International Law Principles for REDD+

The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Legal Obligations of REDD+ Actors

The purpose of the International Law Principles for REDD+: The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Legal Obligations of REDD+ Actors (REDD+ Principles) is to address the significant risks that “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation” (REDD+) initiatives pose for Indigenous peoples’ livelihood and rights. The REDD+ Principles were prepared in response to the need identified by indigenous peoples for international REDD+ actors to respect their human rights. These REDD+ Principles lay out the human rights obligations of States and international agencies implementing REDD+ initiatives and the rights of indigenous peoples engaged in or impacted by REDD+. They explain the content of indigenous peoples’ substantive and procedural rights which must be protected in REDD+ initiatives and set forth minimum standards for their protection. We thought it necessary here, however, to first start with the bigger picture of indigenous peoples and climate strategies to explain why a  reorientation of REDD+ is critical for both the well being of indigenous peoples, and for the success of REDD+ as a climate strategy