This conference is hosted by the Oxford Centre for Tropical Forests and
Environmental Change Institute

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) has rapidly become a key pillar of international cooperation on climate change. Since its inception in 2005, REDD+ has grown in scope from being a cheap mitigation option and opportunity to address the 15-20% of global GHG emissions attributed to deforestation into a wider set of activities that reach beyond the carbon dimension of REDD+. They promote forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and forest conservation as well as deliver co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation. A host of state and non-state actors at all levels of governance have entered this emerging policy field.

This conference takes stock of these developments to date. It addresses them from both natural and social science perspectives and discusses the role of justice and equity in current debates on REDD+. Its particular aim is to discuss the limits and opportunities in deriving co-benefits from REDD+ activities.

The conference themes are:

• REDD+: From natural science to social policy
• Framing the REDD+ discourse
• Justice and equity in the context of REDD+
• Ecological dimensions of justice and equity in REDD+
• Socio-political dimensions of justice and equity in REDD+
• Novel approaches to forest governance
• Role of indigenous peoples and local communities in REDD+
• Delivering more than carbon benefits through REDD+
• Role of indigenous peoples and local communities in REDD+
• Taking stock and next steps
  

For questions please email Maria Mansfield