Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation is knocking at the door of Pakistan: IG, Forests

Islamabad: Experts and analysts said the REDD+ is a new a commodity and a balanced relationship among forest stakeholders such as indigenous communities, national government and private sector would create opportunities and benefits for them.

Ingrid Nyberg, Associate Professor, Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), Norway, Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector General of Forests, Forestry Wing, Planning Commission of Pakistan, Islamabad and Kanwar M. Javed Iqbal, Coordinator, Pakistan Carbon Initiative (PCI) at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad said it during a special seminar entitled “Complaints and readiness mechanism for REDD+ in Pakistan: the way forward” organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Wednesday. Faisal Nadeem Gorchani, Coordinator, Policy Advocacy and Outreach, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad conducted the proceedings and maintained that the efforts of engaging the stakeholders in such a dialogue process would enable the country to develop a balanced relationship among them where one stakeholders is not taking advantage at the cost of other.

Syed Nasir said the REDD+ involves capturing or monetizing the value of carbon in forests while avoiding the environmental and social costs. He said that the concept has five dimensions which include reducing emissions from deforestation, reducing emissions from forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. He said that REDD-plus mechanism is effective, efficient and equitable. Consistent with current usage in the UNFCCC negotiations, REDD-plus will create incentives for the full range of forest-based mitigation activities. In addition, REDD-plus finance mechanism must also create incentives for additional actions in conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of carbon stocks, as envisioned in the Bali Action Plan. He further defined the three phase approach of REDD-plus which enable REDD-plus at a country level.

Ingrid Nyborg said that a lot of work has been started on REDD-plus since last many years as initially pilot project was started in Brazil, Vietnam and GANA and now Pakistan would be included in future research. She said our main effort for complaint mechanism is to implement this mechanism globally. She said that inclusive and accountable forest management can be established through strong partnerships and active involvement of stakeholders. She said that REDD-plus must be underpinned by transparent, inclusive and accountable forest management based on local processes, and this demands strong partnerships for the rights and active participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, consistent with international obligations and standards such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and locally defined measures and legal systems.

Key areas of concern are the clarification and strengthening of tenure, property and carbon rights. She said that effective and efficient interventions through multi-stakeholder platforms and active engagement, where possible, should be ensured in national processes. Multi-stakeholder platforms in the REDD-plus planning process not only contribute to equitable participation and representation but also ensure smooth functions.

While giving a detailed paper presentation, Kanwar M. Javed Iqbal said the carbon is being traded as commodity worldwide and Pakistan needs to reform its forest related legislation. He shared an important research based “POST 18TH AMENDMENT MODEL” as doorstep guideline and way forward for developing Pakistan’s REDD+ strategy and entering into the global mainstream. Earlier, he explained the background of REDD+ mechanism, how a project generates carbon credit through compliance or voluntary market guidelines. He provided picture of global dynamics and national developments, and emphasized for the need to keep intact the national level focal point for REDD which was created as part of office of IG Forests at national level. According to him, there is a need to create strong coherence between national focal point and provincial contexts in order to get successful results from REDD+ to improve the livelihood of indigenous community and strengthen our national economy.