INTEGRATION OF THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS OF

REDD+ IN DRC

National REDD Coordination

MECNT/DRC

SUMMARYSUMMARY

DRC and REDD+ safeguardsWorkshop on national social and environmental

standards for REDD+ in the DRCStrategic Environmental and Social Assessment

(SESA) of REDD+ in the DRCProblems and Questions raisedChallenges and Perspectives

DRC and REDD+ safeguardsDRC and REDD+ safeguards

Vast forest country, low deforestation rate <= still relatively low population density but, large/important areas deforested

Poverty and governance affects implementation of legislation

Swidden agriculture and the use of charcoal = main causes of deforestation Alternatives v.i.

STANDARDS WORKSHOP IN DRCSTANDARDS WORKSHOP IN DRC

The 3 principal phases of the mission to establish national social and environmental standards for REDD+ in the DRC are:

Strategic environmental and social assessment (SESA) of REDD+ in the DRC

Strategic environmental and social assessment (SESA) of REDD+ in the DRC

Leadership - REDD-NC, the REDD+ SESA in DRC International consultancy « AGRECO-LANDRESSOURCES » recruited through a

competitive process

Mission began in February 2012 National results validation workshop - end of April 2014.

SESA involved a large number of REDD+ stakeholders in the DRC Analysis of potential risks linked to the process and activities envisaged by the REDD+

framework strategy Proposal of mitigation measures to avoid, reduce or compensate where necessary (three

layer consultation)

Key deliverables of the SESAKey deliverables of the SESA Propose a Social and Environmental Management Framework for the

whole of the REDD+ process which integrates issues raised in the Standards and the SIS/DRC.

Develop specific frameworks according to the activities outlined in the DRC Framework Strategy and to the World Bank’s Operational Policy Cultural Heritage Management Framework, Forced Displacement Management Framework, Indigenous Peoples Development Framework, etc.

ChallengesChallenges

SESA carried out before development of the National REDD+ Strategy

Two parallel processes which fed into each other (delays and some frustrations)

The national strategy integrated a number of recommendations from: Strategic Evaluation ESMF Feedback from the conceptualisation of the Safeguards Information Systems (SIS)

integrated in the national REDD register

Questions raisedQuestions raised The SESA has raised importants questions which need governmental and

participatory answers (second phase and national workshops) including:• Cost and feasibility of national MRV • Risk of failed negotiations and consequences on national REDD+

investments

Risks of failures with benefit sharing (governance problems, multiplicity of stakeholders, etc. )

Minimum size of projects (cost benefit of MRV and compliance with procedures and safeguards report)

Target mechanism for the SIS in the DRCTarget mechanism for the SIS in the DRC

Opportunities and ChallengesOpportunities and Challenges

The DRC has reaffirmed its commitment to national MRV

The results of the SESA will be presented to the relevant parties during the national workshop (April 2014)

The tools developed through the SESA. improved version of the Standards and SIS will be disseminated and tested at a national level - finalised and integrated in the National REDD+ register

Monitoring and evaluation of their implementation will be a challenge

PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARSPRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS

Finish the SESA with the organisation of a national workshop

Test the tools developed (simplified ESIA, the local to national level information system: respond to indicators, appeals and complaints)

Develop a transparent online mechanism to evaluate feedback (register) integrating issues to follow-up on from project objectives, on governance, related environmental benefits… => coherent and complete follow-up tool

Communicate regularly on the monitoring and evaluation at provincial and national level

Priorities (cont.)Priorities (cont.) Train national experts who can ensure the EIES and Safeguard Plans are

carried out where necessary and advise on the effective implementation of the safeguards.

Train project developers to ensure the safeguards are respected

Ensure lessons are learnt from the feedback and develop the tools accordingly.

CN-REDD/RDCrubinrashidi@yahoo.fr

www.redd.cd