JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Addressing and Respecting Safeguards for
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the Role ofConservation, Sustainable Management of Forests and Enhancement of Forest Carbon
Stocks in Developing Countries (REDD-plus)
CONTENTS
1.

Scope and applicability.......................................................................................................... 2

2.

Terms and definitions ............................................................................................................ 2

3.

General guidelines ................................................................................................................. 2

4.

Criteria for the safeguards under the JCM ............................................................................. 3

5.

Developing a SGIP and a SGPR ............................................................................................ 5
5.1.

Completing a SGIP form ................................................................................................ 5

5.2.

Completing a SGPR form ............................................................................................ 21

Annex I.

Instruction for planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting safeguard

activities.................................................................................................................................. 29

Annex II.

Supplementary guidance for the planning of each safeguard criterion ................ 31

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1. Scope and applicability1
1.

The “Joint Crediting Mechanism Guidelines for Addressing and Respecting Safeguards for
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the Role ofConservation, Sustainable Management of Forests and Enhancement of Forest Carbon
Stocks in Developing Countries (REDD-plus)” (hereinafter referred to as “these
Guidelines”) are intended to assist project participants develop a REDD-plus safeguard
activity implementation plan (hereinafter referred to as “SGIP”) and a REDD-plus
safeguard activity progress report (hereinafter referred to as “SGPR”) under the Joint
Crediting Mechanism (hereinafter referred to as “JCM”).

2.

These Guidelines describe standards which are requirements to be met, except guidanceindicated with the terms “should” and “may” as defined in paragraph 8 below.

3.

These guidelines promote the national REDD-plus strategy and/or the action plan and the
Safeguards Information System established by the Kingdom of Cambodia.

2. Terms and definitions
4.

Safeguards for REDD-plus projects under the JCM are specified as a set of criteria, which
conditions to be met by the project, as are set out in paragraph 20 below.

5.

Safeguard activities are activities considered necessary to ensure that the REDD-plus
safeguards criteria are respected when implementing the project activities.

6.

A “SGIP” is prepared by project participants by filling in the “REDD-plus Safeguard
Activity Implementation Plan Form” (hereinafter referred to as “SGIP form”).

7.

A “SGPR” is prepared by project participants by filling in the “REDD-plus Safeguard
Activity Progress Report Form” (hereinafter referred to as “SGPR form”).

8.

The following terms apply in these Guidelines:(a) “Should” is used to indicate that among several possibilities, one course of action isrecommended as particularly suitable;(b) “May” is used to indicate what is permitted.

9.

Terms in these Guidelines are defined in “JCM Glossary of Terms” available on the JCM
website.

3. General guidelines
10. When designing a proposed JCM project and developing a SGIP and a SGPR, project
participants apply these Guidelines.

1

The relationship between a JCM project for REDD-plus and national or sub-national
REDD-plus activities under the UNFCCC will be considered in line with any future decisions of
UNFCCC.
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11. Before validation, using the SGIP form project participants specify plans for implementing
and monitoring the safeguard activities that they have identified for the criteria described inparagraph 20.
12. Project participants implement the safeguard activities and monitoring processes for thesafeguards criteria as set out in the plans.
13. Before every verification, using the SGPR form project participants provide acomprehensive report on the situation with respect to each criterion (even if safeguard
activities were not deemed necessary for a specific criterion/criteria), the implementationand impacts of the safeguard activities, as well as any intended revisions and additions tostrengthen the safeguard activities and their monitoring processes for the next monitoring
period.
14. These Guidelines, the SGIP form and the SGPR form can be obtained electronically fromthe JCM website.
15. The Joint Committee may revise the SGIP form and the SGPR form, if necessary.
16. The SGIP form and the SGPR form are completed in English language.
17. The presentation of values in the SGIP form or SGPR form, including those used for the
calculation, where necessary, should be in international standard format e.g. 1,000
representing one thousand and 1.0 representing one. The units used should be accompaniedby their equivalent S.I. units/norms (thousand/million) as part of the requirement to ensuretransparency and clarity.
18. The SGIP form and the SGPR form are to be completed without their formats, fonts andheadings being altered.
19. All cells in the SGIP form and the SGPR form are to be completed, that is, none of themshould be left empty.

4. Criteria for the safeguards under the JCM
20. Criteria for the safeguards under the JCM are the following:(a) Complement or be consistent with the objectives of relevant laws, policies,
programmes and other instruments at national, regional and local levels andrelevant international conventions and agreements concluded by the Kingdom of
Cambodia;(b) Establish transparent and effective project governance structures;(c) Recognize and respect rights to lands and resources;(d) Recognize and respect the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples 2 andmembers of local communities;
2

The definition of indigenous peoples in Cambodia is specified in Land Law 2001.
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JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0(e) Promote and support the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, inparticular indigenous peoples and local communities;(f)

Provide equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions;(g) Conserve natural forests;(h) Respect other prioritized areas that have high values for the conservation of
biological diversity and ecosystem services;(i)

Generate other social and environmental benefits;(j)Address the risks of reversals; and(k) Reduce the risks of emissions displacement.
21. To address and respect the safeguards in the JCM REDD-plus project in a stepwise manner,
project participants use the guidance described in Annex I and Annex II for planning,
implementing, monitoring and reporting the safeguard activities per each criterion.

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5. Developing a SGIP and a SGPR
22. Instructions for completing a SGIP and a SGPR are provided below. A hypotheticalexample is provided to enhance the clarity of these Guidelines. This hypothetical example
is fictional and purely for illustrative purposes.

5.1. Completing a SGIP form
<Example of a completed SGIP>
A. Project description
A.1. Title of the JCM project
Reducing deforestation and forest degradation through community-based forest management
and agricultural intensification in Cambodia.
A.2. Description of project contribution to sustainable development
Activities in the project are community-based forest management and agriculturalintensification with local communities. Through those activities, improvement of local
community’s livelihood will be expected. The project will contribute sustainable developmentin the community.
・ Provide a concise description of how the project contributes to the sustainable
development of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
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 Kingdom of Cambodia
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Relevant laws, policies, programmes and other instruments and relevant international
conventions and agreements concluded by the Kingdom of Cambodia, and their objectives
The laws and guidelines most relevant to the project and their objectives are:• Law to Protect the Environment, which supports the conservation of environmental
resources and biodiversity;• National Land Law, which aims at the orderly management of land and requires that local
people who use the land are involved in land use planning;• Forestry Act, which aims at the sustainable management of forests for the benefit of thenation, and also specifies community forestry as a legal regime of forest management applicableto the permanent forest estate;• Decree on Community Forestry, which promotes community involvement in forest
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management by allowing local communities rights to utilize forest resources under 15-year
renewable management arrangements with the State;• Community Forest Guidelines, which specify the requirements and rights for Community
Forests.
The programmes most relevant to the project and their objectives are:
• The National REDD+ Strategy, which aims to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas
emissions as well as generate tradable emissions reductions;• The National Agricultural Development Plan, which is the country’s blueprint to guide
future directions in agriculture and rural development;• The latest 5-Year Development Plan, which aims to reduce rural poverty and increase theprovision of basic services such as health and education to rural areas.
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
No risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies identified.
The proposed project fully supports the implementation of the 5 most relevant laws andguidelines and 3 most relevant programmes listed above. The project will provide support to 4
communities encompassing 12 villages to design and implement forest management plans
following the processes prescribed in the Community Forest Guidelines and sustainably manage
the community forests. The forests they will be responsible for managing are all under threat ofdeforestation and degradation from local actors, specifically the resident communities as well as
recent migrants that have settled in the area.
In line with the 5 most relevant laws and 3 most relevant programmes, the project will:(i) Conserve biodiversity rich forests with high carbon stocks that provide important ecosystemservices to adjacent communities and the country as a whole by stopping forest conversion,
reducing the risk of forest fires in the project area, and activities to reduce the risk of emissions
displacement;(ii) Provide incomes for the communities through the cultivation, processing and marketing of
high-value certified organic agricultural crops in the activity area and employment in project
activities, such as forest patrols and forest inventory;(iii) Provide a sustainable source of timber and fuel wood for local use.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
Considered unnecessary.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)The situation regarding relevant laws, policies, programmes and other instruments at national,
regional and local levels and relevant international conventions and agreements could change,
especially with the Government of Cambodia likely to issue new standards, decrees andregulations for REDD+. To monitor and respond to this evolving situation, an inventory of alllaws and other instruments governing or otherwise relevant to the project will be drawn-up, andwill be reviewed and updated annually. This list will be held in soft and hard copy format in the
Project Management Office. If during this process the project is found not to comply with the
new instruments, the necessary changes will be made to ensure compliance.
・ For guidance on completing the SGIP for all criteria (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k), refer toTable 1 “Approaches for planning safeguard activities per each criterion” in Annex II.
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Supplementary Guidance for planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting safeguard
activities.
・ For the monitoring of all criteria (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k), describe how the situation will
be monitored and describe the parameters, methods and frequency for monitoring theimplementation of the safeguard activities and their impacts.
Criterion (b) Establish transparent and effective project governance structures
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Existing project governance structures
Decision-making processes
The project will be managed from the Project Management Office, which is to be set up inprovincial capital XYZ, enabling regular travel to the project and activity areas. The ProjectManagement Office is responsible for the day-to-day decisions associated with running the
project, including organizing the necessary technical and other inputs. It will hold an internalMonthly Project Management Meeting for review and planning purposes.
A Project Steering Committee will be established and will meet every six months. Meeting
records will be kept as minutes at the Project Management Office. The Project Steering
Committee reviews the performance of the Project Management Office and sets the strategy forthe coming 6 months. The members of the Project Steering Committee will be senior officers of
the project participants, a representative of the Provincial Forest Office and a representative ofeach of the Community Forest Management Committees.
The Community Forest Management Committees are responsible for establishing regulations
and plans for the management and utilization of the Community Forests. The Community Forest
Management Plans must be approved by the Forestry Department. The Community Forest
Management Committees will meet monthly to take decisions about the day-to-day
management and use of the community forests.
Consultation consensus building and information dissemination processes
The project has been designed through a series of meetings at national and local level with the
major project stakeholders. Consultation with the Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Environmentand Department of Lands was conducted to ensure the project design is fully aligned withnational policies and programmes.
A series of meetings was organized with the 4 participating communities to discuss the projectidea. The meeting documents can be requested from the project participants. See Criterion (c)for more details.
A provincial stakeholder workshop was held and was well attended by all the major
stakeholders identified by the project (see criterion (e) for stakeholder list). The objective of theworkshop was to inform stakeholders of the proposed project and to receive feedback on its
feasibility and the appropriateness of the project idea. Presentations were made by Company
ABC, Company DEF, NGO ABC, the Provincial Forest Office and traditional leaders of several
villages. Strong support for the project was expressed by all stakeholder groups. A number ofquestions were raised and answered. The agenda of the workshop, the participants list and arecord of the questions and answers can be requested from the project participants.
Information about the project idea and design was disseminated through the above processes. In
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addition, to keep the communities well-informed, the Project Management Office will provide
project updates at the monthly Community Forest Management Committee meetings.
Mechanism for the resolution of grievances
The Community Forest Management Committees of the 4 participating communities will meetmonthly and will handle any complaints raised by their members regarding activities of the
project at the local level. At this level, the Committees will resolve any major grievances using
the customary practice of involving the whole village/community in a discussion to address
issues, taking as long as necessary to resolve the issue.
Financial management system
Project finances will be managed by Company ABC using its financial management system.
Company ABC has managed US$XXX million dollars for international projects, demonstratingthat its financial management system meets international expectations for accountability andtransparency. Its accounts are audited annually. Information on the financial management
system can be requested from Company ABC, and past financial statements and audit reports
are available on its website.
Benefit sharing
The major financial benefit from the project is expected to be from the sale of certified
high-value organic agricultural produce on the international market. Company ABC will
provide the necessary guidance and other technical inputs for the project villages to cultivate
these crops. The benefits from the sales will be shared by the communities and Company ABC.
The Forestry Department is responsible for managing any carbon offsets that are generated by
the project and allocated to Cambodia. Company DEF and the Forestry Department havedecided to provide the necessary funds to finance the community forests, particularly the rolesof the communities in forest management and fire control.
Accountability and oversight
Accountability and oversight are to be provided by the Project Steering Committee.
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 identified.
1: There is a risk that misunderstanding about the project among various groups could arise andthis could lead to tensions and even force the project to close.
2: An appropriate mechanism to receive and resolve grievances directed at the ProjectManagement Office is yet to be designed.
3: Farmers may not receive a fair price for their agricultural produce. This risk was raised by thecommunities during project consultation and design workshops with them.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
1: To improve information dissemination, the following activities will be conducted:(i) A project webpage with information in the national language and the local language of theminority ethnic group XYZ that comprises the 4 participating communities will be created andregularly updated; (ii) The Community Radio station in province XYZ will be invited each year
to visit and report on the project.
2: An appropriate mechanism to resolve grievances at the project level will be developed.
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3: A “fair” payment to the farmers will be ensured by the project acquiring Fairtradecertification.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)
Situation / safeguard
activity to be monitored
Information
dissemination /webpage, radio reports
Grievances / grievanceresolution mechanism“Fairness” of payments
to farmers / Fairtradecertification

Indicators

Frequency

Content of project webpage;
Community Radio reports on project

Annually

Existence of grievance resolution
mechanism; No. of grievances
received and whether resolved tosatisfaction of all parties
Active Fairtrade certification;
Comparison of payments undersimilar schemes

Existence confirmed by
end of Year 1; Usemonitored annually
Annually

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 lands and resources primarily related to the project are the forested lands in the project area
and the agricultural lands where project activities will be implemented.
Project Area
Under the Forestry Act, the state is required to recognize and ensure the traditional use rights oflocal communities living near the permanent forest estate for the purpose of traditional customs,
beliefs, religious practices and living. While customary rights are recognized in the law, thisprotection in practice is weak. Having a legally recognized community forest is attractive to
many communities, as it means that their customary rights cannot be so easily taken away fromthem, and because it allows them to pursue other activities, e.g. sustainable harvesting of timber
for sale or a REDD+ project, so long as these are approved by the Forestry Department.
Under an earlier project, some of the project participants provided support to the 12 villages tohave their forests approved by the government as 4 community forest sites through 4community forest agreements, which have a duration of 15-years (renewable). Agreements weresigned between the government and each of the participating communities to clarify all rights
regarding lands and resources, including carbon ownership, in the community forests. The rights
to the carbon are held by the government and are managed by the Forestry Department (one ofthe project participants).
A socio-economic baseline study to develop community profiles was conducted for each
community. The 4 Community Profiles are attached. The Community Profile describes for each
community its history (including conflicts, if any), demographics, social structure,occupations/livelihoods, government services, physical infrastructure, living conditions,customary use of land and forests, and ecosystem services. Customary uses of land and forest
recorded in the Community Profiles include sacred sites, wood and bamboo used to construct
houses, and non-timber forest products.

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Activity Area
The project will support agricultural intensification activities (certified high-value organic
produce) in the activity area, which is adjacent to the project area. Households have the legal
title to this land, which can be confirmed by viewing the property titles.
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
Legal and customary rights to land and resources
No risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies identified.
The project is not anticipated to have any negative impacts on the legal and customary rights ofthe participating communities to land and resources. To the contrary, the project will provide
support to the communities to maintain their legal rights, which include customary uses, overthe community forests.
Free prior informed consent (FPIC) process
1 gap identified.
The project supports the management of 4 community forests. The community forest approachin Cambodia is bottom-up and aligns well with FPIC principles. Community forests are not“forced” on the communities. To the contrary, the communities can either initiative the process
for a community forest, or they can decide to establish a community forest after the Forestry
Department has proposed the idea to them. The Community Forest Guidelines aim to involvethe entire community in the management of the community forest. The election of theCommunity Forest Management Committee is done through a secret ballot during a public
meeting in which at least 2/3 of the community must participate. An independent study has
found that in Cambodia, the Community Forestry Guidelines empower local people with fullrights on forest resources and also enables them to establish rules and regulations suited to theircultural and socioeconomic conditions (Reference AAA).
The project builds on an earlier initiative to support 4 communities establish community forests.
To ensure they had full understanding of the project idea, and to seek their views on how tostrengthen it, 2 workshops were organized with the communities. The workshops wereannounced 1 month in advance and participation of all community members was requested. The
meetings were facilitated by NGO ABC, which has established strong trust relationships withthe communities through its engagement with them over the past 15 years. The proposed project
activities were presented in local language using visual aids and participatory methods.
Community members were encouraged to express any concerns and identify potential risks, aswell as to contribute alternative ideas. Focus group discussions (men, women, youth) wereconducted to elicit their concerns and ideas. The initial project idea was modified through thisprocess. The workshop materials and video documentation of the workshops can be requested
from the project participants.
Gap: A process to keep the entire community informed about the project has not been
established.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)• Hold a review workshop each year for all community members to receive an 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)
• A socio-economic survey covering all households in the participating communities will be
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conducted every 3 years. The design of the survey will use the concept of “sustainable
livelihoods”, and the indicators will include rights to land and resources. Any changes in theserights will thus be documented in the surveys. The survey will also assess the level ofsatisfaction with the project.
• The annual community project review workshops will be reported in the project’s annual
reports. Level of participation (no.s of men, women, youth), issues raised, etc. will be reported.
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 theproject
Knowledge
The 12 villages consist of minority people who have resided in the area for many generations.
They have accumulated significant knowledge about forest ecosystems and biodiversity,
associated with their use of forest resources and cultural practices. This knowledge is passed onorally from one generation to the next and is mostly not documented.
Rights
Project villages
The villages participating in the project consist of people from one minority ethnic group. Theircustomary and legal rights have partly been described under Criterion (c). The leaders of theethnic group are making efforts to hold on to their indigenous and local knowledge, and theirtraditional communal values. The concerns they expressed in the Community Profiles regarding
their rights include: loss of identify; inadequate livelihoods to meet their basic human needs;
and inadequate public services (they must pay for school fees, basic medicines and healthchecks, despite being poor).
Migrant communities
The rights of the migrant communities that the project is likely to affect are related to their useof land and resources in the project area. In the without-project scenario, it is expected that theywould convert some of the project area for agriculture, extract timber and fuel wood for local
use, and hunt animals using fires. While legally they do not have the rights to this land andresources, they do have basic human rights, including the right to live above the poverty line.
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
Knowledge
No risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies identified.
The project does not intend to take commercial advantage of any traditional or local knowledgeof indigenous peoples and local communities. This knowledge will be beneficial for many of the
project activities in-so-far as the communities will use this knowledge when devising theirforest management plans and implementing activities.
RightsSeveral risks and 1 gap identified.
Project communities
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The project is not expected to compromise any rights of the participating communities, butrather to contribute to their livelihoods and wellbeing. This is explained under criterion (i).
Nevertheless, there are risks that some of the organic farming activities may not perform
optimally, either because of technical issues associated with cultivation or volatility of market
prices. Poor performance of the woodlots planted to provide timber for local use and fuel woodis another risk. If these risks were to eventuate, the wellbeing of households that in the
without-project scenario would have cleared forest in the project area for agriculture will
decrease, at least in the short-term.
There is also some risk that if the forest patrols are not well-organized, the villagers
participating in the patrols could be exposed to violence.
Migrant communities
There is a risk that if the woodlots supported by the project in the migrant communities are notproductive, their wellbeing might be adversely affected, as the project will stop their conversion
in the project area and reduce the volume of timber and fuel wood they extract from the projectarea.
Gender issues and vulnerable households
Gap: No analysis of vulnerable households or gender issues was conducted during the project
design, though focus group discussions with women were held during the community
workshops.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
 To safeguard women and vulnerable households: In year 1 of the project, a social survey
will be conducted to identify how the project activities can best accommodate the needs ofwomen and of vulnerable households.
 To reduce risk of low production under organic farming: Company ABC will establish asystem for intensive scientific monitoring of inputs, methods and yields. Good practices fromother parts of the country and region will be surveyed and adopted.
 To reduce the risk of forest patrols facing violence: Local forest officers will participate in
the forest patrols in high risk areas.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)
 The Project Steering Committee will report in its minutes the implementation of the Year 1social survey on women and vulnerable households. Appropriate methods and indicators will be
used and the results will inform the design of the 3-yearly socio-economic household surveys.
 Monitoring of project impacts on knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and membersof local communities will be conducted as part of the 3-yearly socio-economic household
surveys. The methods and indicators of the household survey will be developed within the firstyear of the project. Indicators for women’s rights, the wellbeing of vulnerable households, andthe rights (including wellbeing) of the participating in communities and affected migrantcommunities, will be included.
 A monitoring form for the forest patrols will be developed, and the completed forms will belodged with the Community Forest Management Committees and the Project Management
Office. Any threats of violence to patrol teams will be recorded.
Criterion (e) Promote and support the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, inparticular indigenous peoples and local communities
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
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Project stakeholders and their participation
Stakeholder mapping exercises were conducted by the project participants and with the projectcommunities. These exercises identified the following project stakeholders and their interests inthe project:
Stakeholders
Interests in projectPrimary project stakeholders
4 participating
Potential benefits from more defendable legal rights to forests; Income
communities
from sale of organic produce; Institution building
Department of
Build expertise from involvement in a successful REDD+ project;
Forests
Expansion and strengthening of the Community Forest ProgrammeCompany ABC
Revenue from international sales of certified organic produce(Japan)Company DEF
Conservation of biodiversity rich tropical forests, including through(Japan)REDD+ projects
NGO ABC
Supports its mission of promoting community-based natural resource(Cambodia)
management
Provincial
Build expertise from involvement in a successful REDD+ project;
Forest Office
Expansion and strengthening of the Community Forest Programme inprovince XYZGovernment of
Implementation of the JCM; May contribute to INDC; Demonstrates
Cambodia
implementation of the national REDD+ strategy
Government of
Implementation of the JCM with significant biodiversity and communityJapanbenefits
Secondary project stakeholders
Migrant
Impact of project on forest access and benefits they can receive from
communities
woodlots
Other
Supports their mandates
government
departments:
Agriculture,
Environment,
Lands, andClimate Change
Universities
Research with high practical relevance
KLM, NOP
Provincial
Interest in implementing provincial land use plan
government
Tertiary project stakeholders
Residents
Improved water supply from streams running through project area
/farmers inlower parts ofwatersheds
NGO DEF
Interest in how the project contributes to household wellbeing(local NGO
supporting
community
health andenvironment
programme)
Religious
Using the forest for meditation and prayer
groupsBird watchers,
Recreation and study activities in project area13

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schools, etc.
Level and types of participation
An independent study has found that in Cambodia the Community Forestry Guidelines
empower local people with full rights on forest resources and also enables them to establish
rules and regulations suited to their cultural and socioeconomic conditions (Reference AAA).
The project thus supports the efforts of Cambodia to increase community participation in the
management of the permanent forest estate.
The level of participation of the local communities in the project is high. Participation is across-cutting concern that has been reflected in the design of all elements of the project. The
communities have been involved in project design, as explained above and are the central actors
in implementation, as they will design and implement the forest management plans.
Capacity building for participation
To enhance community participation in all aspects of the project, various training modules will
be developed and implemented. Under an earlier initiative, training was provided to thecommunities on participatory GIS and handheld GPS devices for the purpose of mapping theirforest boundaries. Training modules to involve the communities in carbon stock andbiodiversity monitoring will be developed and deployed within 1 year of project validation.
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
1 gap identified.
There are no obvious ways to enhance community participation further within the budgetary
constraints of the project. However, a gender analysis is yet to be conducted to ensure thatwomen’s participation is monitored and that they fully participate in the project. The same
applies to vulnerable households.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
 In Year 1 of the project, a social survey will be conducted to identify how the project
activities can best accommodate the needs of women and of vulnerable households. The results
will be provided to the Community Forest Management Committees with guidance on how toincrease participation, if necessary.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)
 The Project Steering Committee will report in its minutes the implementation of the Year 1social survey on women and vulnerable households.
 Indicators to monitor the participation of women and vulnerable households will be includedin the 3-yearly socio-economic household survey.
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
Once the project is fully launched, Company ABC, Company DEF and NGO ABC will be
responsible for the recruitment of all positions, including technical, administrative, management
and field officers. Under the employment policy, recruitment will be open and will comply with
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the labor laws of Cambodia, which sets out minimum wage rates and procedures for workers tohave their grievances addressed. Preference will be given to local recruitment when candidates
have equivalent capacities. People from the 4 local communities will be recruited for biomass
and biodiversity surveys, and forest patrols, with preference given to vulnerable households.
Training for these roles will be provided. Women’s participation will be encouraged and theirlevel of participation will be monitored.
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
Gaps identified.
Work safety concerns associated with activities in and around the project area include the risk ofcontracting malaria, injuries when moving through the forest, getting temporarily lost,
dehydration and snake bite. For fire suppression, safety concerns include smoke inhalation andburns. A safety plan to deal with these risks and training on health and safety are outstanding.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
 The project will create a comprehensive safety plan within 6 months of the project start,
with input from staff, government officials, and communities, with the goal of reducing the riskof illness and accidents.
 Training on health and safety will be provided to all workers.
 Designated personnel will be trained in first aid and first aid kits will be provided foroutdoor work. The Senior Project Manager will ensure that the first aid kits are maintained.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)
 Implementation of the project’s employment policy will be monitored and the results
provided as part of the project’s annual report.
 Accident-at-work records will be completed within one week after any incident using astandard form and will be filed at the Project Management Office.
 The Project Steering Committee will confirm that the safety plan has been developed, thetrainings conducted, and the first aid kits purchased.
Criterion (g) Conserve natural forests
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Natural forests in the project area
The project area consists of 4 parcels of forest comprised of lowland evergreen forest. These are
multi-storey forests with more than 80% trees of evergreen species, and a canopy cover of over
80 per cent. Emergent trees include Ficus, Dipterocarpus alatus, Shorea vulgaris, Anisoptera
cochichinnensis and Tetrameles nudiflora.
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
None identified.
The project includes no plans to clear any natural forest, other than the cutting of 5 meter wide
fire lines and buffer areas surrounding forests and agricultural lands, as a conservation activity
to protect the forest from the spread of fires. For patrols, existing tracks will be used and there isno intention to cut new tracks.
15

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
Considered not necessary.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)
Forest in the project area will be monitored following the procedures set out in the monitoringplan that is part of the PDD.
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 ecosystem services
that could be impacted
No comprehensive study or mapping of high conservation values has been conducted inprovince XYZ, but the existence of high conservation values in and around the project area isevident from local consultations and a number of national and local studies (Reference BBB,
Reference CCC, Reference DDD). In terms of biodiversity values, sightings of tigers, leopards,
jungle cats, pileated gibbons, dholes, elephants, bantengs, gaurs, and sun bears, many of which
are on the IUCN endangered species list, have been reported in province XYZ. Province XYZ
also holds important indicator bird species, some of which are critically endangered. In addition
to biodiversity, the forests around the project area provide important ecosystem services to the
local communities and wider region, especially in relation to water security and soil protection.
Based on a review of the literature and discussions with local authorities and the communities, apreliminary attempt has been made below to sketch what may generally be considered highconservation value areas near to the project area that the project activities could potentially
impact. Two areas have been identified. One is an area of mostly remnant forest, with somesecondary forest, that is slowly giving way to crop land, and the other is a wetlands area.

16

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

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 the identified
areas
Potential for risks highly unlikely.
There is no apparent risk of the project failing to respect other areas that have high values forthe conservation of biological diversity and ecosystem services. To the contrary, significant
benefits from the project for such areas are anticipated. Forest conservation in the project area
will contribute to the conservation of the wider remnant forest area as it acts as a barrier to the
spread of deforestation deeper into the forest. Organic methods will be used for agriculturalintensification and these are anticipated to improve rather than reduce downstream water
quality.
To completely rule out risks, a comprehensive study of HCVs is required.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I) A comprehensive study on project related HCVs will be conducted by Year 3. The results ofthis study will be used to identify whether any further safeguard activities are necessary.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)
 The HCV report will be available on the project website at the end of Year 3.
Criterion (i) Generate other social and environmental benefits
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)

17

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Living standards in the project vicinity
Most households in the project villages base their livelihoods on the small plots of agriculturalland that they have acquired ownership rights of. This rain fed agricultural land provides
subsistence food and generates some cash income for the households. The Community Profiles
reveal that most households only produce sufficient food for 10 months of the year. They
supplement their diet with forest foods such as wild tubers, mushrooms, and wild vegetables.
Rice, cooking oil, salt and other basic commodities are sometimes purchased from the local
market. The households also raise chickens, pigs and water buffalo, which they sell during
emergencies or other times when they require larger sums of cash. Some households also
generate income through the sale of non-timber forest products, such as bush honey. The
Community Profiles provide the numbers of people in each community that have off-farm
waged employment. Annual income for most households is less than US$1,500, with many
households living near the poverty line.
Risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion (Paragraph 3 (b), Annex I)
Social and environmental benefits
No risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies identified.
It is anticipated that the project will generate significant social and environmental benefits.
Without the project, it will be difficult for the communities to improve their livelihoods andwellbeing, due to rapid population growth, the degradation of natural ecosystems, lack offinancial capital, and lack of knowledge and skills to increase agricultural productivity or secure
paid employment. The only other NGO active in the village is local NGO DEF, which provides
training on basic health care and distributes medicines at low cost. The project participants areworking closely with NGO DEF to ensure that our project activities complement theirs.
Social benefits
Livelihoods
 The project will contribute to livelihoods through agricultural intensification (certified
export quality organic produce); employment in project activities; a sustainable supply of timberand fuel wood for local use; and maintaining the legal right of communities to use forest
resources. By conserving forest cover, the communities will also benefit from forest ecosystemservices, such as regular stream flows and good water quality.
Strengthening community institutions
 Traditional leadership is eroding in the communities and village elders fear the exposure of
their young people to negative outside influences. Project support to the 4 Community Forest
Management Committees will make an important contribution to maintaining strong leadershipin the communities.
Environmental benefits The environmental benefits are associated with the conservation of biodiversity rich forests
with high carbon stocks that provide important ecosystem services to adjacent communities andthe country as a whole.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
Considered not necessary.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)A household socio-economic impact survey and a biodiversity survey will be conducted inevery 3rd year of the project. The designs for the surveys will be completed in Year 1 of the18

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

project. Community members will be trained to participate in the biodiversity surveys. The
surveys will incorporate the HCV concept and cover project impacts within and outside theproject and activity areas.
Criterion (j) Address the risks of reversals
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Risks of reversals
The possible risk of reversals that could face the project are:
 Unprecedented large forest fires due to climate change
There is a risk that unprecedented large forest fires could occur, if climate change results inforest drying.
 Lack of capacities to coordinate and implement the project
Bringing together all primary stakeholders to ensure the project activities are fully implemented
and monitoring conducted as planned will be a significant challenge for the ProjectManagement Office.
 Governance issues
Governance issues that could arise, such as lack of accountability and transparency in allocationof resources, could lead to the cessation of the project.
 Loss of interest
Stakeholders could lose interest in the project, if the anticipated benefits are lower than
expected, and if more profitable land use options become available. The communities could also
lose interest if the forestry officers are overbearing and show no empathy towards them.
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 project has several activities that reduce the risk of reversals; however, not all risks are
addressed as some are beyond the control of the project.
 Unprecedented large forest fires due to climate change
The project includes a number of activities to prevent and suppress forest fires, and these could
be expanded if necessary. The Community Forest Management Plans will include the cutting of
5 meter wide fire lines and clearing lying deadwood (which will be used locally as fuelwood).
Fire lines have proved effective in other areas. Voluntary fire brigades and a cellular phone
network for quick sharing of information on forest fires will also be established as part of the
project activities. It is anticipated that these activities will significantly reduce, though notentirely eliminate, forest fires.
 Lack of capacities to coordinate and implement the project
The project will recruit a senior local manager who is widely recognized and respected by the
project stakeholders, having held similar positions in the past. With support from the project
participants, it is anticipated that the project manager should be able to overcome any
coordination challenges.
 Governance issues
There are wider governance issues in the country and province that are beyond the project’s
control. For the project, strong governance is provided through its financial management
system, participatory mechanisms and processes, processes to keep stakeholders, particularly
the communities, well informed, and its steering committee.
 Loss of interest
19

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Intensive scientific monitoring and adoption of proven methods and practices are expected toresult in high yields of quality organic produce. This is expected to maintain strong interest in
the project. However, some years are likely to generate lower yields than others due tovariations in weather patterns and market prices may also fluctuate from one year to the next.
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
 Loss of interest
Additional incentives can be provided to the communities and can assist in maintaining theirstrong interest in the project, especially if payments for organic agricultural produce are lower
than anticipated. A small grants programme will be established in Year 1 for communities toapply for one project every second year. The community projects could, for example, be pipedwater systems, which some communities have expressed a need for. Experts will be brought inas required to advise on the selection, design and maintenance of community projects. In
addition, to increase benefits to the communities a microfinance scheme will be set up.
Communities will have access to low interest loans with flexible repayment terms forinvestment in microenterprises. Training on microenterprise development will be provided.
Also, training on community engagement will be provided to the forestry officers for them tohave the skills necessary to work constructively with the local communities.
Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I) Forest fires will be monitored annually.
 The Steering Committee will note in its meeting records any issues with stakeholder
coordination as well as wider governance issues in the province and country that could affectthe project.
 Indicators to monitor the community projects and the microfinance scheme will be
developed and will be included in the 3-yearly household socio-economic impact surveys.
 Training of forestry offices on community engagement will be recorded in the project’s
annual reports. The Project Management Office will keep a record of any difficulties that are
directly observed or reported by the Community Forest Management Committees.
Criterion (k) Reduce the risks of emissions displacement
Current situation (Paragraph 3 (a), Annex I)
Risks of emissions displacement
Displacement of emissions is included in the project accounting as it is anticipated that if the
project is implemented migrant and local communities will clear forests in the surrounding area
as they are seeking to open up more land for cropping.
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 effectivenessNo risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies identified.
The activities to reduce the risks of emissions displacement are agricultural intensification
through organic farming of high-value agricultural produce for export and the establishment ofwoodlots to provide timber and fuel wood for local use and a source of income from sales tolocal buyers. Safeguards to increase the likely effectiveness of these activities have been
described in criterion (d).
Plans for safeguards activities (Paragraph 3 (c), Annex I)
None considered necessary.
20

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Plans for monitoring of the situation and the safeguard activity implementation (Paragraph 3 (c),Annex I)
 The productivity of the agricultural land under intensification and of the planted woodlots
will be included as indicators in the 3-yearly socio-economic assessments.

5.2. Completing a SGPR form
A. Project description
A.1. Title of the JCM project

A.2. General information of project
Reference Number
Registration date
Monitoring period
List of documents to be attached to this form,
if necessary
B. Progress of implementing the safeguard activities compliant with the plans
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 Kingdom of Cambodia.
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)

21

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

These instructions apply to all safeguard criteria: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j and k.
・ Describe the plans for safeguard activities and the processes to monitor theirimplementation and impacts, including any revisions of the plan when the need for new
and/or strengthened safeguards activities was identified in the previous SGPR.
・ Describe the results of the monitoring, providing details on any change in the situation
since the start of the project, how and the extent to which the safeguard activities were
implemented and the impacts of the activities.
・ Based on the results of the monitoring, assess whether additional safeguards are needed
and whether the existing safeguards and/or their monitoring should be strengthened. If so,
describe the additional or strengthened safeguard activities and/or monitoring processes
that are planned for the next monitoring period.
Criterion (b) Establish transparent and effective project governance structures
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results

22

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Criterion (c) Recognize and respect rights to lands and resources
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities
23

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Criterion (d) Recognize and respect the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples3 andmembers of local communities
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Criterion (e) Promote and support the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, inparticular indigenous peoples and local communities
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard

3

The definition of indigenous peoples in Cambodia is specified in Land Law 2001.
24

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Criterion (f) Provide equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next

activities

25

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

monitoring

Monitoring of

periodthe situation(Paragraph 3

and the(g), Annex I)

safeguard
activities

Criterion (g) Conserve natural forests
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Criterion (h) Respect other areas that have high values for the conservation of biologicaldiversity and ecosystem services
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

26

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

the SGIP

Monitoring of(including

the situation

any revisions)and thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Criterion (i) Generate other social and environmental benefits
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including
any revisions)Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts27

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Criterion (j) Address the risks of reversals
Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP(including

Monitoring of

any revisions)the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next
monitoring
period(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

activities
Monitoring of
the situationand thesafeguard
activities

Criterion (k) Reduce the risks of emissions displacement28

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Plans

Safeguard

specified in

activities

the SGIP

Monitoring of(including

the situation

any revisions)and thesafeguard
activities

Monitoring

Situation

results(Paragraph 3

Implementation(f), Annex I)
Impacts

Improvements Safeguard
for next

activities

monitoring
periodMonitoring of
the situation(Paragraph 3(g), Annex I)

and thesafeguard
activities

Annex I.
Instruction for planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting
safeguard activities
1.

This instruction indicates processes to plan, implement, monitor and report safeguard
activities in a JCM REDD-plus project.

2.

Project participants are encouraged to improve the safeguard activities continuously during
the project period, taking into account the specific circumstances of each project.

3.

In addressing and respecting the safeguards per each criterion, project participants
undertake the following stepwise process to address each criterion:(a) Identify the current situation with respect to the criterion;(b) Considering the current situation and the project activities, identify any risks, gaps
and/or inconsistencies in relation to whether the project activities comply with thecriterion;(c) When risks, gaps and/or inconsistencies are identified, develop and plan safeguard29

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

activities as well as processes to monitor the implementation and impacts of thesafeguard activities;(d) Implement the safeguard activities;(e) Monitor the situation (even if safeguard activities are not implemented) and theimplementation and impacts of the safeguard activities;(f)

At the end of the monitoring period, report the results of the monitoring of thesituation and the safeguard activities in line with the plan in the SGPR;(g) If the monitoring identifies the need for new and/or strengthened safeguards
activities and/or monitoring processes for the next monitoring period, include thesein the SGPR.

MONITORING PERIOD(a)
Identify
current
situation(b)
Identify any
risks, gaps
and/orinconsistencies(c)Plan safeguard
activities andmonitoringprocesses(d)Implement safeguard activities(e)
Monitor situation andimplementation and impacts ofsafeguard activities(f) Report onmonitoring(g) Plan new and/or strengthened safeguard
activities, reflecting the results of the monitoring

Figure: Indicative diagram of the relationship between the BaU emissions, reference emissions
and project emissions
4.

Approaches for the planning of each safeguard criterion are provided in Annex II.

30

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

Annex II.

Supplementary guidance for the planning of each safeguard criterion

Table: Approaches for planning safeguard activities per each criterion
Criteria(a)(b)

Approaches for planning safeguard activities

Complement or be consistent
with the objectives of relevantlaws, policies, programmes
and other instruments atnational, regional and local
levels and relevantinternational conventions andagreements concluded by theKingdom of Cambodia

i. Identify relevant laws, policies, programmes and other instruments at national, regional and local levels and relevantinternational conventions and agreements ratified or adopted by the Kingdom of Cambodia and their objectives. In doing so,take into account non-forest sectors relevant to drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.
ii. Identify whether the project activities will contribute to achieving the objectives described above and whether any gaps andinconsistencies between the objectives described above and the project activities exist.
iii. If gaps and inconsistencies to be resolved are identified, establish measures to address these issues and include them in theimplementation plan of safeguard activities. If the identified gaps and inconsistencies are caused by reasons beyond the
project’s control, describe such reasons.

Establish transparent andeffective project governancestructures

i. Identify (describe) the project’s existing/proposed governance structures. Provide information on:a) Decision-making processes;b) Consultation, consensus-building and information dissemination processes;c) Grievance resolution mechanism;d) Financial management system;e) Benefit-sharing arrangements;f) Accountability and oversight.
ii. Identify whether the project’s governance structures could be strengthened. Points that may be considered include:a) Transparency and accountability in decision-making processes;b) Provision of information to the public on the main features of the project, including its decision-making framework,
project oversight, any potential risks to stakeholders and plans for mitigating these, the stakeholder engagement process,and free, prior and informed consent processes;c) Effectiveness of information dissemination processes, considering local languages and culturally appropriate andeffective communication methods;d) For grievance resolution, how grievances can be submitted and by whom, the length of time users can expect to wait forresolution of their grievances, and how transparency and impartiality are upheld in decisions made on all grievances
received;e) Transparency of the financial management system;f) How the benefit sharing arrangement and the process to decide the benefit sharing arrangement are fair;g) Sufficiency of project oversight.
iii. If project governance structures can be strengthened, establish measures and include them in the implementation plan ofsafeguard activities.
31

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0(c)

Recognize and respect rights
to lands and resources

i. Identify the legal rights to lands and resources related to the project. Also, through engagement with indigenous peoples andlocal communities identify any of their customary rights to lands, territories and resources,4 paying particular attention to:a) Sites and resources fundamental for satisfying the basic necessities of local communities or indigenous peoples (forlivelihoods, health, nutrition, water, etc.);b) Sites, resources, habitats and landscapes of global or national cultural, archaeological or historical significance, and/orof critical cultural, ecological, economic or religious/sacred importance for the traditional cultures of local communities
or indigenous peoples.5
ii. Identify the impacts of the project activities on the rights to lands and resources, including whether the project activities will
make contributions to improvements of the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities to use, access and manage
their own land.
iii. If negative impacts on the rights to lands and resources are identified, establish measures to address these issues and include
them in the implementation plan of safeguard activities. If free, prior and informed consent has not been acquired from anygroups whose rights to land and resources are negatively affected, include free, prior and informed consent processes in thesafeguard activities.6 Where negative impacts cannot be avoided, alternatives or on fair and just compensation should bearranged in advance with affected people.

Customary rights refer to patterns of long-standing community lands, territories and resource usage in accordance with indigenous peoples’ and local communities’
customary laws, values, customs, and traditions, including seasonal or cyclical use, rather than formal legal title to lands, territories and resources issued by the State.
5
Of the 6 High Conservation Value (HCV) categories recognized by the HCV Network, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are considered under criterion (h) and 5 and 6 are considered undercriterion (c).
6
The following points may be considered when designing free, prior informed consent processes: (a) transparency; (b) gathering the views of all affected people,
including those of women and of marginalized and/or vulnerable people; (c) gender sensitivity, and (d) reflection of relevant customs, norms and traditions. Vulnerable
people are those who lack secure access to the assets on which secure livelihoods are built, while marginalized people are those that have little or no influence overdecision-making processes. Gender sensitivity means taking into account women’s views, needs and interests in project development and implementation.
32
4

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0

(d)

(e)

(f)

Recognize and respect theknowledge and rights ofindigenous peoples andmembers of local communities

i. Identify the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities that the project intends to use, if any, andany rights of indigenous peoples and member of local communities related to the project including statutory and customary
rights. Rights to land and resources of indigenous peoples and member of local communities may be discussed undercriterion (c) above.7 Pay particular attention to rights associated with livelihoods and wellbeing, taking into account genderissues and marginalized and vulnerable groups.8
ii. Identify whether the project upholds the rights of indigenous peoples or local communities over traditional knowledge, if the
project aims to utilize any traditional knowledge.
iii. Identify the potential impacts of the project activities on the rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities,
paying attention to gender issues and marginalized or vulnerable groups.
iv. If free, prior and informed consent has not been obtained for any traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local
communities and/or if negative impacts of the project activities on the rights of indigenous peoples and members of local
communities are identified, establish measures to address these issues and include them in the implementation plan ofsafeguard activities.

Promote and support the fulland effective participation of
relevant stakeholders, inparticular indigenous peoples
and local communities

i. Identify all the stakeholders related to the project activities, including indigenous peoples and local communities, and explain
their interests in the project.
ii. Identify whether opportunities and support for the participation of the stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local
communities, in project activities could be enhanced. Pay particular attention to the participation of women, and vulnerable
and marginalized groups and communities. Consider whether any constraints to effective participation of stakeholders exist,
and whether the project addresses these through capacity building.
iii. If the participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular indigenous peoples, local communities, women and vulnerable andmarginalized groups can be increased, establish measures to increase participation and include them in the implementation
plan of safeguard activities.

Provide equal employment
opportunities and adequate
working conditions

i. Identify the project’s labour management procedures regarding employment policy, occupational health and safety, wages,
training and supervision, and process to respond to worker grievances.
ii. Identify whether the project’s employment policies and working conditions could be strengthened. Points that may beconsidered include: equal employment opportunities (particularly opportunities for women and people from the local
communities); processes to inform employees of their rights; minimum and living wages; adequacy of job-specific training
and supervision for assigned tasks; whether health and safety practices are proportionate to risk; and fair treatment of any
worker grievances.

‘Rights’ refers to individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, and other human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
8
Livelihood refers to the full range of means that individuals, families and communities utilize to make a living, such as wage-based income, agriculture, fishing, foraging,other natural resource-based livelihoods, petty trade and bartering. Wellbeing may be defined as people’s experience of the quality of their lives and may include
environmental, social, economic, psychological, and spiritual dimensions.
33
7

JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0
iii. If the project’s employment policies and working conditions can be strengthened, establish measures to address these issues
and include them in the implementation plan of safeguard activities.

(g)

(h)

(i)

9

Conserve natural forests

i. Provide a description of the natural forests9 in the project area.
ii. Identify whether any project activities could involve the clearing or disturbance of trees or other forest vegetation.
iii. If such activities exist, establish measures to minimize the clearance or disturbance and facilitate recovery, and include themin the implementation plan of safeguard activities.

Respect other areas that havehigh values for theconservation of biologicaldiversity and ecosystemservicesi. Identify any other areas in the project vicinity that have high values for the conservation of biological diversity andecosystem services that could be impacted by the project activities on a map. These may include:a) Concentrations of biological diversity including endemic species, and rare, threatened or endangered species, that are
significant at global, regional or national levels;b) Intact forest landscapes and large landscape-level ecosystems and ecosystem mosaics that are significant at global,
regional or national levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of the naturally occurring species innatural patterns of distribution and abundance;c) Rare, threatened, or endangered ecosystems, habitats or refugia;d) Basic ecosystem services in critical situations, including protection of water catchments and control of erosion ofvulnerable soils and slopes.
ii. Identify any risks that project activities could adversely impact biological diversity and ecosystem services in the identified
areas.
iii. If potential negative impacts are identified, establish measures to address these issues and include them in theimplementation plan of safeguard activities.

Generate other social andenvironmental benefits

i. Identify the living standards and the environment in the project vicinity.
ii. Identify whether the project is expected to generate social and environmental benefits, including any expected contributions
from the project to the objectives of policies and programmes related to the enhancement of social and environmental
benefits that exist in the project vicinity.
iii. If the project is not expected to generate other social and environmental benefits and/or does not contribute to the objectivesof policies and programmes related to the enhancement of social and environmental benefits that exist in the project vicinity,or if the project’s social and environmental benefits can be reasonably increased, establish measures to enhance the socialand environmental benefits and include them in the implementation plan of safeguard activities.

Natural forest may be understood as a forest area with many of the principal characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems, such as complexity, structure andbiological diversity. Natural forest may include forest affected by harvesting or other disturbances where trees have or are being regenerated and where many of theabove-ground and below-ground characteristics of the natural forest are still present.
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JCM_KH_GL_SG_REDD+_ver01.0(j)Address the risks of reversals

i. Identify the risks of reversals associated with the project activities.
ii. Identify any project activities that reduce the risks of reversals and their expected effectiveness.
iii. If the project does not have activities that address the risks of reversals due to human-induced activities, establish measures
to reduce the risks and include them in the implementation plan of safeguard activities.

(k)

Reduce the risks of emissions
displacement

i. Identify whether there are any risks of displacement of emissions due to the project activities.
ii. If risks of displacement not addressed in the applied methodology are identified, establish measures to reduce the risks andinclude them in the implementation plan of safeguard activities.

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