Elements of REDD+
The Four REDD+ Elements
To participate in REDD+, developing countries are expected to establish four key elements as outlined in Decision 1/CP.16.
Element 01
National REDD+ Strategy or Action Plan
A national strategy identifies the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and outlines policies and measures to address them while promoting sustainable forest management and conservation.
Element 02
Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) and/or Forest Reference Level (FRL)
A Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) or Forest Reference Level (FRL) serves as a benchmark against which a country's future performance in reducing emissions and enhancing removals is assessed.
Countries develop these reference levels using historical data, national circumstances and internationally accepted methodologies.
Element 03
National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)
The National Forest Monitoring System provides transparent, consistent and reliable information for monitoring changes in forest area and carbon stocks.
The system supports:
- Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV).
- Activity data generation.
- Greenhouse gas inventory compilation.
- Performance monitoring.
- Reporting under the UNFCCC.
Element 04
Safeguard Information System (SIS)
Countries implementing REDD+ are required to provide information on how the Cancun Safeguards are being addressed and respected during implementation.
The Safeguard Information System (SIS) promotes transparency and demonstrates that REDD+ implementation contributes to:
- Good forest governance.
- Respect for the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, where applicable.
- Full and effective stakeholder participation.
- Biodiversity conservation.
- Prevention of reversals and displacement of emissions.