Technical Guidance for Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ Programs

This framework is designed to be flexible, allowing proponents to apply the accounting framework across one or more levels in a country, which may include combinations of national and/or subnational, and project levels. The JNR Requirements were developed by the VCS Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ Initiative (JNRI), overseen by an advisory committee and technical expert groups, comprising representatives from national and subnational governments, leading experts in REDD+, and representatives from NGOs and the private sector. The objective of this document is to assist in the development of jurisdictional programs and nested projects, as well as to provide further background and context to the JNR Requirements. The JNR Requirements should be read in full before developing or assessing jurisdictional baselines and REDD+ programs that use the standard. This guidance document does not form part of the JNR Requirements nor does it contain new requirements. The interpretation of the JNR Requirements should, however, be consistent with the guidance set out in this document. Jurisdictional proponents and project proponents of nested projects need to ensure they are using the most current versions of the VCS Standard, VCS Program Guide, AFOLU Requirements, Program Definitions, JNR Registration and Issuance Process, JNR Validation and Verification Process, JNR Non-Permanence Risk Tool, and JNR Leakage Tool. New requirements are effective immediately upon release, though appropriate grace periods are provided to allow stakeholders developing jurisdictional programs sufficient time to transition to new requirements. A benefit sharing or internal allocation program is good practice for scenario 2 if the jurisdictional proponent plans to request issuance of VCUs for emission reductions from non-project areas; and should be designed and documented for scenario 3. Benefits may include monetary and non-monetary incentives, and may also include the allocation of VCUs (or other form of GHG credit) by the jurisdictional proponent to local stakeholders or entities. Technical capacity to design and implement a spatially explicit baseline and monitoring protocol will be needed where jurisdictions intend to distribute benefits or VCUs based on measured emission reductions achieved by stakeholders. Internal leakage within a jurisdictional program will also need to be taken into account where benefit sharing or internal allocation of credits are linked to results. Alternative benefit sharing approaches not requiring spatially explicit accounting may also be developed, such as payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes, where participating stakeholders could receive some form of payment based on land area, implementation of certain practices, or other criteria. Jurisdictional proponents and project proponents of nested projects that need clarification directly from VCS may submit their questions to [email protected].