Forests in Asia-Pacific account for 18.6% of the world’s total forest cover. In addition to forests which contain a disproportionate number of the world’s vulnerable species, Asia Pacific is also home to two-thirds of the world’s poorest people. Many of these people, living on less than USD $1 a day, are remote, rural and/or indigenous communities that are dependent on forests for subsistence or marginal financial income. In this context, REDD+ and carbon credit markets present a spectrum of potential opportunities - as well as threats. With a post-Kyoto agreement looking unlikely until 2020, secure financing for REDD+ also hangs in the balance. There are increasing concerns that local and indigenous communities may see their rights violated in a rush to commodify forest carbon.

REDD-net Asia-Pacific seeks to strengthen the potential for REDD+ to work in favour of local communities: to ensure that they receive the greatest possible benefits deriving from REDD+ and that their rights and interests are protected. REDD-net was established to fill a need for information and knowledge sharing at the community level in the context of the fast paced evolution of REDD+ and carbon markets, and to support civil society efforts to ensure local-level participation and influence in the development of REDD+.

The work of REDD-net in Asia-Pacific consists of a range of activities including liaising with national and regional REDD-related networks and actors, the organizing of workshops and the production of a series of written materials including bulletins and thematic papers based on regional experiences. REDD-net Asia-Pacific is intended as a mechanism for two-way information sharing and capacity building amongst regional members with the underlying aim of ensuring effective local-level representation. 

Review the resources below for further information on REDD-net's work in Asia-Pacific.

Image: Nining Liswanti, CIFOR

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