Decision Support Tool for Developing RL/RELs for REDD+

The UNFCCC calls for the establishment of RELs and RLs based on decision 4/CP.15, which emphasizes the importance of transparency, historic data, and national circumstances. The development of RL/RELs is a two-step process, involving the estimation of historic emissions and removals, followed by adjustments to account for national circumstances and capabilities. This process requires a flexible and practical approach, taking into account the unique needs and capabilities of each country. The draft methodological framework for developing RL/RELs is designed to provide a guide for FCPF countries to enhance their near-term capacity for producing RLs/RELs as part of their eventual REDD+ Readiness Packages. The framework is divided into two parts: Part 1, which outlines decision support tools for facilitating key decisions on REDD+ RL/RELs, and Part 2, which provides a draft methodological framework for developing reference levels for REDD+. The decision support tools are designed to facilitate initial decisions that impact how the RL/REL is defined. These tools provide guidance on key decisions, including determining the scope of activities, finalizing forest definition, determining scale, and adjusting for national circumstances. The tools are intended to be user-friendly and accessible, allowing countries to navigate the process with ease. The framework emphasizes the importance of transparency, flexibility, and adaptability in the development of RL/RELs. It also highlights the need for countries to engage in a first-order assessment of the potential magnitude of emissions or removals from each REDD+ activity to prioritize REDD+ intervention activities. Annex 1 provides order-of-magnitude estimates of historic deforestation emissions for FCPF countries for the time period 2000 to 2005. These estimates serve as a starting point for initial decisions on what to consider in the REDD+ RL. The draft tool for determining whether or not to include degradation emissions from timber harvesting is also included, highlighting the importance of considering degradation and enhancement activities in the RL/REL. The development of RL/RELs is a critical component of the REDD+ process, requiring a flexible and practical approach that takes into account the unique needs and capabilities of each country. The draft methodological framework and decision support tools provide a valuable resource for FCPF countries to enhance their capacity for producing RLs/RELs and to develop effective REDD+ strategies. The framework is designed to operate as linked flowcharts, allowing users to navigate the process with ease. The decision support tools provide guidance on key decisions, including determining the scope of activities, finalizing forest definition, determining scale, and adjusting for national circumstances. The tools are intended to be user-friendly and accessible, allowing countries to navigate the process with ease. The framework emphasizes the importance of transparency, flexibility, and adaptability in the development of RL/RELs. It also highlights the need for countries to engage in a first-order assessment of the potential magnitude of emissions or removals from each REDD+ activity to prioritize REDD+ intervention activities. The development of RL/RELs is a critical component of the REDD+ process, requiring a flexible and practical approach that takes into account the unique needs and capabilities of each country.