integrate REDD+ into a green economy transition - Unredd.net

4 Challenges and
opportunities of
integrating REDD+ within
a green economy
transition
Having provided the rationale for REDD+ to be part of the transition to a green economy, it
is necessary to consider what countries can do to best achieve integration. Early efforts to
link REDD+ explicitly with a green economy are emerging, but it is premature to capture
best practice in how REDD+ can be integrated in a green economy transition. It is likely,
however, that countries will require a strong knowledge base of how forests contribute to
the national economy and suite of tools for planning; political will to invest in REDD+ and
the green economy transition; an appropriate institutional framework; policy alignment and
strong cross-sectoral coordination; and adequate finance (Table 2).
The actions involved in building what might be considered ‘enabling conditions’ are not
necessarily sequential; they also bring both challenges and opportunities. Efforts to meet
these challenges should build on the infrastructure that exists in country. Progress can be
made before all opportunities have been taken and, therefore, before an optimal enabling
environment is in place.
This section draws from experience relating to REDD+, the transition to a green economy,
and other efforts to conserve and sustainably manage forests, to explore the integration of
REDD+ in a green economy transition through these challenges and opportunities. Over
time, it will be necessary to review the extent to which these challenges and opportunities
remain relevant and to share lessons on how countries are best able to overcome challenges
and take up opportunities.
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