Safeguards

Click here to access the first version of the Brazilian System of Information on REDD+ Safeguards (Portuguese only)

The REDD+ safeguards, also known as the Cancun Safeguards, are guidelines that aim at enhancing the positive while reducing the negative impacts of REDD+ activities. REDD+ actions must anticipate risks and set measures to predict, minimize, mitigate or deal with negative impacts from a given activity.

Decision 1/CP.16 establishes that REDD+ activities should promote and support the following set of social and environmental safeguards:

(a) That actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programs and relevant international conventions and agreements;

(b) Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty;

(c) Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities, by taking into account relevant international obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

(d) The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular indigenous peoples and local communities[...];

(e) That actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, ensuring that the actions [...] are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize the protection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits;

(f) Actions to address the risks of reversals;

(g) Actions to reduce displacement of emissions.