We appreciate the opportunity to provide input to the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Secretariat’s public consultation on the draft TREES 3.0 standard. This update comes at a pivotal moment: after several years of ART’s operations and following the first issuance of TREES credits, jurisdictions are transitioning from retrospective crediting of past emission reductions to forward-looking implementation of new REDD+ programs. This shift makes the TREES 3.0 revision especially significant – the standard must not only recognize past results, but also guide high-integrity implementation going forward.
Our joint submission accordingly focuses on recommendations to reinforce social integrity elements in TREES 3.0. In particular, we offer constructive, evidence-based input on the following key areas:
● Safeguards (Section 12): Upholding robust social and environmental safeguards so that jurisdictional REDD+ programs “address and respect” all UNFCCC Cancun safeguards in practice, with clear requirements for their implementation and reporting.
● Emission Reduction & Removal Rights (Section 3.4.1): Clarifying how jurisdictions must demonstrate legal rights to all claimed emission reductions and removals, consistent with national law and respect for land tenure and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
● Benefit Sharing (Section 3.4.2): Ensuring transparent and equitable benefit-sharing arrangements so that carbon finance and other REDD+ benefits are fairly distributed to Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other stakeholders, in line with safeguard principles.
● Stakeholder Engagement & Safeguard Information Systems (Sections 2.6, 3.1.2): Strengthening requirements for meaningful stakeholder consultation and robust safeguard information systems to promote inclusive participation and accountability throughout program implementation.
● Grievance Redress Mechanisms (Section 16): Improving the existing mechanism to bring it into alignment with international best practices.
CLP and Kawari TREES submission
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Annex I_Safeguard Implementation Guidance for ART TREES 3
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Annex II_Guidance for Developing a SIS
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