The crucial role of Indigenous peoples in nurturing forest and maintaining forest cover - An important Non-Carbon Benefit of REDD+

There is increasing and widespread recognition that, in order to make greenhouse gas emissions reductions/removals possible and enduring in the forest sector, REDD+ must broaden its scope from a highly carbon-focused to a more holistic approach. Hence, initiatives to achieve Non-Carbon Benefits (NCBs), in association with a robust safeguards regime, are as important as carbon-related measures and must be designed in an integrated and synergetic manner. Recognition of rights to land, territories and natural resources are crucial preconditions for achieving a number of NCBs for indigenous peoples and local communities and an important incentive for their active participation in REDD+, in all decision-making processes and implementation. Integrating these rights in REDD+ mechanisms ultimately secures their livelihoods, provides for environmental services and is the key for the sustainability of REDD+. Community-based monitoring of natural resources and other NCBs is cost-effective and accurate, and further incentivises the achievement of NCBs.