Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to a set of seven broad principles that are expected to be applied in accordance with national context and circumstances. In the final series of decisions on REDD+, the Conference of the Parties (COP) “strongly encourages” developing country Parties, when providing the summary of information on how the Cancun Safeguards are being addressed and respected, to include, inter alia: “A description of each safeguard in accordance with national circumstances.”
The purpose of the interpretation is to specify how the principles/objectives encompassed in the UNFCCC REDD+ safeguards translate into concrete rights and obligations that are to be followed and promoted in the context of the implementation of REDD+ activities in Cambodia, and which are anchored in the country’s policies, laws and regulations (PLRs).
UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguard A: ‘That actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements’
Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard A:
The NRS/AIP is designed in compliance with the objectives of national forestry policies, considering jurisdictional arrangements, and consistent with provisions of the relevant treaties and international conventions to which Cambodia is a ratified party.
Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard A:
A.1 The NRS is consistent with the objectives of national forest relevant policies
A.2 The NRS is consistent with relevant and applicable international conventions and agreements
UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguard B: ‘Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty;’
Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard B:
The rights of access to information, accountability, justice, gender equality, land tenure and fair distribution of benefits are clarified, respected and promoted in the scope of the application of the NRS/AIP.
Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard B:
B.1 Right to access information is promoted in the context of the implementation of the NRS/AIP
B.2 Accountability is guaranteed in the context of the implementation of the NRS/AIP
B.3 Right to access justice is recognized and protected in the context of the implementation of the NRS/AIP
B.4 User rights over forest land are recognized and protected in the context of the implementation of the NRS/AIP
B.5 Gender equality is promoted and ensured in the context of the implementation of the NRS/AIP
B.6 Fair distribution of benefits is recognized and promoted in the context of the implementation of the NRS/AIP
UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguard C: ‘Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities, by taking into account relevant international obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard C:
The NRS/AIP is implemented in accordance to the rights of recognition of, and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities; including the rights to non-discrimination, traditional knowledge and culture, self-determination, benefit sharing and collective tenure rights.
Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard C:
C.1 The rights of indigenous peoples and local communities are promoted and protected in the context of the application of the NRS/AIP
C.2 Traditional knowledge is recognized and protected in the context of the application of the NRS/AIP
UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguard D: ‘The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular indigenous peoples and local communities, in the actions referred to in paragraphs 70 and 72 of this decision
Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard D:
The right to participate, in an effective manner including how Free Prior Informed Consent for relevant indigenous peoples and local communities are recognized and promoted under the implementation of the NRS/AIP.
Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard D:
D.1 Relevant indigenous peoples and local communities have the right to participate in the implementation of the NRS/AIP REDD+ interventions
D. 2 Right to a Free, Prior and Informed Consent is recognized and protected in accordance with the relevant legal obligations.
UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguard E: ‘That actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, ensuring that the actions referred to in paragraph 70 of this decision are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize the protection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits
Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard E:
The NRS/AIP implemented to promote the conservation of natural forests and biodiversity, the enhancement of social and environmental benefits, and will not result in the conversion of natural forests.
Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard E:
E.1 The conservation of natural forests and biological diversity is recognized and protected in the context of the implementation of the NRS/AIP
E. 2. The NRS/AIP will not incentivize the conversion of natural forests
E.3 Enhancement of ecological, biological, climatic, and socio-cultural, benefits
UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguard F & G, respectively: Actions to address the risks of reversals and Actions to reduce displacement of emissions
Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard F & G:
Risks of reversals and displacement of emissions of the REDD+ PaMs will be addressed through the MRV and national forest monitoring system.
Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard F & G:
F.1 Addressing risks of reversals is required by the NRS/AIP
G.1 Addressing risks displacement of emissions is required by the NRS/AIP