How a global plan to preserve forests launched a carbon offset debate – SWI swissinfo.ch

Report on Global Forest Preservation Frameworks and Sustainable Development Goals

The REDD+ Framework: Aligning Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15)

In 2013, the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) was established as a United Nations-backed initiative. This framework was designed to support global efforts toward achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by creating a structure for mitigating climate change through forest preservation.

The primary objectives of the framework include:

• Assisting countries in implementing programs to monitor deforestation.
• Providing technical support for assessing, verifying, and reporting emissions.
• Developing social and environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable outcomes.

Under REDD+, developed nations can provide results-based payments to developing countries that successfully reduce deforestation. This mechanism promotes international cooperation, a key target of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The framework has since expanded to include climate finance from a range of sources, including the private sector.

Indigenous Peoples’ Role in Achieving SDG 10 and SDG 16

Indigenous communities, recognized as the most effective guardians of forests, are central to the success of SDG 15. However, many felt their interests were inadequately represented in the initial government-led development of REDD+. This lack of inclusion poses a challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which call for inclusive and representative decision-making.

In response, Indigenous organizations, such as the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve in Peru, developed their own REDD+ strategies. These strategies prioritize:

1. Respecting and guaranteeing the collective rights of local communities.
2. Preserving traditional ways of life that exist in harmony with nature.

The implementation of these community-led initiatives has faced significant obstacles, including the encroachment of illegal activities like the drug trade, which threaten both the forests and the security of the communities, thereby undermining progress on multiple SDGs.

The Evolution of Carbon Markets: A Tool for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Over the last decade, the concept of carbon markets has expanded beyond UN negotiations, involving direct collaboration between governments and the private sector. The voluntary carbon market, established under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, has enabled private entities to participate in REDD+ projects through the purchase and sale of carbon credits. This public-private engagement is a practical application of SDG 17.

To enhance accountability, the UNFCCC launched the REDD+ Web Platform, which publishes country-level data on emissions reduction and payments. Switzerland’s contribution of CHF5 million to the UN-REDD programme between 2021 and 2025 exemplifies the international financial commitments necessary to support these goals.

Challenges in Carbon Offsetting: Risks to Sustainable Development

The rapid growth of private carbon credit projects has raised significant concerns that threaten the integrity of climate action efforts under SDG 13.

• Integrity and Verification: Media reports in 2023 revealed that Verra, a major carbon credit certifier, had approved offsets that did not correspond to real carbon reductions.
• Regulatory Gaps: According to Gabriel Labbate of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the absence of detailed rules for voluntary markets created “a lot of leeway” for project developers, leading to questionable practices.
• Investor Confidence: Controversy surrounding suspect credits has reportedly deterred private investors, impacting the financial flows needed to achieve forest preservation targets aligned with SDG 15. A UNEP report noted that investment in forests must triple by 2030 to meet climate goals.

Switzerland’s Bilateral Approach and its SDG Implications

Switzerland has actively utilized Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to establish bilateral deals for offsetting one-third of its emissions abroad, forming an alliance with other nations to promote this model of international cooperation under SDG 17. However, this strategy has drawn criticism regarding its broader impact on sustainable development.

Concerns raised by civil society groups include:

• Violation of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Reports have emerged of labor rights violations at a factory in Thailand that is part of a Swiss offsetting scheme.
• Undermining SDG 10 and SDG 16: Many offsetting projects are criticized for human rights issues, particularly the failure to secure free, prior, and informed consent from Indigenous communities.

These issues highlight the risk of climate projects negatively impacting other fundamental sustainable development objectives if not implemented with robust social safeguards.

Reforming Carbon Markets for Greater SDG Impact

To address these shortcomings, new rules for voluntary carbon markets under Article 6.4 were agreed upon at a recent UN climate conference. These rules aim to increase transparency and establish UN supervision, strengthening governance in line with SDG 16. In parallel, Verra has introduced a new methodology with enhanced safeguards to improve the integrity of its carbon crediting program.

These reforms are critical to rebuilding trust and ensuring that carbon markets can function as an effective tool for achieving SDG 13 and SDG 15 without compromising progress on other goals. As Mr. Labbate noted, it is essential to correct the system’s flaws rather than abandoning it entirely, urging stakeholders not to “throw the baby out with the bath water.”

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The entire article is centered on efforts to combat climate change. It discusses international frameworks like the Paris Agreement and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), which are designed to mitigate climate change by preserving forests, described as crucial “carbon sinks.” The text also focuses on carbon markets and offsetting schemes as mechanisms for countries and private entities to manage their carbon emissions.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is directly addressed through the article’s focus on forest preservation. The REDD+ framework is explicitly aimed at protecting terrestrial ecosystems by providing financial incentives to “reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.” The article highlights the importance of the Amazon rainforest and discusses the challenges in protecting these vital ecosystems from illegal activities like the drug trade.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article touches upon the rights and inclusion of Indigenous communities. It notes that these communities, who are “the best guardians of the forest,” initially felt their interests were not recognized in the REDD+ scheme. It also mentions the importance of respecting their collective rights and the need for “free, prior, informed consent” in offsetting projects, highlighting concerns about human rights issues in such schemes.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  This goal is evident in the discussion of international cooperation to tackle climate change. The article describes the UN-backed REDD+ framework, the Paris Agreement (specifically Articles 6.2 and 6.4), and bilateral deals led by countries like Switzerland. It mentions an “alliance of countries working together on Article 6.2 agreements,” including developed nations (Switzerland, Luxembourg, Norway) and developing nations (Peru, Chile, Ghana), which exemplifies multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve climate goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
     
     Explanation: The article discusses how countries are using mechanisms like REDD+ and Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to form their climate strategies. For instance, it states that Switzerland “is using Article 6.2 to compensate one-third of its own emissions abroad,” directly integrating an international climate mechanism into its national policy.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
     
     Explanation: The core purpose of the REDD+ framework, as described in the article, is to “reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.” The entire discussion revolves around implementing programmes and financial schemes to halt deforestation.
   • Target 15.b: Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use forests and biodiversity.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly discusses the financing of forest preservation. It mentions that “developed countries can provide publicly-sourced results-based payments” and notes a UNEP report finding that funding needs to “more than triple, from $83 billion in 2023 to $300 billion in 2030.” Switzerland’s contribution of “CHF5 million to UN-REDD” is a specific example of mobilizing financial resources.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory policies and practices.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights that Indigenous communities felt their “interests were not being properly recognised” by authorities. It also points to human rights issues in offsetting projects, specifically regarding “free, prior, informed consent, including for Indigenous communities,” which speaks directly to ensuring equal opportunity and protecting rights.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
     
     Explanation: The article describes numerous partnerships, from the UN-backed REDD+ framework involving developed and developing countries to the “alliance of countries working together on Article 6.2 agreements” launched by Switzerland, which includes participants like “Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden, as well as Peru, Chile, Mongolia, Ghana and Zambia.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 13 and SDG 15

  • Financial Flows: The article provides concrete financial figures that can serve as indicators for measuring investment in climate action and forest preservation. Examples include “Switzerland’s development agency contributed CHF5 million to UN-REDD” and the UNEP report’s call to increase annual funding for forests from “$83 billion in 2023 to $300 billion in 2030.” This directly measures progress towards Target 15.b.
  • Monitoring Platforms: The article explicitly mentions the “REDD+ Web Platform” launched by the UNFCCC, which “publishes country-level information relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and result-based payments.” This platform is a direct tool and indicator for monitoring progress on reducing deforestation (Target 15.2).
  • Carbon Credits and Offsets: The volume and integrity of carbon credits generated through schemes like REDD+ and Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) are implied indicators. The article discusses the controversy over credits that “did not represent real carbon reductions,” showing that the quality and quantity of these credits are used to measure the effectiveness of climate mitigation efforts.

• Indicators for SDG 10

  • Inclusion in Policy-Making: An implied indicator is the level of participation of Indigenous communities in the design and implementation of forest preservation schemes. The article notes that some Indigenous organizations “developed their own REDD+ strategies that would better represent local communities’ requirements,” suggesting that the existence and adoption of such community-led plans can be a measure of inclusion.
  • Adherence to Consent Principles: The mention of “free, prior, informed consent” as a key issue implies that the number of projects adhering to this principle can be used as an indicator to measure whether the rights of Indigenous communities are being respected (Target 10.3).

• Indicators for SDG 17

  • Number of International Agreements: The article refers to Switzerland’s bilateral deals and the creation of an “alliance of countries working together on Article 6.2 agreements.” The number of countries joining such alliances and the number of bilateral agreements signed serve as a clear indicator of progress in global partnerships (Target 17.16).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: swissinfo.ch