For Immediate Release: December 2, 2011

The Review Process for REDD+ NFRELs/NFRLs

Source: FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.7

Summary
Document “FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.7” aggregates 16 submissions representing views of 69 countries concerning REDD+ methodological guidance.  Of these submissions, 10 of them, representing the views of 56 countries, asked SBSTA35 to establish a process by which national NFRELs/NFRLs would be subject to an independent, transparent review under the auspices of the UNFCCC.  Paragraph 14 in version 1 of draft text for SBSTA 35 agenda item 4 delays the decision for establishing a review process until SBSTA36 despite substantial support for a SBSTA35 decision.  Although version 1 draft text contains strong language for NFRELs/NFRLs modalities, a delay in establishing this review process would undermine efforts by all Parties to ensure robust technical underpinnings of REDD+ NFRELs/NFRLs and ensure that any eventual positive incentives for REDD+ are made on the basis of adequate environmental integrity. 
Recommendation
The Tropical Forest Group recommends SBSTA 35 add language that establishes an independent and transparent review of NFRELs/NFRLs by a team of independent experts. This recommendation is supported by 56 of 69 contributing countries.
Para 14. “Agrees to establish a process of independent, expert, and transparent review of country’s national forest reference emission level and/or national forest reference level coordinated by the Secretariat, and requests SBSTA 36 to develop guidance for the review.”                                  
Countries with submissions regarding REDD+ Reference Level methodological guidance for SBSTA 35
(Bold = countries with explicit support for a review process )

* Note: Brazil’s submission only included guidance on systems for providing information on how safeguards are addressed and respected

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