This presentation by Martin Herold, a scientist with Wageningen University and associate with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), was given on 28 November 2012 at a joint CIFOR and GOFC-GOLD (Global Observation of Forest Cover and Land Dynamics) UNFCCC COP18 side-event in Doha, Qatar.

1. CIFOR / GOFC-GOLD side event at UNFCCC COP 18, Doha
Step-wise progress for REDD+ monitoring
Martin Herold
28. November 2012
THINKING beyond the canopy

2. Framework for national REDD+ monitoring
National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon)
National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG)
Past Current Future

3. Variability in country forest monitoring capacities
Capacity gap for REDD+ monitoring Romijn et al., ESP 2012

4. Success factors for improving capacities
Level of importance

5. Framework for national REDD+ monitoring
National
REDD+ strategy and
implementation
National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon)
National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG)
Past Current Future
REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

6. National forest monitoring systems
1. An national forest monitoring systems should:
● Provide estimates on GHG emissions and removals
from all forest land
● Provide data for policy assessment and includes multi-
sector involvement;
● Be linked to monitoring of other forest values;
2. Take advantage of existing national forest monitoring and
inventory systems
3. Monitoring/sampling strategies may need to be adapted for
measuring and monitoring forest changes and associated
carbon emissions using IPCC GPG
4. Stepwise progress and continuous improvement cycles:
● Uncertainty, omission of C-pools & gases, scale

7. GOFC-GOLD REDD+ Sourcebook
http://www.gofcgold.wur.nl/redd
A sourcebook of methods and procedures for
monitoring and reporting anthropogenic greenhouse
gas emissions and removals caused by deforestation,
gains and losses of carbon stocks in forests
remaining forests, and forestation
Latest version published for COP-18 in Doha

8. Framework for national REDD+ monitoring
National
REDD+ strategy and
implementation
National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon)
National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG)
Reference level (stepwise improvement)
Past Current Future
REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

9. Developing REDD+ reference levels
• REL first key “number” to be provided by REDD+ countries
• Historical data and understanding forest change patterns
and underlying causes are important
– to take national circumstances into account,
– to construct scenarios that deviate from historical trends
• The availability of data including those of drivers is uncertain
in many REDD+ countries
– Stepwise approach as starting point to match available
data and their quality with the choice of reference level
methods, its uncertainties and country circumstances

10. Overview of a step-wise approach for RELs
Source: Herold et al., 2012, CIFOR policy brief
• Availability & quality of data should determine the methods to develop
reference levels

11. Framework for national REDD+ monitoring
National
REDD+ strategy and Local REDD+ monitoring
implementation
MRV of REDD+ actions
(national)
National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon)
National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG)
Reference level (stepwise improvement)
Past Current Future
REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

12. Planning and implementation for REDD+ MRV
1. Define initial priorities for capacity development:
● understanding the national REDD+
implementation strategies and policies
● identifying high priority areas to focus MRV
activities (and demonstrations) using a
stratified national approach
2. Early actions will need to deal with partial MRV but
leakage need to be assessed nationally
3. Link with evolving benefit sharing mechanisms
4. Synergy of national and local monitoring
● Role of local communities and experts in
REDD+ implementation

13. International Source: Pratihast et al., 2013,
Carbon Management
reporting
National-
level MRV
• National priorities and • REDD+ participation and
strategies for local REDD+ safeguards
implementation • Local data collection as input
• National datasets and to national monitoring (forest
streams for local use inventory, regular and near-
• Capacity development and real time tracking of forest
revenue stream (for MRV) change events)
• MRV guidance & standards • Performance reporting (long-
• National data infrastructure term) for local implementation
and quality control of local activities
measurements • Independent data sources for
• Monitoring of leakage validation purposes
Local
monitoring

14. Framework for national REDD+ monitoring
National
REDD+ performance (national)
REDD+ strategy and Local REDD+ monitoring
implementation
International verification
MRV of REDD+ actions
(national)
National forest monitoring (i.e. carbon)
National GHG inventory (IPCC GPG)
Reference level (stepwise improvement)
Past Current Future
REDD+ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

15. International verification and performance
1. International verification anticipated for
participation in results-based schemes
2. Cover emissions and removals estimates, and
consistency with reference levels
3. Could also include NFMSs, consultation,
safeguards and wider forest values.
4. Use a facilitative and non-confrontational
approach and should be valuable for increasing
policy effectiveness and sharing experiences
5. Interim performance reporting can catalyse
progress on MRV and broader REDD+ agenda

16. Concluding remarks
1. National forest monitoring capacities vary
2. Continuous/cyclic improvements important
to encourage broad participation and step-
wise progress (i.e. along REDD+ phases)
3. Experiences on how to improve capacities
4. Sustained support on the national and
from the international level
5. Linking data and estimates to financial
incentives and benefit sharing

17. Additional background materials and reading
 New report on capacity development in national forest monitoring:
experiences for REDD+: http://www.cifor.org/online-
library/browse/view-publication/publication/3944.html
 An updated version of the GOFC-GOLD Sourcebook:
http://www.gofcgold.wur.nl/redd/index.php
 Hosonuma et al, Assessment of deforestation and forest degradation
drivers, ERL http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/7/4/044009
 Romijn et al, Assessing capacities of non-Annex I countries for
national forest, ESP
 Pratihast, A. K., et al. (2013). Linking community-based and national
REDD+ monitoring, Carbon Management
 De Sy et al, Synergies of multiple remote sensing data sources for
REDD+ monitoring. COSUST