Why REDD-net?

New proposals to use international financial mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) have radical implications for the ways in which tropical forests are valued internationally. Forest assets which were formerly unattractive are now the subject of increased attention from Northern and Southern governments, financial markets and international NGOs.

Three overarching problems that have emerged in the current REDD+ debate have made it difficult to pursue a pro-poor agenda:

1.   The need for information: REDD+ is a very knowledge-intensive field, with expertise located far from forest dependent communities.

2.   The need for attention to the social and equity agenda: Whilst expectations are being raised about the ‘co-benefits’ of REDD+, policy development has focused on scientific and technical matters, with less attention given to social and equity issues. Given the large size of the financial flows to which REDD+ could lead, it is important that policy development respects and supports internationally agreed social development goals.

3.   Keeping track with the pace of change: High international concern about climate change means that REDD+ policy and pilot developments are particularly fast-paced. This increases the necessity for, and urgency of, initiatives that enable southern NGOs to keep ahead of the debate and ensure that the needs of the poor are fully taken into account.

The power of interests surrounding climate change and REDD+, means that, even where governments are well-disposed, pursuing a pro-poor agenda will largely depend on the capacity of southern NGOs to assimilate the new knowledge and use it to champion the interests of the poor.