What are safeguards?

What are safeguards?

Safeguards are social and environmental objectives and principles that must be observed to mitigate potential negative impacts arising from REDD+, as well as contribute to potentiate positive impacts.

Cambodia has given express recognition to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) REDD+ safeguards, established in the Cancun Agreements, which have been interpreted in accordance with the national context drawing on the relevant national and international legal framework.

Parties to the UNFCCC agreed to a set of seven safeguards (broad principles) that are expected to be applied in accordance with national context and circumstances when undertaking REDD+ interventions. 

The UNFCCC Cancun safeguards: 
When undertaking the activities referred to in paragraph 70 of this decision, the following safeguards should be promoted and supported:
(a) That actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements;
(b) Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty;
(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;
(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;
(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;
(f) Actions to address the risks of reversals;
(g) Actions to reduce displacement of emissions

Cambodia has interpreted these broad principles to the national context and circumstances, which has been unpacked into interpretative elements. This was done through a participatory process in 2018.

This interpretation specifies how the general principles outlined in the UNFCCC REDD+ safeguards translate into specific principles and objectives that are to be followed and promoted in the context of the implementation of REDD+ interventions in Cambodia, and which are anchored in the country’s policies, laws and regulations (PLRs).