What is a Safeguard Information System?
The development of a safeguard information system (SIS) is one of the three safeguard-related requirements outlined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is linked to the delivery of results-based payments from REDD+ Policies and Measures (PaMs).
The SIS is a domestic institutional arrangement responsible for providing information as to how the UNFCCC REDD+ safeguards are being addressed and respected in the context of the implementation of the proposed REDD+ actions.
The objective of a SIS, from the perspective of UNFCCC requirements, is to provide information that is accessible by all relevant stakeholders to demonstrate that the seven Cancun safeguards are being addressed and respected throughout REDD+ implementation.
Cambodia considers that the design of an SIS is an iterative undertaking, and its reporting objectives in this first phase are to relevant domestic stakeholders, the UNFCCC and the Green Climate Fund.
Cambodia’s SIS
The SIS is organized according to the Cancun safeguards and sub-elements (as per Cambodia’s interpretation of the safeguards exposed in section 3). Reporting will be done according to safeguard indicators (annex 1), which government agencies and partners implementing REDD+ interventions will be required to complete on a yearly basis. The SIS platform includes guidance on each indicator, as well as potential MoVs.
It is important to note that the UNFCCC acknowledges that a country’s national forest monitoring system (NFMS) may provide relevant information for the purposes of the SIS. As such the UNFCCC encourages countries to explore synergies and efficiencies between these systems. Therefore, Cambodia will consider the use of the NFMS as a source of quantitative information for the SIS, in particular to provide information concerning Cancun safeguards e, f, and g.
Institutional arrangements and functions on the SIS
The institutional arrangements for the SIS in Cambodia are based on the structure of the REDD+ programme (see section 2.4). The Safeguard Unit/RTS will host and operationalize the SIS, with implementers of REDD+ interventions reporting information directly to the RTS at the national level.
The core functions of the SIS in Cambodia are described below.
1. Collection of information. This function refers to the process of collecting information/raw data on the ground and is linked to the monitoring and reporting responsibilities under the implementation of REDD+ PaMs. It was determined that the collection of information is to be carried out by the REDD+ implementers as a component of their monitoring and reporting responsibilities under the implementation of REDD+ PaMs.
To be able to collect the necessary information for purposes of the SIS, REDD+ implementers will be required to log-in to the SIS database and report on each of the REDD+ safeguard indicators. Information will be collected and reported every 12 months, to allow for its analysis by the NRS and preparation of a national report every 12 months.
REDD+ implementers will collect information directly from their existing reports or activities. The database is organised per safeguard and sub-element (according to Cambodia’s national interpretation outlined in section 3), with specific reporting indicators. Implementers will be required to explain results (qualitative reporting), provide statistics (quantitative), and upload means of verification.
2. Aggregation and repository of information. This function refers to the process of aggregating the information from all PaMs at the national level through the SIS central database, with the purpose of being able to report on the application of the safeguards at the national level. The SIS database will provide options to compile information per implementer, per safeguard, per PAMs, which will facilitate the processing of information for the NRS.
The Safeguard Unit/RTS will be responsible for the aggregation of the information. This will involve a process of verification of data/quality assurance that has been collected and requesting any missing information from implementers.
3. Analysis of information. The function of analysis aims to offer a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the information in order to determine to what extent the safeguards are being addressed and respected at national level. The Safeguard Unit/RTS will analyse all information collected through SIS database. The updated IT system will provide functionalities to process and organise information in various forms and structures.
Then, this function will consist in generating yearly reports on safeguard implementation. This yearly compiled data will then form the basis for the preparation of future SOIs, and/or reports to specific donors.
4. Dissemination of information. This function refers to the process of disseminating the information through the SIS. Although UNFCCC guidance is not detailed in relation to this function, it requested that the SIS should: “provide transparent and consistent information that is accessible by all relevant stakeholders.” For Cambodia, this means that there is an expectation that SIS information will be disseminated both internally (national level) and externally (international reporting) through appropriate means (e.g. website, etc.).
At the domestic level, once the RTF/RTS endorses the final report, it will be published as a final version on the SIS website. Information and updates on the SIS website will be done frequently, and a national report will be published every year. The report will also be sent to the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) to trigger the reporting to the UNFCCC for the preparation of the summary of information.
Cambodia has put in place appropriate institutional arrangements linked to each of these functions. Once the updated SIS is operational, the RTF/RTS, government agencies and partners will be trained to access and use the database, to ensure relevant information is collected annually. Further information on the SIS will be made available on the SIS website.