Promoting a pro-poor, gender-equitable approach to REDD

Between 2000 and 2005, roughly 13 million hectares of forest around the world were cut down each year. In addition to directly reducing biodiversity and increasing barriers to sustainable poverty reduction, deforestation and forest degradation contribute to climate change. Because 80-90 percent of the world's 1.1 billion poorest people are significantly dependent on forest resources for their survival, deforestation and forest degradation rob them of assets and diminish ecosystem services that are essential to their fight against poverty.

CARE’s response

"Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation" (REDD) is a global goal that can be designed to provide forest-dependent communities with secure property rights, equitable rewards for ecosystem services and other livelihood benefits. REDD initiatives can help communities generate carbon income by providing direct and equitable incentives to communities that conserve forests. Examples of REDD initiatives include projects to support community-based forest and mangrove management and conservation efforts; help prevent flooding and soil erosion; protect shorelines, fish nurseries and fisheries; and ensure biodiversity preservation.

CARE is working on REDD initiatives where community-based forest management is the primary approach to forest management. These forest areas are distinct from those where management decision-making are primarily made by government authorities.

CARE builds benefits for poorer, marginalised people into all of our REDD projects and establishes robust safeguards to prevent negative social impacts. CARE is developing certified REDD projects that exceed the most extensive 3rd party social standards (i.e. the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards) by ensuring, for example, that all REDD activities consider specific impacts on women.