Learning on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation; Proceedings of the regional workshop held 24 to 27 July 2012 in Kathmandu

This publication presents the proceedings of a four-day workshop on ‘Learning on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) in South Asia’ organized in 2012 at ICIMOD’s headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshop brought together REDD+ researchers and practitioners in a regional learning forum to help improve understanding of the different national strategy and policy options for developing a REDD+ framework; consolidate regional knowledge and common issues in order to facilitate policy development; and set a trajectory for regional policies, practices, financing, and operational standards on REDD+. REDD+ experts and representatives from ICIMOD regional member countries shared accounts of country-specific national policy and strategic progress, technical progress, REDD financing arrangements, and bottlenecks and other issues for REDD, and shared their outlooks on the prospects for REDD+ initiatives in the region.

The workshop provided insights that will be valuable to both policy makers and practitioners as REDD+ programmes evolve in each country. The regional learning helped to identify areas that require further impetus and collaborative work to promote a common MRV approach in the region along with sustainable and equitable REDD+ strategies that will benefit local communities. It also helped ICIMOD to identify bottlenecks and potential solutions for implementing REDD+ in the region.