Presentation of the Roadmap of the Sri Lanka UN-REDD strategy development process
Crucial Milestone being reached in Sri Lanka!
The UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) in developing countries. This global programme was launched in 2008 and builds on the convening role and technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In Sri Lanka too, these UN agencies are currently playing a crucial role in supporting the Government of Sri Lanka to develop a national REDD+ strategy through the Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme, which operates within the purview of the Forest Department.
The Roadmap of the National REDD+ Strategy development process was presented to high-level stakeholders of REDD+ on 5th November, 2015 by the Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme Management Unit (PMU), which has been setup within the purview of the Forest Department.
The outcome of many studies are indicating a unique approach to REDD+ in Sri Lanka: Seeking funds is not the primary focus; contributing to the local agenda of sustaining the environment, safeguarding natural resources, conserving forestry and maintaining the island's rich biodiversity is the primary focus.
The participants engaged with giving direction to the Sri Lanka UN-REDD PMU, which presented the Roadmap for discussion. The Roadmap document is set to be finalised with feedback from all REDD+ stakeholders by the 19th of November, 2015.
REDD+ is a global effort to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change by reducing emissions due to deforestation and forest degradation through the auspices of the UNFCC, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory. REDD+ recognises five activities that developing countries can do to earn compensation from developed countries, including: reducing emissions from deforestation; reducing emissions from forest degradation; sustainable management of forests; conservation of forest carbon stocks; and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.