PUBLICATIONS

Carbon markets and forest conservation: A review of the environmental benefits of REDD mechanisms
UNEP-WCMC has undertaken a review of existing and planned measures to promote environmental co-benefits from REDD. It considers the options for how these measures might be developed in the future. This report is available here.

Promoting biodiversity co-benefits in REDD
This recent OECD report examines how biodiversity co-benefits in REDD can be enhanced, both at the design and implementation level. It discusses potential biodiversity implications of different REDD design options that have been put forward in the international climate change negotiations and proceeds by examining how the creation of additional biodiversity-specific incentives could be used to complement a REDD mechanism, so as to target biodiversity benefits directly. More: www.oecd.org/env/biodiversity

Compilation of readiness activities prepared on behalf of the Forum on Readiness for REDD
Supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC) has prepared "An Overview of Readiness for REDD: A compilation of readiness activities prepared on behalf of the Forum on Readiness for REDD". This document provides useful information on various REDD initiatives underway around the world, serving as an up-to-date register of on-going activities in a number of countries. The document allows interested stakeholders to get a snapshot of readiness activities taking place both globally and in their country or region, as a way to highlight potential gaps and synergies and encourage collaboration and partnerships in all facets of readiness efforts. This report is available here.

REDD Realities: How strategies to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation could impact on biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples in developing countries
REDD currently dominates the debate about forests and climate change. It is presented as a win-win situation; climate, forests, and people would all gain. But how does a theoretical success work out on the ground? In places where legislation on biodiversity is weak? Where safeguards to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples do hardly exist? The new report 'REDD Realities' explores this question. Nine member organizations of the Global Forest Coalition examined REDD strategies and activities in their countries. To download the report: English, French, or Spanish. For more information about the Global Forest Coalition and its activities, visit: http://www.globalforestcoalition.org.

Opportunities for achieving biodiversity conservation through REDD
A recent paper in Conservation Letters explores how the design and implementation of REDD will impact biodiversity conservation, and highlights opportunities for achieving biodiversity conservation through REDD. The authors highlight that the most important immediate step is to ensure that REDD maximizes the area of tropical forest conserved. However, it may also be possible to include guidelines or incentives within a REDD framework or in national implementation to channel funding to areas of high biodiversity. For more information, see: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122688053/abstract.

"The End of the Hinterland: Forests, Conflict and Climate Change"
Without clear rules to address land tenure and forests rights issues, REDD could increase conflict by boosting the perceived value of forest land, cautions a recent report by the Washington-based Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). The report warns that this could jeopardize the effectiveness of REDD and put forest-dependent communities at risk of exploitation. The report is available here.

CALL FOR POSTERS

Fourteenth Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice, 10 – 21 May 2010, Nairobi, Kenya
The theme of the poster session for the fourteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 10 to 21 May 2010, is: "Biodiversity and Climate Change: Achieving the 2020 Targets". Posters and extended abstracts are being accepted on case studies and best practices on how measures to address climate change and biodiversity loss can be mutually supportive in achieving the new strategic plan of the CBD. Please indicate your intention to present a poster paper by completing and returning the poster form (at the link below) by fax or email at your earliest convenience, but no later than 12 March 2010. Upon receipt of your form, we will be pleased to forward detailed guidelines for posters and extended abstracts. Submission of posters and abstracts is not restricted to meeting participants. More: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2010/ntf-2010-026-sbstta14-en.pdf.

How can you publish in this Newsletter?

Your contributions to this Newsletter on issues related to biodiversity aspects of REDD-plus are welcome. Please send your submission to [email protected], Subject "REDD Newsletter". Articles should contain no more than 60 words, and must contain a hyperlink for more information. more information please see: http://www.cbd.int/forest/redd/newsletters/

Deadline to submit articles for the next issue: 15 April 2010.

This Newsletter is published pursuant to CBD decision IX/5. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Secretariat of the CBD.