Day 1 Highlights

Indonesia's Journey in Accessing RBP and REDD+ Implementation 

Presenter:  Wahyu Marjaka
Position: Director of Mobilization of Sectoral and Regional Resources, Directorate General of Climate Change,  Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia

Link to the Presentation

Indonesia shared its strategic and systematic approach to embed its forestry sector in its NDCs as well as the Long-Term Strategy on Low Carbon and Climate Resilience 2050, which is encapsulated in the FOLU Net Sink 2030 initiative. In its transformation from a net emitter to a net-sink in 2030, REDD+ plays an important role, including as a point to enhance synergy between the three Rio Conventions of UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD. Building on the UNFCCC Warsaw Framework for REDD+, Indonesia shared the REDD+ regulatory and legislative framework, followed by its approach to Articles 5 and 6 of the Paris Agreement. 

Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 in the Context of REDD+ Implementation

Presenter:  Ruandha Agung Sugardiman
Position: Vice Chairman of Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030, Ministry of Environment and Forestry

Link to the Presentation

Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030 initiative represents a comprehensive strategy aimed at combating climate change through sustainable forest management and emissions reduction. The outlined targets and milestones reflect a proactive approach to aligning national policies with global climate objectives. To enhance the effectiveness of this initiative, several practical recommendations are proposed. First, strengthening MRV systems by investing in advanced technologies and training will improve the accuracy of data collection and reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability. Second, enhancing community engagement through robust social forestry programs will empower local communities, enabling them to play an active role in forest management while directly benefiting from conservation efforts. Finally, diversifying funding sources by exploring additional avenues, including public-private partnerships and international financing, will provide essential support for the ongoing implementation of the FOLU Net Sink initiative. 

REDD+ Finance Management in Indonesia

Presenter: Joko Triharyanto
Position: The Executive Director, Indonesian Environment Fund

Link to The Presentation

The Indonesian Environment Fund plays a critical role in managing REDD+ finance, facilitating the implementation of sustainable practices through a structured regulatory framework and targeted capacity-building initiatives. However, for the IEF to maximize its impact, several improvements are necessary. Streamlining application processes and simplifying criteria for accessing performance-based payments would encourage broader stakeholder participation and foster a more inclusive approach to climate action. Enhancing capacity-building initiatives, targeting 1,000 participants by 2025, would empower stakeholders to navigate the REDD+ financing landscape effectively. Lastly, strengthening data-sharing mechanisms among stakeholders would promote greater transparency and collaborative efforts, ultimately fostering accountability within the management of REDD+ finance. By implementing these recommendations, the Indonesian Environment Fund can significantly enhance its efficacy and contribute more effectively to the nation’s climate goals and sustainable development objectives.

Brazil's REDD+ Journey

Presenter: Marcelo Ling
Position: Project Technical Advisor, UNDP Brazil

Link to The Presentation

Brazil’s REDD+ journey is characterized by notable milestones and a comprehensive governance structure that promotes stakeholder engagement. Nonetheless, the underutilization of the RBPs received poses a significant barrier to achieving national climate goals. Recommendations for improving the situation include streamlining access to payments by simplifying eligibility criteria, which would enhance participation and incentivize sustainable practices. Finally, investing in advanced monitoring systems, such as satellite and ground-based technologies, would facilitate accurate tracking of deforestation and degradation, thereby improving reporting and accountability. By addressing these recommendations, Brazil can better harness the potential of RBPs within its REDD+ initiatives and make significant strides in combating deforestation while promoting sustainable development.

Cambodia’s REDD+ Journey 

Presenter: Kamal Uy
Position: Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Environmental Knowledge and Information (GDEKI), Ministry of Environment, Cambodia

Link to the presentation

Cambodia made remarkable strides in its REDD+ journey, characterized by a well-defined national framework, strategic partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives. The ambitious goal of reducing deforestation and enhancing carbon sinks is within reach, provided there is continued commitment and support from all stakeholders. The objective is to highlight the significance of a robust national framework that harmonizes climate finance with broader development goals, illustrating Cambodia's commitment to balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability. The country identifies three opportunities to link the climate finance to NDC that include: Data/system tracking for NDC, Action & Investment Plan (AIP) for NDC Implementation, and Finances and Integrity: Regulatory Framework (RF). 

Costa Rica's REDD+ Journey 

Presenter:  Oscar Mora & Maureen Ballestero Vargas

Position: Director of National Wildfire Management Program & Project Coordinator, UNDP Costa Rica

Link to The Presentation 

Costa Rica's success in achieving an approximate 59% of forest cover in 2023 compared to 26% forest cover in 1984 was built on a robust legal and institutional framework, with a strong national system of protected areas. The new Forestry Law introduced in 1996 also paved the way to create their national Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in the forestry sector, administered by the National Forestry Financing Fund (FONAFIFO).  As one of the pioneers of REDD, Costa Rica was strategic in how it accessed REDD+ RBP opportunities from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and the GCF to continue supporting the PES.    

Democratic Republic of Congo's REDD+ Journey 

Presenter:  Isaac Kalonda Kanyama

Position: GCF National Designated Authority, Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Link to the Presentation

DRC has established a comprehensive national REDD+ framework that has successfully mobilized significant financial resources for its implementation.  The success of financial initiatives in relation to REDD+ is contingent upon effective governance and community involvement. Ongoing pilot projects and governance tools are critical for effective execution. However, to ensure long-term success, DRC must address several challenges related to funding, stakeholder engagement, and governance. Recommendations for improvement include enhancing capacity-building initiatives through training programs for local communities and stakeholders to elevate their monitoring and implementation skills. Other effective efforts can be identified that include involvements of local community, despite facing challenges of varying capacities among stakeholders. Insufficient transparency in monitoring and reporting practices can undermine accountability and trust, complicating efforts to attract further investment. And the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks that can adapt to regional challenges is critical for the successful implementation of REDD+ initiatives.

Ecuador's REDD+ Journey

Presenter: Patricia Serrano
Position: Regional Technical Specialist LAC, UNDP

Link to the Presentation

Ecuador's REDD+ journey illustrates the critical importance of a robust policy and institutional framework in driving sustainable land use and emissions reductions. The country has made significant strides in establishing a well-defined REDD+ Action Plan, successfully implementing results-based payment mechanisms, and committing to continuous improvement through stakeholder engagement. Ecuador's success in implementing REDD+ is determined from initiatives such as PROAmazon that began in 2018 and the REM program that during 2019 began its execution in Ecuador. Several key steps include a shift on Policies and Institutional framework, Transition to sustainable and deforestation-free production, Sustainable Forest Management, Forest Conservation and Restoration REDD+ and financing

Strengthening REDD+ Architecture: Indonesia REDD+ National Strategy 2021 - 2030 and Implementation of Safeguards-SIS-REDD+

Presenter: Yulia Suryanti
Position: Director of Climate Change Mitigation, Ministry of Environment and Forestry

Link to the presentation

Indonesia's REDD+ National Strategy for 2021-2030 is a pivotal initiative for the country’s climate change mitigation efforts. It covers four interlinked elements: architecture; means of implementation; institution, regulation and system; and implementation. The significant reduction in emissions and deforestation, coupled with rising community engagement, highlights the potential of REDD+ to drive meaningful and sustained change in the FOLU sector. By addressing the existing challenges through targeted training, improved data reporting, and enhanced stakeholder engagement, Indonesia can continue to make meaningful progress in its climate goals while empowering local communities and preserving its invaluable forest resources.

Indonesia’s RBP Benefit Sharing Mechanism

Presenter: Wahyu Marjaka
Position: Director of Sectoral and Regional Resource Mobilization,  Ministry of Environment and Forestry

Link to the presentation

Indonesia's Benefit Sharing Mechanism (BSM) is designed to ensure both continuation to ensure emissions reductions from the FOLU sector as well as equitable distribution of benefits derived from emissions reductions among stakeholders, including local communities, government entities, and the private sector. Key aspects of the BSM include equity and fairness where financial and non-financial benefits are distributed  fairly among stakeholders, promoting social justice, incentives for participation that encourages active participation from local communities in forest conservation and sustainable practices, and a governance framework that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement. The allocation strategy emphasizes a robust performance-based approach, ensuring that those engaged in emissions reduction efforts are adequately rewarded. Indonesia's lessons revolved around a need for enhanced communication, capacity-building initiatives, and streamlined processes.

System Support and Institution Elaboration for Strengthening REDD+ Architecture 

Presenter:  Rully Dhora Carolyn
Position: Junior Policy Analyst, Ministry of Environment and Forestry

Link to the presentation

Indonesia's strategic approach to managing its forests and mitigating climate change is encapsulated in its commitment to the NDCs. The four key components of the country's REDD+ architecture are the FREL, NFMS, MRV and a National Registry system. The FREL establishes a baseline to evaluate the success of REDD+ initiatives in reducing emissions. The NFMS provides comprehensive and up-to-date data on land cover. The MRV tracks GHG emissions and verify the outcomes of mitigation efforts. The NRS manages emissions reduction credits and ensures compliance with carbon pricing mechanisms. Through this comprehensive REDD+ Architecture, Indonesia shows positive trends of decline in deforestation, high engagement level in the local stakeholders’ participations indicating a strong community connection to the success of these programs, and driven motivation of local communities and organizations to actively participate in conservation efforts through financial incentives. 

Brazil's Experiences, Opportunities & Challenges in REDD+ Implementation

Presenter: Marcelo Ling
Position: Project Technical Advisor, UNDP Brazil

Link to the presentation

Brazil's RBPs, such as the REDD Early Movers at the subnational level, GCF REDD+ RBP pilot program were invested in a mix of policies and programs or activities that will result in direct impact on the ground. The 2023 to 2025 strategy of the Amazon Fund was to invest in key policies such as the PPCDAm, National REDD+ Strategy, subnational plans for deforestation control that will collectively support the NDC to achieve zero deforestation by 2030. Among the key lessons are to identify synergies and integrate social policies to expand core activities and intensify co-benefits from RBP investments. Another lesson was that multi-level strong and continuous capacity building is pivotal, especially because social and environmental safeguards is challenging to implement and monitor, which could then affect implementation. A third lesson is that benefit-sharing systems must be flexible to adapt to regional context, consider the history of land use, socioeconomic dynamics and particularities of the communities. 

Cambodia's Experiences, Opportunities & Challenges in REDD+ Implementation 

Presenter: Kamal Uy
Position: Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Environmental Knowledge and Information (GDEKI), Ministry of Environment, Cambodia

Link to the presentation

Cambodia plans to reinvest future RBPs to generate further emissions reductions from the LULUCF sector through the NDC, its Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality and it Circulate Strategy for the Environment.  In the LULUCF sector, Cambodia will be guided by its National REDD+ Strategy (2017 - 2026) and the corresponding Action and Investment Plan which outlines three clear objectives and main activities. Prioritization will further be informed by four criteria: mitigation efficient; technical; development; and political. Potential operational and technical gaps range from sustained political engagement and good governance to access to sustainable finance to subnational to national collaboration and coordination to land tenure conflicts to effective implementation of safeguards.

Costa Rica's Experiences, Opportunities & Challenges in REDD+ Implementation 

Presenter:  Oscar Mora, Maureen Ballestero Vargas & Jorge Colle

Position: Director of National Wildfire Management Program, Project Coordinator, & PBP Project Coordinator, UNDP Costa Rica

Link to the presentation

The RBPs in Costa Rica are invested in several key programs: The Forestry and Territorial Environmental Plans (PAFTs), deforestation-free coffee export in anticipation of the EU Deforestation Regulations and the National Fire Management Plan. PAFTs  is a planning tool for indigenous peoples to define their priorities, including the use of resources from climate finance through the PES and territorial solutions through a free, prior and informed consent process. The GCF RBP aims to support the development of 24 PAFTs, of which 14 have been completed.  RBP investments in the national forest fire management plan commenced during the fire season in 2022 with national forest fire prevention campaigns, communication materials to highlight the role of female forest fire fighters who represented 30% of the fire brigade members. 

Democratic Republic of Congo's Experiences, Opportunities & Challenges in REDD+ Implementation

Presenter:  Isaac Kalonda Kanyama

Position:  GCF National Designated Authority, Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Link to the Presentation

DRC's NDC proposes to reduce GHG emissions by 21% (19% conditional and 2% unconditional) by 2030 from BAU, which translates into 650 Mt CO2e, with 30 mitigation actions proposed in energy, agriculture, waste and FOLU sector. While total mitigation cost is estimated at USD 25.6 billion, from 2000 to 2022, only USD 6.1 million have materialized. Among the potential investment areas for future RBPs are sustainably manage logging areas, support the development of community forestry as an instrument to conserve biodiversity and forests in rural areas, disseminate traditional and innovative techniques to preserve forests through afforestation and reforestation activities as well as restore wetland, especially peatlands used for agriculture and livestock. Among the challenges DRC face are the integration of REDD+ into development plans and budgets, MRV systems functionality, strengthen capacities of stakeholders. Challenges under Article 6 and the carbon markets more broadly include establishing a strategic framework and regulation for carbon markets, include a national Article 6 implementation mechanism, technical procedure to approve projects and authorize corresponding adjustments and operationalize the national carbon registry.