Frontpage > Environment and Development > REDD

REDD - Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

Schemes to mitigate climate change, may, through their support for e.g. the rapid expansion of bio-fuel plantations and the establishment of “carbon protected areas” in indigenous peoples’ forests, turn out to be yet another threat to indigenous peoples’ lands and livelihoods.

Mitigation schemes may, on the other hand, offer opportunities for strengthening indigenous communities' forest tenure and for income generation. The challenge facing communities is to critically assess the potential threats and benefits and to take an informed decision.

Mitigation schemes include REDD, Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the Clean Development Mechanism, CDM.

Raising awareness of the implications of REDD for indigenous peoples

Training for leaders is a key strategic component of IWGIA’s program on REDD, which is being implemented in various African and Asian countries. The program seeks to raise awareness among indigenous communities of climate change and REDD and to strengthen the capacity of their leaders to conduct advocacy work and negotiations on REDD with States. Training manuals are being developed and translated into local languages, regional training of trainers is being conducted, followed by national and local level training in the partner countries.

In 2010, one of IWGIA’s priorities with regard to its work on climate change was awareness raising and advocacy around the REDD schemes. These activities were supported within a new regional project in Asia entitled Promoting Rights-based, Equitable and Pro-Poor REDD Strategies in South and Southeast Asia, as well as through large dialogue meetings bringing together indigenous leaders, civil society organizations and relevant government agencies.

Web site on indigenous peoples, climate change and REDD

One of the results of IWGIA’s engagement and support for awareness raising on the implications of REDD for indigenous peoples is the creation of a website with background material about REDD and indigenous rights by the Climate Change Monitoring and Information Network (CCMIN).

The website is a platform for experience sharing where IWGIA’s partners post news items on REDD-related developments in their countries. In effect, the website is an important capacity building tool for our project partners and other indigenous organizations engaged in REDD activities in their countries.

Visit the Climate Change Monitoring and Information Network website here (external link)