REDD+ and forest protection on indigenous lands in the Amazon

Abstract

Seeking to reverse the loss of forests and forest carbon stocks in developing countries, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)1 created the mechanism known as REDD+.2 This was introduced in a simple format at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) in 20053 and has since evolved into its current version: reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, plus fostering conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.4 REDD+ operates on the basis of performancebased payments— that is, payments are conditional on the outcome of a REDD+ action.5 Brazil can benefit from REDD+, given that it holds around 60% of the Amazon’s 5.4 million km2 of tropical forest and is under ongoing landuse pressure.6 Amazonian indigenous territories store 27.1% of the region’s aboveground carbon (28,247 MtC; i.e. 28.247 million tonnes of carbon7) on roughly 30% of the land area.8 The indigenous