Forest Carbon, Markets and Communities Program: Semi-Annual Report (October 2011–April 2012)

The program was awarded to Tetra Tech ARD in late March 2011 and has two major intermediate results (IR). The first IR focuses on building shared understanding and technical capacities on tools, methodologies, and approaches that contribute to the international REDD+ architecture. This includes building capacity of international stakeholders and USAID staff. The second IR focuses on working with countries on REDD+ readiness activities to undertake actions at a scale that will help them meet their national commitments. The FCMC Program has four technical areas of focus: Social and Environmental Soundness (SES) for REDD+, Finance and Carbon Markets, Low Emissions Development Strategies (LEDS), and Forest and terrestrial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV). The program's semi-annual report discusses activities and achievements from October 16, 2011 through April 15, 2012, the second half of the FCMC Program's first year. Administrative issues have been addressed since the submission of the last semi-annual report. A new USAID Contracting Officer (CO), Michael Douglas, has been assigned to the FCMC Program. Mr. Douglas has cleared several pending requests for approval, including two requests for consent to subcontract with the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI) and Terra Global Capital, LLC. An initial meeting between Mr. Douglas and the FCMC Chief of Party (COP) and Senior Technical Advisor/Manager (STA/M) occurred on March 20, 2012. Additionally, a new Tetra Tech ARD FCMC Cross Cutting Task Lead has joined the team, and FCMC has added Information Technology (IT), Communications, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) support. The FCMC Program has also established synergies and efficiencies with the African and Latin American Resilience to Climate Change (ARCC) project, which came online in November 2011 and shares office space with the FCMC project. The two programs are working together to build administrative and technical efficiencies. The FCMC Program's progress and achievements will continue to be monitored and evaluated to ensure that the program meets its objectives and contributes to the implementation of the REDD+ Strategy. The FCMC Program's technical areas of focus are critical to the success of the REDD+ Strategy. Social and Environmental Soundness (SES) for REDD+ is essential for ensuring that REDD+ activities are implemented in a way that is socially and environmentally sound. Finance and Carbon Markets are critical for providing the necessary funding and market mechanisms to support REDD+ activities. Low Emissions Development Strategies (LEDS) are essential for identifying and implementing strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable development. Forest and terrestrial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) are critical for ensuring that REDD+ activities are implemented in a way that is transparent and accountable. The FCMC Program's progress and achievements will continue to be monitored and evaluated to ensure that the program meets its objectives and contributes to the implementation of the REDD+ Strategy. The program's technical areas of focus are critical to the success of the REDD+ Strategy, and the program's administrative and technical efficiencies will continue to be built upon to ensure that the program achieves its objectives.