Principles and criteria of Uganda’s National Safeguards Standards
The following principles and criteria were developed
REDD+ activities complement or are consistent with the objectives of the national forest and sustainable development programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements.
- REDD+ activities are consistent with and complementary to the objectives of the Uganda Forestry Policy, the National Forest Plan and related policies and plans
- REDD+ activities contribute to the National Climate Change Policy, the Nationally Determined Contribution and related policies
- REDD+ activities are integrated into Uganda’s Vision 2040, the National Development Plan, the Green Growth Development Strategy and related development strategies and plans
- There is effective coordination among agencies and implementing bodies for REDD+, national forest and sustainable development programmes and national policies that enact the relevant
international conventions and agreements
REDD+ activities promote and support transparent and effective national forest and land use governance structures
- Information about REDD+ strategies, plans and activities is publicly accessible
- Finances related to REDD+ strategies, plans and activities are managed with integrity, transparency and accountability
- Grievance mechanisms are established and functional for REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
- Governance structures for REDD+ strategies, plans and activities are clearly defined, transparent, effective and accountable
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities promote and support law enforcement and avoid corruption
- Uganda’s policies, laws and regulations provide enabling conditions for REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
REDD+ activities respect the knowledge and rights of forest-dependent indigenous peoples and members of local communities
- Rights to lands and resources relevant to REDD+ activities are identified and mapped
- Rights to lands and resources are recognized and respected by REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities support equitable access to forest resources and benefits are shared equitably
- Appropriate compensation and/or other remedies are provided in the case of involuntary resettlement and/or economic displacement resulting from REDD+ activities
- Free, prior and informed consent of forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities is obtained for REDD+ activities affecting their collective rights to lands and resources
- Forest-dependent indigenous Peoples and local communities’ traditional knowledge and cultural heritage are recognized and respected by REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
REDD+ activities ensure the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities.
- Stakeholders are identified and mapped for all REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
- Stakeholders including forest-dependent indigenous peoples, local communities, youth and minorities are consulted effectively in REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
- Stakeholders including forest-dependent indigenous peoples, local communities, youth and minorities participate effectively in REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
- Stakeholders participate in REDD+ strategies, plans and activities through legitimate and accountable representatives
- Stakeholders have the information that they need about the REDD+ strategies, plans and activities to participate effectively
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities promote and enhance gender equality
REDD+ activities are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity
- Natural forests, biodiversity and ecosystem service priorities potentially affected by REDD+ strategies, plans and activities are identified and mapped
- REDD+ activities do not lead to the conversion of natural forests or other areas important for maintaining biodiversity and other ecosystem service priorities
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts and instead maintain and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem service priorities
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities avoid or minimize adverse social impacts and instead promote and enhance human well-being with special attention to women, youth and marginalized groups
- REDD+ activities contribute to food security
REDD+ activities address the risks of reversals
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities effectively identify drivers and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities effectively address drivers and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation
REDD+ activities reduce displacement of emissions
- REDD+ strategies, plans and activities provide effective incentives for landowners and other rights holders for lands and resources to implement REDD+ activities and contribute to reducing deforestation