbon payments come through.