Be-REDD-I - Development of Belgian REDD Informations Systems

Context and objectives

The objective of REDD payment distribution mechanisms is to support policies and measures that reduce deforestation and degradation through transfer of revenues from international REDD funds or carbon markets to (or within) national levels (GOFC-GOLD 2009). This may provide benefits of three types: a) shared responsibility for reducing a major driver of global climate change, b) financial payments and co-investment that exceed the economic opportunities foregone from decisions to maintain carbon stocks, and c) co-benefits through the other environmental service functions that well-maintained forests can provide. To ensure demonstrable results on emission reduction, REDD must be effective in targeting the wide range of agents involved in deforestation and degradation. Therefore they must incentivize and reward good performances compared to reference scenarios and adequately compensate agents that suffer losses from changed practices. In this respect, valuable lessons can be learned from past and ongoing conservation efforts that have apparently failed. International REDD payments are likely to be performance based, both in terms of emission reduction at national scale and the environmental and social impacts of the system, meaning that accountability, transparency, risk management, adequate benefits transfer and administration mechanisms will be essential for attracting investment (Van Noordwijk et al. 2008).

More info on Belspo Fedra database