Publisher : United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)
Place of publication :
Publication year : 2008
Thematic : Reducing Emissions from Deforestration and Forest Degradation
Language : English
Note
Forests cover just over 30% of the earth’s land area. They house two-thirds of our terrestrial plant and animal species (World Bank, 2008) and they provide food, shade, shelter, timber and non-timber products, medicines and many other goods and “servicesâ€. These include helping to regulate the quality and flow of water supplies and contributing to the earth’s natural carbon cycle. A large number of Indigenous peoples live in and benefit from forested areas: the Rainforest Foundation estimates that tropical rainforests are home to 50 million Indigenous forest peoples, while the World Bank estimates that around 60 million Indigenous people are “almost wholly dependent on forests†(World Bank, 2008b). In the context of the increasing global focus on climate change, attention is being paid to the role of the forestry sector in contributing to and fighting climate change. In particular, this includes a recent focus on opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries - known as “REDDâ€. Such activities can present both risks to and opportunities for the interests and rights of Indigenous peoples. For this reason, it is vital that Indigenous communities have accurate information to help them make, and participate in, REDD-related decisions that may affect them.This is a short guide for Indigenous communities to climate change and to the current international debate surrounding REDD. Section 1 introduces the location and features of the world’s forests, and explains deforestation and forest degradation, and their causes and effects. Section 2 explains climate change, notes the impacts of climate change on Indigenous peoples, outlines the role of the forestry sector in both contributing to and fighting climate change, and introduces the concept of REDD. Section 3 explains the international regime set up to address climate change, namely the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. It also explains how this climate regime addresses Indigenous peoples and how it deals with the forestry sector. Sections 4 outlines international activity on REDD, both under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and in other conventions and institutions. Finally, Section 5 canvasses some potential opportunities and risks for Indigenous groups to think about, and some tools and fora to consider, in advocating a position on REDD. This is not a comprehensive analysis or legal guide to all aspects of REDD. Other reports have already done the former, though the extent to which they have addressed Indigenous issues has often been limited. The Reference List, included at the end of this guide, notes many additional sources of useful information. The list is divided by subject area and includes only references that are available free of charge on the Internet. These references are mostly English language references. A Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations is also included, followed by an Annex listing various multilateral and bilateral REDD efforts currently under way. International discussions surrounding REDD have not yet taken adequate account of the interests of Indigenous peoples. Nonetheless, parties have arguably provided a greater foundation for doing so than has been the case with any previous international debate about climate mitigation mechanisms. Even if it is only state parties that have the ultimate mandate to negotiate any decision or additional agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the unprecedented and explicit provision for consideration of Indigenous interests provides Indigenous groups with a real opportunity to have their voices heard. Moreover, various opportunities exist for REDD-related activities outside the UNFCCC system-providing further channels through which Indigenous peoples can and must have their say on this matter.
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Keywords : Implementation
Encoded by : Mae Belen Llanza
