You can watch a video of Ambassador Ståle T. Risa’s opening remarks here. (Scroll down)
Payments for ecosystem services (PES) is an important part of the efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). Vietnam is piloting both UN-REDD and PES. The REDD initiative was launched by Norway
Ambassador Ståle T. Risa and other panelists at the 2010 South East Asia Katoomba Goup Meeting June 23rd. Photo: Ms Pham Thuy Nga under the climate change negotiations at Bali in December 2007, and Norway has been playing a leading role and provided substantial financial support. You can read more about Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative program here. The Katoomba Group is an international network working to promote and improve capacity related to markets and payments for ecosystem services (PES). The mission of the Katoomba Group is threefold: to identify and respond to gaps in payments for ecosystem services (PES) theory and practice; share information about new developments related to PES markets; and address key PES challenges, such as mobilization of private sector buyers and enabling progress on legal, policy related and institutional frameworks. The meeting in Hanoi in June 2010 addressed some major issues such as payment for watershed services, and the importance of mangrove in carbon sequestration.
You can read more about the Katoomba Network Group here
Vital for the REDD progress
It is crucial to have proper PES scheme and benefits sharing distribution (BDS) system, to ensure the success and sustainability of Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). Such reductions related to forests are vital if reductions of greenhouse gas emissions are to be made. Greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries account for about 20% of the world’s total annual CO2 emissions. Vietnam is one of nine UN-REDD pilot countries.
More information about The UN-REDD program here.