Expert Panel on Biodiversity, Forest Management and REDD+

The UNFCCC adopted an agreement on "policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries” (REDD+) at the 16th Conference of the Parties in December 2010 in Cancun, Mexico. A strong scientific basis is needed for implementing REDD+ to inform the best possible management and policy approaches. However, no comprehensive scientific assessment has yet been carried out about the linkages between biodiversity and potential REDD+ activities in the context of sustainable forest management practices.
 
To this end, GFEP established the Expert Panel on Biodiversity, Forest Management, and REDD+ in December 2011. The goal of the expert panel is to provide a comprehensive assessment of scientific knowledge regarding the relationship between biodiversity, forest management, and REDD+. The assessment report aims to provide policy makers, investors and donors with a stronger scientific basis for their decisions about REDD+ policies and projects. The Terms of Reference for the Panel were endorsed by the CPF in December 2011.