Stakeholders Engagement in REDD Process: Addressing Equity issues. Presentation outline

Transcription

1 Stakeholders Engagement in REDD Process: Addressing Equity issues Bhola Bhattarai FECOFUN 13 th Nov.2009, Hanoi, Vietnam Presentation outline Introduction of FECOFUN Evolution of REDD in Nepal CSOs engagement on REDD process in Nepal Issues and concerns of CSOs and IPOs in REDD negotiation in National and international level Issues and challenges Key learning The way forward

2 Introduction of FECOFUN Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) is a national network of forest users groups CFUGs are members Largest civil society organization in Nepal FECOFUN has 75 district unit and 800 sub district units under its umbrella Ensured 50 percent women participation constitutionally Representation of IPs, dalits (so called untouchable caste), and different ecological zones. Has long experiences of working with in CF management and sustainable management of forest Advocacy organization. Evolution of REDD in Nepal Initiation of RPIN- FCPF, now in RPP process Submission of Position paper to UNFCCC RPIN approval by World Bank REDD and forestry climate change working group formation Participation in international meetings Formation of REDD CSOs action group Formation of Gender and climate change network Capacity building sessions Pilot projects- Payment mechanism, carbon monitoring, national strategy etc. Nepal is both FCPF and UN-REDD program country.

3 National initiatives on REDD Process - Apex Body (Inter-ministerial + multi-stakeholders) - REDD Working group (multistakeholders) Role - Facilitation for REDD readiness, preparation of REDD strategy & FCPF process FECOFUN - Capacity building and Advocacy for Community rights in REDD FECOFUN, ICIMOD & ANSAB - Piloting for REDD payment mechanism NEFIN- Advocacy for IP s rights in REDD Forest Action - Research & documentation on REDD Others (NFA, HIMWANTI, DANAR, ACOFUN etc.) Ministry of Forest & Soil Conservation - Institutional set up: REDD-forestry and climate change cell - WWF & Winrock Methodology development for carbon accounting & monitoring -Others (project based- IUCN, LFP, NSCFP, SNV etc.) Stakeholders engagement Local level; - CFUGs, LFUGs, IPOs, VDCs, PP, DFOs, Local facilitators, Women groups, media etc. National level; - IPOs, FECOFUN, ACOFUN, Youth, DANAR, HIMAWANTI, FA NFA, Gender and climate change network, MOFSC, DOF, Different other ministries

4 Regional level; Contd.. - RECOFTC, CODE REDD, GACF, enet, etc.. International level;- CAN, CJN, Accra caucus, women caucus, IPs Caucus, Youth group, BNGOs, ENGOs, etc LDCs, SIDS, OASIS, G77 and China, African group, CMSC etc.. Local communities and Indigenous peoples are Right Holder

5 Key Areas of Engagement Initially Capacity building programs particularly for awareness Analysis and Interpretation Development of common position Raise concerns and issues Participation in forums Policy feedback to the GO Implement pilot project International level lobby and advocacy, consultation and sharing with international community, Media and politician are key

6 Issues and concerns of IPs and LCs on REDD implementation REDD should recognize and respect indigenous peoples and local communities rights to lands, territories and resources. REDD should employ right-based approach by adopting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other existing international instruments (ILO Convention 169, CBD, Human Rights Convention etc) Contd.. REDD should not be used as a legal excuse to continue polluting for industrialized countries REDD should secure and respect free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from IPs and LCs if using their forest/territories and provide enabling environments for their meaningful participation in all steps of the projects. - Contribute to reforms (legal, institutional) to involve local communities and indigenous peoples - Indigenous and local communities have to be involved in every step of decision making and this rights have to be secured.

7 Contd.. REDD should encourage and provide space for indigenous peoples to develop mitigation and adaptation alternatives based on their indigenous knowledge and practices. REDD should recognize, respect and promote traditional management of the forest, (and farming practices). Contd.. IP s and LC s are often left out in gaining benefits from financial mechanisms. REDD should adopt minimum standard in benefit sharing developed with full and effective participation of IPs and LCs. - Any funds coming from REDD should support and match the interest and the benefits of local communities - Any funds coming from REDD, should support ongoing local program and the priority concerned of the peoples - REDD should conduct effective preparation of the management fund with full and meaningful participation of the community. - Communities should benefit from their local based conservation efforts. - REDD should not give benefits to big businesses

8 Contd.. REDD should not create conflicts in communities - Intracommunities - Between communities - Between communities and government - Between communities, government and carbon traders/companies etc - Should be in place the conflict resolution/complaint mechanisms Opportunities and challenges Opportunity; - Ownership in the process - Open and transparent process - Critical engagement - Accountability towards their constituencies Challenges - Lengthy and expensive process - Difficult to identify right stakeholders - Different opinion and interest

9 Why to engage stakeholders? To educate/ aware To reduce conflict To make process open and transparent To get feedback in policy, program and implementation To share responsibility To formulate participatory policy To develop common position Potential area to engage stakeholder Decision making process; - Policy formulation process, policy feed backing, lobbying, etc.. REDD governance body; - REDD working group, community forestry/ carbon trust fund, monitoring etc.. Expert group; - Technical support, policy analysis and feedback Implementation; - Capacity building education/ awareness, piloting, experience sharing, networking, etc

10 Key learning Capacity building is much necessary for the effective engagement in the REDD process Stakeholder engagement is participatory process Listening to others voice creates effective engagement Inclusiveness is the pre-requisite for effective engagement REDD process is the Partnership and collaborative approach Media engagement is influential for effective advocacy and engagement Regular dialogue with negotiator REDD is and should be democratic practice The way forward Regular communication with negotiator Partnership between northern and southern CSOs and IPOs Unite to LDCs and other regional countries to develop common position Develop southern CSOs coalition Media mobilization Grassroots campaign

11 Thank you Bhola Bhattarai