With the objective to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and enhance carbon sequestration from afforestation and reforestation activities, the Government of Bangladesh is developing the Forest Reference Level for the implementation of REDD+ mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC has defined Forest Reference Level as benchmark for assessing country's performance in implementing REDD+ activities. REDD+ results compare greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during REDD+ implementation against the reference level.

On 11 April 2018, the Bangladesh Forest Department, with technical support from FAO and the UN-REDD programme, organized a national consultation on proposed Forest Reference Levels (FRL) for REDD+ at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka. In total, 76 participants from 30 entities, such as Forest Department, Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forests, SoB, Ministry of Land, SPARRSO, Universities, NGOs, and Civil society were present to discuss the proposed FRL. Participants agreed on the next steps for the submission of the proposed FRL to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The objectives of the consultation were to: (i) present and inform the proposed forest reference level to policy makers and national stakeholders, (ii) facilitate the discussion on the proposed FRL, and (iii) link the FRL’s potentials with the upcoming forestry sector strategic planning and development. Mr. Md. Rakibul Hasan Mukul, Conservator of Forests & National Project Director presented on the background & objectives of the national consultation, and Ms. Marufa Akther, Conservator of Forests presented the proposed FRL. The presentations were followed by a discussion session and speech from the invited guests. During the discussion session, all the invited stakeholders expressed their appreciation for the efforts of FRL working group of the Forest Department for developing consistent and updated data. Mr. Mohammed Shafiul Alam Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, Bangladesh Forest Department chaired the national consultation.  Mr. Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury, Secretary in Charge, Ministry of Environment and Forests, graced the occasion as chief guest.  Dr. Nurul Quadir, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, and Dr. Sultan Ahmed, Director General (Additional Secretary), Department of Environment, also gave remarks in the national consultation as special guests. The submission of the proposed FRL is a good opportunity for Bangladesh to review its forest sector historical data, identify the national strategies to reduce forest sector emission, and enhance the carbon sequestration for active participation in the UNFCCC.

“This national consultation is part of a process which started several years ago to encourage the participation and support awareness of national stakeholders on REDD+ and to ensure the robustness and the transparency of the forest reference level in Bangladesh” said Matieu Henry, Chief Technical Advisor at FAO Bangladesh.

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