The safeguards information system (SIS) is a required element for REDD+ implementation, agreed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and a prerequisite for results-based payments under this Convention and the Green Climate Fund. This Information Brief was issued in March 2020, and builds on, and attempts to summarize, key considerations synthesized from initial country experiences for putting a SIS into operation. In the context of REDD+, safeguards are measures to protect or avoid risks (do no harm), while promoting benefits. REDD+ stands for countries’ efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, foster conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. It is a mechanism that creates financial value for the carbon stored in forests by offering incentives for developing countries. The Brief aims to support the developing country government institutions, and their key partners in the design of the SIS or the actions to make it operational. Thus, the document supports developing country preparing for, or moving into the implementation phase of, REDD+. It is hoped that the brief can also be of value to civil society organizations, international development partners, donors and other stakeholders that are involved in ensuring that all safeguards are addressed and respected throughout the implementation of REDD+. Considerations are presented around four functional responsibilities of a SIS, which are compile and manage, analyze and interpret, assure quality and validate, and disseminate and use safeguards information. Some key country examples were included, specifically the experience from Zambia, Mexico, Ecuador and Viet Nam.
About the UN-REDD Programme
The UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) in developing countries. It was launched in 2008 and builds on the convening role and technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Programme supports nationally led REDD+ processes and promotes the informed and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and other forest-dependent communities, in national and international REDD+ implementation. It has supported 65 partner countries, spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
