Emissions Reduction Initiative in Mexico

The initiative is based on the premise that deforestation and degradation have multiple causes and that a lasting reduction of deforestation requires an integral approach to eliminate these causes. The program's development is framed in the discussions and provisions of the Forests Climate Fund (FCPF) and its Carbon Fund (CF). Mexico decided to access the mechanism proposed by the CF to implement the REDD+ preparation process. The initiative is designed to reduce forest sector emissions in five states in 11 specific areas of intervention, with the success of these areas depending on activities and achievements at other levels of action. A key element for the development of the initiative was the collaborative process, particularly the participation in each region to develop the Investment Programs. The Public Agents of Territorial Development led this process, which involved early interaction and feedback with different actors and the explicit inclusion of the gender perspective. The existence of a Guide for the Development of Investment Programs was instrumental in providing a uniform guideline in the process of preparation of Investment Programs and ensuring that they were consistent with each other. The diagnostic and preliminary investment program phase involved the lack of clarity in the scope and uses of the initial diagnoses, leading to the involvement of all necessary actors. The lack of a methodological guide and content for the preparation of the initial diagnostics resulted in more descriptive than analytical content. However, the initial diagnoses provided information that facilitated the identification of implementation activities for the development of PIs and the IRE draft. The selection and training of Public Territorial Development Agents and consultants were crucial for the proper development of PIs. The training provided was more focused on the participatory process for PI development than on the full vision of the REDD+ process, its approach in Mexico, and the preparation of the IRE Draft. Financial support from different sources for the development of PIs was fundamental to achieve the integration of the IRE Draft. The Emissions Reduction Initiative in Mexico has highlighted several key lessons learned during the process. These include the importance of early interaction and feedback with different actors, the explicit inclusion of the gender perspective, and the need for a uniform guideline in the process of preparation of Investment Programs. Additionally, the initiative has shown that the lack of clarity in the scope and uses of the initial diagnoses can lead to the involvement of all necessary actors, and that financial support from different sources is fundamental to achieve the integration of the IRE Draft. The initiative's territorial governance model has been instrumental in promoting the participation of various stakeholders at different scales. This model has allowed for the development of a comprehensive program that addresses the multiple causes of deforestation and degradation. The initiative's focus on integral land management has also been crucial in reducing forest sector emissions. The Emissions Reduction Initiative in Mexico has been successful in reducing forest sector emissions in five states in 11 specific areas of intervention. The initiative's collaborative process and the involvement of various stakeholders have been key factors in its success. The initiative's focus on integral land management and the development of a comprehensive program have also been instrumental in reducing forest sector emissions. The initiative's experience and capacity of action have been crucial in overcoming the general nature of the Guide for the Development of Investment Programs and responding to local particularities. The teams that developed the IPs have been able to interact with the State Government and CONAFOR, allowing them to refine the Guide and adapt it to the diversity of conditions in which it was applied. The Emissions Reduction Initiative in Mexico has provided valuable lessons learned that can be applied to similar processes in the future. These include the importance of early interaction and feedback with different actors, the explicit inclusion of the gender perspective, and the need for a uniform guideline in the process of preparation of Investment Programs. Additionally, the initiative has shown that financial support from different sources is fundamental to achieve the integration of the IRE Draft.