The first week of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties concluded with a weak outcome for forest-dependent communities. The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice reported back to the COP on, among other things, a draft decision on REDD. Indigenous peoples, local community groups (IPLCs) and NGOs are angry at the removal of safeguards for IPLCs. Operational text recognising the “need for full and effective engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities in, and the potential contribution of their knowledge to, monitoring and reporting of activities relating to… climate change is now only preambular language, lessening the provision’s legal weight”. The COP will now review the decision and may respond to growing pressure to reopen the issue.
For the latest on the negotiations see: www.iisd.ca/climate/cop15
