Forests around the world play a vital role in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. To address deforestation and promote sustainable forest management, the strategy known as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) was developed.
Like any initiative, implementing REDD+ comes with challenges—and this is where the Cancún Safeguards come into play.
What are the Cancún Safeguards?
The Cancún Safeguards are a set of guidelines proposed by member countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They were designed to minimize potential risks and maximize the benefits associated with the implementation of REDD+.
Essentially, the Cancún Safeguards are the “rules of the game” that ensure REDD+ actions are carried out responsibly, respecting the rights of communities, and protecting the integrity of forests and ecosystems where they are implemented. These safeguards represent a shared international commitment to ensure that REDD+ delivers both environmental and social benefits.
National Safeguard Strategy: “Forests – Territories of Life”
Each country that has joined the REDD+ initiative is committed to establishing a National Safeguards System (NSS) and submitting periodic progress reports. In this regard, Colombia has developed a national safeguard strategy as part of its broader initiative “Forests – Territories of Life”, an Integrated Strategy for Deforestation Control and Forest Management (EIDCGB).
Implementing policies, actions, and measures to reduce deforestation holds great potential to deliver environmental and community benefits, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are social and environmental risks associated with these actions. The Cancún Safeguards offer an essential framework to address these risks, maximize benefits, and ensure the protection of community rights.
Adapting the Safeguards at the National Level
It is necessary to interpret and apply the Cancún Safeguards in accordance with the laws, stakeholders, and context of each country. Through extensive conversation between communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders, Colombia has made strides in interpreting REDD+ safeguards.
Since 2010, this process has been supported by the development of participatory spaces and the strengthening of local capacities. The seven Cancún Safeguards have been translated into 15 implementation elements, which must be applied to all REDD+ policies, actions, and measures at the national, regional, and local levels.
In addition, each country must develop a Safeguards Information System (SIS) to monitor and report on how safeguards are being addressed and respected. These reports are submitted every two years as part of the country’s commitments to the UNFCCC.
Categories of Safeguards
The Cancún Safeguards are divided into three main categories:
Institutional Safeguards:
- Alignment with national forest programs and international agreements
- Transparency and effectiveness in forest governance structures
Social and Cultural Safeguards:
- Respect for traditional knowledge and community rights
- Full and effective participation
Environmental and Territorial Safeguards:
- Conservation and environmental benefits
- Preventing reversals
- Avoiding displacement of emissions (leakage)
These categories encompass a wide range of key elements that must be considered in the implementation of REDD+—from biodiversity conservation to the protection of local communities’ rights.
Human Forest and Its Commitment to Safeguards
At Human Forest, we strictly comply with all Cancún Safeguards in our projects. Our commitment is to ensure that our REDD+ projects are implemented responsibly and with full respect for the environment and local communities.
Through our #MiércolesDeSalvaGuardas campaign, we proudly inform the public about how we are putting these safeguards into practice. We are committed to transparency, full and effective participation, and the conservation of our valuable forests and the biodiversity they contain.
In summary, the Cancún Safeguards are a key part of the REDD+ strategy aimed at protecting both forests and communities. They serve as a reminder that conserving our natural resources must go hand in hand with respect for human rights and the promotion of sustainable development. Each country has the responsibility to adapt these safeguards to its context, ensuring that REDD+ remains an effective tool to mitigate climate change and preserve our precious ecosystems.