OCTF seminar followed by drinks – all welcome

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation plus the role of Conservation, Sustainable Forest Management, and Forest Carbon Stock Enhancement (REDD+) is an international climate mitigation mechanism that seeks to reward developing countries for implementing activities that improve forest management. Although the concept is laudable, forest policy makers and practitioners in numerous countries are often faced with significant challenges when it comes to translating REDD+ into practice. In most countries, the tangible benefits for forest communities and rural land users in terms of livelihood improvements remain out of reach in the near term. Nonetheless, progress can be visible in terms of REDD+ “Readiness” where institutions and stakeholders receive capacity development and design Emission Reduction strategies for future implementation. This talk will zoom in to Cameroon as an exemplary case engaged in REDD+ now for over a decade. The Readiness activities there include the development of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) guidelines for all REDD+ activities, the systematic analysis of deforestation drivers and strategy options, and the establishment of a Reference Level. The opportunities and challenges will be discussed, including how to link the national REDD+ strategy with private sector’s zero deforestation commitments.

With a PhD in forest policy and economics and a background in environmental governance, Sophia Carodenuto combines her research on international forest policy implementation with her current position at UNIQUE as a senior consultant. She is professionally engaged in a number of tropical forest countries, designing and implementing REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) and FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade). She consults governments, communities, and business actors in the land use sector with the aim of fostering collaboration towards development that integrates sustainable management of forests and natural resources. Her praxis-oriented research focuses on REDD+ and FLEGT tools and measures for implementation, including evidence-based policy making and policy learning, decentralization and multi-sector institutional collaboration, social and environmental safeguard monitoring, and transparency and environmental information system establishment.