The REDD+ initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, crucial as the forestry sector accounts for nearly 12% of global emissions. In Sri Lanka, a phased implementation has been initiated under national strategies, resulting in the establishment of a national forest monitoring system and policies aimed at sustainable forest management. Key activities include enhancing forest carbon stocks, restoring ecosystems, and addressing drivers of deforestation, with an emphasis on governance and community participation.

1. REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation)

2. International context
• Forestry sector alone accounts for nearly 12% of GHG
emissions. This sector is only second to global energy
sector and higher than the transport sector.
• To address the emissions from the forestry sector a
results based financing mechanism has been developed
under the UNFCCC.
• The Cancun Agreements indicate that REDD+ should be
implemented in phases; 1) development of national
strategies/action plans, 2) policies and measures, 3)
capacity building 4) implementation

3. International context
• REDD+ mechanism identifies 5 major activities for which
results based payments may be claimed.
A. Reducing emissions from deforestation
B. Reducing emissions from forest degradation
C. Conservation of forest carbon stocks
D. Sustainable management of forests
E. Enhancement of forest carbon stocks

4. National Context (Sri Lanka)
• SL became a UN-REDD partner country in 2009. Government fo Sri
Lanka (GoSL) through the forest department (FD), department of
wildlife conservation (DWC) and the CCS with many stakeholders
and support of 3 UN organisations has jointly implemented a UN-
REDD National Program (2013 to 2017).
• Forest definition - Sri Lanka defines forests as land with tree crown
cover of more than 10%and area of more than 0.5 ha with trees
able to reach a minimum height of 5m at maturity in situ. Forest
plantations are included within this while agricultural land, oil palm
and rubber plantations are excluded. This definition is used for both
GHG inventory and the second National Communication to
UNFCCC.

5. National context
• SL followed the phased approach and is currently reaching the end of the
readiness phase.
• Initiation of the NRIFAP (National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action
Plan) represents the beginning of the implementation phase.
• Sri Lanka has developed 4 elements requested under the Cancun
agreements.
1. A national strategy/action plan - NRIFAP
2. A national forest reference levelling accordance with national circumstances
3. A robust and transparent national forest monitoring system
4. A system for providing information on how the safeguards are being
addressed and respected throughout the implementation of REDD+
activities

6. National context
• There are 3 major Policy areas. They include 13 Policy
and Measures (PAM) altogether.
1. Policy Area 1 - Forest, Wildlife and Watershed
2. Policy Area 2 - Land Use Planning
3. Policy Area 3 - Other Forested Lands

7. Policy Area 1
• PAM 1- Improve law enforcement and monitoring
• PAM 2- Scale up of forest boundary survey, demarcation and
declaration
• PAM 3- Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems
• PAM 4- Strengthen sustainable forest management (natural
forest)
• PAM 5- Strengthen sustainable management of forest
plantations
• PAM 6- Strengthen protection of watersheds

8. Policy Area 2
• PAM 7- Support Inclusion of strategic environmental
assessment under land use planning (LUP)
• PAM 8- Strengthen environmental impact assessment
process
• PAM 9- Improve land productivity and rehabilitation
practices
• PAM 10- Improve the tree cover of non-forested lands
(home gardens, urban centre, public lands and
settlements)

9. Policy Area 3
• PAM 11- Strengthen protection of other non-state
forested lands.
• PAM 12- Strengthen local supply chain for fuelwood
demand.
• PAM 13- Develop agroforestry models for addressing
forest degradation

10. Drivers of deforestation and
forest degradation in Sri Lanka
• Encroachments
• Infrastructure development projects
• Private agriculture ventures
• Localised small scale activities

11. Sri Lanka’s milestones
form the REDD+ initiative
1. The REDD+ program in Sri Lanka launched the country’s first National
forest monitoring system platform on the 9th of May 2017.
• Aim: to decrease the threat to forests and ensure permanence in
preserving the forests in the country via an online geo-portal contains
forest-related data storage and provides the functions for analysis and
information dissemination.
• 3 major components - a) satellite land monitoring systems; b)
national forest inventory; c) greenhouse gas inventory data
• https://unredd.net/announcements-and-news/2649-sri-lanka-s-redd-
programme-launches-country-s-first-national-forest-monitoring-system-
platform.html

12. 2. Safeguards Information Systems (SIS) - A system for
providing safeguard information, including how the
safeguards are addressed and respected, to the
UNFCCC, as well as to the public, is currently being
designed. Institutional coordination mechanisms have
already being identified.
3. National Forest Reference Emission Level/Forest
Reference Level (FRL) - Sri Lanka’s FRL has been
prepared at the national scale with an initial focus on
deforestation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks
based on above-ground and below-ground biomass.

13. Cancun safeguards
• Actions should be consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and
relevant international conventions and agreements.
• Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account
national legislation and sovereignty.
• Respect for knowledge and rights of indigenous people and members of local
communities.
• The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders
• Actions should be consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological
diversity.
• Actions to address the risk of reversals.
• Actions to reduce displacement of emissions.

14. Redd Desk link for further
information
gle.com/document/d/1deuZ9jsy3t7yMO7IDZdv9n7adrkmEgky_RRD

15. Janathakshan projects that align with
the REDD+ goals.
Knowledge management Unit for SGP CBR+project in Sri lanka for the activities -
Knowledge management, networking and capacity building through support to the
monitoring and evaluation process of Community Based REDD projects. Donor -
UNOPS. Duration - 10 March 2015 - 31st December 2016.
District and Provincial level training programmes on control and management of
invasive alien species. This consultancy was to conduct district and provincial level
training programs (09) on control and management of invasive alien species for district
level officers of stakeholder agencies including government officials, NGO’s, media and
CBO’s in Central and North Western Provinces in Sri Lanka. Donor - UNDP. Duration -
05th June to 30 September 2016.
Palmyra palms for climate change mitigation and human elephant co-existence in
Sri Lanka. Introduction of cost effective and long lasting solution to mitigating the
impacts of the human elephant conflict by introducing climate friendly, environment
friendly Palmyra bio fence. Donor - National Development Bank, The federal republic of
Germany. Duration - 22nd Sept 2014 to 21st Sept 2019; 1st April 2017 to 31st December 2017

16. Thank you for listening