National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan (NRIFAP 2017)

National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan (NRIFAP) R E D D + S R I L A N K A National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan (NRIFAP) REDD+ SRI LANKA Citation National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan, 2017 Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is allowed without prior written permission, provided the source is fully acknowledged. The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme acknowledges the effort and contribution made by all stakeholders of REDD+ in Sri Lanka when developing the content of this report. Cover Photo: Devaka Seneviratne Layout Design: Dinuk Senapatiratne Printed by: Nanila Publication (Pvt) Ltd More information www.redd.lk | www.facebook.com/SriLankaREDDplus Produced for The Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Produced by Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme Programme Mangement Unit 419/1, Pannipitiya Road Pelawatte, Battaramulla Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 112 787532 Web: www.redd.lk Ph ot og ra ph y: D ev ak a Se ne vi ra tn e A Introduction and REDD+ Development in Sri Lanka 1 A.1. International context to REDD+ 2 A.2. REDD+ progress in Sri Lanka 4 A.3. National context to REDD+ 5 A.4. Forest governance and land use in Sri Lanka 7 B National commitment towards REDD+ objectives 21 B.1. Alignment with government priorities 22 B.2. REDD+ vision and objectives 24 B.3. Provision of the Forest Reference Level (FRL) 29 C REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 33 C.1. REDD+ PAMs in Sri Lanka 34 C.2. Expected results 44 Content Summary viii National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Planii D Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 49 D.1. Institutional arrangements for implementation of the NRIFAP 50 D.2. Coordination of REDD+ technical elements 58 D.3. Cross cutting issues – capacity building and research 74 D.4. Stakeholder engagement 77 E Annexes 93 Annex 1. Approach to developing the REDD+ action plan 94 Annex 2. PAMs catalogue 99 Annex 3. Anticipated emission reductions associated with each PAM and respective assumptions 166 Annex 4. Flowchart on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) 168 Annex 5. Screening list for appraising whether an activity will require FPIC 169 iii Ph ot og ra ph y: D ev ak a Se ne vi ra tn e List of acronyms AD - Activity Data AFOLU - Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use ARF - Academic and Research Forum BUR - Biennial Update Report CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity CBNA - Capacity Building Needs Assessment CBO - Community-Based Organisation CBR+ - Community Based REDD+ CCS - Climate Change Secretariat CEA - Central Environmental Authority CO2 - Carbon Dioxide COP - Conference of Parties CSO - Civil Society Organisation CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility D&D - Deforestation and forest degradation DA - Department of Agriculture DBA - Department of Buddhist Affairs DWC - Department of Wildlife Conservation EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment EIRR - Economic Internal Rate of Return FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FD - Forest Department FIGISD - Forest Inventory and Geographical Information Systems Division FPIC - Free, Prior and Informed Consent FRL - Forest Reference Level GEF - Global Environment Facility GHG - Greenhouse Gas GHG-I - Greenhouse Gas Inventory List of acronyms v GPS - Global Positioning System GoSL - Government of Sri Lanka GRMs - Grievance Redress Mechanisms IP - Indigenous People IPCC - International Panel on Climate Change IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature JEDB - Janatha Estates Development Board LCCS - Land Cover Classification System LRC - Land Reform Commission LULUC - Land-Use Land-Use Chage LUP - Land Use Planning LUPPD - Land Use Policy Planning Department MASL - Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka MCA - Multi Criteria Analysis MMDE - Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment MoL - Ministry of Lands MoPI - Ministry of Planation Industries MRV - Measurement, Reporting and Verification NBD - National Budget Department NBSAP - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NCBs - Non-Carbon Benefits NDCs - Nationally Determined Contributions NFI - National Forest Inventory NFMS - National Forest Monitoring System NPPD - National Physical Planning Department NRIFAP - National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan NTFPs - Non-Timber Forest Products National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Planvi PAMs - Policies and Measures PMU - Programme Management Unit PLRs - Policies, Laws and Regulations PS - Private Sector RACB - REDD+ Advisory and Coordination Board REDD+ - Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and forest conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks RPC - Regional Plantation Company SAD - State Account Department SD - Survey Department SFM - Sustainable Forest Management SDGs - Sustainable Development Goals SEA - Strategic Environmental Assessment SIS - Safeguards Information System SLCFAN - Sri Lanka Climate and Forest Action Network SLMS - Satellite Land Monitoring System SLSPCs - Sri Lanka State Plantation Companies SoI - Summary of Information TFs - Task Forces TF NP&S - Task Force on National Policies and Strategies TOD - Treasury Operations Department TS - Technical Secretariat TWGs - Technical Working Groups UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UN-REDD Programme - The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change List of acronyms vii Summary The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is committed to achieving a sustainable development pathway that delivers broad based economic growth while also contributing to the global fight against climate change. As part of this approach, and with support from the UN-REDD Programme1 the GoSL has been working, since 2012, to build capacity for and develop a comprehensive approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from the country’s forests as well as increasing their capacity for GHG absorption. This approach will form part of Sri Lanka’s efforts under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement. Specifically it will allow Sri Lanka to participate in a results based financing mechanism under the UNFCCC, which is designed to support the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as support to the role of conservation of forests, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in those countries – this mechanism is commonly referred to as REDD+. The current National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan (NRIFAP), a five year USD 99 million investment framework financed from both domestic and international sources, represents the culmination of this readiness phase and provides a summary of both the work already achieved in Sri Lanka and what actions will be taken in the future. It sets out a clear vision for REDD+ in Sri Lanka (see Box 1) and will act as the central guidance document for the GoSL, who will lead its implementation through the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment (MMDE), as well as other stakeholders, as the country moves towards implementing actions on REDD+. The approach taken while targeting potential results based payments for GHG emission reductions under the UNFCCC is also focused on the short and long term benefits to communities Box 1 | Sri Lanka’s Vision for REDD+ 1. The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries was launched in 2008 and builds on the convening capacity and technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “Forests and beyond; sustaining life and livelihoods in a greener Sri Lanka” Sri Lanka will harness the transformational potential of REDD+ to ensure improved land management practices that protect, maintain and enhance ecological functions and social benefits, while sustaining current economic growth. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Planviii within Sri Lanka, supporting community livelihoods and access to the environmental services provided by forests as well as helping to ensure the long-term conservation of Sri Lanka’s exceptional forest biodiversity. The approach detailed within the NRIFAP is fully in line with key national strategies including Sri Lanka Next - a Blue-Green Era, as well as the commitments of the country made within its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the UNFCCC as well as domestic policy such as the Forest Policy. This includes achievement of critical targets such as the increase in national forest cover to 32%. The NRIFAP identifies 13 Policies and Measures (PAMs) within three key policy areas that will be implemented to help achieve Sri Lanka’s vision for REDD+ (see Table 1). These PAMs developed through an extensive process of stake/rights-holder consultation and expert analysis represent the key measures to deliver emission reductions and removals as well as helping to strengthen forest management more broadly within Sri Lanka. Many are based on the scaling up of key government actions while others represent new areas of development. Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he Summary ix Policy Area 1: Forest, Wildlife and Watershed PAM 1: Improve forest law enforcement and monitoring Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation A 36% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) A total of approximately 160,000 ha of new forests to be placed under appropri- ate protection and sustainable manage- ment regimes, including protected areas. A total of approximately 40,000 ha of degraded forests to be restored, through assisted natural regeneration and reforestation (32,000 ha in the Dry Zone and 8,000 ha in the Wet Zone), plus 5,000 ha of wildlife habitat PAM 2: Scale-up of forest boundary survey, demarcation and declaration PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 4: Strengthen sustainable forest manage- ment (natural forests) Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation Forest Department Forest Department To create enabling conditions for sustain- able forest management to increase forest biomass and biodiversity, while enhancing collaborative management opportunities with local communities and meeting local demand for forest products A total of 2,500 ha of sustainably man- aged forest plantations established to enhance forest carbon stocks and to reduce pressure on natural forests To create enabling conditions for forest restoration and enhancement to increase biomass and restore and maintain critical ecological functions, regulating the quality and volume of water and reducing natural disaster risks PAM 5: Strengthen sustainable management of forest plantations PAM 6: Strengthen protection of watersheds P O LI C Y A N D M E A S U R E (P A M ) G O A L IM P LE M E N T- IN G A G E N T Table 1 | Policies and Measures to be implemented through the NRIFAP National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Planx Policy Area 1: Forest, Wildlife and Watershed PAM 1: Improve forest law enforcement and monitoring Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation A 36% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) A total of approximately 160,000 ha of new forests to be placed under appropri- ate protection and sustainable manage- ment regimes, including protected areas. A total of approximately 40,000 ha of degraded forests to be restored, through assisted natural regeneration and reforestation (32,000 ha in the Dry Zone and 8,000 ha in the Wet Zone), plus 5,000 ha of wildlife habitat PAM 2: Scale-up of forest boundary survey, demarcation and declaration PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 4: Strengthen sustainable forest manage- ment (natural forests) Forest Department / Department of Wildlife Conservation Forest Department Forest Department To create enabling conditions for sustain- able forest management to increase forest biomass and biodiversity, while enhancing collaborative management opportunities with local communities and meeting local demand for forest products A total of 2,500 ha of sustainably man- aged forest plantations established to enhance forest carbon stocks and to reduce pressure on natural forests To create enabling conditions for forest restoration and enhancement to increase biomass and restore and maintain critical ecological functions, regulating the quality and volume of water and reducing natural disaster risks PAM 5: Strengthen sustainable management of forest plantations PAM 6: Strengthen protection of watersheds P O LI C Y A N D M E A S U R E (P A M ) G O A L IM P LE M E N T- IN G A G E N T Summary xi Policy Area 2: Land Use Planning Policy Area 3: Other Forested Lands PAM 7: Support inclusion of Strategic Environmental Assessment under Land Use Planning (LUP) National Physical Planning Department Central Environment Authority Department of Agriculture A 5% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) through better coordination and sectoral alignment in land use planning To create an enabling condition for a more thorough and stringent environmental and social appraisal process in order to reduce conversion pressure A 5% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) through increasing land produc- tivity to reduce conversion pressure PAM 8: Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessment process PAM 9: Improve land productivity and rehabilitation practices Department of Agriculture To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increas- ing supply of timber and fuelwood in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 10: Improve the tree cover of non-forested lands (home gardens, urban centre, public lands and settlements) PAM 11: Strengthen protection of other non-state forested lands2 Ministry of Lands Ministry of Plantation Industries Forest Department To create an enabling condition to increase forested areas under protec- tion To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increasing supply of timber and fuelwood to reduce pressure on natural forests To create an enabling condition for making the existing agro-forestry schemes financially more viable for the schemes’ participants in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 12: Strengthen local supply chain for fuelwood demand PAM 13: Develop agroforestry models for addressing forest degradation P O LIC Y A N D M E A S U R E G O A L IM P LE M E N T- IN G A G E N T National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Planxii Policy Area 2: Land Use Planning Policy Area 3: Other Forested Lands PAM 7: Support inclusion of Strategic Environmental Assessment under Land Use Planning (LUP) National Physical Planning Department Central Environment Authority Department of Agriculture A 5% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) through better coordination and sectoral alignment in land use planning To create an enabling condition for a more thorough and stringent environmental and social appraisal process in order to reduce conversion pressure A 5% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) through increasing land produc- tivity to reduce conversion pressure PAM 8: Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessment process PAM 9: Improve land productivity and rehabilitation practices Department of Agriculture To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increas- ing supply of timber and fuelwood in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 10: Improve the tree cover of non-forested lands (home gardens, urban centre, public lands and settlements) PAM 11: Strengthen protection of other non-state forested lands2 Ministry of Lands Ministry of Plantation Industries Forest Department To create an enabling condition to increase forested areas under protec- tion To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increasing supply of timber and fuelwood to reduce pressure on natural forests To create an enabling condition for making the existing agro-forestry schemes financially more viable for the schemes’ participants in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 12: Strengthen local supply chain for fuelwood demand PAM 13: Develop agroforestry models for addressing forest degradation P O LIC Y A N D M E A S U R E G O A L IM P LE M E N T- IN G A G E N T 2. Vihara Devalagam, Janataha Estate Development Board (JEDB), Sri Lanka State Plantations Cooperation (SLSPC), Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) & Land Reform Commission (LRC) Summary xiii The NRIFAP also provides information on how Sri Lanka will engage with the REDD+ mechanisms under the UNFCCC through the management of four technical elements namely: • A National REDD+ Strategy and/or Action Plan – which provides information on what a country will do on REDD+ and how it will implement REDD+ - in Sri Lanka this is fulfilled by the NRIFAP with information provided on how the implementation of the investment framework will be managed (Section D) • A National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) – which provides the capacity to monitor land use change, and to link with a national forest inventory to provide information on emissions from the forest sector. The initial structure of this is already in place with information publically available through its geoportal at http://www.nfms.lk/portal/. Information on the NFMS is provided in (Section D) • A Forest Reference Level (FRL) – which is an assessment of trends in land use change over time and emissions from land cover change and acts as a baseline against which a country’s performance in reducing emissions or increasing removals of GHG will be assessed. The initial version of which has been submitted by Sri Lanka in January 2017 (removal -70,000 tCO2eq and emission 4,596,000 tCO2eq). Information on the FRL is provided in (Section B) • A Safeguards Information System (SIS) – which provides information on how REDD+ safeguards are being addressed and respected. Information on the SIS is provided in (Section D) The NRIFAP is structured to provide information on REDD+ and the REDD+ development process in Sri Lanka (Section A), the vision of REDD+ in Sri Lanka (Section B), what policies and measures will be implemented to achieve emission reductions and removals (Section C), how elements will be coordinated (Section D) and cross cutting issues (Section D). From Section C to D detailed costing of activities are also provided. A summary of the costing for key areas is provided in table 2. Photography: Hiranya Sudasinghe National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Planxiv http://www.nfms.lk/portal/ TABLE 2 | NATIONAL REDD+ INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK AND ACTION PLAN COMPONENTS Total Cost (USD) Annual Costs (USD) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 IMPLEMENTATION OF REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES (PAMs) 75,593,019 12,185,728 15,964,018 15,934,935 15,803,218 15,705,118 NRIFAP COORDINATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING OF KEY INSTITUTIONS 7,968,606 2,143,123 1,620,602 1,464,753 1,296,520 1,443,608 SAFEGUARDS AND SAFEGUARDS INFORMATION SYSTEM 1,949,748 361,688 345,121 446,787 345,121 451,031 NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SYSTEM AND FOREST REFERENCE LEVEL 9,174,424 2,313,312 2,479,161 2,287,804 1,221,444 872,704 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN NRIFAP IMPLEMENTATION 1,999,990 419,096 395,223 395,223 435,011 355,436 COMMUNICATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 1,241,667 285,000 206,667 263,333 206,667 280,000 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISMS 1,300,067 155,333 379,733 285,000 255,000 225,000 TOTAL 99,227,521 17,863,280 21,390,526 21,077,836 19,562,981 19,332,897 Photography: Hiranya Sudasinghe Summary xv Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka The National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan (NRIFAP) is a five-year strategy (2018 – 2022) developed by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) with the support of the Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme3. It has been developed during a 4-year REDD+ readiness process, which assessed the feasibility and role of REDD+ in Sri Lanka’s forest management and land-use systems as well as the country’s broader development process. The country is now at an advanced stage of REDD+ readiness, and have the key technical elements of REDD+ as laid out in the Warsaw Framework (i.e., UNFCCC Decisions 9 - 15/CP.19) in place. The current document is one of those elements with the NRIFAP acting as Sri Lanka’s National REDD+ Strategy and/or Action Plan. The document lays out the actions that will be done to deliver emission reductions – identified as 13 Policies and Measures (PAMs) – the mechanisms to coordinate their implementation and the approaches taken and systems to maintain the other three technical elements of REDD+: a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS); a Forest Reference Level (FRL) and a Safeguards Information System (SIS). It also provides information on a number of cross cutting issues including stakeholder engagement, communications and capacity building. A Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he 3. For more information on the UN-REDD National Programme in Sri Lanka, please visit http://www.redd.lk/web/ index.php?lang=en 1National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan A.1. International context to REDD+ 1. The Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector is responsible for just under a quarter of anthropo- genic Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions while forestry alone accounts for nearly 12%4. This source of emissions is second only to the global energy sector and higher than the trans- port sector. Thus while emissions reductions will be needed across sectors, addressing emissions from the forestry sec- tor is crucial in helping to mitigate climate change. 2. The need to address emissions from the forestry sector has led to the development of a results based financing mech- anism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This has been included within the Paris Agreement5 and aims to support the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and promote the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. It is most commonly referred to by its acronym REDD+. 3. The REDD+ mechanism identifies five major activities for which results-based payments may be claimed: a. Reducing emissions from deforestation; b. Reducing emissions from forest degradation; c. Conservation of forest carbon stocks; d. Sustainable management of forests; e. Enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Reducing carbon emissions from deforestation Sustainable management of forests a Reducing carbon emissions from forest degradation b Conservation of forest carbon stocks c d Enhancement of forest carbon stocks e 4. Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change, IPCC Working Group III 5. Agreement signed at COP21 of the UNFCCC in Paris National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4. During the UNFCCC negotiations, countries collectively agreed on the importance of having an iterative, flexible and learning-by-doing approach to REDD+ implementation. The Cancun Agreements (paragraph 73 of decision 1/CP.16) indicate that REDD+ should be “implemented in phases, beginning with the development of national strategies and/ or action plans, policies and measures, and capacity-build- ing, followed by the implementation of national policies and measures and national strategies and/or action plans that could involve further capacity-building, technology develop- ment and transfer and results-based demonstration activities, and evolving into results-based actions that should be fully measured, reported and verified”. REDD+ in Sri Lanka is following this phased approach and is currently reaching the end of the readiness phase, with the initiation of the NRIFAP representing the beginning of the implementation phase. 5. The Warsaw Framework6 for REDD+ adopted in 2013 pro- vides the overall guidance for REDD+ countries. The frame- work sets out five types of information to be provided through the UNFCCC’s Lima REDD+ Information Hub: • Link to the national strategy and/or action plan; • Assessed forest reference (emission) level expressed in tonnes carbon dioxyde (CO2) equivalent per year with a link to the final report of the technical assessment; • Summary of information on how Cancun safeguards are being addressed and respected; • Report results of REDD+ implementation (in tonnes CO2) through the Biennial Update Report (BUR), in a REDD+ technical annex, which will also include information on NFMS; • Quantity of results for which payments were received expressed in tonnes CO2eq/year, and the entity paying for results. 6. It also noted that these five information streams can be achieved through the development of four key technical elements: • A National REDD+ Strategy and/or Action Plan – to provide information on what a country will do on REDD+ and how it will implement REDD+. • A NFMS – to monitor land use change, and link with a national forest inventory to provide information on emissions from the forestry sector. • A FRL – which is an assessment of trends in land use change over time and emissions from land cover change and acts as a baseline against which a country’s performance in reducing emissions or increasing removals of GHG will be assessed. • A SIS - to provide information on how REDD+ safeguards are being addressed and respected. 6. COP 19, November 2013 in Warsaw, Poland, adopted the 7 decisions of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 3 A A.2. REDD+ progress in Sri Lanka 7. To operationalise the information streams and tech- nical elements, Sri Lanka has developed the four elements, requested under the Cancun Agreements (paragraph 71 of decision 1/CP.16). • A national strategy and action plan – National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan (NRIFAP) • A national forest reference level in accordance with national circumstances (section B3) • A robust and transparent national forest monitoring system (section D2) • A system for providing information on how the safeguards referred to in Appendix I to this decision are being addressed and respected throughout the implementation of REDD+ activities (section D2) 8. National Forest Reference Emission Level/Forest Reference Level (FRL) - Sri Lanka’s FRL has been- prepared at the national scale with an initial focus on deforestation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks based on above-ground and below-ground biomass. The reference period for the FRL is based on forest and land use change analysis between 2000 and 2010 and International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 1 default emission factors. The GoSL has submitted its FRL to the UNFCCC in January 2017. 9. National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) - Sri Lanka’s NFMS for REDD+ consists of three major components: (a) a Satellite Land Monitoring System (SLMS) (b) a National Forest Inventory (NFI); and (c) a Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The NFMS geo-portal has been launched in March 2017 and is now accessible to the public. Institutional arrange- ments for hosting the portal have already been iden- tified. Activity Data preparation for the GHG inven- tory using time-series land-use land cover (LULC) maps of 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 have been completed in 2016. GHG inventory training sessions have been completed with key departments. A National Forest Inventory (NFI) manual, methodol- ogy, and pilot NFI training will be completed by June 2017. 10. Safeguards Information System (SIS) - A system for providing safeguard information, including how the safeguards are addressed and respected, to the UNFCCC, as well as to the public, is currently being designed. Institutional coordination mechanisms have already been identified. 11. In addition, Sri Lanka has put in place robust and effective mechanisms to manage both internal/ external investments and anticipated results-based finance (section D1) together with credible institu- tional arrangements and capacities (section D1) to implement those four elements and to make the necessary information available for receiving REDD+ results-based payments to continue gener- ating transformational change. Sri Lanka has set up the four elements for REDD+ and is now ready for implementation National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan4 1992 2008 2009 2012 2013 2015 2017 Sri Lanka signs UNFCCC convention The UN-REDD Programme is created Sri Lanka becomes a UN-REDD Partner Country Sri Lanka requests technical support The REDD+ Readiness phase begins in Sri Lanka Development of the National REDD+ Strategy National REDD+ Strategy ready for implementation REDD+ Roadmap validation A.3. National context to REDD+ 12. Sri Lanka has been a signatory to the UNFCCC since 1992. The country’s national focal point to the Convention is the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment (MMDE) through the Climate Change Secretariat (CCS). In 2009, Sri Lanka became a UN-REDD partner country, and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) (through the Forest Department (FD), the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the CCS) with many other stakeholders (Civil Society Organizations, Indigenous People, Private Sector, Academics and Forest User Communities) and support of the three UN organisations has jointly implemented a full-sized UN-REDD National Programme (from 2013 to 2017). It con- sidered all aspects of the forestry sector, as well as Sri Lan- ka’s rich biodiversity and natural resources, when addressing the issues of deforestation and forest degradation. Sri Lanka's commitment to fight climate change Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 5 A 13. Since 2014, Sri Lanka has been piloting the Community Based REDD+ (CBR+) Programme, a joint initiative between the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Pro- gramme and the UN-REDD Programme to implement community-based REDD+ activities. The CBR+ Programme has been closely linked to the national REDD+ agenda and process by developing and testing community-led options for addressing deforestation and forest degradation at sub-national levels. The CBR+ Programme in Sri Lanka has selected projects in critical hotspots of deforestation and forest degradation and one national project. These projects have supported the establishment of forest vigilant commit- tees, built capacity among the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) members and communities, established fire belts, and created livelihood options to reduce the burden on forests. These projects have been completed in March 2017 – allowing the GoSL to update its NRIFAP based on the lessons-learned at sub-national levels. Photography: Hiranya Sudasinghe A.4. Forest governance and land use in Sri Lanka Figure 1 | Forest cover map in Sri Lanka 2010 Forests in Sri Lanka 14. The country has a total natural forest area of approximately 1.95 million ha or 29.7%7. Diversified topographic features, varying climatic conditions and edaphic factors have led to the development of different forest types in Sri Lanka. These are distributed within the three major climatic zones of the island (Wet Zone, Intermediate Zone and Dry Zone) with the FD traditionally stratifying forests using a classification system developed by Koelmeyer in 19578. During a recent forest cover survey (see figure 1), the FD identified more precisely the extents of the specified forest types9 grouping them as follows; montane forests (44,758 ha), sub-mon- tane forests (28,514 ha), lowland rain forests (123,301ha), moist monsoon forests (117,886 ha), dry monsoon forests (1,121,392ha) and riverine forests (2,425 ha), mangroves (15,670 ha) and open and sparse forests10 (429,484 ha). 15. Of these forest types moist monsoon forests and dry mon- soon forests are found in the Dry Zone. The Intermediate Zone accommodates dry monsoon as well as moist mon- soon forests with the sparse and open forests found across the two zones. The Wet Zone is characterized by species rich lowland rain forests as well as lower montane and mon- tane forests. In all climatic zones, riverine forests are found 7. Edirisinghe, E.A.P.N., Ariyadasa, K.P. and Chandani, R.P.D.S. 2012. Forest cover assessment in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Forester, 34: 1-12. 8. Koelmeyer, K.O., 1957, ‘Climatic Classification and the Distribution of Vegetation in Ceylon’, Ceylon Forester, Vol. III, No. 2 (New Series) 9. Edirisinghe, E.A.P.N, Ariyadasa, K.P. and Chandani, R.P.D.S., 2012, ‘Forest Cover Assessment in Sri Lanka’, The Sri Lanka Forester, Volume 34 (New Series), Colombo 10. It should be noted that the category open and sparse forests includes a total extent of forests of all categories with a canopy cover between 10 to 40%. Sri Lanka forest cover is 1.95 million ha or 29.7% Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 7 A along streams and rivers. Each of these forest types has inherent characteristics based on their local environment and species composition, playing an important role in biodiversity conservation, hydrology (especially in head waters protection), soil conser- vation, amelioration of the environment and as a source of raw material for livelihood development. 16. Different forest types thriving in different climatic zones provide a high level of species diversity and the country, along with the Western Ghat is consid- ered one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. In par- ticular the country’s floral biodiversity and number of endemic species is extremely high relative to its size (see Tables 3 and 4). 17. In order to conserve biodiversity, the GoSL, through the two major agencies concerned, the FD and the DWC, has undertaken significant efforts by creating a large network of protected areas. The present protected area network of the FD includes 117 Conservation Forests (136,588 ha), 4 International Biosphere Reserves (143,106 ha) and 547 Reserved Forests (1,095,050 ha). Due to the presence of unique biodiversity, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated 2 World Heritage Sites (Sinharaja - 11,127 ha and the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, which is a serial property comprising three component parts: Knuckles Conservation Forest (31,305 ha), Horton Plains National Park (3,109 ha) and the Peak Wilderness Protected Area (20,596 ha)). The DWC is also responsible for a significant number of protected areas targeted torwards faunal and floral biodiversity conservation. These include 3 Strict Nature Reserves (31,571 ha), 16 National Parks (738,547 ha), 7 Nature Reserves (101,645 ha), 1 Jungle Corridor (8,777 ha) and 61 Sanctuaries (277,122 ha). 18. The natural forests of the island have not been har- vested for timber for the last three decades, with the domestic supply of timber and firewood coming from forest plantations and tree resources outside for- ests, such as home gardens and community wood lots. Twenty-three Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) currently manage approximately 9,000 ha of forest plantations in order to supply fuelwood and timber for both private and industrial use. The FD manages approximately 80,000 ha of forest planta- tions. 19. The high floral biodiversity contributes to the avail- ability of a significant number of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). These products are utilised by A CSO-led study undertaken in 2016 has identified 38 non-carbon benefits from the conservation of Sri Lanka’s forests. Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan8 Table 3 | Species richness of Sri Lankan flora12 Group No. of Species No. of endemics Angiospermae (Flowering plants) 3771 926 Pteridophyta (Ferns) 348 48 Mosses 566 63 Liverworts 222 Lichens 661 Table 4 | Species richness in inland and marine fauna (Condensed from IUCN Red List 2007) Taxonomic group No. of species No. of endemics Invertebrate fauna 1601 355 Vertebrate fauna 932 284 Marine fauna 579 11. Non-carbon benefits in the context of REDD+ in Sri Lanka, UN-REDD National Programme in Sri Lanka, 2016. 12. Source: ‘The 2007 Red List of Threatened Fauna and Flora of Sri Lanka’, IUCN, Colombo Photography: Hiranya Sudasinghe communities living along the forest fringe and also provides them with a significant income. A CSO-led study11 under- taken in 2016 has identified 38 Non-Carbon Benefits (NCBs) from the conservation of Sri Lanka’s forests. These vary with the forest type but provide substantial monetary and non-monetary benefits to forest-user communities. Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 9 A Figure 2 | Forest cover change 1992-1999-2010 Drivers of deforestation and forest degradation13 20. Sri Lanka’s economic growth has been accompanied by a decline in forest cover. Today, the country has a total natural forest area of approximately 1.95 million ha or 29.7%14 - a significant change from the 70% forest cover estimated at the turn of the 19th Century. This transition has occurred through a combination of historic and modern drivers of forest cover change. 21. The spatial analysis of forest cover change between 2000 and 2010 (see figure 2) shows that the overall rate of defor- estation has slowed to an average of 8,088 ha/year15 (annual deforestation rate of approx. 0.3%). A significant reduction 13. Drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Sri Lanka: Assessment of key Policies and Measures, UN-REDD National Programme in Sri Lanka, December 2015. 14. Edirisinghe, E.A.P.N., Ariyadasa, K.P. and Chandani, R.P.D.S. 2012. Forest cover assessment in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Forester, 34: 1-12. 15. Sri Lanka’s Forest Reference Level submission to UNFCCC, January 2017 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan10 Table 5 | Districts with forest cover loss (1992-1999-2010) District Changes of forest cover (ha) 1992 - 1999 % of loss 1999 - 2010 % of loss 1992 - 2010 % of loss 1 Anuradhapura -33579 -11% -7686 -3% -41265 -14% 2 Moneragala -25188 -10% -2784 -1% -27972 -11% 3 Hambantota 5475 7% -28064 -32% -22589 -28% 4 Ampara -5013 -3% -13316 -8% -18329 -11% 5 Puttalam -11555 -11% -6132 -7% -17687 -17% 6 Matale -13940 -16% 2167 3% -11773 -13% 7 Trincomale -4800 -4% -251 0% -5051 -4% 8 Kalutara -3345 -15% -1387 -7% -4732 -21% 9 Batticaloa -98 0% -4010 -7% -4108 -7% 10 Polonnaruwa -2889 -2% -632 0% -3521 -2% 11 Matara -1110 -5% -1436 -7% -2546 -11% 12 Mulaitivu -3134 -2% 1026 1% -2108 -1% 13 Kurunegala -3415 -11% 1408 5% -2006 -6% 14 Kilinochchi -1070 -3% 375 1% -695 -2% from the rate of 42,200 ha/year that had occurred between 1956 and 1984.16 Deforestation has also becoming more scattered across the country with rates higher in the Dry Zone than the Wet Zone. 22. Table 5 shows changes in forest cover by administrative district over the same period with the highest rates of forest cover change (in absolute terms) occurring in five hotspot districts of the Dry Zone namely Anuradhapura, Moneragala, Hambantota, Ampara and Puttalam districts. While the top five districts were located in the Dry Zone, Matale and Kalu- tara districts were also identified as having the highest rates of forest cover change in the Intermediate and Wet Zones respectively. 16. Please note there is a data gap between the 1980’s and 1990 due to the civil conflict in the country. Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 11 A 23. The major drivers of forest cover change pre and post independence were reviewed as part of a process of identifying potential REDD+ actions. The work identified key drivers, underlying drivers, catalysts and inhibitors to forest cover change. The assessment was done through a review of existing litera- ture, secondary data, spatial assessment of forest cover changes, and primary data collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and consultations with stakeholders from government agencies and CSOs. There are three main drivers of deforestation in Sri Lanka: • Encroachments; • Infrastructure development project • Private agriculture ventures and a range of small-scale drivers of forest degradation Photography: Devaka Seneviratne National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan12 24. The study showed that deforestation and forest degradation, particularly observed in the hotspot districts, is due to three direct drivers: 1) Encroachments, for agriculture, settlements and other purposes such as gem mining and coastal shrimp farming. 2) Infrastructure development projects, such as the construction of roads, highways, harbors and airports, the development of tourism activities and expansion of power generation and transmission facilities as well as associated resettlement programmes. The number of such projects has also increased rapidly since the return of peace in 2009. 3) Private agriculture ventures, in particular the expansion of commercial rain-fed highland agriculture and the develop- ment of smallholder plantation agriculture in the Dry Zone. The study also identified that forest degradation in the same period resulted from a range of small-scale activities including practices such as cardamom cultivation, fuelwood collection, collection of various NTFPs (e.g. rattan, medicinal plants, resin), grazing lands for cattle, anthropogenic forest fires, gem mining and quarrying and illicit felling of timber. This latter issue, though not in large scale, is prevalent throughout the country. These activities were collectively grouped as a single driver called localized small-scale activities. 25. These direct drivers are catalysed by underlying drivers such as a rapid increase in the demand for land for agricultural activities and infrastructure development projects following the end of the civil war, as well as ongoing demand for forest products in national and international markets. In many cases these underlying drivers are supported by land-sector policies that are targeted on expanding food production or increasing infrastructure development. This creates a situa- tion of poor coordination and conflicts of objectives among governmental agencies. Other underlying drivers include; population growth, technological advancement, commercial- isation of rural economies and political patronage. The prac- tice of periodic regularisation of encroached lands together with lack of law enforcement by authorities also play a key role in allowing the impacts of encroachment to continue. 26. The assessment also highlighted some existing mecha- nisms to address these drivers, including protected area management and policies, environmental laws and regula- tions, spread of home gardens (as a source of timber and other resources), customary rights, public pressure, labour migration and off-farm employment opportunities as well as increase in general awareness of environmental issues. The interaction between these different factors is summarised in Table 6 below. Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 13 A Indirect drivers CatalystsType of damage Deforestation Forest Degradation Direct drivers Demand for residential lands; Global demand for export crops (e.g. tea); Global demand for aquaculture products (e.g. shrimp); Local demand for other �eld crops (e.g. maize, vegetable); Other purposes (e.g. gem mining) Permissive land laws and policies; Political interference; Limitations in monitoring capacity; Poor coordination among agencies; Population growth; Commercialization of rural economies; Mechanization of agricultural technologies Population growth; Poor coordination among agencies; Political interference Political patronage; Poor coordination among agencies; Population growth; Mechanization of agricultural technologies Limitations of monitoring capacity; Political interference; Population growth Inhibitors Forest policies and protected area management; Internal and external migration of the rural labour force; Home gardens; O�-farm employment; Customary rights Environmental laws and regulations; Forest policies and protected area management; Public pressure and awareness Environmental laws and regulations; Forest policies and protected area management; Public pressure and awareness Forest policies and protected area management; Home gardens; Labour migration; Customary rights Demand for land in projects in following areas/sectors: Irrigation development; Urban development; Energy (e.g. hydropower); Resettlement; Tourism; Livelihood development; Roads and highways Airports and harbors; High voltage transmission lines Export and local demand for agricultural products (e.g. cashew, banana); Policy objective of reducing import costs by substituting sugar imports Local demand for timber and wod products; Households needs; Industrial infrastructure Encroachments Development projects Private agriculture ventures Localised small-scale activities Table 6 | Summary of drivers and their catalysts and inhibitors National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan14 Indirect drivers CatalystsType of damage Deforestation Forest Degradation Direct drivers Demand for residential lands; Global demand for export crops (e.g. tea); Global demand for aquaculture products (e.g. shrimp); Local demand for other �eld crops (e.g. maize, vegetable); Other purposes (e.g. gem mining) Permissive land laws and policies; Political interference; Limitations in monitoring capacity; Poor coordination among agencies; Population growth; Commercialization of rural economies; Mechanization of agricultural technologies Population growth; Poor coordination among agencies; Political interference Political patronage; Poor coordination among agencies; Population growth; Mechanization of agricultural technologies Limitations of monitoring capacity; Political interference; Population growth Inhibitors Forest policies and protected area management; Internal and external migration of the rural labour force; Home gardens; O�-farm employment; Customary rights Environmental laws and regulations; Forest policies and protected area management; Public pressure and awareness Environmental laws and regulations; Forest policies and protected area management; Public pressure and awareness Forest policies and protected area management; Home gardens; Labour migration; Customary rights Demand for land in projects in following areas/sectors: Irrigation development; Urban development; Energy (e.g. hydropower); Resettlement; Tourism; Livelihood development; Roads and highways Airports and harbors; High voltage transmission lines Export and local demand for agricultural products (e.g. cashew, banana); Policy objective of reducing import costs by substituting sugar imports Local demand for timber and wod products; Households needs; Industrial infrastructure Encroachments Development projects Private agriculture ventures Localised small-scale activities Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 15 A Institutional setup 27. Sri Lanka has a well-established and effective sub-national administrative system. This includes 9 Provinces, 25 Districts and 331 Divisional Secretaries. The technical departments with jurisdiction over forest areas such as the FD and the DWC are centralised in terms of decisions, operational planning and budgets but have demonstrated the ability to take action on the ground and maintain relationships with the local government at the divisional level despite the coordination issues among the institutions. 28. Management of the country’s forest cover falls mainly within the purview of two government entities, the FD and the DWC. FD and the DWC are respon- sible for the management of approximately 19.2% and 17.6% surface area of the island respectively (including both forest and non-forest lands). Some fragmented areas of forests are within lands administered by the Coast Covervation and Coastal Resources Management Department, the Land Reform Commission (LRC) and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL), in estates leased to Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and in Vihara & Dewala (temple) lands. Some forests are also under private ownership. The extent and condition of forests in these ownership categories is not avail- able. Further assessment of fragmented forest lands will be done during the NRIFAP implementation through better identification, increased protection and enhanced monitoring. 29. The FD has a long tradition of forest governance, the objectives of which has evolved over time with the changing social, cultural and economic environ- ment. Established in 1887, the FD has a significant organisational network consisting of 5 forestry regions, 23 forestry divisions, 82 forest ranges, 358 forest beats and 782 forest field assistant divisions in a hierarchical order. For- ests are categorised as Conservation Forests, Reserved Forests and Other State Forests. Forestry operations related to sustainable forest management are centrally regulated while general administration activities are decentralised to the forestry regions. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan16 Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 17 A 30. The DWC has divided the island into 12 regions with powers delegated to these regions to undertake wildlife manage- ment. Main forest-related legislation 31. Forest Ordinance – This is the legislative tool that empow- ers forest officers to implement their duties in relation to the protection of forest resources. First enacted in 1907, it has multiple amendments - the last in 2009 (Forest (Amendment) Act No.65 of 2009). 32. Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance - This ordinance came into effect during a period when wildlife management was a subject handled by the FD (Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, No.2 of 1937). Since then, it has been amended several times with the last amendment made in 2009 (Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Act, No.22 of 2009). Main forest-related policies 33. Forest Policy - The first forest policy was promulgated in 1929 and modified several times according to circumstances and priorities at different periods. A new policy was approved in March 1995, which is currently operational and has the following objectives: i. To conserve forests for posterity, with particular regard to biodiversity, soils, water, and historical, cultural, reli- gious and aesthetic values; ii. To increase the tree cover and productivity of the forests to meet the needs of present and future generations for forest products and services; iii. To enhance the contribution of forests to the welfare of the rural population, and strengthen the national econ- omy, with special attention paid to equity in economic development. 34. National Wildlife Policy - The first National Policy on Wildlife Conservation was approved by cabinet in June 1990. The present National Wildlife Policy promulgated in 2000 updates the previous policy, while also adding some points that respond to the evolving needs of Sri Lankan society and the additional mandates of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which Sri Lanka ratified in 1994. 35. National Climate Change Policy – This policy was approved in 2012 with the objectives to: i. Periodically sensitise and make communities aware of the country’s vulnerability to climate change; ii. Take adaptive measures to avoid and minimise the adverse impacts of climate change on people, their livelihoods and ecosystems; iii. Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the path of sus- tainable development; iv. Promote sustainable consumption and production; v. Enhance knowledge on the multifaceted issues related to climate change in the society and build its capacity to make prudent choices in decision making; vi. Develop the country’s capacity to address the impacts of climate change effectively and efficiently; vii. Mainstream and integrate climate change issues in the national development process. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan18 36. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) – The plan has an operational period of seven years from 2016 to 2022 and provides the strategic approach needed to ensure that Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity is conserved and used in a sustainable manner. The national targets are synergistic with global targets such as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NBSAP is also a guiding policy framework for provin- cial authorities as well as civil society groups and private sector organizations and provides approaches to biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management. The NBSAP has five strategic goals with 20 targets: i. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society; ii. Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use; iii. Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding eco- systems, species and genetic diversity; iv. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosys- tem services; v. Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building. Limitations of the forest governance system 37. The existing sectoral policies and corresponding policy instruments acknowledge only to a limited extent the linkages that exist across sectors. For example, the Forest Policy makes no explicit reference to climate change (or to other REDD+ relevant sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, etc.). The National Climate Change Policy also makes no explicit reference to the mitigation opportunities that exist in the forestry sector (however, these are acknowledged in the Sri Lankan Nationally Determined Contributions - NDCs) but states the need to ‘acknowledge and improve carbon storage capacity of the forests in forest management, taking into account the other ecosystem services provided by the forests’. 38. Although most Sri Lankan forests fall within the purview of FD and DWC, they are hosted under two different Ministries: Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, and Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife respec- tively, making coordination and streamlining of activities difficult. 39. Both FD and DWC expect that the participation of the civil society in policy making will be reinforced in the future. The DWC collaborates with village communities in managing pro- tected areas. The same collaborative efforts are made by the FD in managing conservation and reserved forests by form- ing vigilant groups for forest protection and to combat forest fires and by promoting community forestry approaches. Ways and means are suggested in the NRIFAP to extend the collaboration with the civil society to improve the forest governance in Sri Lanka. Introduction and REDD+ development in Sri Lanka 19 A National commitment towards REDD+ objectives B Ph ot og ra ph y: D ev ak a Se ne vi ra tn e 21National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan B.1. Alignment with government priorities 40. Sri Lanka is focusing on long-term strategic and structural development challenges as it strives to transition to an upper middle-income country. Key challenges include boosting investment, including in human capital, realigning public spending and policy with the needs of a middle-income country, enhancing the role of the private sector, including the provision of an appropriate environment for increasing productivity and exports, and ensuring that growth is inclusive.18 In this context, His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka launched, in 2016, ‘Sri Lanka Next - A Blue-Green Era’ initiative, a strategy for the sustainable development of Sri Lanka. 41. The ‘Sri Lanka Next - A Blue-Green Era’ initiative indicates the country’s commitment to follow a low-carbon emission development pathway. This incorporates a commitment to sustainable management of oceanic, marine and terrestrial resources and placing the environment first when proceeding with the government’s rapid development agenda. Within this context, the GoSL considers decreasing GHG emissions through reductions in deforestation and forest degradation as an integrated part of its ‘Sri Lanka Next - A Blue-Green Era’ initiative. 42. Specifically, the government of Sri Lanka has demonstrated its commitment to goals that align with REDD+. In October 2015, HE President of Sri Lanka announced Wana Ropa (Planting of Forest) - a three-year programme beginning in January 2016 to contribute to increase forest cover from 29.7% to 32% (approx. 150,000 ha) of the country’s land area by 2020. It will accompany Punarudaya (Renaissance), a larger programme to drive sustainable development in the country. 43. The overall goal of the Punarudaya programme is to create a sustainable environment within Sri Lanka and build on the National Action Plan for Haritha (Green) Lanka Programme. Four of its key objectives are directly supported by the NRIFAP: (i) Conservation and development of forest resources to maintain sustainability; (ii) Establish a life friendly ecosystem for sustainable utilisation, conservation and management of natural resources, (iii) Biodiversity conservation and sustainable management and (iv) Informed and mobilised public in the area of environmental conservation. 44. A study conducted in 201619 concludes that institutional capacity related to Sri Lanka’s major cross-sectoral policies and laws is uneven. Addressing these institutional weaknesses and strengthening cross sector coordination on environmental issues through REDD+ has the potential to contribute to many key sectors of the national economy. 45. The GoSL signed the Paris Agreement in April 2016 and approval from the Parliament of Sri Lanka was given in September 201620. As a result of the growing interest of the GoSL towards REDD+ during the readiness phase, the GoSL – through its NDCs – acknowledges the role of the forestry sector as a key mitigation strategy. The NDCs recommended 18. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/srilanka/overview 19. Policies, Laws and Regulations analysis of prioritized REDD+ Policies and Measures, Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme, January 2016 20. Cabinet Paper No.16/1803/701/026, Ratification of Paris Agreement by Sri Lanka National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan22 an increase of the current forest cover from 29.7% up to 32% (aligned with Wana Ropa). This includes all PAMs recommended by the NRIFAP: (i) Improvement of the quality of growing stock of natural forests and forest plantations, (ii) Restoration of degraded forests and hilltops (shrubs, grasslands and state lands), (iii) Increase river basin management for major rivers of Sri Lanka, (iv) Forestation of underutilised private lands and marginal tea lands, (v) Urban forestry (tree planting along roadsides, temple lands, schools and other government lands), (vi) Establishment/reactivating of the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS), (vii) Promote private and public sector companies for investment in environmental conservation projects through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. (Sri Lanka NDCs, 201621). 46. Other sectors covered by the NDCs, such as agriculture, water and biodiversity, will also be supported by the NRIFAP. The agriculture sector will benefit from soil and water conservation practices (PAM9) for other marginal areas to minimise land degradation and to improve the land and water productivity. The water sector will benefit from the protection and conservation measures in 4,000 ha of priority catchment areas (PAM6). The biodiversity sector will also be supported with the restoration of 5,000 ha of degraded wildlife ecosystems inside and outside the protected area network (PAM3) and the implementation of outreach programme for 24 national parks (PAM4). 21. See INDC of Sri Lanka, http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/INDC/Submission%20Pages/submissions.aspx REDD+ will contribute to the national objective of increasing the current forest cover from 29.7% to 32%. Photography: Hiranya Sudasinghe National commitment towards REDD+ objectives 23 B B.2. REDD+ vision and objectives 47. The GoSL has developed a vision for REDD+ that forms part of the national approach to improving the overall effectiveness of the country’s forest and land management regimes. This vision was developed through a highly consultative process and looks beyond receiving results- based payments for emission reductions to the broader benefits that REDD+ actions will bring. The vision is in line with Articles 2 and 3 of the UNFCCC, which underscores the importance of taking mitigation action in ways that respect developing countries’ priorities for poverty alleviation and social and economic development. These elements are brought together in Sri Lanka’s vision for REDD+. 48. Through REDD+, Sri Lanka recognises an opportunity to address its current limitations in ensuring integrated and sustainable land and forest management and to address the lack of coordination in land management practices that are contributing to and exacerbating those environmental Photography: Devaka Seneviratne National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan24 Forests and beyond; sustaining life and livelihoods in a greener Sri Lanka” Sri Lanka will harness the transformational potential of REDD+ to ensure improved land management practices that protect, maintain and enhance ecological functions and social benefits, while sustaining current economic growth. REDD+ Vision National commitment towards REDD+ objectives 25 B challenges. It is also in line with an increasingly widespread sentiment among stakeholders of the need for more sustainable land and natural resources management to protect the country’s natural capital. 49. REDD+ in Sri Lanka will thus be implemented through a cross-sectoral framework and built into relevant institutional action plans and budgets to ensure strong leadership and ownership of the transitional process towards adopting more sustainable land and forest management practices. This will also help the country to achieve a range of sectoral objectives, not limited to those of the forestry or wildlife conservation sectors. Such an effort would greatly enhance the sustainability and permeability of REDD+ outcome across the country’s institutional framework. A number of key cross cutting goals that will be achieved through REDD+ include: 50. Climate Change Mitigation – Sri Lanka’s NDC aims to reduce its overall GHG emissions unconditionally by 7% - and conditionally by 23%. This will be done predominantly from the energy sector, with the transport, industry, forestry and waste sectors contributing collectively 3% and 7% under the unconditional and conditional scenarios. Through the PAMs for reducing deforestation, the NRIFAP intends to contribute to achieving both the nationally intended and conditional targets. 51. Sustainable Land Management - The GoSL wishes to increase its forest cover to 32% from the current 29.7%. The carbon enhancement PAMs are expected to contribute up to 45,000 ha out of a total of 150,650 ha (30%) to this target, mainly through restoration of degraded forest lands22. 52. Restoration and Maintenance of Ecosystem Services - Forests in Sri Lanka provide important environmental services such as provisioning of water and food, climate and water quality regulation, and maintaining soil fertility. These are all critical for rural livelihoods and land-based production 22. Government of Sri Lanka’s objective to increase the forest cover from 29.7% to 32% represents an area of 150,650ha. PAM3 will support the restoration of a total area of 45,000 ha over 5 years (30% of the GoSL’s objective) Climate Change Mitigation Sustainable Land Management REDD+ Objectives Restoration and Maintenance of Ecosystem Services Sustaining Current Economic Growth Minimize Natural Disaster Risks National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan26 most specifically agriculture. These critical ecosystem services have been under significant threat from, among other factors, infrastructure development and agricultural expansion. 53. Sustaining Current Economic Growth - Sri Lanka’s average economic growth rate was 6.4% between 2010 and 2015, and the country faces a number of challenges related to the transition towards a higher middle-income country. While extreme poverty is low, moderate poverty remains a challenge, as rural-based agrarian social and economic structures continue to shift towards a more urban production and service based economy. Such a socio-economic transition has also altered human-environmental relations, and thus the ways in which the country’s forests and forest resources are managed have also changed. 54. Minimize Natural Disaster Risks - Forests play a critical role in local environments, stabilising soil and reducing the speed of run off that help to reduce the incidence of weather related natural disasters such as landslides, floods and droughts which cost human lives and national funds for disaster management. Ph ot og ra ph y: D ev ak a Se ne vi ra tn e National commitment towards REDD+ objectives 27 B Box 2 - A stepwise and targeted approach to REDD+ development • In order to achieve these goals, and as part of a pragmatic step-wise approach to REDD+ implementation, Sri Lanka will start by focusing on two of the five REDD+ activities: Reducing emissions from deforestation; and Enhancement of forest carbon stocks. This is based on current data availability and capacity to measure changes in forests. • After 5 years, two additional activities – Reducing emissions from degradation, and Sustainable management of forests – are expected to be added, once necessary measurement parameters have been set, and the national forest emission levels have been upgraded and resubmitted to the UNFCCC. • While the scale of REDD+ implementation is fully national in Sri Lanka, interventions will be concentrated in relevant areas in order to maximise impact and efficiency. Actions to address deforestation will be particularly focused at those districts with the highest rates of deforestation (see A.4), while forest enhancement will take place in areas where it is considered most strategic, cost-effective and socially and environmentally acceptable. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan28 Tree crown cover Area more than 10% minium height of 5m at maturity more than 0.5ha B.3. Provision of the Forest Reference Level (FRL) Table 7 | Scope of the first FRL in Sri Lanka Activities Deforestation Afforestation and Reforestation Pools Above Ground Biomass Below Ground Biomass Gases CO 2 55. Sri Lanka submitted its first FRL to the UNFCCC in January 2017. Key technical elements, such as forest definition, scope of FRL (REDD+ activities, forest carbon pools and gases included), scale (national or sub-national), time period and the data and methodologies used are presented in the below paragraphs. 56. Forest definition - Sri Lanka defines forests as land with tree crown cover of more than 10% and area of more than 0.5 ha with trees able to reach a minimum height of 5m at maturity in situ. Forest plantations are included within this while agricultural land, oil palm and rubber plantations are excluded. This definition is used for both GHG inventory and the second National Communication to UNFCCC. 57. Scope of FRL – Scope of FRL refers to which REDD+ activities, forest carbon pools and gases are included in its construction. Sri Lanka’s scope is summarised in table 7. 58. Scale of FRL - Noting that Decision 1/CP.16 requests countries to develop national FRL, with sub-national FRL as a potential interim measure, Sri Lanka has decided to submit a national FRL. Extent of forest area in Sri Lanka is small, Sri Lanka defines forests as land with tree crown cover of more than 10% and area of more than 0.5 ha with trees able to reach a minimum height of 5m at maturity in situ Definition of forests relative to neighboring countries, and administration of most of the forests is centralized within the FD and DWC. Hence there is no justification to develop interim sub-national FRLs at the current stage of REDD+ implementation. 59. Time period - Based on available data, Sri Lanka considers 2000 to 2010 as its historical period for FRL development. 60. Adjustments for national circumstances – The return of the country to peace in 2009 has been followed by a period of rapid economic development as well as significant public and private investments in infrastructure. Based on this, National commitment towards REDD+ objectives 29 B Figure 3 | Graphical representation of emission and removals per year as part of FRL (Gg of CO2eq per year) consideration was given to whether an adjustment should be made to the FRL to take account of these changing national circumstances that fall largely outside the reference period. An analysis23 based on a series of models of planned and actual forest cover change linked to changes in population, labour force and household income indicated that no adjustment was required, and as such, Sri Lanka has decided to use the average annual GHG emissions estimated for the period 2000-2010 in the context of the FRL and for the purpose of receiving results-based payments. 61. Activity Data– Sri Lanka includes (i) Reducing emissions from deforestation and (ii) Enhancement of forest carbon stocks from afforestation and reforestation in the FRL. The deforestation/afforestation activity data used for the construction of the FRL were drawn from Sri Lanka’s FD national forest cover map, which was used for forest cover statistics for the year 2000, University of Maryland maps for gain and loss up to the year 2010 (filtered by the Sri Lankan forest cover map 2000), and with the combined data corrected for bias using sample data. Activity data were 23. Sri Lanka’s national circumstances for constructing Forest Reference Level, Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme, October 2016. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan30 Table 8 | Sri Lanka’s proposed FRL LOSS/GAIN Carbon Pools Unit (Tonnes of C per ha per year) CO2 Eq in 1000 tonnes CO2 Eq in 1000 tonnes per year LOSS Above ground carbon 872,778 3200 4596Below ground carbon 362,915 1331 Litter 17,839 65 GAIN Enhancement in above ground biomass 14,566 -53 -70Enhancement in below ground biomass 4326 -16 Enhancement in litter 99 -0.36 estimated following Approach 3 as described in the IPCC Good Practice Guidelines for the LULUCF Sector (IPCC, 2003). This approach takes into account geographically- explicit land use and the land use change data for estimating activity data. Following this approach, an annual deforestation of about 8,088 ha/year over the period 2000- 2010 has been identified. 62. Emission Factors – To estimate historical emissions, Sri Lanka proposes to multiply the deforestation area per forest type by the forest carbon contents in this forest type applying the Tier 1 assumption of full oxidation of organic matter. These assumptions are used since the information available on the carbon content of land use after deforestation requires further investigation. 63. Forest Reference Level – Sri Lanka’s FRL consists of historical annual deforestation and reforestation estimates for the period 2000-2010 combined with IPCC default emission and removal factors. National commitment towards REDD+ objectives 31 B C REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he 33National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan Policy Area 1: Forest, Wildlife and Watershed PAM 1: Improve forest law enforcement and monitoring A 36% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) over 5 years, through increased enforcement and monitoring capacity A total of approximately 160,000 ha of new forests to be placed under appropriate protection and sustainable management regimes, over 5 years, including protected areas, to expand the total forest cover A total of approximately 40,000 ha of degraded forests to be restored over 5 years, through assisted natural regeneration and reforestation (32,000 ha in the Dry Zone and 8,000 ha in the Wet Zone), plus 5000 ha of wildlife habitats PAM 2: Scale-up of forest boundary survey, demarcation and declaration PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 4: Strengthen sustainable forest management (natural forests) To create enabling conditions for sustainable forest manage- ment to increase forest biomass and biodiversity, while enhanc- ing collaborative management opportunities with local commu- nities and meeting local demand for forest products A total of 2,500 ha of sustain- ably managed forest planta- tions established over 5 years, to enhance forest carbon stocks and to reduce pressure on natural forests To create enabling condition for forest restoration and enhance- ment to increase biomass and restore and maintain critical ecological functions, regulating the quality and volume of water and reducing natural disaster risks, improving soil conserva- tion and reducing erosion PAM 5: Strengthen sustainable management of forest plantations PAM 6: Strengthen protection of watersheds P O LI C Y A N D M E A S U R E G O A L C.1. REDD+ PAMs in Sri Lanka 64. Sri Lanka has identified 13 Policies and Measures (PAMs) to address the identified drivers of forest cover change (see Table 9 for the full list). These PAMs were prioritised and developed through a highly consultative process that brought together technical practitioners, private sector representatives, civil society and policy makers and used a combination of open consultation and criteria based assessments. A detailed description of this process is provided in Annex 1. The PAMs have been categorized under three priority policy areas to facilitate their alignment with Sri Lanka’s NDC and other national priority policies mentioned earlier: (i) Forest, Wildlife and Watershed, (ii) Land Use Planning and (iii) Other Forested Lands. Table 9 | REDD+ PAMs and their goalsIn relation to the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, the selected PAMs mainly focus on addressing six key areas National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan34 Policy Area 1: Forest, Wildlife and Watershed PAM 1: Improve forest law enforcement and monitoring A 36% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) over 5 years, through increased enforcement and monitoring capacity A total of approximately 160,000 ha of new forests to be placed under appropriate protection and sustainable management regimes, over 5 years, including protected areas, to expand the total forest cover A total of approximately 40,000 ha of degraded forests to be restored over 5 years, through assisted natural regeneration and reforestation (32,000 ha in the Dry Zone and 8,000 ha in the Wet Zone), plus 5000 ha of wildlife habitats PAM 2: Scale-up of forest boundary survey, demarcation and declaration PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 3: Restore degraded forests and wildlife ecosystems PAM 4: Strengthen sustainable forest management (natural forests) To create enabling conditions for sustainable forest manage- ment to increase forest biomass and biodiversity, while enhanc- ing collaborative management opportunities with local commu- nities and meeting local demand for forest products A total of 2,500 ha of sustain- ably managed forest planta- tions established over 5 years, to enhance forest carbon stocks and to reduce pressure on natural forests To create enabling condition for forest restoration and enhance- ment to increase biomass and restore and maintain critical ecological functions, regulating the quality and volume of water and reducing natural disaster risks, improving soil conserva- tion and reducing erosion PAM 5: Strengthen sustainable management of forest plantations PAM 6: Strengthen protection of watersheds P O LI C Y A N D M E A S U R E G O A L 65. Forest, Wildlife and Watershed – In this area a total of six PAMs have been identified to support and enhance GoSL’s existing and planned efforts on restoration, sustainable management and enhancement of forest resources under the purview of FD and DWC. These PAMs are particularly focused on strengthening law enforcement, forest boundary demarcation and restoration of degraded forest ecosystems in order to ensure the overall effectiveness of national forest management. This area presents the highest emission reduction or/and removal potential, as well as significant opportunities to deliver non- carbon benefits. REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 35 C Policy Area 2: Land Use Planning Policy Area 3: Other Forested Lands PAM 7: Support inclusion of Strategic Environmental Assessment under Land Use Planning (LUP) A 5% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) through better coordination and sectoral alignment in land use planning To create an enabling condition for a more thorough and stringent environmental and social appraisal process in order to reduce conversion pressure, degradation of sensitive environment bio diversity loss A 5 % reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) over 5 years, through increasing land productivity to reduce conversion pressure PAM 8: Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessment process PAM 9: Improve land productivity and rehabilitation practices To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increasing supply of timber and fuelwood in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 10: Improve the tree cover of non-forested lands (home gardens, urban centres, aban- doned paddy lands, sand dunes, public lands and settlements) PAM 11: Strengthen protection of other non-state forested lands24 PAM 11: Strengthen protection of other non-state forested lands24 To create an enabling condition to increase forested areas under protection To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increasing supply of timber and fuelwood to reduce pressure on natural forests To create an enabling condition for making the existing agro-forestry schemes financially more viable for the schemes’ participants in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 12: Strengthen local supply chain for fuelwood demand PAM 13: Develop agroforestry models for addressing forest degradation P O LIC Y A N D M E A S U R E G O A L 66. Land Use Planning – PAMs in this area focus on broader aspects of land management concerning forests, including land use planning to fully adopt strategic and sustainable land management practices with the national forest cover expansion target in mind. The majority of the PAMs under this policy area are considered enabling activities, which support the implementation of other PAMs which are more directly aiming at generating emissions reductions or/and removals. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan36 Policy Area 2: Land Use Planning Policy Area 3: Other Forested Lands PAM 7: Support inclusion of Strategic Environmental Assessment under Land Use Planning (LUP) A 5% reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) through better coordination and sectoral alignment in land use planning To create an enabling condition for a more thorough and stringent environmental and social appraisal process in order to reduce conversion pressure, degradation of sensitive environment bio diversity loss A 5 % reduction in annual forest loss (currently 8,000 ha) over 5 years, through increasing land productivity to reduce conversion pressure PAM 8: Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessment process PAM 9: Improve land productivity and rehabilitation practices To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increasing supply of timber and fuelwood in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 10: Improve the tree cover of non-forested lands (home gardens, urban centres, aban- doned paddy lands, sand dunes, public lands and settlements) PAM 11: Strengthen protection of other non-state forested lands24 PAM 11: Strengthen protection of other non-state forested lands24 To create an enabling condition to increase forested areas under protection To create an enabling condition for forest protection by increasing supply of timber and fuelwood to reduce pressure on natural forests To create an enabling condition for making the existing agro-forestry schemes financially more viable for the schemes’ participants in order to reduce pressure on natural forests PAM 12: Strengthen local supply chain for fuelwood demand PAM 13: Develop agroforestry models for addressing forest degradation P O LIC Y A N D M E A S U R E G O A L 67. Other Forested Lands – PAMs in this area deal with forest lands outside of the purview of FD and DWC. They focus on both reducing the risk of conversion of forest to other land uses and increasing timber and fuelwood supply from these areas to reduce pressure on natural forests managed by the DWC and FD. Several of these PAMs address forest degradation despite it not currently being included within the FRL. This represents both the holistic approach of the NRIFAP and the anticipated inclusion of forest degradation in future iterations of the FRL. 24. Vihara Devalagam, Janataha Estate Development Board (JEDB), Sri Lanka State Plantations Cooperation (SLSPC), Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) & Land Reform Commission (LRC) REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 37 C Improved Regulatory Policies & Measures Enabling PAMs Increase Supply of Fuelwood and Timber Improved law enforcement Protection of other for- ested lands Forest boundaries demarcation Inclusion of SEA in land-use planning Strengthen-ing of EIA Identify local supply chain for fuelwood Sustainable management of plantations Develop agroforestry models Increased tree cover of non- forested lands Improved Sustainable management practices Restoration of degraded for- ests Improve land productivity and rehabilitation Protection of watersheds Sustainable forest management PA M S PAMS addressing deforestation drivers PAMS enhancing/enriching forest 68. In relation to the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, the selected PAMs mainly focus on addressing six key areas: i. weak enforcement of policies, laws and regulations (PLRs); ii. lack of strategic land use planning; iii. weak enforcement of environmental impact assessment procedures; iv. weak forest management practices, inadequate manpower and field facilities to protect forests effec- tively; v. weak control of demand and supply of fuelwood, timber and wood products; vi. poor inter-sectoral coordination. 69. This is done through three key approaches: 1) improving regulatory measures (i.e. law enforcement, environmental impact assessment, forest boundary demarcation) to protect natural forests from encroachments, Figure 4 | Three key approaches of PAMs National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan38 infrastructure development and private agricultural ventures; 2) increasing the supply of fuelwood from other forest lands to address localised drivers from small- scale economic activities; and 3) improving the overall effectiveness of sustainable forest/land management regimes to enhance forest cover and carbon stock across the country while also contributing to enhanced livelihoods for forest user communities. 70. Figure 4 shows how these 13 PAMs will respectively contribute to these cross cutting areas with each PAM also colour coded to indicate which specific REDD+ activity category it falls under or that it is an enabling PAM. 71. The proposed PAMs will also have impacts across Sri Lanka’s overall land management practices, helping to achieve the country’s broader vision of using REDD+ to support effort to achieve low carbon sustainable land management across the country. It should also be noted that while, other underlying drivers/catalysts such as political interferences and population growth were also identified, their complex socio-economic and political nature was considered beyond the scope of REDD+ for Sri Lanka, partic- ularly given the timeframe of the NRIFAP. Figure 5 below shows Sri Lanka’s theory of change with the strategic areas of PAMs. 72. The majority of the PAMs identified are built on the existing and planned activities of relevant national institutions to enhance their overall effectiveness to deliver new and additional carbon and non-carbon impacts. The emphasis is therefore put on providing technical and financial support to the institutions implementing specific PAMs and in realising the full GHG emission reduction or/and removal potential of each PAM. Both technical and functional capac- ity gaps as well as additional financing needs in relation to each PAM have been identified, together with estimated carbon and non-carbon impacts and social and environmental risk level (see Table 10). 73. In addition to supporting existing activities, the NRIFAP also introduces new and innovative concepts and approaches such as: • New agroforestry models and home garden management plans for different agro-eco regions; • Improved safeguards systems through improved capacities on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and through the operationalisation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process; • Incentive schemes such as conservation easements suggested for forest land owners or contractual agreements between communities and Plantation Companies for fuelwood supply; • Public Private Partnerships25 to promote reforestation, afforestation, forest restoration and urban forestry; 13 PAMs to improve regulatory policies and measures, increase supply of fuelwood and timber, and improve sustainable management practices. 25. The Grow-a-Fighter campain launched by the FD through which private sector companies can support the restoration of degraded forests to reach the national goal of 32% forest cover (see www.vanaviruvaduma.lk for more information) REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 39 C Emission reductions through its LULUCF sector & contribution to NDCs beyond project life Lead other mitigation sectors through lessons from NFMS and setting & improving FRL Results-based Payments to leverage new & additional finance to continue creating transformational change Increased investments in sustainable land and forest management Enhanced impacts & coordi- nation of existing and planned activities of relevant sectoral institutions REDD+ supports transition to low-carbon, sustainable land management that also maintains and enhances ecosystem services and economic growth, while minimising natural disaster risksTr an sf o rm at io n al ch an g e D ir ec t D ri ve rs In d ir ec t D ri ve rs Re su lt s PA M s 30% of the national forest cover increase target met Emission reductions of approx. 7.1 million tCO2e over 5 years and 16.8 million tCO2e over 10 years *These indirect drivers/inhibitors have been selected based on their relevance to Sri Lanka’s REDD+ vision, as well as their feasibility and time requirements. 45% reduction in deforestation & 160,000 ha of degraded forest/land under SFM Reduced human-wildlife conflict Weak PLRs enforcement Lack of strategic land planning Weak EIA enforcement Weak forest management practices Weak control of demand and supply Poor institutional coordination Reduced natural disaster risks Increased fuelwood supply Increased timber supply Reduced labor hours of women Increased employment opportunities SFM & conservation revenues Increased water supply from forests Improved regulatory Policies & Measures Increased supply of fuelwood and timber Improved sustainable management practices Encroachment (small-scale cultivation, aquaculture, gem mining) Food Security Lack of arable land Suboptimal land-use Large-scale agricultural expansion (small-scale cultivation, aquaculture, gem mining) (cash crop cultivation for export and urban consumption) Infrastructure development (resettlements, irrigation, roads, hydro- power, tourism, power lines) Urbanization Resettlements Poor road system/network Higher energy demand Localized degradation (localized demand for timber and wood products, grazing) Higher energy cost Lack of awareness/participation Increased timber dem and Increased stocking rate Increased agro-forestry yields 2 0 2 2 2 0 1 8 RE D D + Im p le m en ta ti o n /5 -y r I n ve st m en t Ph as e Natural and man-made disturbances Weak management plan Figure 5 | Theory of change with strategic polices and measures National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan40 Emission reductions through its LULUCF sector & contribution to NDCs beyond project life Lead other mitigation sectors through lessons from NFMS and setting & improving FRL Results-based Payments to leverage new & additional finance to continue creating transformational change Increased investments in sustainable land and forest management Enhanced impacts & coordi- nation of existing and planned activities of relevant sectoral institutions REDD+ supports transition to low-carbon, sustainable land management that also maintains and enhances ecosystem services and economic growth, while minimising natural disaster risksTr an sf o rm at io n al ch an g e D ir ec t D ri ve rs In d ir ec t D ri ve rs Re su lt s PA M s 30% of the national forest cover increase target met Emission reductions of approx. 7.1 million tCO2e over 5 years and 16.8 million tCO2e over 10 years *These indirect drivers/inhibitors have been selected based on their relevance to Sri Lanka’s REDD+ vision, as well as their feasibility and time requirements. 45% reduction in deforestation & 160,000 ha of degraded forest/land under SFM Reduced human-wildlife conflict Weak PLRs enforcement Lack of strategic land planning Weak EIA enforcement Weak forest management practices Weak control of demand and supply Poor institutional coordination Reduced natural disaster risks Increased fuelwood supply Increased timber supply Reduced labor hours of women Increased employment opportunities SFM & conservation revenues Increased water supply from forests Improved regulatory Policies & Measures Increased supply of fuelwood and timber Improved sustainable management practices Encroachment (small-scale cultivation, aquaculture, gem mining) Food Security Lack of arable land Suboptimal land-use Large-scale agricultural expansion (small-scale cultivation, aquaculture, gem mining) (cash crop cultivation for export and urban consumption) Infrastructure development (resettlements, irrigation, roads, hydro- power, tourism, power lines) Urbanization Resettlements Poor road system/network Higher energy demand Localized degradation (localized demand for timber and wood products, grazing) Higher energy cost Lack of awareness/participation Increased timber dem and Increased stocking rate Increased agro-forestry yields 2 0 2 2 2 0 1 8 RE D D + Im p le m en ta ti o n /5 -y r I n ve st m en t Ph as e Natural and man-made disturbances Weak management plan • The CSOs network built through the readiness process to support wider safeguards and community level monitoring of REDD+ activities. 74. A detailed profile of each PAM, describing among others its specific geographical focus, implementation arrangements, budget, timeframe, targets, risks and safeguards is pre- sented in Annex 2. Table 10 below presents the consolidated integrated financing plan for the 13 PAMs. In addition to the PAMs, the costs for the development of stakeholders’ engagement strategies for each relevant PAM implemen- tation site are also included as well as costs of technical assistance for PAMs implementation. Implementation of PAM1 on forest law enforcement, PAM2 on forest boundary demarcation and PAM5 on management of forest plantations will be carried out alongside a comprehensive programme of technical advice and capacity development, drawing on international expertise and experience of past and ongoing programmes in the Asia-Pacific Region that will increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the approaches. 75. The total cost of the PAMs is USD 73,110,019 out of which USD 19,042,056 are already covered by the existing national budget. The net balance for implementing all 13 PAMs is USD 54,067,963. Total cost of the PAMs Net balance for implementing PAMs USD 73,110,019 USD 54,067,963 REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 41 C REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES COSTS AND IMPACTS Strategy Category PAMs Coordinating Institutions Total Cost (USD) Annual Costs (USD) Existing National Budget (USD) Additional Resources Needed (USD) REDD+ (Defor- estation and/or Enhancement) Enabling Emission re- duction poten- tial (tCO2eq) 5 YEARS Emission re- duction poten- tial (tCO2eq) 10 YEARS Risks level (Low - Medi- um - High)Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 PAM1: Inproved law enforcement FD / DWC 4,041,079 994,872 816,185 767,518 731,252 731,252 2,527,420 1,513,659 Deforestation 1,152,191 1,152,191 Medium PAM2: Forest boundaries demarcation FD / DWC 11,696,627 1,800,200 2,478,607 2,478,607 2,469,607 2,469,607 6,553,493 5,143,133 Enhancement 4,449,530 11,892,081 Medium PAM3: Restoration of degraded forests FD / DWC 22,883,240 4,680,200 4,550,760 4,550,760 4,550,760 4,550,760 1,829,040 21,054,200 Enhancement 1,045,814 3,213,964 Medium PAM4: SFM of natural forests FD / DWC 6,757,733 711,600 1,447,133 1,534,000 1,537,800 1,527,200 625,733 6,132,000 × - - Medium PAM5: Sustainable management of forest plantations FD 8,673,287 1,777,287 1,720,667 1,727,333 1,724,000 1,724,000 1,094,553 7,578,733 Enhancement 78,841 236,522 Low PAM6: Protection of watersheds FD 1,967,600 31,600 484,000 484,000 484,000 484,000 564,800 1,402,800 Enhancement - - Medium PAM7: Inclusion of SEA in LUP process NPPD 3,528,033 1,066,993 609,793 594,860 678,193 578,193 1,804,996 1,723,037 Deforestation 160,026 160,026 Medium PAM8: Strenghtening of EIA process CEA 243,667 75,000 89,667 26,333 26,333 26,333 9,667 234,000 Deforestation - - High PAM9: Improve land productivity and rehabilitation DoA 7,949,767 46,833 1,975,733 1,975,733 1,975,733 1,975,733 2,333,033 5,616,733 Deforestation 160,026 160,026 Medium PAM10: Increase tree cover of non forested lands DoA 1,644,833 56,167 347,167 413,833 413,833 413,833 1,163,333 481,500 × - - Medium PAM11: Protection of other forested lands MoL 1,317,667 132,600 296,267 296,267 296,267 296,267 46,333 1,271,333 × - - Low PAM12: Identify supply chain for fuelwood MoPI 470,167 20,500 119,167 110,167 110,167 110,167 320,000 150,167 × - - Medium PAM13: Develop agroforestry models FD 1,936,320 66,667 467,413 467,413 467,413 467,413 169,653 1,766,667 × - - Medium PAMS TOTAL COST 73,110,019 11,460,518 15,402,558 15,426,825 15,465,358 15,354,758 19,042,056 54,067,963 Total Emission Reduction Estimates 7,056,428 16,814,810 Development of stakeholders engagement strategies for each relevant PAM implementation site All supported by the REDD+ TS 140,000 140,000 - - - - 0 140,000 Technical Assistance for PAMs implementation Internation- al Partner / REDD+ TS 2,343,000 585,210 561,460 508,110 337,860 350,360 0 2,343,000 Table 10 | Consolidated integrated financing plan for REDD+ PAMs National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan42 REDD+ POLICIES AND MEASURES COSTS AND IMPACTS Strategy Category PAMs Coordinating Institutions Total Cost (USD) Annual Costs (USD) Existing National Budget (USD) Additional Resources Needed (USD) REDD+ (Defor- estation and/or Enhancement) Enabling Emission re- duction poten- tial (tCO2eq) 5 YEARS Emission re- duction poten- tial (tCO2eq) 10 YEARS Risks level (Low - Medi- um - High)Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 PAM1: Inproved law enforcement FD / DWC 4,041,079 994,872 816,185 767,518 731,252 731,252 2,527,420 1,513,659 Deforestation 1,152,191 1,152,191 Medium PAM2: Forest boundaries demarcation FD / DWC 11,696,627 1,800,200 2,478,607 2,478,607 2,469,607 2,469,607 6,553,493 5,143,133 Enhancement 4,449,530 11,892,081 Medium PAM3: Restoration of degraded forests FD / DWC 22,883,240 4,680,200 4,550,760 4,550,760 4,550,760 4,550,760 1,829,040 21,054,200 Enhancement 1,045,814 3,213,964 Medium PAM4: SFM of natural forests FD / DWC 6,757,733 711,600 1,447,133 1,534,000 1,537,800 1,527,200 625,733 6,132,000 × - - Medium PAM5: Sustainable management of forest plantations FD 8,673,287 1,777,287 1,720,667 1,727,333 1,724,000 1,724,000 1,094,553 7,578,733 Enhancement 78,841 236,522 Low PAM6: Protection of watersheds FD 1,967,600 31,600 484,000 484,000 484,000 484,000 564,800 1,402,800 Enhancement - - Medium PAM7: Inclusion of SEA in LUP process NPPD 3,528,033 1,066,993 609,793 594,860 678,193 578,193 1,804,996 1,723,037 Deforestation 160,026 160,026 Medium PAM8: Strenghtening of EIA process CEA 243,667 75,000 89,667 26,333 26,333 26,333 9,667 234,000 Deforestation - - High PAM9: Improve land productivity and rehabilitation DoA 7,949,767 46,833 1,975,733 1,975,733 1,975,733 1,975,733 2,333,033 5,616,733 Deforestation 160,026 160,026 Medium PAM10: Increase tree cover of non forested lands DoA 1,644,833 56,167 347,167 413,833 413,833 413,833 1,163,333 481,500 × - - Medium PAM11: Protection of other forested lands MoL 1,317,667 132,600 296,267 296,267 296,267 296,267 46,333 1,271,333 × - - Low PAM12: Identify supply chain for fuelwood MoPI 470,167 20,500 119,167 110,167 110,167 110,167 320,000 150,167 × - - Medium PAM13: Develop agroforestry models FD 1,936,320 66,667 467,413 467,413 467,413 467,413 169,653 1,766,667 × - - Medium PAMS TOTAL COST 73,110,019 11,460,518 15,402,558 15,426,825 15,465,358 15,354,758 19,042,056 54,067,963 Total Emission Reduction Estimates 7,056,428 16,814,810 Development of stakeholders engagement strategies for each relevant PAM implementation site All supported by the REDD+ TS 140,000 140,000 - - - - 0 140,000 Technical Assistance for PAMs implementation Internation- al Partner / REDD+ TS 2,343,000 585,210 561,460 508,110 337,860 350,360 0 2,343,000 REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 43 C C.2. Expected results Anticipated mitigation impacts 76. For countries with low forest cover like Sri Lanka, expected REDD+ results-based payments will likely be small, and therefore, REDD+ is justified through building on existing institutional arrangements and capacities to generate maximum transformational impacts towards the country’s overall sustainable development. 77. Over the 5 years of the NRIFAP, a total anticipated carbon emission reduction/removal of 7.1 million tCO2e is expected through the implementation of the 13 PAMs. Given the nature of the PAMs, these impacts represent a sustainable Table 11 | Anticipated Cumulative Total Emission Reductions26 Year Avoided Emis- sions per year (1000 tC/year) Removed Emis- sions per year (1000 tC/year) Total (tC/year) Total (tC02e/ year) Cumulative Total (tC02e/ year) Total Emission Reductions over 5 years (tC02e) Total Emission Reductions over 10 years (tC02e) 1 80,297 81,075 161,372 591,751 591,751 7,056,428 2 80,297 188,646 268,943 986,214 1,577,964 3 80,297 303,173 383,470 1,406,184 2,984,148 4 80,297 417,700 497,997 1,826,155 4,810,303 5 80,297 532,227 612,524 2,246,125 7,056,428 6 - 532,227 532,227 1,951,676 9,008,104 16,814,810 7 - 532,227 532,227 1,951,676 10,959,781 8 - 532,227 532,227 1,951,676 12,911,457 9 - 532,227 532,227 1,951,676 14,863,134 10 - 532,227 532,227 1,951,676 16,814,810 26. Avoided emissions from deforestation and removed emissions from enhancement of forest carbon stock are based on assumptions for each PAM. They are the two REDD+ activities that have been included in Sri Lanka’s first FRL and monitored, measured and reported to the UNFCCC through the NFMS. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan44 2,000,000 4,000,000 6,000,000 8,000,000 10,000,000 12,000,000 14,000,000 16,000,000 18,000,000 20,000,000 22,000,000 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Cu m ul at iv e To ta l ( tC 02 e/ ye ar ) Emission Reduction long-term shift in Sri Lanka’s forest baseline. Over 10 years, total carbon emission reductions/removals of 16.8 million tCO2e are expected directly as a result of the proposed interventions. Table 11 presents the anticipated cumulative total emissions reductions over 5-year and 10-year periods. Annex 3 presents the anticipated emission reductions associated with each PAM and their respective assumptions. Socio-economic co-benefits 78. Implementation of the NRIFAP will deliver a number of non- carbon benefits27. These non-carbon benefits will contribute to good environmental governance, rural economic development, social justice and ecosystem services restoration and enhancement, as well as to climate change adaptation. 27. Non-carbon benefits in the context of REDD+ in Sri Lanka, UN-REDD National Programme, 2016 REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 45 C Table 12 | Summary of the cost benefit analysis Criterion Value Net Present Value (USD) @ 10% $34,873,376 EIRR 29% Benefit Cost Ratio 1.58 79. An economic appraisal28 was conducted in 2016 to value the non-carbon benefits of the NRIFAP, particularly in relation to the REDD+ PAMs. The following indicators were identified to guide this economic appraisal and will be used to monitor non-carbon benefits during the implementation of the NRIFAP29: • Increased revenue stream from forest conservation and protection and sustainable forest management; • Reduced human-wildlife conflicts; • Increased employment opportunities/income generation opportunities; • Reduced women’s labour hours; • Increased timber and fuel wood supply; • Increased water supply/soil conservation benefits through improved forest management; • Reduced natural disaster risks (fire, landslide, etc.); • Increased food and nutrition security; and • Increased export value of forest products. 80. The appraisal concluded (see table 12) that the project is viable with a positive net present value of USD 34.8 million at the 10% discount rate. This is the total amount of savings to the national economy. The Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) is 29% with a benefit/cost ratio of 1.58. The EIRR of the project is higher than the 10% discount rate adopted by the GoSL for the evaluation of public investment 28. Economic appraisal of the National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan, Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme, December 2016. 29. Monitoring will be dependent on the availability of appropriate data. projects. It therefore indicates that the implementation of the project is an effective allocation of resources. 81. A sensitivity analysis (see table 13) was also conducted to examine the effects of changes in the benefits and costs streams. The following scenarios were considered. i. 20% increase of investment costs; ii. 20% reduction of benefits (both carbon and non-car- bon); iii. Combination of above factors (i) and (ii) The sensitivity analysis found the following impacts on the net benefit. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan46 Table 13 | Sensitivity analysis Condition Net Present Value (USD) (@ 10% discount rate) EIRR Benefit/Cost Ratio Base case 34,873,376 28.63% 1.58 20% increase of investment costs 22,845,596 19.89% 1.32 20% reduction of total benefits 15,870,921 18.21% 1.26 Combination of above 3,843,141 11.64% 1.05 Under both the 20 % increase in investment costs and 20% reduction of total benefits scenarios, the EIRR stays above the 10% acceptable level. Even for the worst case scenario of 20% reduction of benefits along with 20% increase in costs, the EIRR stays slightly above the 10% level. Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he REDD+ Policies and Measures (PAMs) and expected results 47 C The Warsaw framework on REDD+ identifies four technical elements of REDD+ that all countries need to engage with the REDD+ mechanisms under the UNFCCC. These are a National REDD+ Strategy and/or Action Plan, a Safeguard Information System (SIS), a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS), and a Forest Reference Level (FRL). The first of these elements, in Sri Lanka’s case is the current document, the NRIFAP, the overall coordination of which is addressed in Section D1 below. The other three elements are addressed in Section D.2. Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms D Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he 49National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan D.1. Institutional arrangements for implementation of the NRIFAP To allow a smooth transition from the readiness to the implementation phase and ensure institutional sustainability of REDD+ in Sri Lanka, a number institutional arrangements have been established. General coordination of the im- plementation of the NRIFAP30 82. A number of key bodies have been established or designed in order to effectively implement and provide oversight to the NRIFAP implementation. Central among these are the REDD+ Advisory and Coordination Board (RACB) and the REDD+ Technical Secretariat (TS) with further information on these provided below: 83. REDD+ Advisory & Coordination Board (RACB) – The RACB is the central coordination and oversight body for REDD+ in Sri Lanka. Established in early 2016, it has been regularly updated on the NRIFAP development progress to ensure a smooth transition from the UN-REDD National Programme to NRIFAP implementation. The board’s membership includes 13 ministries, 20 state agen- cies, two CSOs, two IP & local community groups, two private sector representatives and 2 academic representa- tives, with a total of 41 members. Chaired by the Secre- tary to the MMDE, the RACB is responsible for ensuring the efficient and transparent decision-making over the implementation of the NRIFAP and for the overall strategic coordination of all REDD+ PAMs, supported by various development partners and national institutions. The RACB will be supported by the REDD+ Technical Secretariat (REDD+ TS) for the day-to-day operation and coordination of the NRIFAP implementation. 84. REDD+ Technical Secretariat (REDD+ TS) – The REDD+ TS will coordinate the implementation of REDD+ activ- ities and provide technical guidance to implementing agencies. It replaces the current Programme Manage- ment Unit of the UN-REDD National Programme in Sri Lanka. The REDD+ TS will consist of an operational and administrative team supported by technical experts. The designation of the profiles will be determined by the scope of the REDD+ PAMs and according to the donor require- ments. The REDD+ TS will be responsible for the fund disbursement coordination and will provides oversight and support to the physical and financial progress of relevant implementing institutions. All matters will be reported to the RACB. The REDD+ TS will be governed by a Steer- ing Committee31. The REDD+ TS will be located in the MMDE under the Additional Secretary, Natural Resources Management. 85. Implementing state agencies will manage their respective activities through a combination of central line agency management and Project Implementation Units linked to specific development partner funds. Implementing and coordination agencies have also been identified for the development and management of the SIS and of the NFMS (see section D2) 86. Several non-governmental networks have also been created such as the Sri Lanka Climate and Forest Action 30. Refer to the detailed Action Plan for NRIFAP coordination and capacity building below. 31. The Steering Committee will be convened by the GoSL at the beginning of the implementation phase. Its membership, roles and responsibilities will be decided at that time. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan50 Reporting Entity (CCS) NC / BUR Coordination of FRL+ NFMS Coordination of SIS REDD+ ADVISORY & COORDINATION BOARD REDD+ Technical Secretariat Gov Gov Sub-national institutions Gov Gov Non Gov N RIFA P Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Network (SLCFAN - a CSO platform regrouping more than 50 organisations), an Indigenous People Forum (regrouping all 6 IP clans), the Academic and Research Forum (regrouping all universities in Sri Lanka) and a private sector network (through the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and Biodiversity Sri Lanka) to help facilitate coordination between government and different stakeholder groups (see section D.4, Continuation and expansion of support to the established stakeholder forums/networks). PAMs Implementation 87. The implementation of PAMs will be conducted by relevant line agencies (see Table 10 and Box 3). For most of the PAMs, these agencies will also be supported by SLCFAN. SLCFAN will also support the implementing agencies in mobilizing the community, local groups and indigenous people wherever necessary. The Academic & Research Forum will provide technical advice to the REDD+ TS and will undertake and provide directions to the research and capacity building components when required. The Private Sector Forum will be Figure 6 | Institutional arrangements for the implementation of the NRIFAP RACB and REDD+ TS will be the key coordinating bodies for REDD+ implementation in Sri Lanka... Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 51 D engaged through Public Private Partnerships with the For- est Department and/or municipalities for forest restoration/ greening activities (part of PAM10). The REDD+ TS will coordinate and provide logistical support to these forums. 88. Twelve public and non-public sector institutions/platforms are directly coordinating the execution of the PAMs (see Box 3). Specific Task Forces (TFs) and Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) may also be developed to facilitate coordination between agencies on specific PAM implementation while broader coordination is managed by the REDD+ TS and RACB. REDD+ fund management mechanisms 89. More than 20% of the total cost of the NRIFAP is already covered by national investments. The financing deficit will be addressed by external funding first as investments and later as result-based payments. Hence Sri Lanka has designed and consulted32 on a financial management mechanism to receive, pool and disburse REDD+ funding (shown in Figure 7). This design takes into account the governmental preferences and rules on public financial management. In addition it has considered the criteria likely to be set up by the international funding sources. 90. The REDD+ TS acts as the central planning and monitoring body to REDD+ implementing institutions and as such will also play the central role in financial management and coordination to help bring together Box 3 | Coordinating agencies and forums engaged in PAMs implementation • Forest Department (FD) • Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) • Central Environmental Authority (CEA) • Department of Agriculture (DA) • Ministry of Lands • Ministry of Plantation Industries • Land Use Policy Planning Department (LUPPD) • National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) • Civil Society Organisation Platforms • REDD+ Academic and Research Forum • Indigenous People (IP) Forum • Private Sector Forum 32. The financial management mechanism was designed based on consideration of four potential financing scenarios and operational structures. Extensive ex- pert and stakeholder consultations were undertaken to review these potential approaches before a final design was agreed. Further information on this can be found in: Design of a financial mechanism for the management of REDD+ funding in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme, December 2015. domestic government finance and international support. The REDD+ TS will support the National Planning Department in coordinating and facilitating planning and budgeting for NRIFAP implementation with implementing institutions and will develop a consolidated multiyear plan with specific annual plans and budgets for the respective implementing institutions covering the lifespan of the National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan52 REDD+ Investments Treasury NDB ERD NPD SAD TOD MMDE REDD+ TS under MoMDE RACB DWC REDD+ PAMs FD MASL CCS CCS NFMS Institutional Arrangements/Capacity Development Province FD District CCS CS O s Pr iv at e Se c Fo ru m IP F or um A RF Safeguards/SIS S ta ke ho ld er E ng ag em en t Communication Grievance FD MMDE LRC CEA SD DBA RPC SLSPC DA NPPD JEDB Province District Access to REDD+ Finance NRIFAP Coordination NRIFAP Implementation 1 Request to access funding for REDD+ Investment REDD+ finance Proposal package M&E reporting 2 1 3 4 3 Technical Partners 4 5 5 Funds transfer Budget estimates Technical and Financial progress 6 Pr oc ur e Ex pe rt is e & Eq ui pm en t When/if requested NRIFAP. It will also support the implementing institutions in technical and financial reporting to the national agencies and ministries and will facilitate the submission of national reports to the UNFCCC through the National Focal Point. 91. The reporting process of REDD+ TS is shown in Figure 7 (black arrows). The activities of the reporting process starts with submitting monthly expenditure statement to the SAD and ends with the year-end accounts submitted by the REDD+ TS. In addition, funding and technical partners may require ad-hoc information/reports relating to REDD+ activities. 92. The national entities identified in the schematic diagram have well defined roles and functions under the government on planning, budgeting, etc. These are fully described in the REDD+ fund management assessment report for Sri Lanka.33 NBD – National Budget Department; SAD – State Accounts Department; TOD – Treasury Operations Department; ERD – External Resource Department; NPD – National Planning Department Figure 7 | Schematic depiction of REDD+ financial arrangements 33. Design of a financial mechanism for the management of REDD+ funding in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme, December 2015. Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 53 D Table 14 | Investment framework for the coordination of the NRIFAP and capacity building of key institutions Implementation Plan COORDINATION OF ThE NRIFAP AND CAPACITy bUILDING OF kEy INSTITUTIONS ACTIONS Implementing/supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 1: Operationalization of the REDD+ TS/PMU (personnel, IT equipment, travel, stationary and of- fice) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 28,794,381 28,794,381 28,794,381 28,794,381 28,794,381 143,971,905 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 3,739,530 3,739,530 3,739,530 3,739,530 3,739,530 18,697,650 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 58,523,645 18,697,650 18,697,650 18,697,650 18,697,650 133,314,245 Action 2: Inception and staff training (technical and administrative/operational) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 6,690,904 2,099,107 8,790,011 Contractual Services & Grants 6,559,710 6,559,710 13,119,420 Travel 8,199,638 8,199,638 4,919,783 4,919,783 4,919,783 31,158,623 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,991,913 7,991,913 3,083,064 3,083,064 3,083,064 25,233,018 Action 3: Development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 3,365,577 3,365,577 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 450000*124.651% 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 373,953 373,953 Action 4: Awareness programme on REDD+, Forest- ry and Land use REDD+ TS, RACB Staff & Consultants 6,362,919 6,362,919 5,969,336 5,969,336 5,969,336 30,633,846 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 6,559,710 6,559,710 6,559,710 6,559,710 6,559,710 32,798,550 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,667,615 2,667,615 2,339,630 2,339,630 2,339,630 12,354,121 Action 5: Training on REDD+, Land-use, National Strategies for PAMs implementers REDD+ TS, CCS, PAMs implement- ers Staff & Consultants 4,985,380 787,165 393,583 393,583 393,583 6,953,293 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,967,913 1,967,913 983,957 983,957 983,957 6,887,696 Action 6: Capacity building on importance of and how to mainstream gender among the established REDD+ agencies, coordination bodies, stakeholder forums/networks, etc. REDD+ TS, RACB, CSOs, ARF, PS Staff & Consultants 5,903,739 1,311,942 2,623,884 9,839,565 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,652,995 3,826,498 7,652,995 19,132,488 Action 7: Training on Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation REDD TS and PAMs implementers Staff & Consultants 3,804,632 1,180,748 590,374 590,374 590,374 6,756,501 Contractual Services & Grants Travel 218,657 218,657 109,329 109,329 109,329 765,300 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 983,957 983,957 655,971 655,971 655,971 3,935,826 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan54 Implementation Plan COORDINATION OF ThE NRIFAP AND CAPACITy bUILDING OF kEy INSTITUTIONS ACTIONS Implementing/supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 1: Operationalization of the REDD+ TS/PMU (personnel, IT equipment, travel, stationary and of- fice) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 28,794,381 28,794,381 28,794,381 28,794,381 28,794,381 143,971,905 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 3,739,530 3,739,530 3,739,530 3,739,530 3,739,530 18,697,650 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 58,523,645 18,697,650 18,697,650 18,697,650 18,697,650 133,314,245 Action 2: Inception and staff training (technical and administrative/operational) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 6,690,904 2,099,107 8,790,011 Contractual Services & Grants 6,559,710 6,559,710 13,119,420 Travel 8,199,638 8,199,638 4,919,783 4,919,783 4,919,783 31,158,623 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,991,913 7,991,913 3,083,064 3,083,064 3,083,064 25,233,018 Action 3: Development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 3,365,577 3,365,577 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 450000*124.651% 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 373,953 373,953 Action 4: Awareness programme on REDD+, Forest- ry and Land use REDD+ TS, RACB Staff & Consultants 6,362,919 6,362,919 5,969,336 5,969,336 5,969,336 30,633,846 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 6,559,710 6,559,710 6,559,710 6,559,710 6,559,710 32,798,550 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,667,615 2,667,615 2,339,630 2,339,630 2,339,630 12,354,121 Action 5: Training on REDD+, Land-use, National Strategies for PAMs implementers REDD+ TS, CCS, PAMs implement- ers Staff & Consultants 4,985,380 787,165 393,583 393,583 393,583 6,953,293 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,967,913 1,967,913 983,957 983,957 983,957 6,887,696 Action 6: Capacity building on importance of and how to mainstream gender among the established REDD+ agencies, coordination bodies, stakeholder forums/networks, etc. REDD+ TS, RACB, CSOs, ARF, PS Staff & Consultants 5,903,739 1,311,942 2,623,884 9,839,565 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,652,995 3,826,498 7,652,995 19,132,488 Action 7: Training on Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation REDD TS and PAMs implementers Staff & Consultants 3,804,632 1,180,748 590,374 590,374 590,374 6,756,501 Contractual Services & Grants Travel 218,657 218,657 109,329 109,329 109,329 765,300 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 983,957 983,957 655,971 655,971 655,971 3,935,826 Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 55 D Implementation Plan ACTIONS Implementing/supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 8: Quarterly budget coordination, planning and reporting REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 186,977 186,977 186,977 186,977 186,977 934,883 Action 9: Procurement of good and services for Outputs 1-5 as requested REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 7,479,060 7,479,060 7,479,060 7,479,060 7,479,060 37,395,300 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 560,930 560,930 560,930 373,953 373,953 2,430,695 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 373,953 373,953 373,953 373,953 373,953 1,869,765 Action 10: Quality assurance of PAMs and technical coordination and oversight of outputs REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 83,017,566 83,017,566 83,017,566 83,017,566 83,017,566 415,087,830 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 9,348,825 9,348,825 9,348,825 8,413,943 8,413,943 44,874,360 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 9,348,825 4,674,413 4,674,413 4,674,413 4,674,413 28,046,475 Action 11: Strategic review of national strategies and plans Key institutions (FD, DWC, CCS) in REDD+ implementation Staff & Consultants 21,865,700 11,559,710 33,425,410 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 9,019,601 9,019,601 18,039,203 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,733,213 2,733,213 5,466,425 Action 12: Continuation and expansion of support to the established coordination/management bod- ies (RACB, SC, TFs, TWGs) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 7,200,000 7,200,000 7,200,000 7,200,000 7,200,000 36,000,000 Travel 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 9,000,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 15,000,000 Action 13: Annual and semi annual reporting of progress to RACB REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 560,930 560,930 560,930 560,930 560,930 2,804,648 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,495,812 1,495,812 1,495,812 1,495,812 1,495,812 7,479,060 Action 14: Monitoring and evaluation (mid-term and final review) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 11,218,590 14,958,120 26,176,710 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,869,765 3,739,530 5,609,295 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,682,789 3,365,577 5,048,366 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 323,338,157 244,960,040 221,582,782 195,412,901 217,476,128 1,202,770,007 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 2,155,588 1,633,067 1,477,219 1,302,753 1,449,841 8,018,467 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan56 Implementation Plan ACTIONS Implementing/supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 8: Quarterly budget coordination, planning and reporting REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 186,977 186,977 186,977 186,977 186,977 934,883 Action 9: Procurement of good and services for Outputs 1-5 as requested REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 7,479,060 7,479,060 7,479,060 7,479,060 7,479,060 37,395,300 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 560,930 560,930 560,930 373,953 373,953 2,430,695 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 373,953 373,953 373,953 373,953 373,953 1,869,765 Action 10: Quality assurance of PAMs and technical coordination and oversight of outputs REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 83,017,566 83,017,566 83,017,566 83,017,566 83,017,566 415,087,830 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 9,348,825 9,348,825 9,348,825 8,413,943 8,413,943 44,874,360 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 9,348,825 4,674,413 4,674,413 4,674,413 4,674,413 28,046,475 Action 11: Strategic review of national strategies and plans Key institutions (FD, DWC, CCS) in REDD+ implementation Staff & Consultants 21,865,700 11,559,710 33,425,410 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 9,019,601 9,019,601 18,039,203 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,733,213 2,733,213 5,466,425 Action 12: Continuation and expansion of support to the established coordination/management bod- ies (RACB, SC, TFs, TWGs) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 7,200,000 7,200,000 7,200,000 7,200,000 7,200,000 36,000,000 Travel 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 9,000,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 15,000,000 Action 13: Annual and semi annual reporting of progress to RACB REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 560,930 560,930 560,930 560,930 560,930 2,804,648 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,495,812 1,495,812 1,495,812 1,495,812 1,495,812 7,479,060 Action 14: Monitoring and evaluation (mid-term and final review) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 11,218,590 14,958,120 26,176,710 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,869,765 3,739,530 5,609,295 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,682,789 3,365,577 5,048,366 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 323,338,157 244,960,040 221,582,782 195,412,901 217,476,128 1,202,770,007 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 2,155,588 1,633,067 1,477,219 1,302,753 1,449,841 8,018,467 Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 57 D D.2. Coordination of REDD+ technical elements The below section provides information on the coordination mechanisms for the remaining three technical elements identified within the Warsaw framework on REDD+. The section is divided by element covering the Safeguard Information System (SIS), the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS), and the Forest Reference Level (FRL) with the National REDD+ Strategy (or NRIFAP) covered within the section above. Information is also provided on how information related to these elements will be brought together in reporting to the UNFCCC. Reporting to UNFCCC 93. The national focal point to the UNFCCC is the Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) of the MMDE. Thus, the CCS is responsible for liaising with other institutions in the devel- opment of and provision of reports related to REDD+. The CCS will play a central role in bringing together information on REDD+ implementation, providing information to the bodies under the Convention and disseminating informa- tion from the international level to domestic actors. 94. Information on how specific reporting requirements will be met is also provided below and it is recognised that the CCS will seek approval of all stakeholder groups involved in REDD+ implementation before submission of any report to the UNFCCC. 95. BUR technical annex on Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHG-I) for the LULUCF sector - The FD will support the CCS in preparation of its BUR while the CCS will be responsible for the quality control before submission. 96. FRL - Sri Lanka’s first FRL has been submitted to the UNFCCC in January 2017. Following this, Sri Lanka has received technical advisory and capacity development support services to assist the FD and the CCS through the independent assessment process. Support will also be needed to update and upgrade the FRL by expanding the scope and increasing data accuracy through the NFI and SLMS. It is expected that Sri Lanka will submit an improved FRL towards the end of the implementation phase (after 5 years) 97. Summary of Information on REDD+ Safeguards –The CCS will submit the first Summary of Information (SoI) on REDD+ Safeguards to the UNFCCC in 2022. Subsequent SoIs will be provided every 4 years according to the timetable set by the UNFCCC. Safeguards Information System34 98. Sri Lanka’s SIS will be a central information compilation and reporting function coordinated by the CCS of the MMDE. The system is based on an extensive assessment process carried out during the UN-REDD National Programme which set the goal and scope of the SIS as well as reviewing Sri Lanka policies, laws and regulations (PLRs) against the REDD+ safeguards laid out in the Cancun agreement and the potential risks and benefits inherent within each PAM35. Based on this a number of safeguards and indicators were identified for inclusion in the SIS. Information on the presence, updating and 34. Refer to the detailed Action Plan for Safeguards Information System below. 35. Sri Lanka’s national approach to REDD+ safeguards, UN-REDD National Programme in Sri Lanka, November 2016 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan58 Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment* - overseeing direction of UNFCCC Focal Point - Information collection Forest Department* - Information collection Rights to Information Commission* - Information collection Central Environmental Authority* - Information collection Department of Wildlife Conservation* - Information collection UNFCCC Focal Point C oo rd in atio n Inform ati on compila tio n aries of Inform ation Production of Sum m - A nalysis and interpretation application of these will initially be provided by the five ‘primary’ institutions, which hold responsibility for them (see Figure 8). Information on environmental and social outcomes (benefits enhanced and risks mitigated) of PAMs implementation will be collected by those institutions responsible for implementing the PAMs. This includes national and sub-national government institutions, as well as key non-state actors, including community based organisations and forest-users/rural communities36. The CSS will then collate and review this information and develop it into a SoI for submission to the UNFCCC. 99. Over time this system could be expanded to include ‘secondary’ information providers to gain a broader understanding of how safeguards are being addressed and respected and the impacts of PAMs37. Existing Figure 8 | Proposed Institutional Arrangements for Sri Lanka’s first iteration of a REDD+ Safeguards Information System 36. These groups are potentially important contributors of information on environmental and social outcomes under Cancun safeguards (b - governance), (c - rights), (d - participation) and (e – benefits of natural forests, biodiversity and ecosystem services). 37. Sri Lanka’s national approach to REDD+ safeguards, UN-REDD National Programme in Sri Lanka, November 2016. * relevant divisions Notes: The Rights to Information Commission has yet to be established Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 59 D capacity constraints within these institutions, however, limits the availability of such data at present. This incremental approach, based around country data collection systems is in line with the country approach to safeguards and UNFCCC guidance that a SIS should be built on existing country systems. As the central coordinating agency the responsibilities of the CCS include: • Overall coordination of institutions contributing information to, and disseminating information from, the SIS; • Information compilation in a pre-defined format; • Analysis and interpretation of complied information to demonstrate how the Cancun safeguards/national criteria have been addressed and respected, including attribution of benefits and risks to implementation of PAMs; • Production of SoI and submission to the UNFCCC. 100. Both state and non-state actors will be engaged in the final quality assurance of SIS products, with stakeholders provided with the opportunity to review draft products, notably SoI before their submission to the UNFCCC. Photography: Hiranya Sudasinghe National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan60 Sri Lanka’s approach to REDD+ safeguards and design of Sri Lanka’s first Summary of Information 101. Goal and scope - Sri Lanka is required to meet the seven Cancun safeguards, as a consequence of its commitments to the UNFCCC. Other international donor safeguards are absolute, ‘do no harm’ requirements for project approval rather than ‘goals’. If Sri Lanka wishes to apply for multi-lateral or bi-lateral funding, then it will be required to adhere to the safeguard requirements of the relevant agencies. The initial goal of the national approach, therefore, is to meet the requirements of the seven Cancun safeguards. With regard to ‘scope’, REDD+ safeguards are applied only to REDD+ actions in the short term, with the possible eventual extension to the whole forestry sector as a means to attract other sources of investment. Goal and scope will be iteratively revised as Sri Lanka’s needs and capacities on REDD+ change. 102. Nationally-clarified safeguards criteria38 - The Cancun safeguards are broad statements which have been further defined in accordance with national circumstances, resulting in a list of thirty-four nationally-clarified safeguards criteria allocated to one of the seven Cancun Safeguard ‘categories’. Thirty-four safeguard criteria will be difficult to report against, at least in the short term. For the purposes of Safeguard Information System information structuring and operating, and the initial stages of reporting to the UNFCCC, it may be appropriate to further rationalize the safeguard criteria. One option could be to merge the safeguard criteria addressed and respected by the same PLRs. Another could be to remove the safeguard criteria fully addressed and respected, allowing to focus the work on the sensitive ones. 103. Risks/benefits assessment of REDD+ PAMs39 - A number of risks/benefits were identified through multi-stakeholder consultations at national and sub-national levels. These benefits/risks have been categorized according to their level (low, medium and high – combining their ‘probability’ and ‘impact’). During the NRIFAP implementation, Sri Lanka will first focus its effort in reducing high-level risks and enhancing high-level benefits. Benefits and risks of PAMs will be iteratively re-assessed as they are modified and re-prioritised through ‘learning by doing’ of PAM’s implementation through periodic revisions of the NRIFAP. 104. Status of safeguards in Sri Lanka, review of Policies, Laws and Regulations (PLRs) – This step involved identification and analysis of gaps, weaknesses and inconsistencies of the existing Policies, Laws, and Regulations (PLRs) that are necessary to operationalize the Cancun safeguards. The complete outcomes of the PLR analysis are presented in full in a separate document40. The analysis resulted in 47 recommendations for PLR gap-filling and strengthening, and specific agencies were identified as being responsible for managing the proposed reforms. 38. Cancun safeguards as clarified for Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme, November 2016. 39. Risks and benefits analysis of REDD+ PAMs in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme, November 2016. 40. Status of safeguards in Sri Lanka, review of Policies, Laws and Regulations (PLRs), Sri Lanka UN-REDD Programme, November 2016. Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 61 D Further prioritization of the PLRs for reform, detail of institutional capacity analysis, and development of action plans for institutional capacity strengthening will be conducted at the begining of th implementation phase. This would include prioritizing the list of current PLR gap- filling recommendations, as well as developing additional recommendations on how to strengthen institutional mandates, procedures and capacities to improve implementation of priority PLRs. 105. SIS structure - A SIS refers to a framework in which different information sources and existing systems are identified and coordinated for the provision of information on how the Cancun Safeguards are being addressed and respected through national communications to the UNF- CCC and UNFCCC REDD+ web platform41. During the Table 15 | Proposed structure of the Sri Lanka's Summaries of Information Summary of Information sections Content Information on how the Can- cun safeguards have been addressed when developing the NRIFAP UNFCCC guidance on summaries of information requires countries to provide information on how the Cancun safeguards are being addressed and respected, throughout the implementation of REDD+ PAMs. Even though the Cancun safeguards should also be applied during the NRIFAP development process42, there is no requirement to include information on this readiness phase application in summaries submitted to the Convention. The elaborated stakeholder-led multi-criteria analysis43, undertaken in 2015, will be outlined in the first summary of information. Information on which REDD+ activities are included Sri Lanka will provide information on the 13 PAMs. This would provide additional context for understanding the summary of information as it is these specific PAMs to which the safeguards are applied. Information on national circumstances relevant to addressing and respecting the Cancun safeguards Beyond outlining the nature and scale of REDD+ PAMs, information on national circumstances relevant to addressing and respecting safeguards will be presented: The goals and scope of Sri Lanka’s national approach to safeguards The benefits and risks associated with the PAMs to be implemented under the NRIFAP, i.e. the priority environmental and social issues that are to be safeguarded in Sri Lanka when it comes to REDD+ implementation A description of each safe- guard in accordance with national circumstances Sri Lanka’s country specific description of each Cancun safeguard will be presented based on the refined criteria developed through the national clarification process. A description of existing sys- tems and processes relevant to addressing and respecting safeguards In this section of the summary of information, Sri Lanka will include a description of the three key governance arrange- ments central to the national approach to safeguards: Policies, laws and regulations The summary of information will summarise the identification of existing PLRs, as well as plans to reform PLRs to attend to identified gaps, weaknesses and inconsistencies. 41. UNFCCC Decisions 12/CP.17, paragraph 3; UNFCCC Decision 9/CP.19, paragraph 11 42. UNFCCC Decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 72 43. UN REDD Programme (2015), Report on Prioritizing REDD+ Policies and Measures in Sri Lanka. December 2015 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan62 http://redd.unfccc.int/ UN-REDD National Programme, Sri Lanka has designed its SIS in the form of a matrix, indicating for each PAM how the potential risks and their level; relevant national safeguard criteria; national PLRs that are needed to oper- ationalize the safeguard criteria; PLR gaps and gap-filling actions; and relevant sources of information could be organized to allow for the regular reporting of safeguard performance. 106. Summary of Information content - There is no UNFCCC- required structure for summaries of information. UNFCCC guidance on summaries of information encourages countries to improve the quality of information with each successive submission. As such, it will be important for Sri Lanka to demonstrate incremental progress in addressing and respecting safeguards to facilitate payments for REDD+ results in the future. The table 15 below indicates how the Sri Lanka’s first summary of information could be structured. Summary of Information sections Content Institutional arrangements In the context of REDD+ safeguards, institutional mandates, procedures and capacities for implementing and enforcing Sri Lanka’s PLRs are relevant to respecting safeguards when implementing REDD+ PAMs. Information systems and sources Information on existing systems and sources of safeguard information making significant contributions to the national SIS will be included in this part of the summary of information. Descriptions of any modifications to existing information systems, to accommodate new information needed to close any safeguard information gaps could also be provided, as could links between the SIS and the NFMS, particularly in relation to Cancun safeguards e), f) and g). Information on how each of the safeguards has been addressed and respected Demonstrating how the safeguards, and their constituent national criteria, have been addressed and respected, is likely to constitute the most significant part of summaries of information. Although the first summary may focus more on demon- strating how safeguards are being addressed, over time, there would likely be more information included on how they are respected. Optional other relevant information In addition to the core components described above, the quality and credibility of Sri Lanka’s summaries of information could be further ensured by including (or providing access to) supplementary information as relevant or applicable, such as : the process of how the summary of information was produced; the process of developing the national approach to safeguards; the processes of SIS design, development and operation; and channels and mechanisms for stakeholders to provide feedback on draft and published summaries; further sources of information such as annexes or hyperlinks to websites, databases, etc. Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 63 D Table 16 | Investment framework and action plan for the Safeguard Information System Implementation Plan SAFEGUARDS AND SAFEGUARDS INFORMATION SySTEM ACTIONS Implementing/supporting Institutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 O p er at io n al iz at io n o f in st it u ti on al ar ra n ge m en ts fo r m ai n ta in in g th e Sa fe gu ar d s In fo rm at io n S ys te m (S IS ) Action 1: Conclude assessment of existing systems and sources (primary and secondary PLR holders) of information CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 5,261,540 5,261,540 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 868,050 868,050 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,332,167 1,332,167 Action 2: Strengthen UNFCCC Focal Point and primary PLR holder capacities to operate the SIS CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 7,513,841 10,986,041 10,986,041 10,986,041 10,986,041 51,458,004 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 925,920 1,851,840 1,851,840 1,851,840 1,851,840 8,333,280 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,604,150 4,340,250 4,340,250 4,340,250 4,340,250 19,965,150 Action 3: Operationalise SIS v1.0: collect information on out- comes, compile information, populate matrices, analyse and in- terpret information CCS, Primary PLR holders (FD, CEA, DWC, Right to Information Commission), PAMs implementers Staff & Consultants 3,208,313 3,208,313 3,208,313 3,208,313 3,208,313 16,041,564 Contractual Services & Grants 1,157,400 1,157,400 Travel 1,157,400 1,157,400 1,157,400 1,157,400 1,157,400 5,787,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,578,694 1,578,694 1,578,694 1,578,694 1,578,694 7,893,468 R ED D + Sa fe gu ar d s ar e ad d re ss ed a n d r es p ec te d Action 4: Implement priority recommendations for improved addressing (PLR reform) and respecting (PLR implementation) of safeguards Depend on the selected gap filling actions Staff & Consultants 13,888,800 13,888,800 13,888,800 13,888,800 13,888,800 69,444,000 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 6,944,400 6,944,400 6,944,400 6,944,400 6,944,400 34,722,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,812,450 7,812,450 7,812,450 7,812,450 7,812,450 39,062,250 Action 5: Re-assess benefits and risks / refine goal and scope of PAMs as they are modified and re-prioritised throughout PAMs implementation CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 5,208,300 5,208,300 10,416,600 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,157,400 1,157,400 2,314,800 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,776,609 1,776,609 3,553,218 M on it or in g of p ro gr es s an d re p or ti n g Action 6: Produce and submit summary of information on REDD+ Safeguards CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 1,874,988 1,874,988 3,749,976 Contractual Services & Grants 636,570 636,570 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 5,232,605 5,232,605 10,465,211 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 54,253,125 51,768,187 67,018,090 51,768,187 67,654,660 292,462,249 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 361,688 345,121 446,787 345,121 451,031 1,949,748 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan64 Implementation Plan SAFEGUARDS AND SAFEGUARDS INFORMATION SySTEM ACTIONS Implementing/supporting Institutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 O p er at io n al iz at io n o f in st it u ti on al ar ra n ge m en ts fo r m ai n ta in in g th e Sa fe gu ar d s In fo rm at io n S ys te m (S IS ) Action 1: Conclude assessment of existing systems and sources (primary and secondary PLR holders) of information CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 5,261,540 5,261,540 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 868,050 868,050 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,332,167 1,332,167 Action 2: Strengthen UNFCCC Focal Point and primary PLR holder capacities to operate the SIS CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 7,513,841 10,986,041 10,986,041 10,986,041 10,986,041 51,458,004 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 925,920 1,851,840 1,851,840 1,851,840 1,851,840 8,333,280 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,604,150 4,340,250 4,340,250 4,340,250 4,340,250 19,965,150 Action 3: Operationalise SIS v1.0: collect information on out- comes, compile information, populate matrices, analyse and in- terpret information CCS, Primary PLR holders (FD, CEA, DWC, Right to Information Commission), PAMs implementers Staff & Consultants 3,208,313 3,208,313 3,208,313 3,208,313 3,208,313 16,041,564 Contractual Services & Grants 1,157,400 1,157,400 Travel 1,157,400 1,157,400 1,157,400 1,157,400 1,157,400 5,787,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,578,694 1,578,694 1,578,694 1,578,694 1,578,694 7,893,468 R ED D + Sa fe gu ar d s ar e ad d re ss ed a n d r es p ec te d Action 4: Implement priority recommendations for improved addressing (PLR reform) and respecting (PLR implementation) of safeguards Depend on the selected gap filling actions Staff & Consultants 13,888,800 13,888,800 13,888,800 13,888,800 13,888,800 69,444,000 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 6,944,400 6,944,400 6,944,400 6,944,400 6,944,400 34,722,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,812,450 7,812,450 7,812,450 7,812,450 7,812,450 39,062,250 Action 5: Re-assess benefits and risks / refine goal and scope of PAMs as they are modified and re-prioritised throughout PAMs implementation CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 5,208,300 5,208,300 10,416,600 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,157,400 1,157,400 2,314,800 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,776,609 1,776,609 3,553,218 M on it or in g of p ro gr es s an d re p or ti n g Action 6: Produce and submit summary of information on REDD+ Safeguards CCS, REDD TS Staff & Consultants 1,874,988 1,874,988 3,749,976 Contractual Services & Grants 636,570 636,570 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 5,232,605 5,232,605 10,465,211 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 54,253,125 51,768,187 67,018,090 51,768,187 67,654,660 292,462,249 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 361,688 345,121 446,787 345,121 451,031 1,949,748 Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 65 D Interactive User Interface Map Display and Management NFI Database in Geospatial Format Forest Department Forest Dept., Survey Dept., Climate Change Secretariat Forest Dept., & Depart. of Wildlife Conservation Survey Department and LUPPD Community Feedbacks GHG Inventory Data (LULUCF) SLMF Data on LULUCF RS and GIS Derived Community Monitoring Other forest / Vegitation Biophysical Parameters User Authority Management NFMS Web Portal Design Data Management Data Import and Export DATA DOMAIN DATA DOMAIN DATA PROVIDERS ANALYSIS DOMAIN NFMS DATA SERVER NFMS USER INTERFACE NFMS WEB PORTAL WITH ANALYTICAL ABILITY USER INTERFACE Spatial Analysis Data Engine Spatial Data (vector format) Spatial Data (rastor format) Data Host Server Geo-coded attribute Data NFMS User Interface National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)44 107. Sri Lanka’s NFMS is an online geo-portal for data storage, analysis and information dissemination and has three major components: (a) Satellite Land Monitoring Systems (SLMS) for land use and forest cover; (b) National Forest Inventory (NFI); and (c) Greenhouse Gas Inventory data. The monitoring function of the NFMS is primarily a domestic tool to assess the participation and results of REDD+ implementation by different stakeholders and institutions. The NFMS uses a combination of data Figure 9 | Structure of Sri Lanka's NFMS 44. Refer to the detailed Action Plan for NFMS activities National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan66 sources and assessments to estimate anthropogenic GHG emissions by source and removals by sinks, forest carbon stocks and forest area changes in order to measure and report on the performance of REDD+ activities against its submitted and assessed FRL (see next section). It may also allow for the implementation of specific PAMs to be monitored and their carbon and non-carbon impacts to be compared, thus permitting refinement and adaptive management of the NRIFAP. Figure 9 below provides the arrangement and structure of the NFMS in Sri Lanka. 108. Within this system there are a significant number of departments and agencies that have a role to play in data provision or systems management. These are provided in Table 17 below. To develop the NFMS, a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Task Table 17 | Departments' roles and responsibilities for NFMS operation Department Roles Responsibilities Forest Department (FD) SLMS/NFMS host Hosting website server and its maintenance, periodically uploading data in coordination with other data provider departments SLMS/NFMS data Producing forest cover maps (years 1992, 1999, 2010 and 2015) and uploading on SLMS / NFMS server NFI data Disseminating analysed NFI results via geo portal Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Data provider Providing data on important wildlife habitats and ecosystems Survey Department (SD) and Land Use Policy Planning Department (LUPPD) Data provider Producing Land Use Land Cover maps (years 1985, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015) and other topographical and thematic maps Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) Data provider Producing historical records on national communications Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Data provider Providing data on environmentally sensitive and protected areas under the National Environmental Act Natural Resource Management Center (NRMC) Data provider Producing maps of soil, watersheds and agro-ecological zones/re- gions Forest user communities Feedback / information / alert provider Sharing information on hazards affecting forests such as fires and other illicit activities Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 67 D Force was established in 2012 with membership including the FD, SD, DWC, CEA and CCS. The MRV TF will continue through the implementation phase to ensure the maintenance of the geo-portal and to support its updating with new data and functionalities as required. 109. The development of the NFMS system and geoportal has been possible due to a data sharing agreement, signed in 2014, between the FD, SD, DWC, CEA, CCS and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The data sharing agreement will be updated in the future to accommodate new data acquired by these departments to update the geo-portal. 110. The below sections provide an overview of the development process of a number of key elements of the NFMS that will continue during the implementation phase and will help to improve the quality and accuracy of information included within the system. Implementation of a complete National Forest Inventory (NFI) cycle based on the methodology designed and piloted and the institutional arrangements established during the readiness phase 111. Sri Lanka does not have a system of regular forest inventory at the national scale, a network of permanent sample plots (to generate data on land and forest cover, forest dynamics and biomass), or a historical record of managing natural forest areas. The readiness efforts therefore focused on building understanding and capacities of GoSL staff on NFI methodologies and design by conducting piloting and capacity development activities. 112. NRIFAP implementation will thus focus on the completion of a full NFI cycle using the approach piloted during the readiness phase. This will include full-time technical assistance during the cycle, and regular training and mentoring. 113. One central and five regional NFI units have been established for implementation of the NFI, and for institutionalisation of the NFI within the FD and DWC. In addition, a dedicated database management team has been set up and trained to manage, interpret and present NFI data for both technical planning and policymaking purposes. National-level management plans will be prepared for natural forests, based on the data produced through the NFI, along with updating of management plans for forest plantations. Photography: Devaka Seneviratne National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan68 114. Sri Lanka’s forest area will be classified into specific strata based on information available prior to NFI, and these strata will be revised and updated on the basis of data collected during the first NFI cycle. Key tree species will be identified and allometric equations will be identified/ developed for these key species and key forest types (strata). As required, research and sampling will be carried out to develop equations for species and strata that are not covered by existing allometric equations. With full- time technical advisory support, these data will be used to generate nationally-specific emission factors for use in Sri Lanka’s GHG-I. Implementation of Satellite Land Monitoring System (SLMS) building on the SLMS ‘geo-portal’ developed during the readiness phase 115. During the readiness phase, the Survey Department developed digitised versions of the national land and forest cover map for 1985, including the development of a land and forest cover classification system that is consistent across all government departments and institutions, and a methodology for interpreting remote sensing images according to this classification system. Following this, the national land cover maps of 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 were digitised (visual interpretation) according to the same classification system using Landsat satellite images. These images, along with layers of information on forest management, use, tenure, planning and statistics have been incorporated into a web-based geo-portal45 for forest information, hosted by the FD and accessible to all. 116. A comprehensive programme for updating and interpretation of spatial information for the forest sector will continue. Development of temporal land use and land cover maps and database maintenance will be done. Following the launch of the Sri Lanka SLMS geo-portal in February 2017, additionally required imagery, equipment and materials for operation and updating of the portal have been identified, and will be acquired to provide forest information and to monitor the implementation of PAMs. 117. Activity Data (AD) on forest cover change will be improved and refined through accuracy assessment and adjustment of wall-to-wall land cover maps from 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 to minimise error and bias. Accuracy will be further ensured through the use of open source online resources. 118. Forest cover classification will be refined by modification of forest type classifications, sub-dividing key forest types by density and developing a methodology for consistently identifying transitions between density classes, thus allowing the measurement of forest degradation and restoration after 5 years. 119. Such support will also include the recruitment and training of staff for image interpretation based on stratification, ground-truthing and verification methodology of satellite imagery, quality control/assurance, collection and maintenance of information related to impacts of the PAMs. 45. http://www.nfms.lk/portal/ Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 69 D FRL Construction Coordination forest Department Climate Change Secretariat Political Focal Point UNFCCC Core Group of Experts for FRL Construction FAO Technical Assistance FRL Reporting FRL Construction Data Providers Survey Department Land Use Policy and Planning Department Climate Change Secretariat Department of Wildlife Conservation Forest Department Forest Reference Level (FRL) 120. The FRL was developed through a TWG established under the MRV TF to ensure consistent guidance and technical oversight of the FRL. This multi-disciplinary TWG was responsible for developing a complete draft FRL for Sri Lanka, and recommending its submission to the UNFCCC for assessment. This working group will remain operational over 2017 to address the FRL finalisation process. Its role will then be reviewed with regard to providing future updated FRLs. Figure 10 below provides a summary of FRL construction arrangements in Sri Lanka while Table 18 provides the key role and responsibilities of different departments in FRL construction. Figure 10 | FRL construction arrangements in Sri Lanka National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan70 Table 18 | Departments’ roles and responsibilities in FRL construction Department Roles Responsibilities Forest Department (FD) Data provider Provide data and maps on forest cover and forest types FRL construction coordinator Bring all stakeholders and experts together FRL report submission Submit FRL report to UNFCCC focal point for international reporting Survey Department (SD) Data provider Provide data and maps on land use land cover maps and other topographical and thematic maps Land Use Policy Planning Department (LUPPD) Data provider Provide data and maps on land use land cover maps and other topographical and thematic maps Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) Data provider Provide historical records on national communications FRL reporting to UNFCCC FRL reporting to UNFCCC Department of Census and Statistics Data provider Provide statistical data on various development plans focused on forest land con- version to non forest land National Physical Planning Department Data provider Provide data on various development plans focused on forest land conversion to non forest land Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka Data provider Provide data on various development plans focused on forest land conversion to non forest land Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development Data provider Provide data on various development plans focused on forest land conversion to non forest land Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 71 D Implementation Plan NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SySTEM AND FOREST REFERENCE LEVEL ACTIONS Implementing/ supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 1: Implementation of the National Forest Inventory FD Staff & Consultants 44,981,508 44,981,508 44,981,508 44,981,508 44,981,508 224,907,541 Contractual Services & Grants 25,432,200 25,432,200 25,432,200 76,296,600 Travel 18,650,280 12,716,100 16,954,800 4,238,700 4,238,700 56,798,580 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 156,831,900 139,877,100 139,877,100 20,352,330 19,074,150 476,012,580 Action 2: Development of allometric equations and emission factors FD Staff & Consultants 10,596,750 10,596,750 6,328,803 5,298,375 32,820,678 Contractual Services & Grants 35,181,210 21,193,500 21,193,500 77,568,210 Travel 6,993,855 2,119,350 2,119,350 2,119,350 13,351,905 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 27,551,550 27,551,550 8,477,400 7,947,986 71,528,486 Action 3: Maintenance of a Satellite Land Monitoring System FD Staff & Consultants 1,242,450 1,242,450 310,613 310,613 310,613 3,416,738 Contractual Services & Grants 10,353,750 10,353,750 20,707,500 Travel 3,934,425 3,934,425 3,934,425 3,934,425 3,934,425 19,672,125 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 20,707,500 15,218,977 12,424,500 12,424,500 12,424,500 73,199,977 Action 4: Modification of the Forest Reference Level FD Staff & Consultants 18,045,750 3,609,150 3,609,150 15,811,686 41,075,736 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 9,022,875 9,022,875 18,045,750 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,218,300 3,609,150 3,609,150 3,444,934 17,881,534 Action 5: Research and training related to forestry, wildlife and watershed management sectors FD, DWC, Academ- ic and Research Forum Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 18,940,845 18,940,845 18,940,845 18,940,845 18,940,845 94,704,225 Travel 8,117,505 8,117,505 8,117,505 8,117,505 8,117,505 40,587,525 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 3,517,586 3,517,586 3,517,586 3,517,586 3,517,586 17,587,928 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 346,996,874 371,874,111 343,170,531 183,216,559 130,905,543 1,376,163,618 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 2,313,312 2,479,161 2,287,804 1,221,444 872,704 9,174,424 Table 19 | Investment framework and action plan for the National Forest Monitoring System and Forest Reference Level National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan72 Implementation Plan NATIONAL FOREST MONITORING SySTEM AND FOREST REFERENCE LEVEL ACTIONS Implementing/ supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 1: Implementation of the National Forest Inventory FD Staff & Consultants 44,981,508 44,981,508 44,981,508 44,981,508 44,981,508 224,907,541 Contractual Services & Grants 25,432,200 25,432,200 25,432,200 76,296,600 Travel 18,650,280 12,716,100 16,954,800 4,238,700 4,238,700 56,798,580 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 156,831,900 139,877,100 139,877,100 20,352,330 19,074,150 476,012,580 Action 2: Development of allometric equations and emission factors FD Staff & Consultants 10,596,750 10,596,750 6,328,803 5,298,375 32,820,678 Contractual Services & Grants 35,181,210 21,193,500 21,193,500 77,568,210 Travel 6,993,855 2,119,350 2,119,350 2,119,350 13,351,905 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 27,551,550 27,551,550 8,477,400 7,947,986 71,528,486 Action 3: Maintenance of a Satellite Land Monitoring System FD Staff & Consultants 1,242,450 1,242,450 310,613 310,613 310,613 3,416,738 Contractual Services & Grants 10,353,750 10,353,750 20,707,500 Travel 3,934,425 3,934,425 3,934,425 3,934,425 3,934,425 19,672,125 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 20,707,500 15,218,977 12,424,500 12,424,500 12,424,500 73,199,977 Action 4: Modification of the Forest Reference Level FD Staff & Consultants 18,045,750 3,609,150 3,609,150 15,811,686 41,075,736 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 9,022,875 9,022,875 18,045,750 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 7,218,300 3,609,150 3,609,150 3,444,934 17,881,534 Action 5: Research and training related to forestry, wildlife and watershed management sectors FD, DWC, Academ- ic and Research Forum Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 18,940,845 18,940,845 18,940,845 18,940,845 18,940,845 94,704,225 Travel 8,117,505 8,117,505 8,117,505 8,117,505 8,117,505 40,587,525 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 3,517,586 3,517,586 3,517,586 3,517,586 3,517,586 17,587,928 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 346,996,874 371,874,111 343,170,531 183,216,559 130,905,543 1,376,163,618 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 2,313,312 2,479,161 2,287,804 1,221,444 872,704 9,174,424 Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 73 D D.3. Cross cutting issues – capacity building and research An assessment46 conducted in 2016 describes the current functional and technical capacities of key government institutions that are identified as lead coordinators or implementers of REDD+ in Sri Lanka. The assessment targeted the agencies identified within the NRIFAP as leading/coordinating each of the four REDD+ elements and the PAMs and guided the development of detailed capacity building action plans. At the same time, discussions were held with the Academic and Research Forum (ARF) to define a research action plan for the forestry, wildlife and watershed management sectors. Both cross cutting issues will support NRIFAP implementation by building capacities of the main stakeholder groups. Table 20 | key capacity building recommendations for the coordinating institutions of the NRIFAP Action Area Coordinating Institutions Capacity Building Recommendations NRIFAP Coordination RACB • Identify individual representatives and alternates for each member agency • Training on climate change and Sri Lankan development policies and access to other capacity building options including access to international learning events • Increased accessibility of RACB meeting information REDD+ TS under the Natural Resources Management Divi- sion in MMDE • Ensure continuity of coordination between the end of the readiness phase and the beginning of the implementation • Ensure timely and comprehensive establishment • Provide capacity building support to the Secretariat • Establish/maintain focal points within other ministries and agencies as well as TWGs for specific technical work areas • Transfer website from the UN-REDD PMU to the FD Safeguard Information System (SIS) CCS • Development of structured trainings on REDD+, climate change and Sri Lanka development • Support on understanding of safeguards and SIS • Facilitated development of SIS • Capacity building on National Communication and BUR National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) and Forest Reference Level (FRL) FGISID – Coordination DWC, SD, and LUPPD – data providers • Technical support on FRL and NFMS • Training and capacity building on NFMS / FRL and on technical aspects • Maintenance of TWG and establishment of data sharing agreements • Review of staffing and equipment 46. Capacity Building Needs Assessment (CBNA) for Implementation of the National REDD+ Implementation Framework and Action Plan (NRIFAP), Sri Lanka UNREDD Programme, December 2016. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan74 Action Area Coordinating Institutions Capacity Building Recommendations PAM1: Improved law enforcement FD/DWC • Increase understanding of REDD+, climate change and national strategies • Identify where relevant specific PAM capacity building plans • Establishment of TWGs to address cross sector coordination in PAMs • Strategic reviews of national strategies and plans, organisational structures and staff development plans • Stakeholder engagement and communications training • Capacity building on importance of and how to mainstream gender among the REDD+ implementers, coordination bodies, stakeholder forums/networks, etc. • Training on monitoring, learning and evaluation PAM2: Forest boundaries demarcation FD/DWC PAM3: Restoration of degraded forests FD/DWC PAM4: SFM of natural forests FD/DWC PAM5: SFM of forest plantations FD PAM6: Protection of watersheds FD PAM7: Inclusion of SEA in LUP process NPPD PAM8: Strengthening of EIA process CEA PAM9: Improve land productivity and rehabiliation DA PAM10: Increased tree cover of non forested lands DA PAM11: Protection of other forested lands MoL PAM12: Identify local supply chain for fuelwood MoPI PAM13: Agroforestry FD Capacity building action plan 121. Implementation of the NRIFAP also includes a comprehensive capacity building approach to ensure that all institutions engaged in REDD+ implementation have the capacity to fulfill their mandate (see Table 20 below). These recommendations are based on the assessment of overall capacity of agencies identified to lead NRIFAP implementation and the functional capacity of agencies to deliver the proposed PAMs, which noted that overall good capacity existed but that there was need for further strengthening. Based on these recommendations, a capacity building action plan has been developed to address the capacity gaps/needs to implement the NRIFAP and is included in Table 20. Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 75 D reforestation on water yield and quality in downstream flows, (2) reinforcement of river banks by biological and mechanical measures to withstand torrential flows, (3) monitor the water quality and sediment loads in waterways that provide water to water purification plants in order to determine the cost of water purification due to pollution of stream water, the need to reforest stream reservations and improve agricultural practices and (4) introduction of agro-forestry practices to existing farmlands on highlands. 126. The ARF created during the readiness phase will coor- dinate this component together with key government agencies. The ARF will provide technical guidance on the research topics and will provide available data and research information that may directly or indirectly support REDD+ implementation. Research related to forestry, wild- life and watershed management sectors 122. Research has a long history in Sri Lanka but a need to update research approaches to link more closely with cur- rent information demands has been noted during the Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme. As such NRIFAP implementation will target both an increase in levels of rel- evant research and a development of new research areas (including data collection and sharing mechanisnms) 123. Research areas within the forestry sector that will be considered include: (1) continuation of tree improvement programmes to raise good quality industrial timber and short-rotation tree crops for higher biomass production with increased carbon sequestration, (2) suitable methods for enrichment of degraded forests in different agro-eco- logical regions, (3) suitable species and techniques for reforestation in upper catchments, and (4) low impact logging of forest plantations. 124. Research areas under the wildlife sector that will be considered include: (1) Recognition of biodiversity and ecosystem services and demonstration of their economic value, (2) biodiversity baseline surveys, (3) ecological distribution of large herbivores (4) assessment of large animals' carrying capacity of the existing forests, (5) vege- tation changes and their effect on population dynamics of faunal species and (6) habitat quality of different vege- tation types in the reserves, to understand the carrying capacity of different fauna dependent on these habitats. 125. Research on watershed management that will be con- sidered include: (1) effects of forest conservation/ National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan76 D.4. Stakeholder engagement The REDD+ readiness phase has demonstrated Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to robust stakeholder engagement, particu- larly with regards to civil society, including men and women from indigenous and non-indigenous forest user communities. Such a commitment is built on the recognition of the role of civil society in influencing policies and supporting local communities, as well as the appreciation of the role of forest-user communities in actively managing local forests while dealing with the effects of climate change and reduced forest productivity. NRIFAP implementation will continue this commitment and further strengthen capacity to achieve the full and effective participation of relevant stakehold- ers within REDD+ implementation. To achieve this, the NRIFAP will support a number of key action areas including; continuation and expansion of support to the established stakeholder forums and the mainstreaming of gender into all stakeholder engage- ment processes. Information on these areas is provided in the sections below. Continuation and expansion of support to the established stake- holder forums/networks Authentic national representation that is recognised and supported by its stakeholder constituency 127. During the REDD+ readiness phase, the UN-REDD National Programme worked with partners in government and civil society to establish two coordinating bodies to facilitate engagement of civil society and indigenous people on REDD+. The Sri Lanka Climate and Forest Action Network (SLCFAN), which evolved from the CSO platform that was established in 2013, now has a total of 52 members. Guided by a Board of Directors (5 men The main REDD+ stakeholders forums are Sri Lanka Climate and Action Network (CSO network), REDD+ Academic and Research Forum, Indigenous People and Private Sector Forums and 2 women), members meet regularly to strategize upcoming engagement with other key institutional stakeholders in REDD+. 128. An Indigenous Peoples Forum (20 men and 10 women) was also convened in November 2013 with representatives from six clans: Dambana, Hennaigala, Dalukana, Vaharei, Rathugala and Pollebedda settlements. Each clan is represented by a self-designated leader, who later chose the leader from Dambana to represent all six clans in national level policy discussions related to REDD+. Ph ot og ra ph y: H ira ny a Su da si ng he Sr i L an ka U N -R ED D P ro gr am m e Ph ot ob an k Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 77 D 129. During the implementation of the NRIFAP, it will be of critical importance to effectively engage with a range of stakeholders at various levels, including, where relevant, identifying and collaborating with rights holders, who could be women and/or men. Stakeholder forums/networks, in particular those established through the REDD+ readiness phase (SLCFAN and the IP Forum), will be called on to support this process. Continuing and expanding support to these forums/networks will therefore be strategic and necessary. Support will include efforts to review their memberships to ensure adequate expertise and representation across genders47 and from specific districts or provinces where REDD+ implementation will be carried out. This should include building contacts with youth and women/gender-based organisations or networks that are familiar with the local contexts. 47. In line with the target endorsed by the UN Economic and Social Council, it is widely held that women, at a minimum, should at least make up 30% of any decision making body, committee, consultation, workshop, etc. for more information, see United Nations (1995), Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Fourth World Conference on Women, available at http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/pdf/BDPfA%20E.pdf Access and capacity to participate in the formulation and implementation of the NRIFAP 130. Based on an initial stakeholder mapping, three primary engagement activities were adopted for SLCFAN, and the IP Forum: information sharing, consultation and collaboration. Additional face-to-face consultations (10 in total) took place in Dambana in an effort to ensure inputs from the IP Forum. Based on expertise identified during a membership review, SLCFAN members, in particular, selected different roles to undertake during REDD+ implementation, such as awareness raising; participate and influence policy dialogues; and/or monitor engagement process and implementation impacts on communities. 131. There are multiple roles the civil society and forest dependent communities could consider during the CSO stakeholders Private sector stakeholders National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan78 NRIFAP implementation. Emerging experiences from CBR+ highlight to the effective roles communities play in forest protection and forest management, contingent upon adequate support for sustainable livelihood considerations. The civil society, in turn, is an important partner for the communities in its support to strengthen community networks, provide legal and technical aid, as well as disseminate appropriate technologies or good practices related to livelihood activities. Additional consideration will be made to ensure these types of support are gender responsive, wherein the different roles, responsibilities and contributions of men, women and youth, specific to the context where REDD+ interventions will take place, are analyzed. 132. Through the implementation of the NRIFAP, support will be provided to the PS forum and ARF to review their roles during the NRIFAP implementation. It is expected that the ARF will lead the work on research related to forestry, wildlife and watershed management. The PS forum will be fully engaged in actions related to Public Private Partnerships to promote reforestation, afforestation, forest restoration and urban forestry. A clear and functional mechanism for decision- making 133. The process to identify and prioritize REDD+ PAMs was built on an authentic national stakeholder engagement and collaborative decision-making mechanism. These concepts will continue during the implementation of the NRIFAP and specifically the implementation of each PAM. A number of tools have been developed to help PAMs implementers identify whether or not Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) will be required for the specific intervention, including an activity review flowchart (see Annex 3), and a screening list48 prepared by the Sr i L an ka U N -R ED D P ro gr am m e Ph ot ob an k Government sector stakeholders IP community stakeholders 48. A working final of the FPIC guidelines is complemented by its associated Legal Companion, which outlines existing international law and emerging State practice affirming that indigenous peoples have the right to effective participation in the decisions, policies and initiatives that affect them, and that FPIC is a legal norm that imposes duties and obligations on the States. Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 79 D UN-REDD National Programme (Annex 4). If it is required, full consideration will be given to ensure the affected forest user communities will be able to give or withhold their consent. 134. Correspondingly, a planning tool, in the form of a checklist49, has also been developed to guide implementing agencies, at to whether a gender-responsive stakeholder engagement plan, based on principles of consultation, participation and consent, is required for PAMs with operations on the ground (one or more of those criterions will trigger the consent). This tool was designed to promote and sustain full, effective and gender-responsive engagement of local communities, while minimising risks and maximising benefits that may arise from PAMs implementation. Additionally, the tool is intended to assist implementing agencies to ensure appropriate level(s) of stakeholder engagement, followed by the identification and design of the types of activities necessary to support the required level(s) of engagement. Therefore, the checklist should not be seen as a prescriptive tool. 135. The tools can also be used by interested citizens as well as civil society groups to raise awareness among local communities, support implementing agencies in operationalising the checklist, or monitor the process and outcomes from the checklist. Support will be provided to civil society members for these potential multiple roles; providing quality assurance for the process and for project monitoring and evaluation purposes. Mainstreaming gender in stakeholder engagement 136. During the NRIFAP implementation, gender balanced representation and participation will be strengthened both building on work undertaken during the REDD+ readiness phase and through lessons learned on how to effectively mainstream gender into stakeholder engagement processes in Sri Lanka50. Key target for this work include, women representing at least 30% of any decision-making body, committee, consultation, workshop, etc. To help achieve this at the national level, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs will be requested to be a member of the RACB. At the provincial or district levels, building on existing efforts to strengthen CSO representation, relevant gender, women’s and youth CBOs and CSOs will be identified, invited and supported to take part in the dialogue and collaboration with authorities. Acknowledging that there are socio-economic, cultural and political barriers faced by women and youth, deliberate action will be taken to ensure women and youth, in addition to men, are equitably, actively and meaningfully involved in REDD+ implementation. This means measuring beyond the number of participants to also promote the meaningful 49. Checklist to determine necessity of a gender-responsive stakeholder engagement plan for PAMs Implementation, Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme, October 2016. 50. Women’s inclusion in REDD+ in Sri Lanka: Lessons from good practices in forest, agriculture and other natural resources management sectors, joint initiative by Women Organising for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN), the UN-REDD National Programme, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), October 2013. National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan80 engagement of women, men and male and female youth.51 137. Equally, support will be provided to build capacities on how to mainstream gender in REDD+ implementation among targeted agencies, institutions, stakeholder plat- forms, networks and federations. Prior to implementation and in order to integrate a gender perspective in data col- lection and monitoring and reporting processes, baseline surveys specific to the REDD+ intervention areas will be undertaken in a gender-responsive manner. This will be followed by developing gender sensitive indicators in the monitoring and evaluation systems. Adequate funds will be allocated to support integrating gender and women’s empowerment considerations in stakeholder engagement activities during REDD+ implementation.52 51. Promoting the meaningful engagement of women and men can involve holding separate consultation meetings with men, women and other marginalized groups (e.g. youth); arranging meetings at a time and location that works well for women and youth; addressing safety issues women might face in reaching meeting locations, etc. 52. Refer to the detailed Action Plan on stakeholder engagement below. 53. Refer to the detailed Action Plan on information dissemination and communication below. Sr i L an ka U N -R ED D P ro gr am m e Ph ot ob an k Development and dissemination of communication, awareness- raising and policy dialogue materials and knowledge management strategy 53 138. It is important to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are provided with full and correct information in an easily and widely accessible, legible and understandable manner to allow stakeholders to form their opinions about issues and act on these. Providing clear, unbiased, high quality and engaging information on REDD+ will also establish the initiative as a visible and credible force in development, as well as helping to influence policy, practice and public discussion. Thus, communication and knowledge management will play a vital role during NRIFAP implementation. Based on the GoSL’s commitment to ensuring the provision of full and correct information and lessons learned through the UN-REDD National Programme a National Communications, Knowledge Management and Media strategy for REDD+ implementation in Sri Lanka will be developed to support NRIFAP implementation. 139. As part of the communication strategy prepared by the UN-REDD National Programme for the readiness phase, REDD+ information was adapted to suit various target Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 81 D Table 21 | Investment framework and action plan for stakeholder engagement in NRIFAP implementation Implementation Plan CONTINUATION AND ExPANSION OF SUPPORT TO ThE ESTAbLIShED STAkEhOLDER FORUMS/NETwORkS ACTIONS Implementing/ supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 1: Support checklist process to potentially develop a gender-respon- sive stakeholder engagement plan for PAMs with implementation on the ground CSOs and REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 3,580,884 3,580,884 Contractual Services & Grants 7,957,520 7,957,520 7,957,520 13,925,660 1,989,380 39,787,600 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 2: Adapt and deliver awareness-raising, using a gender perspective, at relevant PAM implementation sites CSOs and REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 59,681,400 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 3: Monitor stakeholder engagement process and PAM implementa- tion impacts on communities CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 19,893,800 19,893,800 19,893,800 19,893,800 19,893,800 99,469,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Support development of platforms or networks, including for marginalised groups (e.g. women and youth) and other relevant groups at relevant PAM implementation sites CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 59,681,400 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 5: Support to stakeholders forums (CSOs, IP, PS, ARF) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,591,504 1,591,504 1,591,504 1,591,504 1,591,504 7,957,520 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 5,968,140 5,968,140 5,968,140 5,968,140 5,968,140 29,840,700 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 62,864,408 59,283,524 59,283,524 65,251,664 53,315,384 299,998,504 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 419,096 395,223 395,223 435,011 355,436 1,999,990 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan82 Implementation Plan CONTINUATION AND ExPANSION OF SUPPORT TO ThE ESTAbLIShED STAkEhOLDER FORUMS/NETwORkS ACTIONS Implementing/ supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Action 1: Support checklist process to potentially develop a gender-respon- sive stakeholder engagement plan for PAMs with implementation on the ground CSOs and REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 3,580,884 3,580,884 Contractual Services & Grants 7,957,520 7,957,520 7,957,520 13,925,660 1,989,380 39,787,600 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 2: Adapt and deliver awareness-raising, using a gender perspective, at relevant PAM implementation sites CSOs and REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 59,681,400 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 3: Monitor stakeholder engagement process and PAM implementa- tion impacts on communities CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 19,893,800 19,893,800 19,893,800 19,893,800 19,893,800 99,469,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Support development of platforms or networks, including for marginalised groups (e.g. women and youth) and other relevant groups at relevant PAM implementation sites CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 11,936,280 59,681,400 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 5: Support to stakeholders forums (CSOs, IP, PS, ARF) REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,591,504 1,591,504 1,591,504 1,591,504 1,591,504 7,957,520 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 5,968,140 5,968,140 5,968,140 5,968,140 5,968,140 29,840,700 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 62,864,408 59,283,524 59,283,524 65,251,664 53,315,384 299,998,504 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 419,096 395,223 395,223 435,011 355,436 1,999,990 Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 83 D News Update UN-REDD Steering Committee meeting 17 May, 2016 REDD+ Advisory & Coordination Board meeting 20 May, 2016 Consultative Session with civil society on Non-Carbon Benefits of REDD+ 24 May, 2016 Preparation for Forest Boundary De- marcation activity May, 2016 PAMs finalisation workshop May, 2016 National Forest Inventory plot size establishment planning study May, 2016 Workshop on Non-carbon Benefits of REDD+ in Sri Lanka June, 2016 National Forest Monitoring System and Land Cover Classification Systems workshop June, 2016 Momentum gathers for National REDD+ Strategy development As REDD+ stakeholders have begun intensi- fying their effort to complete the preparation of the National REDD+ Strategy for Sri Lanka by early 2017, work is moving forward with a strong emphasis given throughout the pro- cess on linkages between climate change mitigation and sustainable development. With the adoption of the Sustainable De- velopment Goals (SDGs) in September 2015 and the new agreement on climate change at COP21 in Paris, Sri Lanka has received a much needed push towards implement- ing its ambitious forest-centric development agenda. With the vision of – “Forests and beyond, sustaining lives and livelihoods in a greener Sri Lanka”, REDD+ will support the country in improving sustainable land man- agement, maximising environmental ser- vices, conserving biodiversity, maintaining economic growth, and minimising risks of natural disasters through a range of public institutions and non-governmental agencies, which includes civil society organisations, lo- REDD+ Sri Lanka May, 2016 | Issue 03 cal communities and private sector actors, in a highly integrated manner. Building on this vision, the UN-REDD National Programme is continuing to support the development of the country’s capacity to address the four key elements of REDD+ under the UNFCCC. These are: National REDD+ Strategy; Forest Reference Level; National Forest Monitoring System; and Safeguards and Safeguards Information System development. Numerous policies and measures (PAMs) were identified through a multi-stakeholder consultative process to address the key driv- ers of deforestation and forest degradation in Sri Lanka. These PAMs were then priori- tised through multi-criteria analysis using so- cial and environmental safeguards, various feasibility factors and expected carbon and non-carbon impacts as criteria. The selected PAMs are now being sub- ject to a refinement process to assign nec- essary operational details. The PAMs are also being integrated in relevant public sec- tor budgets and development partner initia- tives as the REDD+ Action Plan begins to take shape. This would be the backbone of Sri Lanka’s National REDD+ Strategy. Within the context of the Government’s current development agenda, the added fo- cus on REDD+ in Sri Lanka is specially sig- nificant as the main interest of the country is to pursue every possible opportunity to find a path that would lead to non-carbon bene- fits for the island. May 2016 1 Upcoming Events 2015 j¾Ifha Tlaf;daïn¾ udifha cd;sl rela frdamK jevigyk wdrïN lrñka j;auka mßir wud;H w;s.re ckdêm;s ffu;%Smd, isßfiak ue;s;=ud úiska Y%S ,xldfõ oekg mj;sk jkdka;r wdrlaId lr .ekSug;a" rela frdamKh by< kexùu ;=<ska jk wdjrKh 32]la olajd by< kexùug;a lghq;= lrk nj wjOdrKh lrk ,§' .x.d wdY%s; c, fmdaIl m%foaY wdrlaId lr.ekSu" .=Kd;aul f,iska mdxY= ixrlaIKh isÿ lsÍu" jkdka;r mokï lr.;a wd¾Ól m%;s,dN <.dlr .ekSu" mßir ys;ldó ixprKh wd§ jQ m%;s,dNhka ms<snoj ie,ls,a,g f.k Y%s ,xld rch úiska cd;sl rela frdamK jeviygyk Èh;a lrk ,§' flfia fj;;a" j;aufkys § f,dj mqrd újdohkag iy ish¨‍ fokdf.a wjOdkhg ;=vq foñka mj;skakd jQ foaY.=Ksl úm¾hdi ioyd n,mdk f.da,Sh WKqiqu wju lr.ekSug tfrys igfka § jkdka;r m%n, idOlhla njg m;aj we;' f.da,Sh WKqiqu úÿ fk;ska ldnka vfhdlaihsâ" óf;aka" khsg%ia Tlai- hsâ jeks yß;d.dr jdhqka jdhq f.da,hg tla ùu u.ska by< jdhqf.da,fha mdroD- YH fkdjk ia:rhla ks¾udKh fjhs' iQ¾h lsrKj,g fuu jdhq mg,h ;=<ska mDÓúh lrd <.d ùug ndOdjla ke;' tfy;a iQ¾h ;dmh kej; wNHdjldYhg uqod yeÍug fuu w÷re jdhq mg,h ndOdjla fjhs' ta fya;=fjka fuu ;dmh mDÓú jdhq f.da,h ;=<u /|S mj;shs' fï ksid mDÓú jdhq f.da,h WKqiqï fjhs' fuu.ska mDÓúh WKqiqï lrk jdhQ m%;sY;h by< kxjhs' th mDÓú jdhq f.da,fha WKqiqug fya;= fjhs' fuu l%shdj,sh ’yß;d.dr wdprKh¶ kñka y÷kajkq ,nhs' úoHd{hkaf.a u;h kï" f.da,Sh WIaK;ajh jeäùu ld¾ñlrKhg fmr ;snqKq WIaK;ajh fuka fikaáf.a%â wxYl 2lg jvd wvqfjka mj;ajd .ekSug wfmdfydi;a jqjfyd;a wmg fkdis;+ úrE .eg¨‍ /ilg uqyqK §ug isÿjk tlg tla fjuq - jkdka;r /l .ksuq Ôjfha meje;aug w;HjYHjk yß;d.dr jdhQka ldnka vfhdlaihsâ jeä ùfuka by< hk f.da,Sh WKqiqu [uQ,dY%h( f*ianqla msgqj" REDD+ Y%S ,xld jevigyk] ;sridr ixj¾Okhg m%fõY ùu ioyd ,enqKq wjia:dfjka wms M, fk<d .ksuq njhs' tu.ska iuia; mDÓú f.da,hgu fkdis;+ úrEf,i N+ lïmk" iqkdñ" .sks lÿ úodrKhka wd§ wjodkïj,g uqyqK mEug isÿjkq we;' óg wu;rj kshÕ" iq<s l=Kdgq jeks ;;a;ajhkag yd c, yd wdydr w¾nqohkag uqyqKq §ug o ñksidg isÿ úh yels nj m¾fhaIl- hkaf.a woyi ù ;sfí' fï jk úg;a i;a;aj yd Ydl m%cdjf.a meje;aug oekg isÿfjñka mj;sk ld,.=Ksl úm¾hd- ij, wys;lr n,mEu t,a, ù ;sfí' foaY.=Ksl úm¾hdi ms<sno wka;¾ rdcH lñgqj ^Intergovernmental Panel on Cli- mate Change& u.ska wmg oekg mj;sk WIaK;ajh wju lr.ekSug kï wê;d- laIKsl fuj,ï ys iyh ,nd.ksñka lD;%suj jdhqf.da,Sh WIaK;ajh md,kh lsÍug isÿjkq we;s njg m%ldY fldg we;' 1700 j¾Ifha § muK werô ld¾ñl úma,jh;a iu.u" r: jdyk" l¾udka;- Yd,d ioyd wjYH n,Yla;sh ,nd.ekSug ñksid úiska .,a wÕ=re" f;,a yd jdhq Ndú;hg .kakd ,§' j.d ìï iy jdi- ia:dk ioyd ìï fldgia ,nd .ekSug meje;s b,a¨‍u l%ufhka by< hk ,o w;r" tu b,a¨‍u imqrd,Su msKsi jk ìï fhdod .ekSug isÿ úh' oYl .Kkdjla Tiafia isÿfjñka meje;s fuu l%shdj,sh u.ska" b;sydifha lsisÿ Èkl fkdjQ úrE wdldrfhka jdhq f.da,Sh ldnka m%;sY;h by< kexù we;' f,dj we;eï uyoaùm jid me;sr ;snQ .a,eishr Èhù hñka mj;S' ú,a yd .x.d u; /ÿKq ysu ;Ügq kshñ; iD;=j t,fUkakg;a fmrd;=ju Èheù hhs' Ydl yd i;a;aj jdiia:d- khka ys yd yeisÍï rgdjka ys fjkialï isÿfjñka mj;S' fï ish,a, f.da,Sh foaY.=K úm¾hdihkays m%;sM,hka fjhs' tmuKla fkdj oeä WKqiqu fya;=- fldgf.k jhia fNaohlska f;drj yDoh wdY%s; frda. we;sùfï iy yÈis urK isÿùfï wjodkula o we;s ù ;sfí' 1 stakeholders: cartoons, posters, brochures, articles and reports, and symposiums. This information was disseminated online as well as to national government and non-governmental representatives for distribution among networks. Each technical component of the strategy was preceded by a brief introduction to raise awareness on the topics at hand, sharing timelines of the upcoming work, identifying potential contribution by SLFCAN and the Indigenous Peoples Forum, followed by dissemination of reports and updates. These lessons learned will be used when developing the National Communication, Knowledge Management and Media strategy for REDD+ implementation in Sri Lanka. 140. An effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Media Strategy will help gain visibility and create the needed understanding about the role forests play in sustaining the livelihoods of people. Such approach is aimed at gaining support and cooperation among REDD+ stakeholders and the public to ensure that the website Competitions Newsletter Exibitions Articles Symposiums Cartoons Newspaper Advertisements National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan84 Table 22 | key target audiences for REDD+ communication materials Target audience Objective Message/s Public Gain support and create momentum General awareness of REDD+ and benefits of REDD+ to the nation Stakeholder agencies Better implementation of actions How REDD+ can help meet individual needs Those affected Understand the risks and benefits of proposed actions to make an informed decision Ministry/Department objectives Activities revised and adapted to sensitivities Table 23 | key media systems to be used for communications Target audience Media to be used Form of communication Public TV/radio/newspaper Talk shows + discussion forums + newspaper articles and adver- tisements Stakeholder agencies Presentations/newsletter/face-to-face Video clips + presentations + articles + meetings + communica- tions material Those affected Media formats to be determined based on site-spe- cific cultural sensitivities Leaflets + government system benefits the country is gaining by implementing REDD+ are understood and well accepted, and therefore, add momentum to REDD+ implementation in Sri Lanka. 141. The Communication, Knowledge Management and Media Strategy will include specific approaches for each of the PAM implementation areas and will be integrated with the GoSL’s Sri Lanka NEXT ‘Blue-Green Era’ initiative Within this context, REDD+ will be projected as part of the GoSL’s response to the challenges that the nation faces – at a crucial phase of rapid development – to engage in an emerging global initiative to move towards a ‘greener’ Sri Lanka. Key tools to be used will include newspaper and social media campaigns, which have been effective during the REDD+ readiness phase54. The strategy will also ensure that the right tools are developed for the right constituent audience. Tables 22 and 23 below provide an overview of this targeting and some of the methods that will be used. 54. The ‘REDD+ Sri Lanka’ Facebook page has received over 30,000 ‘likes’ since its establishment Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 85 D Table 24 | Investment framework and action plan for communication during implementation of NRIFAP Implementation Plan COMMUNICATION ACTIONS Implementing/ supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 D ev el op m en t an d d is se m in at io n o f co m m u n ic at io n , a w ar en es s- ra is in g an d p ol ic y d ia lo gu e m at er ia ls Action 1: Develop Communication, Knowledge Management and Media Strategy, and develop gender-sensitive communication and knowledge management strategies for each PAM implementation area REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 2,250,000 2,250,000 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 2: Develop assessment tools for effectiveness of communication tools to deliver knowledge in an accessible fashion to stakeholders, includ- ing equitably women, men and youth REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 4,500,000 4,500,000 Contractual Services & Grants 3,500,000 6,000,000 9,500,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 3: Implementation of Communication and Media Strategy, and cor- responding strategy for each relevant PAM implementation area REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 25,000,000 25,000,000 25,000,000 25,000,000 25,000,000 125,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Implementation of Knowledge Management Strategy, and cor- responding strategy for each relevant PAM implementation area REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 25,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 5,000,000 Action 5: Events to promote the NRIFAP REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 15,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 42,750,000 31,000,000 39,500,000 31,000,000 42,000,000 186,250,000 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 285,000 206,667 263,333 206,667 280,000 1,241,667 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan86 Implementation Plan COMMUNICATION ACTIONS Implementing/ supporting Insti- tutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 D ev el op m en t an d d is se m in at io n o f co m m u n ic at io n , a w ar en es s- ra is in g an d p ol ic y d ia lo gu e m at er ia ls Action 1: Develop Communication, Knowledge Management and Media Strategy, and develop gender-sensitive communication and knowledge management strategies for each PAM implementation area REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 2,250,000 2,250,000 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 2: Develop assessment tools for effectiveness of communication tools to deliver knowledge in an accessible fashion to stakeholders, includ- ing equitably women, men and youth REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 4,500,000 4,500,000 Contractual Services & Grants 3,500,000 6,000,000 9,500,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 3: Implementation of Communication and Media Strategy, and cor- responding strategy for each relevant PAM implementation area REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 25,000,000 25,000,000 25,000,000 25,000,000 25,000,000 125,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Implementation of Knowledge Management Strategy, and cor- responding strategy for each relevant PAM implementation area REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 25,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 5,000,000 Action 5: Events to promote the NRIFAP REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 15,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 42,750,000 31,000,000 39,500,000 31,000,000 42,000,000 186,250,000 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 285,000 206,667 263,333 206,667 280,000 1,241,667 Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 87 D Support to ensure effective util- isation and functions of existing Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs) 142. An analysis of forest and land-use related grievance patterns, trends and their corresponding GRMs at local, district, provincial and national levels was conducted in 201555. It indicated their strengths and weaknesses, as well as recommendations for improvement. Those recommendations will be implemented to increase the accessibility and understanding of GRMs, their different functions and purposes among potential users. Specific activities include establishing a focal point system among existing mechanisms and developing and disseminating information materials, among others. 143. The analysis also anticipates grievances that may stem from REDD+ implementation. It concluded that while existing mechanisms provide a good starting point for addressing grievances likely to arise under REDD+ implementation, there are limitations. These are attributed to either a lack of mandate, capacity or resources or outdated legislation, or poor implementation and enforcement of existing laws or a combination of both factors. 144. Since the analysis and recommendations were developed before decisions were made regarding key REDD+ 55. Review of consultation and participation processes, and response mecha- nisms in the context of REDD+, Sri Lanka UN-REDD National Programme, October 2015. Ph ot og ra ph y: D ev ak a Se ne vi ra tn e National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan88 • provide sufficient and timely information on GRMs to help men and women understand the function and purpose of a GRMs, the different options available to file their grievances, as well as associated processes to address these grievances; • strengthen the implementation of GRMs in PAMs implementation areas; • assign focal points to coordinate and establish communication and cooperation among all relevant institutions; and • ascertain, with a view to implementation, the most effective way to develop a centralized information system and protocols to manage and access GRMs records from PAMs implementation areas. interventions, further review will need to be conducted for short-term recommendations aimed at improving existing mechanisms at community, divisional/provincial and national levels, specific to PAMs, including how these mechanisms are viewed by both men and women. The review should also include proposed long-term recommendations designed to proactively prevent grievances and reduce demand on the existing mechanisms. 145. Recommendations that could immediately be considered are to; • integrate and continue a proactive stakeholder engagement approach to ensure REDD+ implementation does not aggravate old tensions; Sr i L an ka U N -R ED D P ro gr am m e Ph ot ob an k Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 89 D Table 25| Investment framework and action plan for grievance redress mechanisms during implementation of NRIFAP Implementation Plan GRIEVANCE REDRESS MEChANISMS ACTIONS Implementing/ sup- porting Institutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Su p p or t to e n su re e ff ec ti ve u ti lis at io n a n d f u n ct io n s of e xi st in g gr ie va n ce r ed re ss m ec h an is m s fo r PA M s im p le m en ta ti on Action 1: Analysis of existing GRMs in relation to PAMs, to ensure effec- tiveness and usability equitably among women, men and youth REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 4,550,000 4,460,000 9,010,000 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 2: Support to RACB to provide guidance on GRMs for PAMs imple- mentation REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 6,000,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 10,000,000 Action 3: Raise legal awareness on national legal framework, knowledge of national GRMs and available options, and general conflict manage- ment with broad communities in PAMs implementation areas CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 2,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 3,000,000 20,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Build capacity on conflict management and mediation skills for Community Mediation Boards, Divisional Secretaries and Provincial Land Commissioners in PAMS implementation areas CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 2,500,000 11,250,000 3,750,000 3,750,000 3,750,000 25,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Support to GRMs in PAMs implementation sites Implementing Agencies and CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 1,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 20,000,000 Travel 500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 10,000,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,500,000 6,000,000 7,500,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 20,000,000 Action 5: Develop a centralized information system and protocols to man- age and access GRMs records from PAMs implementation areas Implementing Agencies and CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 11,250,000 18,750,000 15,000,000 15,000,000 15,000,000 75,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 23,300,000 56,960,000 42,750,000 38,250,000 33,750,000 195,010,000 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 155,333 379,733 285,000 255,000 225,000 1,300,067 National REDD+ Investment Framework and Action Plan90 Implementation Plan GRIEVANCE REDRESS MEChANISMS ACTIONS Implementing/ sup- porting Institutions Budgetary category BUDGET TIMELINES Amount Year 1 (LKR) Amount Year 2 (LKR) Amount Year 3 (LKR) Amount Year 4 (LKR) Amount Year 5 (LKR) Total Costs (LKR) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 Su p p or t to e n su re e ff ec ti ve u ti lis at io n a n d f u n ct io n s of e xi st in g gr ie va n ce r ed re ss m ec h an is m s fo r PA M s im p le m en ta ti on Action 1: Analysis of existing GRMs in relation to PAMs, to ensure effec- tiveness and usability equitably among women, men and youth REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 4,550,000 4,460,000 9,010,000 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 2: Support to RACB to provide guidance on GRMs for PAMs imple- mentation REDD+ TS Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 0 Travel 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 6,000,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 10,000,000 Action 3: Raise legal awareness on national legal framework, knowledge of national GRMs and available options, and general conflict manage- ment with broad communities in PAMs implementation areas CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 2,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 3,000,000 20,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Build capacity on conflict management and mediation skills for Community Mediation Boards, Divisional Secretaries and Provincial Land Commissioners in PAMS implementation areas CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 2,500,000 11,250,000 3,750,000 3,750,000 3,750,000 25,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 Action 4: Support to GRMs in PAMs implementation sites Implementing Agencies and CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 1,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 20,000,000 Travel 500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 10,000,000 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 1,500,000 6,000,000 7,500,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 20,000,000 Action 5: Develop a centralized information system and protocols to man- age and access GRMs records from PAMs implementation areas Implementing Agencies and CSOs Staff & Consultants 0 Contractual Services & Grants 11,250,000 18,750,000 15,000,000 15,000,000 15,000,000 75,000,000 Travel 0 Operating Costs, Supplies & Consumables 0 TOTAL COSTS (LKR) 23,300,000 56,960,000 42,750,000 38,250,000 33,750,000 195,010,000 TOTAL COSTS (USD) 155,333 379,733 285,000 255,000 225,000 1,300,067 Coordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms 91 D GoBack GoBack GoBack GoBack GoBack