REDD+ is an international mechanism for providing result-based payments for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+). It offers an opportunity to support sustainable development in Uganda through managing its forests in a balanced way to contribute to long-term sustainable economic growth, to support the livelihoods of local, rural and forest dependent communities, and to ensure that its important natural heritage is conserved.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) 16 in Cancun, Mexico, in 2010, defined seven safeguards to be applied when undertaking all REDD+ activities (referred to as the ‘Cancun safeguards) (see figure below). The three key UNFCCC safeguards requirements are:

1. Safeguards need to be ‘addressed’ and ‘respected’ throughout REDD+ implementation.
2. National-level safeguards information system (SIS) needs to be put in place.
3. Summaries of safeguards information, reporting on addressing and respecting, need to be produced periodically

In 2011, COP 17 in Durban, South Africa, provided guidance on the SIS, defining that it should be country-driven, transparent, build upon existing systems and provide information that is accessible by all relevant stakeholders (see Box 2). Countries were also requested to submit a summary of information on how all the safeguards have been addressed and respected. In 2013, COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland, reaffirmed that countries should have all four elements of REDD+ including the SIS in place, and should have submitted a summary of information on safeguards before obtaining and receiving results-based finance. The summary of information on safeguards should be included in national communications to the COP every four years after the start of implementation of REDD+ activities and could be provided on a voluntary basis on the UNFCCC web platform. The Warsaw decisions concluded negotiations on REDD+ and all the relevant decisions on REDD+ are referred to as the ‘Warsaw framework for REDD+