Initial Forest Reference Level for Cambodia under the UNFCCC Framework.

This Initial Forest Reference Level for Cambodia under the UNFCCC Framework is submitted by Cambodia on a voluntary basis for consideration by the UNFCCC its initial Forest Reference Level (FRL). The submission of the FRL is for the purpose of obtaining and receiving payments for results from Cambodia’s REDD+ program implementation.
Cambodia has high levels of deforestation and forest degradation but limited capacity and finance, facing continuing challenges to reduce emissions. The Cambodia REDD+ strategy proposed the policies and measures to reduce emission from deforestation and forest degradation. This Document provides an overview of the data and methodologies used to develop Cambodia’s initial FRL. The presented Initial Forest Reference Level (FRL) is consistent with the UNFCCC decisions, including: decisions 4/CP.15, 1/CP.16, 12/CP.17, 13/CP.19. The initial FRL uses the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidance and guidelines (IPCC 2003 GPG and 2006 guidelines) to estimate emissions. The Initial Forest Reference Level is assessed at 79,245,643 tCO2/year in Cambodia based on the historical average net emission levels from 2006 to 2014.
The FRL area encompasses Cambodia’s Nation. Deforestation (forest land converted to other land types), degradation and enhancements (forest land remaining forest land with changes in forest sub-categories), and removal of CO2 from the atmosphere through afforestation (other land uses converted to forest land) are included in the initial FRL. Out of five carbon pools as described per IPCC guidelines, two pools, above ground biomass and below ground biomass, are included for the initial FRL establishment in Cambodia, which is consistent with LULUCF section in the national GHG inventory. According the Document, only CO2 is included in the scope of gas because in Cambodia emissions of other gases from land use and land use change are considered to be minor, and considered conservative while limited information exist on other gases. In order to implement the Cambodia REDD+ programme, a forest has been re-defined as a unit of an ecosystem in the form of wetland and dry land covered by natural or planted vegetation with a height from 5 metres on an area of at least 0.5 hectares, and canopy crown cover of more than 10%. Areas also included in the REDD+ programme are forest regrowth and areas under afforestation or reforestation. Rubber, oil palm plantations and perennial crops are excluded from this definition.