JCM_LA_F_SGIP_REDD+_ver01.0

JCM REDD-plus Safeguard Activity Implementation Plan Form
A. Project description
A.1. Title of the JCM project
REDD+ project in Luang Prabang Province through controlling shifting cultivation
A.2. Description of project contribution to sustainable development“REDD+ project in Luang Prabang Province through controlling shifting cultivation(hereinafter JCM-REDD+)” is a REDD+ project under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)
which introduces an operational procedures of a system which is indispensable and based oncapabilities of rural people in project area and corresponded with natural resources, cultural
aspects and social capitals in the area. The project aims to lead the change in the way of utilizing
forest and contribute to develop an appropriate way of lane use. Therefore, we expect that asustainable land use is introduced by the JCM-REDD+ and contributes to achieve some of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Especially, this project is essential to achieve SDG
13 “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” and SDG 15 “Sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity
loss” from a natural scientific view, and to achieve SDG 1, “End poverty in all its forms
everywhere” from a social scientific view, with local activities based on efforts to benefit the
local people.
B. Plans for implementing and monitoring the safeguard activities
Criterion (a) Complement or be consistent with the objectives of relevant laws, policies,
programmes and other instruments at national, regional and local levels and relevantinternational conventions and agreements concluded by the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Relevant laws, policies, programmes and other instruments and relevant international
conventions and agreements concluded by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and theirobjectives
The relevant laws, policies, programmes and other instruments to the project are followings,
which interprets the country’s safeguard obligations under the Cancún agreement;
Forestry Law (2007): It categorizes forests into three administrative categories (production
forests; protection forests; and conservation forests) managed by different administrative
levels (central, provincial and district). There are forests outside of the three forest
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categories, which are mostly under village management, however often without clear
management systems. The project discussed about land and forest management in thetarget site with the Department of Forestry (DOF) under the Ministry of Agriculture andForestry (MAF) to confirm compliance with the Forestry Law and related guidanceLand Law (2003): It is the principle legislative instrument governing the management,
protection and use of land in Lao PDR. Article 3 of the Land Law reaffirms Article 17 of
the constitution, through which land belongs to the national community, and the state ischarged with the centralized and uniform management of land, including allocation. Land
may be state land, state asset, public land asset or land for which land use rights are held byindividuals, communities or other organizations. Under the Land Law, all land is classified
into a category for which boundaries must be determined. The project also discussed about
land and forest management in the target site with the DOF under the MAF to confirm
compliance with the Land Law and related guidance
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Gaps and/or inconsistencies with the objectives and contribution to achieving the objectives
Any gaps and inconsistencies in the project activities are not identified. All of project
activities are implemented according to the Socio-economic Development Plan in Phonxay
District, Luang Prabng Province, which is in line with Forestry Law, Land Law and otherrelated guidelines.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
Considered unnecessary beyond the contents as mentioned above. The consistency with thelaws and regulations will be monitored.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
The relevant laws, policies, programmes and other instruments at national, regional and local
levels and relevant international conventions and agreements may be changed in the future.
To monitor and respond to this evolving situation, an inventory of all laws and other
instruments governing or otherwise relevant to the project has been drawn-up, and will be
reviewed and updated annually.
Criterion (b) Establish transparent and effective project governance structures
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Existing project governance structures
Decision-making processes: the DOF is the adviser for this project and has authority to
manage REDD+ related governance. The DOF is ultimately responsible for management and2

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law enforcement of the REDD+ in Lao PDR. The project or project proponent(s) collaborated
with the DOF and other line agencies.
Consultation consensus building and information dissemination processes: this project
follows the process and procedure guided by the DOF. An initial inception workshop washeld before the start of “Participatory Land and Forest Management Project for Reducing
Deforestation in Lao PDR (PAREDD)” by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
and Lao PDR (2009 to 2015). Also PAREDD and JCM-REDD+ projects have presented on
numerous meetings to consult and improve project activities. During the project
implementation, the rural people living in the project area and members of the Land andForest Management Committee (LFMC) have been and will continue to be regularly engaged
with, and the project has begun to develop greater trust with many of the communities.
Mechanism for the resolution of grievances: based on above consultation process andprocedure, all of grievances can be collected and resolved.
Financial management system: the financial support from the Ministry of the Environment,
Japan (MOEJ) is received by Waseda University and managed by its operating policies andprocedures.
Benefit sharing: the benefit sharing will be conducted following the procedures developedby the government of Lao PDR. The ultimate goal is to develop sustainable sources ofincome that benefit and incentivize conservation while ensuring food security and resiliency.
Accountability and oversight: accountability and oversight is maintained through regularproject meetings with the stakeholders. Annual village meetings are also an opportunity foraccountability and oversight at the community level, as project objectives and results arepresented and discussed in the meetings.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Elements of project governance structures that can be strengthened
Several risks/gaps were identified as follows;
1. There is a risk of misunderstanding about the JCM-REDD+ project among the rural
people.
2. Some important procedure such as benefit sharing in Lao PDR is still under thedevelopment.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
In order to improve information dissemination, the following communication activities are
conducted;
1. Project meetings for government stakeholders (e.g., DOF) to understand their expectedroles and responsibilities in project implementation.
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2. Annual review workshop for all communities in the project area to receive acomprehensive update on the project and to express concerns/ideas.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
The project is implemented in parallel with collecting records of activities to monitor thesituation of safeguard activities;
1. Activity report, which is prepared to keep transparency of activities.
2. Minutes, which is prepared to keep transparency and to share discussion process and resultswith stakeholders.
Criterion (c) Recognize and respect rights to lands and resources
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Rights to lands and resources related to the project
The project area is separated into protection forest, managed by provincial government(PAFO) and district government (DAFO), and production forest, managed by the PAFO andDAFO and all of forest are under administration of the DOF under the MAF. Rights of use in
the project area are allocated to the individual in accordance with Forestry Law, and all thepeople (households) in the project area agreed to implement REDD+ in the area throughparticipatory consultation process.
There was no official procedure to have the permission of REDD+ project in Lao PDR.
Implementing this project as a JCM-REDD+ project was agreed by both the governments of
Lao PDR and Japan.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Impacts of the project activities on the rights to lands and resources
Considered unnecessary beyond the contents as mentioned above.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
The situation regarding rights to lands and resources will be changed in the future. We will
monitor and respond to this evolving situation.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
To monitor and respond to this evolving situation, we will review related institutionalarrangements and their updated annually.

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Criterion (d) Recognize and respect the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples andmembers of local communities
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities relevant to
the project
As mentioned above, the project is implemented based on capabilities of rural people in the
project area. Knowledge of rural people in the project area, especially traditional land andforest resources management are deeply respected. The rural people’s rights are also to berespected according to Forestry Law, which allows land use right allocation to the rural
people. In addition, all activities are selected and implemented through participatory methods,
thus, the will of the rural people in project area are fully respected.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Potential project impacts on rights of indigenous peoples and local communities
Enhancing land and forest management system in the project has potential to provide
significant benefits to the rural people. However, benefits are dependent on inclusion of therural people in project area.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
All of activities are selected and implemented through participatory methods.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
To monitor and respond to safeguard issues, staffs of the REDD+ station keep
communication with the rural people and report progress of the activities to project
management team (i.e., project proponent(s) and NAFRI) accordingly.
Criterion (e) Promote and support the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders,in particular indigenous peoples and local communities
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Project stakeholders and their participation
Based on preliminary survey in the project site, it was identified that some ethnic groups were
living in the project area and heavily depended on forest resources. Almost all rural
households in the area, except a few government employees, relied on shifting cultivation. In
addition, the site was home to two ethnic groups (not majority in Lao PDR) – the Khmu andthe Hmong – who use different farming practices and have different attitudes towards landuse. The Hmong and Khmu groups had their own historical and current agricultural
production methods. Hmong households used to grow opium as a cash crop and owned cattle
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as their primary livestock. They had greater assets and are more often able to buy agriculturalland and other necessities when setting in new villages comparing to the Khmu. In contrast,
Khmu households tended to raise small livestock such as pigs and poultry. Such difference is
is identified as characteristics of both ethnic group.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Potential to enhance stakeholder participation, including through capacity building
There were not identified risks, gaps and inconsistencies among ethnic groups. While small
issue of the gender was identified. Women typically have tendency not to show their opinions
to their husband and also at village meetings. Then small risk is difficulty to involve women
into the project activities.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
To promote participation, the project enhances all of activities and management of the LFMC
which was established with support by JICA. Considering situation of gender issue in the
project area, the project invites some women to join the LFMC: 1) to keep equal
opportunities to join decision-making of land and forest management in the village; and 2) toenhance all of women to show their opinions at village meetings. Also the proponent(s) andNAFRI check degree of participation of rural people by using participation list for all ofactivities in the site. Similarly, engagement of all indigenous peoples are to be based on
careful assessment.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
As same as above, the monitoring is based on communication with rural people and checking
participation list for all of activities in the site. During the project period, the proponent(s) (bycollaboration with the LFMC) frequently visit project site and keep communication with rural
people, especially with minorities
Criterion (f) Provide equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Employment policy, occupational health and safety, wages, training and supervision, andworker grievances
The project do not have any plans of employment in order to promote project activities.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions
As mentioned above, the project does not have any plans of employment.
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Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (f).
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (f).
Criterion (g) Conserve natural forests
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Natural forests in the project area
There is no primary forest in the target site because all of primary forest had experiences ofburning by shifting cultivation. Regarding natural forests which include secondary forests,
the project aims to conserve through expansion of fallow years after shifting cultivation andenhance both quantity (i.e., carbon stock) and quality (e.g., biodiversity of animals) of theforests.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Clearing or disturbance of trees of other natural forest vegetation
There were general risks of forest fires, but were as same as fire incidents in the settlement.
There were not identified additional risks regarding primary or natural forest in the target site.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (g).
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (g).
Criterion (h) Respect other prioritized areas that have high values for the conservation of
biological diversity and ecosystem services
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)Other areas with high values for the conservation of biological diversity and ecosystemservices that could be impacted
There are no other prioritized areas that have high values for the conservation of biologicaldiversity and ecosystem services in the target site. As mentioned above, this project aims to
expand fallow years after shifting cultivation and enhance both quantity (i.e., carbon stock)and quality (e.g., biodiversity of animals) of the forests. Then such activities will be essential
to enhance conservation values.

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Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Impacts of the project activities on biological diversity and ecosystem services in theidentified areas
There were not identified risks regarding conservation of biological diversity and ecosystemservices.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (h).
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (h).
Criterion (i) Generate other social and environmental benefits
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Living standards in the project vicinity
It is anticipated that the project generates significant social and environmental benefits.
Without the project, it would be difficult for the communities to improve their livelihoods
and enhance forest conservation. Most households in the project area are low income
compared with national average (average annual income is less than US$ 2,200, calculated by
the rate of 1USD = 11,512 Kip) and heavily depend on forest resources (Hiratsuka et al.
2020).
Hiratsuka et al. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00701-5
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Social and environmental benefits
Complicated scheme of the REDD+ sometimes brings some misunderstanding of the rural
people. The primary risks to not generate social and environmental benefits are depended on“group activities” under the REDD+, because “group activities” has potential to enhancerural people’s capability development and increase income generation.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
As same as addressing procedures regarding Criterion (e), the project will enhance all ofactivities by the LFMC, which was established with support by JICA during the project
period. During the project period, the proponents (by collaboration with the LFMC) willcontinuously visit project site and keep communication with rural people, especially withminorities.

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Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
As same as above, the proponent(s) will enhance other social and environmental benefits
accordingly.
Criterion (j) Address the risks of reversals
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Risks of reversals
From quick analysis for the past 20 years on the land and forest dynamics by using satellite
imagery, there were no unplanned burning in the project site (i.e., accidental burning over 3.0ha). Also there were no natural disturbances in the past 20 years.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Project activities to reduce risk of reversals and expected effectivenessThe risks of reversals are unplanned burning of the forests. But as mentioned above, there
were no unplanned burning occurred in project site for past 20 years, (i.e., accidental burningover 3.0 ha). Other natural disturbances or human disturbances which is specific in projectsite are not identified. The risk of the reversals is identified quite low.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
There is no plan regarding points of Criterion (j). The most important point is that the projectis implemented by participatory method in order to collect small incidents in the project siteand such procedures should reduce risks of reversals.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding points of Criterion (j). As same as above, the most important
point is that the project is implemented by participatory method and such procedures should
reduce risks of reversals.
Criterion (k) Reduce the risks of emissions displacement
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Risks of emissions displacement
From results of preliminary survey before the commencement of the project and mobility
analysis by expert opinion and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) of the project, there had
not been identified displacement of activities (emissions). It was because that surrounding9

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area of the project site there were not enough forest for shifting cultivation. Then the rural
people are not be able to move to other villages for implementing new shifting cultivation.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Project activities to reduce risk of emissions displacement and expected effectiveness
There were not identified risks of emissions displacement.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (k).
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3(c), Annex I)
There are no plan regarding pints of Criterion (k).
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