REDD+ Safeguards Information Systems: Moving from Design to Operation - UN-REDD Programme Info Brief

Under the policy and incentives mechanism for climate change mitigation that is REDD+, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) requires participating countries to develop a ‘system for providing information on how [the ‘Cancun’] safeguards are being addressed and respected throughout the implementation of REDD+ activities’ (UNFCCC Decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 71d). This system, commonly known as the safeguards information system (SIS), constitutes a prerequisite for results based payments from REDD+, both under the Convention and its funding arm – the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This technical brief builds on, and attempts to summarize, key considerations synthesized from initial country experiences for putting a SIS into operation. The brief is aimed at an audience of developing country government institutions preparing for, or moving into the implementation phase of, REDD+. The brief is structured around the four-paired functional responsibilities identified as key SIS design considerations (Figure 2), i.e. how to: • Compile and manage; • Analyze and interpret; • Assure quality and validate; and • Disseminate and use safeguards information.