The submission of Brazilian forest reference emission levels

Download Brazil’s submission of a forest reference emission level for deforestation in the Amazonia biome (final)
What is FREL Forest reference emission levels or forest reference levels are terms used in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  According to decision 12/CP.17, paragraph 7, "forest reference emission levels and/or forest reference levels expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year are benchmarks for assessing each country’s performance in implementing the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70". In other words, reference levels define the period and the scale against which the activities are measured on a historical or projected perspective. Its function is to allow for the assessment of the actual effects of policies and measures to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries and the role of conservation, sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+).
Brazil's forest reference emission levels submission 

On June 6, 2014, Brazil submitted its forest reference emission level for reducing emissions from deforestation in the Amazon biome for REDD+ payments, in a ceremony that took place during the UNFCCC Conference in Bonn, Germany. The submisssion marked the opening of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ implementation, one of the major outcomes of the UNFCCC Warsaw Convention. The national reference level submission (currently subnational, on an interim basis) is a component required by the UNFCCC for REDD+ results recognition.     News on the Brazilian submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat Brazil was the first developing country to submitted such data voluntarily to the technical experts assessement, coordinated by the UNFCCC Secretariat. In 2013, At the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 19) in Warsaw, the governments agreed on a set of rules and procedures to incentivize reductions in emissions from deforestation and forest degradation – the Warsaw Framework for REDD+. Reference levels are one of the eligibility requirements for accessing REDD+ payments for performance. Decision 13/CP.19 provides guidance and defines the procedures for the technical review of reference level submissions. In its appendix, this decision brings a detailed description of the objectives and the scope of the assessment including the composition of the technical experts team to carry out the assessment and the proposed schedule. In this context, the REDD+ Brazil website aims at being a transparency tool and it includes all the information used for constructing Brazil’s forest reference emission level for deforestation in the Amazon biome, therefore complying with the requirements defined in decision 12/ CP 17. The Submission Assessment Brazil's forest reference emission level for the Amazon biome underwent a rigorous evaluation process under the UNFCCC between August and November 2014. This facilitative process, gave the submission greater clarity and identified areas that require further technical development. After the rounds of clarification and review, the final document was made available at the UNFCCC website, as well as the assessment report by the experts involved - see http://unfccc.int/methods/redd/items/8414.php. If you have any doubts, criticism or compliments regarding Brazil's forest emission reference level submission, please write a email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..