REDD PROCCESS IN DRC:

Evolution, challenges and prospects

By Jean ILUNGA MUNENG

Ministry of Environment/ DR CONGO May 18 2011, Hanoi (Vietnam)

Synthesis

• • • DRC continues its preparation of REDD+ policies in line with its ambitious projects Coordination of technical and financial partners in national process has begun Additional resources are essential to ensure national REDD+ efforts continue

Plan

1. Structures

- National Committee - Inter-ministerial Committee - National Coordination

2. Achievements

- Identification of stakeholders - Information, education and raising awareness: workshops - Technical studies - R-PP 3. R-PP Implementation - Starting pilot initiatives and REDD register - Continuation of technical studies (SESA, studies of the causes, feedback experience, etc.) - Development of anticipated action plans

4. Challenges and lessons learned 5. Conclusion

1. Structures

A decree of the Prime Minister was signed in November 2009 creating:

 A REDD national committee (14 members) involving all stakeholders, in particular members of Parliament, civil society, indigenous and local communities;  An inter-ministerial committee with Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, Mines, Land Planning, Town Planning and Habitat  A REDD national coordination in charge of daily coordination for REDD, already being implemented

2. Achievements

•

2.1 Contact With Stakeholders Financial partners

Norway, FCPF and FIP (World Bank), UN-REDD, CBFF, Japan, GIZ, AFD, OIBT, Rainforest Foundation • Technical partners OFAC-FORAF, OSFAC, USAID-CARPE, WWF, CI, AWF, WCS, UNIKIN, UNIKIS, UNILU, UPN, WRI, INERA, IFA Yangambi, WHRC, ONFI • Civil society Work Group Climate REDD (GTCR), environmental NGOs (RRN, DGPA, Linapyco, CODELT, CEDEN, OCEAN, PremiCongo, GTF, etc.) • Private sector FIB, FEC, NOVACEL, ENRA, SAFBOIS/JADORA, ESCO Congo, ERA

• • • • • • • •

2.2 Information, Education and Awareness Raising Workshops

Kick-off workshop in Kinshasa (August 21–22, 2009) Provincial workshops (5): Kisangani, Bukavu, Matadi, Lubumbashi and Mbandaka MRV workshop: organized by DIAF with FAO (October 2009) and with OIBT (July 2010) Validation workshops for R-PP (January–February 2010)

Capacity-building workshop for journalists and

Decision-makers : Matadi, Lubumbashi, Mbandaka (2010) Various academic conferences (UNIKIN, UPN, UNIKIS, UNILU, ISP Lubumbashi, ISP Gombe) Capacity-building workshop : MECNT managers, Members of national and inter-ministerial committee

• • • • • •

2.3 Technical Studies

Study on the causes and drivers of deforestation and degradation in DRC Exploratory study of REDD+ potential in DRC: REDD potential for each program and sector in order to better illustrate the systemic dimension of REDD strategy Feedback experience on the alternatives to DD REDD Environmental and Social Impact Study National analysis of sectoral programs being implemented Study on the framework of REDD implementation and distribution of benefits

2.4 RPP

3. Activities In Progress and RPP Implementation

• • • •

3.1 Starting of Pilot Initiatives and REDD Register

Implementation of REDD+ geographically integrated projects Register of REDD+ activities and financing in DRC Implementation framework, accreditation process and contractual framework Support and coordination of REDD+ projects and initiatives

3.1.1 Geographically Integrated REDD Pilot Projects in DRC

• • •

3.1.2 Register of Projects (Integration at the National Level )

Seminar on certification presented in Cancun and finalization of the technical details Pre-collection of data for first REDD+ projects (see census) Training program of the executives of the DDD/DES for registry management

3.1.3 Process of accreditation and contractual framework

Proposal for agreement on the procedure and criteria for a transparent and participative accreditation process for REDD+ projects in consultation with stakeholders

3.1.4 Support and coordination of REDD+ projects and initiatives

Constitution of a first inventory of REDD+ projects and initiatives in DRC (12 projects - and several initiatives; including 6 under implementation). Joint work with the project leaders in the framework of the investment phase

3.2 Studies under implementation

• • • • SESA (REDD Evaluation study of environmental and social impacts) Diagnosis of causes and drivers of deforestation in DRC Analysis of sectoral programmes Feedback experience on alternatives to deforestation and forest degradation

3.3 Development of anticipated action programs

• • • • • •

Preparation and launching of six anticipated REDD+ programs:

Reduction of subsistence agriculture impacts on forest Improvement of energy efficiency in wood stoves Aforestation/Reforestation in the provisioning basins of the big cities Modernization and land security Support implementation of a national policy on land and town planning Integrated program at the Mai Ndombe district level • • •

Framing and development of partnerships for operational projects:

Workshop “REDD+ and Private Sector” (February 2011, 60 participants) Finalization of the support program for REDD+ projects: prospective listing of potential partners, supports of communication, ToR of the future international forum of project leaders, ToR for support for project development Launching of the census of activities and partners at the local level

• • • •

5.Challenges and Lessons Learned for the REDD+ National Process

To simultaneously advance preparation and investment to maintain and accelerate national mobilization; coordinate financial and technical activities and to reinforce technical quality and participatory preparation To manage REDD+ national process as a start-up: adaptation and flexibility, change management, innovation To strengthen the national leadership and the engagement of international partners to encourage coordination between multilateral institutions and bilateral donors To mobilize international financing to accelerate the readiness process; challenges are exacerbated by the delay of the disbursement of the FCPF grant, difficulties in coordinating programs under implementation and support of the national roadmap

Moving Forward

• • • • Continue the efforts of national coordination, to reaffirm the principle of “unique process” Concretize the goodwill of partners into action Agree on additional financing to directly support the readiness process Move forward with a broader framework of the REDD+ process by reinforcing the relationship between environment and climate change

Conclusion: DRC at a Crossroads?

• • • • REDD+ can constitute a lever for true sustainable development, in a socially and ecologically responsible manner.

The process of transformation is complex and naturally imperfect National authorities ready to engage International financings is a determining factor of credibility The place of REDD+ in the national post-electoral development strategy will be largely determined by the credibility of the international financings. There is one year more to go.