Reducing CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation: understanding REDD+

Land-use change, particularly deforestation and forest degradation, is estimated to contribute between 12% and 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Reducing forest loss—or better yet, enhancing and regenerating forested areas—plays a critical role in mitigating CO2 emissions. It is also one of the most efficient and cost-effective strategies for capturing CO2 from other sources such as industrial and agricultural development.?

To address this issue, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) introduced the REDD+ framework. This comprehensive initiative encourages emerging economies to reduce emissions and enhance CO2 removals through forest-related activities, providing technical and financial support to these efforts. The REDD+ framework outlines a structured approach to implementing forest conservation at national or subnational levels, referred to as a “jurisdictional” scale. However, these guidelines require proper interpretation and enforcement by local authorities.?

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Core activities of REDD+?

The REDD+ framework encompasses five key activities:?

1. Reducing emissions from deforestation?

2. Reducing emissions from forest degradation?

3. Conservation of forest carbon stocks?

4. Sustainable forest management?

5. Enhancement of forest carbon stocks?

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To operationalise these activities, countries or their subdivisions must establish four foundational elements under the REDD+ framework:?

? A National Strategy or Action Plan?

? A National Forest Reference Level (FRL/FREL) to measure outcomes (e.g., CO2 emissions reduced or removed)?

? A robust and transparent Forest Monitoring System?

? A system for providing information on social and environmental safeguards (SIS)?

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Financial support mechanisms?

The development and implementation of REDD+ systems are supported through financial mechanisms. During the initial “Readiness” phase, grants are provided to establish foundational systems. Once these systems are operational and outcomes are measured, recorded, and verified, funding shifts to Results-Based Payments (RBPs). These payments are administered through multilateral organisations such as the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and the UNFCCC’s Green Climate Fund (GCF), as well as bilateral agreements with industrialised nations, notably the UK, Norway, and Germany.?

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Opportunities for Emerging Economies?

REDD+ offers significant opportunities for emerging economies:?

? Streamlined Forest Management: Provides a cohesive framework for assessing forest degradation and organising related activities.?

? Financial Incentives: Helps countries unlock the value of their natural capital by linking financial rewards to measurable outcomes.?

? Capacity Building: Addresses technical and financial resource gaps, enabling countries in the Global South to play a more proactive role in mitigating climate change.?

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Xcalibur Smart Mapping leverages advanced geospatial and airborne technologies to assist countries and jurisdictions in implementing or enhancing their REDD+ systems. Through satellite imagery, RADAR, and LiDAR technologies—whether airborne or spaceborne—we generate precise land use and land-use change data, mapping forest types and their extent. By employing AI/ML-enhanced datasets, we deliver accurate Above Ground Biomass (AGB) estimates, critical for assessing forest degradation and quantifying stored CO2 equivalent per hectare.?

Our Smart GeoMap platform integrates and processes this data, providing stakeholders with continuous updates essential for monitoring progress and achieving REDD+ results. This platform ensures that the required data is readily available for securing grants and Results-Based Payments.?

Through our expertise and cutting-edge technology, Xcalibur Smart Mapping empowers nations to meet REDD+ requirements, access critical funding, and make meaningful contributions to global climate change mitigation efforts.?