Basic Considerations

1. Basic Considerations • outlines the process by which the Government of Kenya will develop its national strategy for participating in an evolving international mechanism for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conserving and enhancing stocks and sustainably managing forests (REDD+). • While this RPP does not preclude any future policies or anticipate any outcomes, the Government is committed to the REDD+ readiness process and is participating actively in international REDD+ negotiations. • Even if an international mechanism to provide carbon finance for emissions management activities in forests do not reach the magnitude many are hoping, the Government of Kenya aims to design policies and measures to protect its remaining forest resources from deforestation and degradation and to enhance forest carbon stocks in ways that help improve local livelihoods and biodiversity.

2. Basic Considerations Cont’d • The Government of Kenya’s priority is the implementation of environmentally and socially sustainable land-use and forest policies, and this plan establishes a set of actions to help access funding and international recognition to support this aim. • While an international REDD+ mechanism is anticipated to emerge from the negotiations for a post-2012 climate regime under the UNFCCC, the details of the mechanism remain unclear on how emission reductions will be rewarded and at what scale. Consequently, the development of the RPP has to build in flexibility and take into account the evolving nature of a REDD+ mechanism. The process will also need to manage expectations carefully regarding matters like REDD+ compensation mechanisms. • We are committed to communicating the lessons learned from the Readiness Process both within Kenya, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and the broader international community.

3. RPP Formulation Process • A National stakeholder Forum in July, 2009-R-PP • Formulation launch and initial information sharing – Nov.2009- February 2010 • established a multi stakeholder Technical Working Group (TWG); • The TWG was divided into three sub groups • Consultation and Participation subgroup • Methodology subgroup • Policy and Institutional Subgroup • Continued information sharing and initial consultation – February 1- April, 2010 • More than 200 people have been consulted so far to inform the formulation process.

4. Tasks for the Sub-Groups • Policy and Institutional Issues • Development of national REDD Strategy, including identification of drivers of deforestation and degradation; • Institutional dimensions of REDD: national, regional and local-level institutions; legal framework; governance dimensions, benefit-sharing mechanisms, land tenure, etc. • Methodology - Reference Scenario ,Monitoring, Reporting ,Verification system, Biomass estimation • Consultation and Participation - National dialogue, including participation of civil society and the private sector ,elaboration of a national consultation, participation and outreach plan; identification of participatory mechanisms.

5. Key Components of RPP • Organize and Consult • National Readiness management arrangements • Stakeholder consultation and participation • Prepare the REDD Strategy • Assessment of land use, Forest policy and Governance • REDD strategy options • REDD implementation framework • Social and Environmental Impacts • Develop a Reference Scenario • Design a Monitoring System • Emissions and Removals • Other Benefits and Impacts • Budget and Schedule • Design a Program Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

6. Issues Addressed by the 6 Components • Organize and consult • How REDD can be incorporated into the national development agenda -1A • How the process will be managed -1A • How to maximize “buy-in” from all stakeholders -1B • REDD Strategy • Where country stands with regard to land use assessment -2a • What actions / policies / activities are behind the emissions and what is needed to stop them -2b • What institutional, economic, governance arrangements are required to implement REDD strategy -2c • How to maximize REDD benefits and minimize negative impacts for the people & environment- 2d

7. Issues Addressed by the 6 Components • Reference Scenario • Means of estimation of recent historical emissions from deforestation/degradation and projected future emissions /removals. National, regional or project level -3 • Monitoring System • Monitoring of emissions/ removals. Deforestation and or degradation Reporting systems, technological options, community engagement -4A • Monitoring of benefits and impacts e.g. livelihoods, biodiversity, governance factors etc.-4B • Schedule and Budget • Timelines, budget requirements and sources of funding for activities identified in R-PP • Monitoring &Evaluation Framework • What are best indicators for keeping track of progress towards readiness

8. Overview of the RPP The R-PP provides a detailed assessment of the forest sector and the policy, social and legal framework that currently drive activities in this resource. It presents various components that propose: • four strategy priority areas and actions to design and test REDD+ measures that have emerged from the R-PP formulation process as options for Kenya’s forest carbon emission management strategy; They are grouped by priority areas including: • improving governance in the forest sector; • providing economic incentives; • promoting efficient technologies for forest products extraction and use; iv) promoting investments outside the forest sector; and • carrying out studies and analyzing the value of forests to the national economy. • a management and consultation approach that will underlie all activities in the upcoming R-PP implementation phase, and recommends some legal, economic and financial arrangements for subsequent REDD+ implementation;

9. Overview of RPP • an approach to design Kenya’s carbon emissions reference scenario and the means for monitoring these emissions; • an approach to assess and subsequently monitor social and environmental impacts from the REDD+ strategies and an overall REDD+ program monitoring mechanism. •  Each Component has a related list of next steps and initial activities planned to carry out the work plan leading to REDD+ readiness implementation.

10. ASANTE SANA