Mongolia’s National Redd+ Safeguards Framework.

Mongolia’s National Redd+ Safeguards Framework is a nationwide multi-sectoral policy document aimed to ensure that any social and environmental risks of REDD+ activities are minimized and that the benefits are enhanced. A national approach to the safeguards allows a country to meet these international requirements, such as the UNFCCC’s Cancun safeguards or other relevant safeguards in a way that accords with national goals and circumstances, and makes full use of existing systems in the country.
The main outputs of the process to develop the national framework are: the integration of benefits, risks and measures to enhance benefits/reduce risks into the REDD+ National Program; the assessment of safeguards-relevant policies, laws and regulations; and the clarification and validation of REDD+ safeguards in the Mongolian context.
While the main purpose of REDD+ is to contribute to global climate change mitigation, it also has the potential to deliver additional social and environmental benefits. Social benefits from the implementation of REDD+ policies and measures (PaMs) may include improved livelihoods (e.g., by providing alternative sources of income or access to forest products), and improved governance of natural resources. Potential environmental benefits can be protecting or enhancing habitat for biodiversity, and other ecosystem services such as water regulation and soil erosion control. REDD+ PaMs could also pose certain risks depending on where and how they are implemented. Environmental risks may include the shift in pressures on natural ecosystems to areas not involved in REDD+ (also known as displacement or leakage), and the conversion of natural forest or other ecosystems to tree plantations. Social risks could include reduced access to forested areas or resources by forest-dependent communities and limited participation of appropriate stakeholders in the REDD+ process.