REDD represents a suite of policies and programs to provide positive incentives for developing countries for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by halting or preventing the destruction of their forests.

REDD policies are essential for halting deforestation, which is a major source of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Additional mitigation measures in the forestry, agriculture and land use sector are necessary to achieve climate goals. Maintaining and expanding forest cover through restoration, securing protected area systems, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability and recovering degraded lands are essential complements to REDD.

Although REDD incentives are not yet part of existing international climate agreements, they must be part of the global climate change agreement to be forged in Copenhagen in December 2009. In support of this effort and in preparation for an immediate scale-up of REDD investment, CI is working toward the establishment of transparent and profitable markets for carbon credits generated by voluntary REDD initiatives, which also aim to increase the involvement of the business community.

To demonstrate how REDD policies and mechanisms can work, CI has created an extensive REDD training and education program; developed tools of engagement and benefit sharing to ensure that REDD can benefit vulnerable communities; worked with partners in developing decision-making tools for policy development and economic planning, such as the OSIRIS economic model; and set up pilot forest carbon projects around the world.

CI is also a leading proponent of the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance, which has developed voluntary standards to maximize the many benefits of projects that reduce deforestation.

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