faqs

The “+” in REDD+ refers to additional activities beyond reducing deforestation and forest degradation:

• Conservation of forest carbon stocks
• Sustainable management of forests
• Enhancement of forest carbon stocks through restoration and reforestation 
  
  

REDD+ implementation is coordinated by the  Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry through the National REDD+ Coordination office

Developing countries with tropical and subtropical forests are the primary eligible participants that can formally implement REDD+ and receive results-based payments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) REDD+ framework. To participate, countries are expected to progressively develop the four REDD+ elements: a national strategy or action plan, a national forest monitoring system, a forest reference emission level and/or forest reference level (FREL/FRL), and a system for providing information on how the Cancun Safeguards are being addressed and respected.

While national governments are the formal participants under the UNFCCC, successful REDD+ implementation depends on the active involvement of a broad range of stakeholders at international, national, sub-national, and local levels. These stakeholders contribute technical expertise, financing, governance, scientific knowledge, forest stewardship, and community engagement to ensure that REDD+ delivers climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development benefits.

Yes. REDD+ contributes to Kenya’s climate commitment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing carbon sequestration, restoring landscapes and supporting the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions  (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

To register a REDD+ project in Kenya, one has to generally follow the process as indicated in the Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024. The following process is followed:

1. Establish project eligibility and develop a project concept that aligns with one or more of the five REDD+ activities recognized under the UNFCCC and is consistent with Kenya’s national climate change, forestry, and sustainable development priorities. The concept should demonstrate the proposed project area, objectives, activities, potential emission reductions or removals, expected climate and socio-economic benefits, and alignment with national policies and strategies. 
2. Secure land use rights by demonstrating legal ownership or use rights over the project area and obtaining the necessary consent from landowners and affected communities, where applicable.
3. Undertake stakeholder consultations and ensure meaningful participation of local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and other relevant stakeholders, including the development of benefit-sharing arrangements.
4. Conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) or obtain the appropriate environmental approvals where required under Kenyan law.
5. Prepare and sign a community development agreement, if the project is on communal or public land.
6. Prepare a Project Design Document (PDD) describing the project activities, baseline scenario, methodology, estimated emission reductions or removals, monitoring plan, safeguards, and risk management measures.
7. Submit an application for national approval to the Designated National Authority (DNA), together with all supporting documentation required under the Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024.
8. Undergo technical review and recommendation, and approval process by the Designated National Authority  to confirm that the project complies with national legislation, contributes to Kenya's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and meets the requirements of the Regulations.
9. Validate the project through an independent accredited validation body in accordance with the selected carbon standard or programme.
10. Register the project in the National Carbon Registry, where approved projects are recorded to ensure transparency, avoid double counting, and facilitate tracking of carbon credits.
11. Register the project under an internationally recognized carbon standard, where applicable, to enable the issuance and trading of verified carbon credits.

A REDD+ project is a forest conservation or restoration initiative designed to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while generating environmental, social and economic benefits.

Carbon credits are tradable certificates representing verified reductions or removals of greenhouse gasses.

• Communities may benefit through:
• Employment opportunities
• Improved livelihood
• Biodiversity conservation
• Capacity building
• Carbon revenue sharing
• Better water resources
• Sustainable agriculture and,
• Infrastructure development

REDD+  safeguards help ensure:

• Respect for community rights
• Transparent governance
• Equitable benefit sharing
• Prevention of environmental and social harm
• Biodiversity protection
• Gender equality and social inclusion etc.