Issues and challenges for the national system for greenhouse gas inventory in the context of REDD+

Abstract

On the basis of the current negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) is to become a mechanism that mobilizes financial resources to developing countries to fund climate change mitigation activities. To achieve this goal, it is essential that the appropriate infrastructure be established to support such activities, in the shape of a common approach to measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) for REDD+ activities: an operational national forest greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. In particular, in the light of more frequent future reporting requirements, a national inventory system (NIS) for GHG inventories is required for non-Annex I Parties in order to ensure permanent MRV. Given the limited literature available on NIS in the context of REDD+, the aim of this article is to identify the current needs facing non-Annex I Parties and to offer some suggestions as to how these needs may be met. An analysis of non-Annex I Parties reveals diversity among regions. In many aspects, parties from Latin America are generally better informed about and more engaged with the development of AFOLU GHG inventories, followed by the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions. Despite regional variations, the main common challenges are as follows: insufficient institutional arrangements, inadequate financing, limited technical capacity and a lack of available data. Our suggestions for meeting these needs and overcoming the challenges posed by the establishment of an NIS for GHG inventories are made based on the current practices of Annex I Parties.