Volume 16 - August 2011
The aim of this e-Newsletter is to inform CBD National Focal Points and CBD partners about biodiversity aspects in relation to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD-plus). To subscribe, please visit http://www.cbd.int/forest/redd/newsletters/.
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MEETINGS

Regional Consultations and Capacity Building Workshops on REDD-plus, including on relevant Biodiversity Safeguards:

AFRICA – Upcoming meeting: The 'Africa Regional Consultation and Capacity Building Workshop on REDD-plus, including on relevant biodiversity safeguards', will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 20 to 23 September 2011. This workshop is convened by the Secretariat of the CBD, in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and with the generous financial support of the governments of Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the UN-REDD Programme. Meeting documents are available at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=WSCBREDD-AFR-01.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN – Final report available: The 'Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Consultation and Capacity Building Workshop on REDD-plus, including on relevant biodiversity safeguards', was held in Quito, Ecuador, from 5 to 8 July 2011. The final report is available at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=WSCB-REDFD-LAC-01.

NEWS

REDD-plus UNEP Webinar
In conjunction with the launch of REDDy-Set-Grow: Part II - Recommendations for International Climate Change Negotiators, UNEP Finance Initiative is pleased to invite you to join a webinar. To allow full international participation, the webinar will be held during two identical sessions on 13 September: 9am (GMT) and 4pm (GMT). For more information on the webinar please visit: http://www.unepfi.org/events/2011/forest_webinar/index.html.

UN-REDD Programme Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria
The UN-REDD Programme is working with partners and REDD-plus countries to develop tools and guidance to enhance the multiple benefits of, and reduce risks from REDD-plus. As part of this work, a set of Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria are being developed which consists of broad principles within which more detailed criteria describe important issues to be considered in developing REDD-plus programmes. For more information: English, Spanish, French.

New REDD Countries Database on the REDD Desk
The Global Canopy Programme and Forum on Readiness for REDD are pleased to announce the launch of the new REDD Countries Database on the REDD Desk (http://www.theredddesk.org/countries). The REDD Countries Database has been produced by an international team of REDD experts and summarises key information across a range of areas including policies, plans, laws, statistics, activities and financing. The launch comprises three pilot countries: Brazil, Cameroon and Vietnam; with Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, Tanzania and Indonesia coming soon. To join the REDD Desk mailing list, go to: http://www.theredddesk.org/newsletter.

PUBLICATIONS

The Root of the Problem – What's Driving Tropical Deforestation Today?
Deforestation and forest degradation have been occurring for thousands of years. But why? And what are the causes of these changes—the "drivers" of deforestation? In this report, the Union of Concerned Scientists explains these drivers and shows that they have changed fundamentally in the twenty-first century. For the full report, executive summary, and to download chapters on specific drivers, visit: http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/forest_solutions/drivers-of-deforestation.html.

Click here for more information on REDD-plus

How can you publish in this Newsletter?

Your contributions to this Newsletter on issues related to biodiversity aspects of REDD-plus are welcome. Please send your submission to redd@cbd.int. Articles should contain no more than 60 words, and must contain a hyperlink for more information. For more information please see: http://www.cbd.int/forest/redd/newsletters/

Deadline to submit articles for the next issue: 20 October 2011.

This Newsletter is published pursuant to CBD decision IX/5. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Secretariat of the CBD.
Photo credits (from top to bottom): Flickr Creative Commons: Peter576