National Workshop: Revising the forestry legal framework to enable effective REDD+ implementation in Lao PDR
Organized by: DOF LAO PDR, GIZ, KFW, SUFORD, FSCAP, WCS
The current forest law does not explicitly mention climate change issues and it needs to be revised to consider and incorporate climate change issues and new initiatives and mechanisms such as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) and PES (Payments for Environmental Services) which have emerged in the last decade. Clarity is required on a range of issues such as room for different actors (such as communities, private sector, civil society organisations) to participate in REDD+ implementation; types of activities that can be conducted on different forest types and categories; land and carbon tenure; definitions and criteria; social, environmental and other safeguards; government institutional setup; financing options and benefit-sharing arrangements.
Amendments to the forestry law to facilitate effective and sustainable REDD+ implementation may need concurrent revisions in other laws such as the land and investment laws to ensure conformity. An effective and inclusive revision process with participation of all relevant stakeholders is important to ensure optimal results and equitable distribution of benefits from REDD+.
Objectives
- To present a first assessment of legal considerations and clarifications required in the Forestry Law to enable effective and sustainable REDD+ (or wider PES) implementation in Lao PDR. The assessment will consider REDD+ requirements, legal formulations in other countries, and gaps in current forestry law to be filled and issues to be clarified.
- To obtain inputs from key stakeholders involved in REDD+ and forest land use planning and implementation in Lao PDR and kickstart a public discussion process that ultimately results in effective amendment of the Forestry Law and reconciliation with other relevant laws for REDD+ implementation.
- To decide on an effective and inclusive process for revision of the Forestry Law for incorporation of PES and any additional issues and considerations, and developing corresponding regulations and decrees on REDD+/PES.