REDD+ can have positive or negative social and developmental impacts, depending on how it is implemented. This has led to requests, particularly from civil society groups, for such impacts to be monitored, reported and verified (referred to as MRV).
At the international level, the areas discussed as being under the remit of MRV systems include:
- impacts on forest governance (e.g. corruption; rent seeking)
- livelihood impacts for local communities and indigenous peoples (e.g. rights of access to resources; income from REDD+ and distribution of income).
There is currently a lack of consensus at the international level over the design of effective MRV systems. In the absence of any mandatory MRV system, there is considerable interest from NGOs, governments and the private sector to implement voluntary standards.
Whilst MRV systems are crucial for providing a basic level of safeguards in REDD+, they also need to be implemented carefully to ensure they do not increase costs and vulnerability for people whose livelihoods depend on forest-based activities which could be formally classified as illegal under MRV systems.
For further information on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification and standards in REDD+ have a look at our REDD-net infosheet and other resources below.
Image: Jeff Walker/CIFOR
