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 REDD+ Strategy 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:

  1. The National REDD+ strategy is consistent with the objectives of national forest relevant policies
  2. The National REDD+ strategy 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 will be clarified, respected and promoted in the scope of the application of the National REDD+ strategy.

 

Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard B:

  1. Right to access information is promoted in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy
  2. Accountability is guaranteed in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy
  3. Right to access justice is recognized and protected in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy
  4. Rights over forest land are recognized and protected in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy
  5. Gender equality is promoted in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy
  6. Fair distribution of benefits is recognized and promoted in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy

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 REDD+ Strategy will be implemented in accordance and with full respect to the rights of recognition of, and respect for the rights of original ethnic minorities, 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:

  1. The rights of original ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and local communities are promoted and protected in the context of the application of the REDD+ strategy.
  2. Traditional knowledge is recognized and protected in the context of the application of the REDD+ strategy

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 original ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and local communities will be recognized and  promoted under the implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy.

 

Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard D:

  1. Relevant original ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and local communities have the right to participate in the implementation of the PaMs.
  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 National REDD+ Strategy will be 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:

  1. The conservation of natural forests and biological diversity is recognized and protected in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy
  2. The REDD+ strategy will not incentivise the conversion of natural forests
  3. Enhancement of ecological, biological, climatic, and socio-cultural, benefits is recognized and protected in the context of the implementation of the REDD+ strategy

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+ interventions will be addressed through the MRV and national forest monitoring system.

 

Core elements of Cambodia’s clarification of safeguard F & G:

  1. Addressing risks of reversals is required by the REDD+ strategy
  2. Addressing risks displacement of emissions is required by the REDD+ strategy