Background

While implementing a REDD+ project, Government of Nepal identified the potential environmental and social risks and design and implement actions to mitigate or avoid such risks. The safeguards primarily intend to ensure that Nepal’s REDD+ programme does not harm the local environment and people and verify that new policies and institutions created to implement the REDD+ programme complement country’s environmental and developmental policies and institutions. In addition, Nepal needs to adhere to, or respect, and address the Cancun Safeguards and the World Bank's social and environmental safeguards while implementing the REDD+ programme.While implementing a REDD+ project, Government of Nepal identified the potential environmental and social risks and design and implement actions to mitigate or avoid such risks. The safeguards primarily intend to ensure that Nepal’s REDD+ programme does not harm the local environment and people and verify that new policies and institutions created to implement the REDD+ programme complement country’s environmental and developmental policies and institutions. In addition, Nepal needs to adhere to, or respect, and address the Cancun Safeguards and the World Bank's social and environmental safeguards while implementing the REDD+ programme.While implementing a REDD+ project, Government of Nepal identified the potential environmental and social risks and design and implement actions to mitigate or avoid such risks. The safeguards primarily intend to ensure that Nepal’s REDD+ programme does not harm the local environment and people and verify that new policies and institutions created to implement the REDD+ programme complement country’s environmental and developmental policies and institutions. In addition, Nepal needs to adhere to, or respect, and address the Cancun Safeguards and the World Bank's social and environmental safeguards while implementing the REDD+ programme.While implementing a REDD+ project, Government of Nepal identified the potential environmental and social risks and design and implement actions to mitigate or avoid such risks. The safeguards primarily intend to ensure that Nepal’s REDD+ programme does not harm the local environment and people and verify that new policies and institutions created to implement the REDD+ programme complement country’s environmental and developmental policies and institutions. In addition, Nepal needs to adhere to, or respect, and address the Cancun Safeguards and the World Bank's social and environmental safeguards while implementing the REDD+ programme.

Understanding "Address" and "Respect"

Address

The term ‘address’ in relation to the Cancun safeguards comprehends what Nepal/REDD+ program/project has, and plan to have, in place in terms of policies, legislations, and regulations (PLRs) to guarantee that the social and environmental outcomes of the REDD+ are safeguarded. In other word, if the provisions stipulated in the PLRs and other national documents (e.g., strategies, plans, and guidelines) that morally, broadly, or specifically support one or more principles of Cancun safeguards, then that safeguard is considered as 'addressed.' The information about ‘address’ should demonstrate the provisions made in the National PLRs and other program documents that help REDD+ program/project achieve its objectives without compromising Cancun safeguards when implementing REDD+ programs. Information on to what extend and how safeguards are addressed may vary from project to project and would generally pertain to REDD+ program/project governance arrangements, all of which would seek to guarantee the implementation of the safeguards.

Respect

The term ‘respect’ in relation to Cancun safeguards comprehends how and to what extent are the REDD+ programs/projects and Nepal’s forestry/environmental/development governance arrangements effective in safeguarding social and environmental outcomes of REDD+ programs/projects. In other word, if the provisions in national PLRs and other program documents prepared in contexts to national REDD+ program that directly support certain Cancun safeguards, then such safeguard is considered as ‘respected.’ For instance, REDD+ strategy and REDD+ forest management plans are considered as documents that respect Cancun safeguard. The information about ‘respect’ should demonstrate the extent to which each of the Cancun safeguards have been achieved when implementing REDD+ programs, including any actions, taken or planned, to improve implementation measures over time.