REDD+ Action Plan 2016 - 2020

(Baonghean) - On June 21, 2016, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 2859/QD-UBND on the Action Plan "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through efforts to limit deforestation and forest degradation, sustainably managing forest resources, conserving and enhancing forest carbon stocks" in Nghe An province for the period 2016 - 2020, abbreviated as REDD+. Accordingly, the objectives and contents of the plan are as follows:

1. Objective

1.1. Overall objectives

Reduce 15% of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (equivalent to a reduction of 4,000 ha of lost forest and 4,500 ha of degraded forest) and increase carbon stocks absorbed from forests in the period 2016 - 2020 in the province. Mobilize domestic and international resources to participate in forest protection and development in localities for socio-economic development, environmental protection and sustainable forest development.

1.2. Specific objectives

a) 2016: Develop a system for organization, management, and operation to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conserve and enhance forest carbon stocks; improve capacity to access and implement REDD+ activities. Establish baseline emissions levels; upgrade the forest monitoring system, develop measures to ensure environmental and social safety; develop a financial management mechanism and benefit sharing from REDD+ and a plan to implement REDD+ activities in the province.

Nursery of Thanh Chuong Protective Forest Management Board. Photo: Van Doan

b) Phase 2017 - 2020: Evaluate and draw lessons from the results of implementing REDD+ activities in 2016. Revise and complete the baseline carbon emission level at the provincial level; continue to improve the forest monitoring system; integrate the REDD+ action plan and PFES into the forest protection and development plan to increase forest cover and reduce total annual carbon emissions. Complete the mechanism, policies, organizational structure and technical capacity to effectively implement the provincial REDD+ action plan.

2. Scope of implementation

In the whole Nghe An province, priority is given to 89 communes in 13 districts in the province (Anh Son 8 communes; Con Cuong 10 communes; Dien Chau 2 communes; Do Luong 2 communes; Ky Son 7 communes; Nghia Dan 3 communes; Que Phong 12 communes; Quy Chau 9 communes; Quy Hop 7 communes; Tan Ky 2 communes; Thanh Chuong 3 communes; Tuong Duong 20 communes; Yen Thanh 4 communes).

3. Contents of the plan

3.1. Perfecting the coordination, management, operation and implementation mechanism of the plan at the provincial scale, in line with the National Action Program on REDD+

- Perfecting the legal framework for implementing REDD+.

- Complete mechanisms, policies, organizational structure and technical capacity to effectively implement the province's REDD+ Action Plan.

- Complete some technical contents related to REDD+: Provincial carbon emission levels; financial management mechanism; develop measures to ensure environmental and social safety.

3.2. Enhance capacity, awareness; access and implementation of REDD+ activities for officials and people

- Propaganda to raise awareness for agencies, organizations, households, individuals and communities participating in REDD+ implementation.

- Technical training on REDD+, the subjects are forestry management officers of the province, district, commune, forest owners, community representatives, ethnic minorities.

3.3. Review and adjust planning and plans related to forestry land use in the direction of removing from the planning small, inefficient projects, projects that occupy large areas of forest and forest land, and have a great impact on the ecological environment.

3.4. Adjust, update and upgrade the forest and forestry land monitoring system in the province in line with REDD+ goals.

- Strengthen the organization and enhance the capacity of participants in the forest monitoring system to meet REDD+ requirements.

- Add some activities: Synthesize necessary information and input data to calculate total carbon emissions/absorption; report the results of calculating total carbon emissions/absorption (every 2 years).

3.5. Integrate REDD+ activities into the implementation of objectives and tasks of programs and projects: Nghe An province forest protection and development planning 2016-2020; Provincial socio-economic development plan for the period 2016-2020; Action plan to implement the Nghe An province green growth strategy to 2020, with a vision to 2030; Program to improve capacity to implement the policy on payment for forest environmental services; Project to improve capacity for forest fire prevention and fighting in Nghe An province for the period 2016-2020; Project to monitor forest changes for the period 2016-2020. Implement the development of livelihood development models for people living near forests.

3.6. Develop and implement sustainable forest management plans at forestry companies.

3.7. Develop a monitoring system to resolve complaints and difficulties during the implementation of the REDD+ action plan.

3.8. Pilot REDD+ activities of the project “Support for REDD+ Readiness in Vietnam” funded by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank (WB).

Hai Yen

(Synthetic)