3-dimensional equity framework: Forest Rights, Participation, REDD+

Benefit Sharing, and more

Phil FranksAndrea Quesada

The Big Picture:Equity is a diverse landscape

Land Tenure Benefit Sharing

Participation

Stakeholders

Access to justice

Social Benefits

Access to information

Respect and protection of rights

How to understand to diverse landscape of equity

3 Dimension Framework

RECOGNITION

PROCEDURE DISTRIBUTION

CONTEXT

RECOGNITION

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION

• Benefits equally • Benefits according to

contribution to mitigation• Benefits according to rights• Benefits to reflect costs• Benefits according to basic needs

RECOGNITION

DISTRIBUTION

PROCEDURE

• Effective participation• Access to information & capacity building• Access to justice

3 Dimension Framework:Principles

PROCEDURE DISTRIBUTION

RECOGNITION

• Recognition & respect of rights

• Respect for knowledge and institutions

3 Dimension Framework in the real world

Action Research

HOW Identified how the 3 dimensions of equity are reflected in:

• International Policies and Mandates• National Policies and Strategies• Perceptions of diverse stakeholders• Implementation of REDD+ activities

WHERE: Yucatan, Mexico (2014) San Martin & Lima, Peru (2015)

QUESTIONS ASKED:a) What does equity mean and how does it relate to REDD+? b) How is equity addressed in REDD+ processes? c) How can equity be strengthen in REDD+ processes nationally and regionally?

International Policies and MandatesHuman rights law relevant to REDD+: equity principles mainstreamed throughout

CBD: explicitly includes equity as a core principle of the convention and in a number of decisions

e.g. Addis Ababa Principles, Programme of Work on PAs

UNFCCC, although the words equity and equitable are not mentioned in decisions related to REDD+, these have incorporated equity principles since COP 13

e.g. COP 15 recognizes need for full engagement of IPs and LCs in MRV

D

R

R P

D

R

P

P

P

P

P

International Policies and Mandates

When undertaking REDD+ activities, the following safeguards should be promoted and supported:

(a) Complement or consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements

(b) Transparent and effective national forest governance structures

(c) Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities

(d) Full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders

(e) Consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity

• not used for conversion of natural forests

• protection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystem services,

• enhance other social and environmental benefits

(f) Address the risks of reversals

(g) Reduce displacement of emissions

Cancun safeguards from an equity perspective

Recognition

Procedure

Distribution

• Address equity in national policies and in their REDD+ related strategies

• Include equity as an overarching principle in national environmental laws and strategies

• Recognise more specific principles such as participation, access to information and capacity building, recognition of land tenure rights and recognition and respect of indigenous peoples’ rights.

National Policies and Strategies in Mexico and Peru

Equity Perceptions in Mexico and Peru

• Definitions of equity are complex and multidimensional

• Perceptions of what is equitable vary depending of the stakeholders and the initiatives.

• Equity as a concept is associated with justice, wellbeing/adequate social conditions and addressing inequalities

• In Peru, equity discussions focused on happiness and in Mexico they focus on achieving an inclusive society with social cohesion and substantive equality

Implementation of REDD+ activities

Equity in Recognition

Recognition of key right-holders and

stakeholders

Equity in ProcedureParticipation in

decision-making on benefit

sharing

Equity in Distribution

Benefits equitably shared

Equitable REDD+ benefit-sharing

REDD+ benefit sharing – what looks equitable may not be

Policy recognises rights-holders but not other forest stakeholders on whom effective REDD+ depends

Policy recognises rights-holders + stakeholders but

there is elite capture in

decision-making

Good governance but social norms

prevent equitable strategies being

implemented

Equitable sharing of benefits but overall benefit

reduced by high transaction costs of participatory

processes

Policy recognises rights-holders + stakeholders but

policy is not implemented

Lessons Learned• REDD+ policies and strategies should recognise all three

dimensions of equity — recognition, procedure benefit/cost distribution — as crucial and interdependent.

• Secure land/forest tenure is always highly desirable but where this is not possible in the foreseeable future equitable outcomes may still be achieved.

• REDD+ initiatives should consider all rights-holders and stakeholders who have a role in ensuring success, including stakeholders without formal tenure rights

• Women’s and youth’s interests and rights should be integral to REDD+, not an add-on or separate agenda

How to address equity

Ten building blocks for equitable REDD+ Recognising stakeholder groups, and their characteristics

Recognising and protecting stakeholders’ rights

Recognising which REDD+ activities have positive or negative social impacts

Ensuring effective participation, access info/CB & involvement decision-making

Sharing information in gender and culturally appropriate communication strategy

Considering principles/criteria to balance rights, contributions, and needs

Proposing actions to include marginalised groups, & ensure benefit control

Designing & implementing community monitoring

Designing and implementing accountability mechanisms

Ensuring people affected by the scheme have access to grievance mechanism

MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!