REDD Research and Development Center of Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
The Second Open Seminar for 2011
Report on “Toward developing a framework of global REDD+ –Scaling up of demonstration activities and integrating players’ roles –”sustainable

Summary of the seminar

forestmanagement.

In

addition,

The second open seminar organized by REDD

implementation of REDD+ needs to involve a wide

Research and Development Center of Forestry andrange of players including governments, administrative

Forest Products Research Institute was held on the 7th

authorities, international agencies, research agencies,and 8th of February, 2012. Although it unfortunately

private companies, NGOs, and local residents. This

rained over these two days, the open seminar drew

seminar is designed to let attendees share themanyprivateknowledge and experience that they have obtained anduniversities,

the difficulties that they have encountered in theirdiversestakeholders,

includingcompanies,

researchagencies,

administrative

authorities,

and

NGOs,

besidespractical activities, and to explore methods to solve

government officials. They delivered very informativethese difficulties.
FFPRI’s president, Dr. Kazuo Suzuki, and deputy

presentations and were involved in significant
discussions.

director general of the Forestry Agency, Mr. Masatoshi
Numata, delivered their opening addresses with thehope that this seminar will promote and strengthen the

Aims of the seminar
As a response to the report issued by thealliance between all people concerned with the progress

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

of REDD+.

that greenhouse gases derived from deforestationaccount for about 20% of the world’s total greenhouse

Opening session

gas emissions, REDD+ has attracted attention as an

The director of the REDD Research andeffective countermeasure. The Japanese government

Development

Center,Dr.

MitsuoMatsumoto,proposed the “Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism” bypresented a lecture on a theme that is now particularly

which Japan provides low-carbon technologies andrelavant for REDD+ titled, “What is the role of eachproducts to developing countries and has the reduction

player involved in REDD+?”

achieved in these developing countries approved as

In COP17, held in Durban, South Africa, last

Japan’s reduction through bilateral agreements. The

December, an agreement was reached on the roadmap

Forestry and Forest Products Research Instituteto decide the particulars of the framework to be(FFPRI) wishes to promote these activities by working

participated in by all members by 2015 at the latest, soon the framework of REDD+.

that the framework can be put into practice in 2020. It

As the voluntary approach of the private sector
progresses

inparallelwith

was a big step forward in the response to climate

intergovernmental

change.

Dr. Matsumoto, however, insisted thenegotiations, there is a need to solve technologicalimportance of promoting and supporting voluntary

problems through experiences in the field in order toprojects, saying “We need to address deforestation as

create a practical framework of REDD+ and promote

soon as possible because delaying the initiation until

1

2020 means that deforestation will continue to progressdevelopment of the Canopy Volume Estimationin the meantime.”

approach, which estimates tree height and steam

COP17 achieved robust results including anvolume by combining the three-dimensional terrain

agreement on the guidelines for a system to provide

data and the three-dimensional canopy data available

information on safeguards and the modality forfrom the Geographic Synthetic Aperture Radar

determing the reference level in REDD+. On the other(GeoSAR). Papua New Guinea is scheduled tohand, it faces a problem in terms of how to scale up theconstruct a new database of national forest

level of ongoing voluntary projects worldwide to the

management based on these data by 2014. Mr. Bigol

national level. This is a problem shared by all thementioned that the activities to prepare for REDD+

countries involved, and it is desirable to explore

contribute greatly to the capability development of his

possible solutions by exchanging information between

country to foster sustainable forest management.

these countries.

Following Mr. Constin Bigol, Mr. Sairusi Bulai

Director Dr. Matsumoto stated that we should focus

from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community

the discussion on how we should share deforestationdelivered a presentation on the framework of regional

management through REDD+ instead of merely

support for REDD readiness activities. The Secretariat

pursuing REED+ as the goal.

of the Pacific Community is a regional cooperation
organization consisting mainly of 22 island countries in

Session 1: Policies and needs of developing

the South Pacific, and each member country is

countries and a consistent approachcurrently conducting a pilot project of REDD+. In thisIn session 1, representatives from 10 countries

region, local communities own most forests and land,

made presentations under the theme of exploring a

except in Tonga where the royal family owns most ofhighly receptive approach consistent with the policies

the land. This fact is of great help to the success of theand needs of developing countries.

REDD project because it is easy to ask a community toFirst, Mr. Constin Bigol from Papua New Guinea

participate in the project. However, a system involving

made a presentation. In his country, 1.41% of forested

unwritten community ownership is associated with aland is deforested or degraded annually. His country

lot of unregistered land, which is a problem forhas been working on a review of its forest plan

carrying out this project. It is, therefore, necessary to set(introduction of the REDD initiative) for 19 provinces,

up a scheme that allows small landowners to enjoy thereorganization of the Forest Authority (establishment ofbenefits of this project.

the division handling climate change), formulation of

For this purpose, the Secretariat of the Pacifican action plan to implement the REDD initiative,

Community is constructing a regional policy

selection of a REDD+ pilot site, and selection offramework, which stipulates the strategy to combat

REDD+ activities since 2007. However, in this country,

drivers (causes) of deforestation and its leakage (spread

it is difficult to conduct field surveys because of poor

to unprotected areas), measuring, reporting andinfrastructure, so a pilot project of remote sensing isverification (MRV), and reference levels, and regional

being undertaken with grant assistance from the Japan

guidelines for monitoring methods to implement

International Coopearation Agency (JICA) using thesafeguards, cooperation, coordination, information

data available from the RapidEye Satellite and theexchange, and capacity-building within the region. The

Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radarregional policy framework is intended to share and(PALSAR),improve expertise and technology within the region,andaddressing

theresearchand2

improve the existing agencies that provide training andmost important issue.

technology services related to MRV, and strengthen the

Following Mr. Samsudin Musa, Mr. Yuyu Rahayu

ability for international participation. Mr. Bulai

from Indonesia reported on the development status ofmentioned that he hoped the regional policy framework

the MRV system in his country. In the G20 meeting inwill become an umbrella under which REDD+ is

2009, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared

implemented, and which will lead the way in thethat his country would reduce emissions by 26%

desired direction.

through independent efforts by 2020 and realize an

Mr. Samsudin Musa from Malaysia reported on aadditional reduction of 15% through international

new project that would start in February 2012 with thecooperation. At the same time, he officially promised tosupportTimberpromote the compatibility between effective utilization

Organization (ITTO) as part of a phased approach toof natural resources and 7% economic growth byimplement REDD+. Because forests are mostly owned

implementing REDD+. To realize this political promise,by the provinces in Malaysia, their participation inIndonesia has already completed more than 20 kinds of

REDD+ is indispensable and the benefits that eachland-cover classification maps that cover the entire

province can obtain from REDD+ need to be clearlycountry’s area. These maps were produced by remotedepicted. For this purpose, this project adopts asensing using Landsat satellite images, and data of

sub-national approach that has never been undertakenthese maps are used to categorize forests. Forest coverin previous projects. To be specific, Malaysia willand deforestation are monitored every three years in thedevelop guidelines and monitoring tools to evaluate

country. Indonesia is also conducting a survey onforest degradation and establish a method to evaluate

peatlands that emit a large amount of carbon andand reduce forest degradation in a forest management

accumulating data on these emissions.

of

the

International

Tropicalunit (FMU) that combines remote sensing and surface

These data are included in the national forest

study. In addition, it will set up a framework to enable

inventory and used for the estimation of forest timbercost-benefit analysis of forest conservation to bevolume, biomass, and carbon emissions. Indonesia

undertaken and payments to be made under REDD orplans to upgrade the national forest inventory to include

the Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES). On top of

the reference emission level and the reference level inthat, it will develop an enlightenment program forthe future. However, the number of forest categories

policymakers and forest managers, cultivate theirshould be increased to about 600 to improve theabilities necessary for REDD+ and carbon accounting,accuracy of estimated figures, as Indonesia has

and promote the exchange of knowledge between

200–300 forest categories at present because of fund

REDD projects within the region.

shortages.

Lastly,Mr.

Rahayuindicated

that

Mr. Musa insisted that the success of REDD+

establishing the MRV system is vital to make REDD+

depends on the transaction costs and carbon price.

practical and enhance the understanding of the system

Unless the benefits obtained by forest conservation areon a sub-national level, such as the local government

presented in specific values, it will be hard to convincelevel and the regional level.

provincial governments to participate in the project.

Mr. Omaliss Keo from Cambodia reported on an

Moreover, a complicated mechanism increases theapproach to connect REDD+ with existing policy andtransaction costs and reduces the motivation to

strategy. Because his country has several existing

implement REDD+. He indicated that the compatibility

policies and programs to tackle climate change,

between environmental integrity and practicality is theincluding the millennium development goal to increase
3and improve the forest cover to 60% and the National

the national forest inventory. Currently, maps of forest

Forest Program, consistency with the existing

cover are being drawn for 2000, 2006, and 2011 in theframework is vital to implement REDD+. Above all,

FIM to formulate the reference level and reference

the National Forest Programme is closely related toemission level. On the basis of these forest cover maps,

REDD+. After forest demarcation is confirmed,

the country is trying to calculate its carbon

classified, and registered, Cambodia will address theaccumulation by converting the FIM’s biomass dataconservation and development of forest resources andinto data at the national level and incorporating change

biodiversity, enforcement and governance of forest law,in forest cover between 2000 and 2011 into theand implementation of community forestry. In addition,reference emission level on the national level. In

Cambodia is trying to realize sustainable financing byaddition, for the construction of the nation’s MRV

introducing REDD, PES, and environment protection

system, it is stratifying the forest cover map on therights, although it is currently conducting forest

carbon map using the data of the RIM and REDD+ andmanagement with public funding.

planning to track changes of forest cover over the entire

Mr. Keo emphasized the necessity of politicalcountry through satellite monitoring every one or two

support through the development of the legal system toyears.

implement REDD+. Because Cambodia has a lot of

Mr. Noriyoshi Kitamura from JICA made aforest with overlapping ownership rights and unclear

presentation on the current status of REDD+ incustomary ownership, the ownership of timber andVietnam. Vietnam seems to have shown recovery ofcarbon in the forest should be clarified. On top of that,

forests throughout the country, but deforestation andhe indicated the necessity of securing consistency in theforest degradation are serious in some specific areas.

registration of REDD+ to prevent duplicate registration

The Vietnamese government is addressing measuresand establishment of a methodology of fundfor climate change actively, and it has established somemanagement and profit-sharing as future issues.

platforms to implement REDD+ in the country. For

Next, Mr. Khamsene Ounekham from Laos

example, Vietnam has its own system of forestdelivered a presentation. Laos has been addressing

protection agreement, while specification of who owns

REDD+ from three perspectives: approach by national

land is underway in Vietnam. This system involves

agencies, mitigation activities at the national level, andagreements being made with people living aroundprojects at the sub-national level. For the harmonious

forests that they will not cut down trees and oversee

progress of these three approaches, Laos adopted aillegal logging, and pays a certain amount of money tonested approach that integrates activities at thethem as a fee for playing a certain role in forest

provincial and project levels into those at the national

conservation. The pilot project of the Payment forlevel in addition to developing the legal system andForest Environmental Services (PFES) has been in

public funding under the initiative of the government.

progress since 2009. This system pays cash to forest

Mr. Ounekham introduced the Forest Information

owners and system contractors depending on the level

Management (FIM) program supported by JICA. In

of conservation of the forest, and it is scheduled to be

this program, Laos will draw a forest base map for

implemented nationwide in 2012. This approach is2010, conduct a field survey of the entire country,

supposed to be based on the financing mechanism of

introduce remote sensing, construct a database, andREDD+.

build capacity for future field surveys. The results of

Mr. Joaquim Macuacua from Mozambiquethese activities will improve the classification system of

introduced the formulation of the framework to4

implement REDD+ in his country, which is to be

by showing cases of successful conservation in Congo

conducted with technical cooperation from JICA.

to the international society, stimulate investment inMozambique conducted its first national forest

Congo, and publish the country’s official statistics forinventory in 1980 with financial aid from the Food andinternational agencies. Mr. Kondjo indicated theAgriculture Organization (FAO). The national forest

importance of learning from the development of

inventory was revised in 1994 and 2007, and thecapacity building and methodology under the initiative

country is now conducting forest inventories even onof South-South Cooperation, saying that his country

the provincial level. Mr. Macuacua stated thatneeds to learn from the approach of other developing

Mozambique had been trying to construct a monitoring

countries. Congo is constructing the “Terra Congo”

system with support from the Japanese government as

system to estimate the levels of carbon and status ofa preparatory activity for REDD+, but it hademissions with reference to the forest management

encountered numerous problems. To overcome thesystem of Brazil. Mr. Kondjo also introduced thecurrent stalemate, the country plans to construct a“Terra Congo” system using a demonstration.

platform of sustainable forest resource information for

Lastly, Ms. Lidia Perez from Paraguay gave amonitoring using JICA’s technology support, starting inpresentation on the development of REDD+ strategy in2012. In this plan, it will collect data from various

her country and the policy and institutional framework

agencies, as well as a satellite image map of the entireof the study on the estimation of carbon accumulation.

country and all possible information on forest and

The deforestation in Paraguay is attributed to thegeography. It will also carry out a pilot project toincreased demand for pastures due to the skyrocketing

construct a land-use map and forest cover map throughprices of beans and beef, excessive deforestation for

remote sensing that use images of Synthetic Aperture

charcoal production, and forest fires. She also

Radar (SAR) and data of field tests in two provinces.

mentioned the difficulties resulting for inconsistencies

The capacity for the pilot project will be developed

between environmental law and forest law and the lacksimultaneously. At the same time, it will construct aof economic incentives for forest management. Her

ground monitoring system and put it into operation,

country is conducting a national joint program underand deforestation and forest degradation will be

the initiative of the UN-REDD program. This isdetected and reported using the global positioning

intended to incorporate the requirements of REDD+

system (GPS) and geographical information system

into the design of the domestic system and budget and(GIS) technologies. Through these activities, it will set

to implement REDD+ in a timely manner by building

up the reference level and organize a set of data for thecapacity. To be specific, the institutional andestimation of biomass and carbon amounts.

technological ability of the government and civil

Mr. Patrik Onotamba Kondjo from the Republic ofsociety required for the activities of REDD+ will be

Congo reported on the national forest survey system ofdeveloped. This will be followed by building capacity

his country. Congo is trying to construct a system forto practice REDD+ at the regional level and providing

MRV for purposes at two levels: nationally andknowledge and technology on REDD+ to communities

internationally. The objectives at the national level aredependent on forests, including those of indigenousto evaluate the effectiveness of the national policy,

people. Constructing an MRV system requires

monitorillegal logging, and conduct specificimprovement of the forest information system, forest

verification of the means to prevent illegal logging. At

inventory, environmental information system, andthe international level, the objectives are to obtain trust

carbon accounting system. In addition, Paraguay is
5extending many of its activities, including monitoring

Lastly, the center director, Dr. Matsumoto,and prevention of forest fires, improvement and review

delivered comprehensive comments. In last year’sof laws and regulations, conservation of biodiversity,international seminar held in the same period,and biomass estimates, with the support of various

presentations from participating countries did not gointernational agencies like the Forestry and Forest

beyond how to construct an MRV system. In this year’s

Products

international seminar, presentations commonly dealt

Research

Institute(FFPRI)

andthe

UN-REDD program.

with how to construct a national database system,

Session 1: Questions and answers and summary

utilize such systems for REDD+ and forest

The attendees asked various questions on theconservation, and use them in a legal context. As his

reports delivered by the presenters. In particular, many

conclusion of the first day, Dr. Matsumoto expressed

attendees asked about the methodology of remote

his astonishment and impression that each country had

sensing and monitoring and they wanted to know themade greater progress than anticipated, extended his

specific details of these approaches. In particular, theygratitude to the presenters, and asked for continuing

were very interested in the costs and benefits ofefforts in the future.

implementing REDD+ and the idea of safeguards. Mr.
Musa from Malaysia was asked about the appropriate

Session 2: How should REDD+ demonstrationlevel of compensation, given the fact that no one

activities be implemented and scaled up?

wishes to participate in REDD+ without sufficient(1) The approach for scaling up

incentives because it is a voluntary program.

On the second day of the seminar, each agency

Responding to this question, Mr. Musa stated that hedelivered a presentation mainly on REDD+ andwished to explore the specific financial incentives oftechnology development involved in REDD+, and athe current project, although he was not able to givepanel discussion was conducted.

any specific financial incentives at present. Mr.

The session began with presentations from

Ounekham from Laos was asked a question about theorganizations promoting international activities. Ms.

specific details of in Laos. He presented ideas such as

Naomi Swickard of the secretariat of Verified Carbon

creating information material in the languages of theStandard (VCS) introduced the credit system fordifferent ethnic groups within the country and

REDD+. VCS is the certification organization

distributing them locally because activities to provide

addressing the development of an offset project in theaccurate knowledge and educate people on thevoluntary carbon market. Ms. Swickard pointed out theenvironment can stimulate voluntary participationnecessity of drawing a common blueprint andamong communities as a grassroots campaign.

implementing measures to tackle deforestation as soon

No definitive answers were given to resolve the two

as possible because a major factor preventing

issues of incentives of REDD+ and safeguards, and thewidespread

respondents mostly stated that they wished to findcoexistence of various international systems and rules.

answers through ongoing approaches. Their attitudes

Among the available measures, the nested approachclearly show that each country and each agency isseems to be the most effective for fundraising because

trying to find appropriate answers taking into full

it attracts wide attention from the private sector. In

consideration the lives of residents who are dependent

addition, it can reduce risk and provide services toon forest resources, despite the fact that these two

multiple markets. However, it is necessary to solve

issues cannot be resolved immediately.

problems related to vested rights and upgrade the6dissemination

of

REDD+

is

the

baseline of the project activities regularly in order to

Next, Mr. Jonah Busch from Conservation

put the nesting system into practical use. At the same

International reported on the construction of a referencetime, it is also necessary to maintain consistency

level across multiple scales. Under the UNFCCC’s rule,

between the systems to prevent them from overlapping.

reduction of carbon emissions of forest is recognized in

Ms. Swickard said, “It is necessary to secure theterms of total emissions at the national level, but

consistency of the market and system besides thedecisions leading to deforestation are mostly made atpossibility of distribution of the system beyond thethe sub-national level. Therefore, it is necessary tonational and regional levels.”construct economic incentives to allow actors to

Next, Dr. Matsumoto from the REDD Researchpromote emission reduction beyond the national andand Development Center of FFPRI introduced the

sub-national levels. If incentives are not well organized,

development of the guidelines of REDD+. Currently,

the balance of payment of REDD may fall into the red.

governments and private companies are extending

However, several measures are available for this,voluntary activities despite the fact that the framework

including incorporating accounting, setting moreof REDD+ has not been specified clearly, but

accurate values with the help of the reference level at

efficiency

variousthe sub-national level, dividing earnings, and sharing

stakeholders are indispensable to realize REDD+. In

responsibility. He introduced a case in which impacts

this sense, the REDD Research and Development

on deforestation, reduction of emissions, and profit that

Center is developing guidelines that promote efficiency

vary depending on the government were calculated andand cooperation. The guidelines take into consideration

mapped using Open Source Impacts of REDD

the Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism, which is

Incentives Spreadsheet (OSIRIS) that Conservation

particularly attractive to Japan. The REDD ResearchInternational developed for Indonesia. He also

and Development Center also aims to develop an

introduced the case study of Peru to confirm that theoperational framework in accordance with the decision

design of an incentive system substantially affects theof the United Nations Framework Convention on

effectiveness of REDD+.

andcooperation

betweenClimate Change (UNFCCC) in response to the success

Dr. Sarah Walker was invited from the ECO teamof VCS and reflecting the Afforestation/Restorationof Winrock International, which is an NGO that works

Clean Development Mechanism (AR-CDM). At theon extending technical aid for the sustainable utilization

same time, it is necessary to consider readinessof natural resources in developing countries. She

activities because the activities that have been

introduced the roles of local actors to create theconducted voluntarily need to continue for a longreference emission level and MRV data. She indicatedperiod. To be specific, it was decided as a policy tothat asking local actors to get involved in the creation

include such factors as compatibility of land,of activity data and emission coefficients will change

conservation of biodiversity, and consideration for

their attitudes to the carbon emission issue dramatically,

indigenous people, as well as to conduct interviews

and in particular, they can be of great help in samplingwith authorities concerned with improving the draft. Dr.

measurements in the field. She also introduced the

Matsumoto talked about the future prospects, saying,

Moabi project that the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is“We hope that the guidelines will contribute to

conducting using smartphones and the Plan Vivo

promoting REDD+ and establishing a global

project. Furthermore, she mentioned that she isframework after the Second Commitment of the Kyoto

working on a monitoring program with resident

Protocol.”participation in the LEAF project designed for five7

Southeast Asian countries and exploring what roles aobtained data, which would not be equivalent. One of

local community can play in the REDD strategy.

the attendees gave a response to the presentation

In the question and answer session, Ms. Swickard

delivered by Mr. Busch, saying that the method to

introduced a recent approach in Thailand as an example

measure carbon emissions only through deforestation isof connecting various systems. In this case, the project

not defect-free. Mr. Busch replied that he is currently

members try to promote their activities by introducing

focusing only on deforestation because carbon

the VCS original tag system, which numbers projects

emissions are more closely related to deforestation thanand units awarded additional certifications for the

any other factors.

Voluntary Carbon Units (VCU) of Thailand.

(2) Implementation in the field and technology to

As an example of a performance-based project, thesupport the implementation

PES project implemented by Winrock International in

Presentations were delivered on approaches in the

Vietnam was introduced. In this case, forest

field and technology. Mr. Evarist Nashanda introduced

conservation activities are recommended to farmers,

the preparatory situation of the Tanzanian government

and farmers can get compensation in accordance withfor REDD+. Over the past 20 years, the Tanzanian

their results. This shows a resolution not to make thegovernment has been addressing the issue ofsame mistake again because the project previously

deforestation, and it found that community-based forest

failed to pay farmers despite the fact that it had

management and management in forest reserves arepromised to do so to the regional community.

necessary. During the five-year preparatory period, it

Responding to a question about the selection of theconcluded a prospectus on climate change and forest

country and region for a project, Dr. Walker

conservation, introduced an MRV system, collected

recommended selecting places where scientists havefunds, and established a national management

developed spatial modeling methods using GIS

committee and a technology committee on climate

because there are various data available for suchchange. Currently, the government and the private

locations.

sector are working together, focusing on the three steps

Responding to a question about what will happen inof REDD+. Because producing a land-use plan is athe period when the UNFCCC’s REDD system is notvery important project in Tanzania, a survey is being

operational, Mr. Busch mentioned that discussions

conducted with reference to social and economic

between different countries and different divisions arebaselines, and efforts are being made to establish an

desirable. Indonesia is gradually scaling up the system

MRV system. On the other hand, the Tanzanianused in Central Kalimantan to the national level ingovernment faces various problems. Mr. Nashanda

conformity with a bilateral agreement with Norway. He

pointed out that people hoping to receive income fromhoped that the knowledge obtained through the project

REDD started to feel disappointed because its

would be helpful to the inter-department discussions

enforcement seemed to remain a long way off in thethat have not yet been initiated in Indonesia.

future. At the same time, the government has been

Dr. Walker stated that the government would needasked to identify serious and concrete approaches thatto sort out data and methods in order to secure theavoid leaving unsettled problems for the future, sincequality of data. In addition, she indicated the possibility

poor people live off activities that adversely affectthat, even if a good method is developed to measure

REDD+.

deforestation in the future, there will still be a problem

Next, Mr. Kei Suzuki from the Japan Forest

on how to relate the measurement to previously

Technology Association made a presentation based on
8his experience in the development of a reference

the average carbon accumulation per area can show theemission level and a reference level in Vietnam, in

national trend in forest carbon accumulation. Because

which he has been involved. In Vietnam, forest is

the number of PSPs required for the calculation of theclassified by visual judgment using satellite images. By

average carbon accumulation has already been

resolving several issues, Suzuki completed the forest

estimated, Cambodia is constructing an allometry

classification map and calculated the forest area. He

formula (allometry equation) to estimate biomass

also organized a huge amount of previously obtained

amount from such simple data as the diameter of trees

data and calculated the emission coefficient. When hein deciduous forests and peaty marsh forests. However,formulated a method of calculating carbon changes

establishing automatic classification of remote sensing

using two kinds of data, he came across a problem ofand a precise and simple method for surface study has

whether emission and absorption should be summatedbeen left as future technological issues.

or each value should be aggregated on a countrywide

Responding to the above presentation, attendees

level. He introduced the stock change method, which

discussed the required number of PSPs, including

performs the calculation by summating emission andaspects such as reliability and efficiency. In addition,

absorption, and the forest change matrix method, which

researchers and developers expressed their desire to

separates emission and absorption in the calculation.

receive opinions and knowledge from users on the

He showed the merits and demerits of the aggregation

method of publishing remote sensing data. Furthermore,

at a national level and a regional scale. Even UNFCCC

it was reported that, because coniferous trees do not

has not reached a conclusion on which of the two is

exhibit seasonality, efforts are being made to learn by

better, and discussions on this issue are underway. The

trial and error using normalized difference vegetation

above approach made it clear that a statisticalindex (NDVI) with the help of data from Landsat.

background is necessary for the design of remote

Asked if the community-based organization for forest

sensing, technology for forest classification, and survey

management and joint forest management will bepoints.

utilized as the implementing agency, we were told that

Mr. Yoshiyuki Kiyono from FFPRI describedparticipatory forest management had already been usedknowledge that he had obtained through research andas the platform for REDD+ and each community had

development

already been involved in the management.

ofaforestmonitoring

method.

Traditionally, the major drivers of deforestation arefood production and production of industrial raw

Session 3: What goals should be reached throughmaterials. To explore measures for these two drivers,

REDD+? Beyond REDD+

REDD Research and Development Center has been

In this session, attendees reported and had

conducting research in Cambodia, Malaysia, anddiscussions on the future prospects for sustainable

Paraguay, where the conversion of forest to farmland

forest management, taking the progress so far intoand rubber plantations is in progress. Although mostconsideration. Mr. Hwan Ok Ma from ITTO made adeveloping countries do not monitor the forest carbon

presentation on the summary and history of REDD+

accumulation at the national level, it is possible toand the international approach for REDD. In REDD+,

monitor forest carbon accumulation using satellite

it is desired to promote conservation of the Amazon

remote sensing if permanent sample plots (PSPs) are

rainforest from the point of view of conserving

set in an extended area. In Cambodia, it was proved

biodiversity. In Tanzania, the approach for sustainable

that repeated calculations of multiplying forest area by

forest management is advancing, and the level of9consultation skill, above all, has shown remarkable

Strategies (IGES) focused on sustainable communities

progress. While mentioning that REDD+ secures theand good forest governance. In developing countries,

sustainability of tropical forests and brings great

participatory forest management has attracted growing

benefits, Mr. Ma emphasized the construction of more

attention for nearly 30 years. Because the livelihoods ofeffective policy and incentives and the improvement of

the poorest in society are provided by the forest, it willcapacity with support from donor countries because

certainly affect the promotion of forest conservation

obtainable benefits are greatly affected by the structurefavorably if they become aware that forest conservationof REDD. Lastly, he hoped that it would be possible tois far better than deforestation in terms of making a

construct a system to pay compensation for otherliving. For this purpose, efforts are being made toenvironmental services at the national, regional, andestablish forest management by local residents. At theinternational levels if the payment system of REDD+ issame time, improving governance is vital because

established.

weak forest governance and poorly organized financial

Next, Mr. Zulfira Warta from WWF Indonesia

management adversely affect REDD+. As a specificasked if REDD+ would be an effective solution to theexample, Mr. Scheyvens introduced the case of Papua

forest issue. Indonesia is trying to reduce emissions by

New Guinea. Forests in Papua New Guinea are mostly

26% through self-supporting efforts while achieving

owned by indigenous people and used for resources for

7% economic growth, with continued efforts for further

every aspect of life. Under the present circumstances,

reduction with the support of other countries andunsustainable deforestation is underway because theyinternational agencies as the national strategy. Because

can only obtain revenue by development, given the

promoting forest conservation reduces income in areasabsence of support from the government for forest

where logging has progressed, how to balance forest

management. In addition, it has become difficult toconservation and decreasing income is an important

obtain their consent to cooperate in REDD+ because

issue. In Indonesia, it is thought that addressing these

they have not been given enough benefits from theissues while utilizing REDD would enable the country

existing system. Therefore, free, prior informed consent

to reduce emissions and review the domestic system.

(FPIC), participation in the mapping of land use, andReferring to the case in Sumatra, Mr. Warta stated thatthe role and responsibility of a community in REDD+

50% of the forest in the national parks has alreadyare increasingly important. Currently, the IGES isvanished and that time is running out for the rest, andexplaining this situation and extending its activities inappealed for support not only from both outside andcollaboration with NGOs and local communities.

inside the conserved area but also from the sub-national

In the question and answer session, it was asserted

and national levels. Because the degree of deforestation

that, judging from the fact that buyers will seek as low

varies between Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua

a carbon price as possible, realizing REDD+ isprovinces, considerations for setting the reference

essentially difficult from the point of view of theemission level and high project costs remain asbalance between revenues from REDD+ and revenues

unresolved issues. He also pointed out the necessity offrom illegal logging and farmland development. In

taking into consideration not only forest conservation

response, Mr. Warta, who had compared the twoand sustainable forest utilization but also the religious

revenues, stated that there is nothing to be worriedand social connections with the forest.

about because carbon credit gives more profit.

The presentation delivered by

Mr.

Henry

Responding to a question on what is needed to

Scheyvens from the Institute for Global Environmental

recover the trust of the community, Mr. Warta stated10

that it would be necessary to prevent deforestation andof the reference level and the information system ofprovide incentives besides developing reference

safeguards, and that discussions would continue towardemission level and MRV and addressing safeguards

COP18. Responding to a question on how to maintainsimultaneously.

consistency between prompt implementation of

Lastly, Mr. Bigol from Papua New Guinea, who

REDD+ and international negotiations in a limited time,

made a presentation on the first day, had a serious

he said that a voluntary approach instead of anquestion for the attendees, asking them to think if it isinternational framework would promote this.

possible to make the project a success given the fact

However, in terms of the opinions in developingthat his country has a very limited number of engineers

countries

about

the

progressofinternationalwith monitoring technology and this small number ofnegotiations and the Japanese approach, Mr. Keo

engineers cover a vast area.

pointed out a problem, saying, “Frankly speaking,
REDD takes time and needs money, and its process is

Session 4: Panel discussion

complicated.” His opinion shows that developing

What is necessary to utilize the capability of eachcountries are worried about REDD, while holding great

player to the maximum extent for the promotion of

expectations. Regarding funding, which is one of the

REDD activities?

most worrisome issues, he stated that donors are very

A panel discussion was held following theimportant in the first stage of funding, in which thepresentations from the attending countries and agencies.

private sector plays an important role, and proposed

Panelists were Dr. Walker from Winrock International,

that banks seeking investment opportunities should join

Ms. Swickard from VCS, Mr. Kao from Cambodia,

the discussion in order to find solutions together.

and Mr. Satoshi Akahori, who is the Director of the

As an essential issue of REDD+, one attendee

Forest Carbon Sink Strategy Office of the Research,asked if economic incentives from REDD are larger

Extension and Environment Policy Division ofthan what would normally be expected from a

Forestry Agency; the moderator was Mr. Mitsuo

development project. Mr. Busch stated that it isMatsumoto from FFPRI. In the panel discussion,

possible to obtain larger economic incentives because

questions from the floor were used as a basis for

REDD is intended not to stop economic activities

discussion.

associated with deforestation but to reduce emissions.

Responding to a question on how to evaluate

In addition, he predicted that REDD would get a better

safeguards under the strict payment system, Ms.

reception in areas unsuitable for oil palm plantations

Swickard stated that they can be evaluated by theowing to inconvenient location. Agreeing with Mr.

original framework that a country constructs for

Busch’s opinion, Dr. Walker said, “REDD+ is not

safeguards and monitoring, and that monitoring andalways the best solution in every area on the earth.” Shereports can verify the achievements. Asked by Director

implied that, if an oil palm plantation is associated with

Dr. Matsumoto about the impression of the guidelines

deforestation, not only REDD but also other sectorsof the Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism, she also

whose economic activities are impaired by this may

asserted that VCS is also considering the same problem

become involved.

and wishes to maintain the same direction in the future.

Japan declared that it would not participate in the

Mr. Akahori was asked a question on the direction

Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol.

and schedule of technological standards. He stated that

Concerning the Japanese declaration, an attendee asked

COP17 has decided only on the outline of the modality

if there would be collaboration with Canada and Russia,
11which also declared that they would not participate in
the Second Commitment Period. Mr. Akahori said,“Cooperation will continue, though it will develop on a
voluntary basis.” The Japanese government currently
specifies the framework of the Bilateral Offset Credit
Mechanism as the core of its measures after 2013. In
addition, Mr. Akahori stated that Japanese companies
participate in the demonstration activities of REDD
voluntarily and provide knowledge obtained in theactivities to the government for policy formulation.
Closing session
As a conclusion, Dr. Mitsuo Matsumoto of the
REDD Research and Development Center of FFPRI
summarized the seminar. Each country and eachorganization had noticed that the simple structuredeveloped in the past is not sufficient to promote
REDD+ and had advanced to the stage of constructing
or planning to construct a database that integrates
various data collected since the previous seminar. At
the same time, he was moved by the sharing among
participants of knowledge and experiences based onreal-world activities, and outlined the structure of theaccounting reporting system for REDD+. Dr.
Matsumoto expressed his desire that every participate
in this two-day seminar would return to his or her
country and further develop activities based on theknowledge obtained here, to enable realization of afuture with abundant forests.

12