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New Guide on REDD-plus and Biodiversity by CBD Secretariat
6th June 2011

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat has launched a new guide on REDD-plus and Biodiversity: volume no. 59 in the CBD Technical Series aims to inform CBD National Focal Points and other biodiversity experts how to support REDD-plus design and implementation efforts.

The document is available for download at www.cbd.int/ts. Hard copies will be available after 10 June, and can be requested free of charge at publications@cbd.int

The Forward of the Guide is written by Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, who writes:

'Climate change, land degradation and biodiversity are interconnected, not only through effects of climate change on biodiversity and land management, but also through changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning that affect climate change. The observed changes in climate have already adversely affected biodiversity at the species and ecosystem level, with further changes in biodiversity being inevitable with further changes in climate. The degradation of many ecosystems is in turn significantly reducing their carbon storage and sequestration capacity, leading to increases in emissions of greenhouse gases.

'In the light of this scenario, we can no longer sit idly by: immediate and concerted action to combat climate change and to save biodiversity is required if we are to meet the Millennium Development Goals, maintain essential ecosystem services, and improve the quality of life for the world’s poor.

'Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDDplus) may be part of the solution. If well designed and implemented, REDD-plus can decrease emissions of greenhouse gases and provide considerable benefits for biodiversity and livelihoods.

'This potential has been recognized by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), who invited Parties, other Governments, and relevant international and other organizations to ensure that REDD-plus actions do not run counter to the objectives of the CBD, but support the implementation of the programme of work on forest biodiversity, and provide biodiversity benefits for forests, and, where possible, to indigenous and local communities (Decision IX/5).'

 

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