Report Explores Experiences and Lessons for Equitable Benefit Sharing and REDD+ in Tanzania
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A new report entitled, "Equitable Benefit Sharing: Exploring Experiences and Lessons for REDD+ in Tanzania" has just been published. The report and an accompanying information summary were developed in collaboration with the nine NGOs that are implementing REDD+ pilot projects in Tanzania.
The purpose of the report is to facilitate documentation of emerging examples and lessons on benefit sharing from REDD+ pilot projects; enhance Tanzanian stakeholders' understanding of equitable REDD+ benefit sharing; and identify practical benefit sharing options for the consideration of REDD+ implementers in Tanzania.
"Equitable benefit sharing is imperative if REDD+ is to result in sustainable emissions reductions, realize substantial benefits for forest communities, and avoid making vulnerable people worse off," the report states. "Benefit sharing is, in other words, an ethical obligation that helps make REDD+ effective, equitable, sustainable, and accepted."
The key messages, highlighted in the information brief, are as follows:
- If effectively implemented, equitable benefit sharing can help ensure REDD+ reduces emissions, realizessubstantial benefits for forest communities and does not make vulnerable people worse off.
- REDD+ financial incentives and other benefits will need to be shared among many actors at multiple levels, but substantial benefits should go to forest communities.
- Establishing effective and equitable benefit sharing is challenging; therefore, mechanisms should be designed, implemented and monitored in accordance with social and environmental safeguards.
- Lessons learned from REDD+ projects and other community based natural resource management initiatives should help inform benefit sharing mechanisms, so that they are equitable, realistic and effective.
The Tanzania Natural Resource Forum facilitated the production of the report and information brief, and participating institutions include, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), CARE Tanzania, Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), Mpingo Conservation and DevelopmentInitiative (MCDI), Tanzania Community Forest Network (MJUMITA), Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG), Tanzania Traditional Energy Development Organization (TaTEDO), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST).
The report will be shared at a side event today at the UNFCCC COP 18 in Doha, Qatar.
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