UN-REDD Programme Draft Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria -
Benefits and Risks Tool

A first version of the UN-REDD Programme Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria (SEPC) - Benefit and Risks Tool (BeRT) has been developed, in the first instance, to apply the SEPC in the formulation of national UN-REDD programmes.

REDD+ has the potential to deliver substantial benefits beyond carbon. However, fulfilling this potential depends on careful planning and implementation that effectively address such issues as biodiversity, ecosystem services, transparent and effective governance, participation, inclusion of stakeholders and indigenous people’s rights. Accordingly, the UN-REDD Programme is working with partners and REDD+ countries to develop tools and guidance to enhance the multiple benefits of REDD+ and reduce risks from inadequate planning and implementation.

As part of this work, a set of Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria (SEPC) have been developed. Following discussions held at the eighth UN-REDD Policy Board meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay 25th-26th March 2012, the SEPC were welcomed by the Policy Board as a guiding framework for the UN-REDD Programme.  The SEPC are intended to ensure that the Programme’s activities contribute effectively to promoting social and environmental benefits and reduce any potential risk from REDD+ implementation. The objectives of the Principles and Criteria are:

1. To address social and environmental issues in UN-REDD National Programmes and other UN-REDD Programme funded activities.
2. To support countries in developing their national approaches to REDD+ safeguards in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Principles and Criteria are coherent with and draw from the guidance provided by the Cancun agreements, and emerge from the existing rich body of knowledge and literature on safeguards, standards and certification. They consist of broad principles (overarching, fundamental, active statements) within which a list of criteria have been identified as conditions to be met by UN-REDD Programme-funded activities in order to contribute to the achievement of the Principles.

The first draft of the SEPC Benefit and Risks Tool (BeRT) was subject to a public review process between December 2011 and January 2012. Many valuable comments were received on the usefulness of the tool and the extent to which it covered the Principles and Criteria. Over the course of 2012, the UN-REDD Programme team will work in collaboration with REDD+ countries to revise the content and format and the draft BeRT. 

Further guidance and the link to the tool can be found here. If you would like to have further information, make suggestions or receive advice on the use of BeRT please email ccb@unep-wcmc.org.