Glossary

The principle that emission reductions or removals are additional to what would have occurred in the absence of the REDD+ activity.

Establishment of forest through natural regeneration, planting and/or deliberate seeding on land that was not classified as forest.

The cross-sectional area of a tree stem measured at breast height (1.3 m above ground), typically expressed in m²/ha.

The total mass of living organic matter in a given area, including stems, branches, leaves, roots, and understorey vegetation.

A forest or land area that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases, acting as a net carbon store.

The total amount of carbon stored in a forest ecosystem, including above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, dead wood, litter, and soil organic carbon.

A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol that allows developed countries to invest in emission-reduction projects in developing countries to meet part of their emission reduction targets.

Human induced permanent conversion of forested land to non-forested land.

A direct human induced loss of forest values likely to be characterised by a reduction of tree canopy cover over long term. Routine management under sustainable forest management practices are not included.

A coefficient that quantifies the emissions or removals of a greenhouse gas per unit of activity, expressed as CO₂ equivalent per unit.

The net decrease in greenhouse gas emissions achieved through REDD+ activities compared to a reference scenario.

The activities involved in the planning and implementation of forest conservation, utilisation, and renewal to meet desired environmental, economic, and social objectives.

A benchmark against which emission reductions or removals from REDD+ activities are measured, representing expected forest emissions in the absence of REDD+.

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Key forest-related GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry. A sector-level accounting framework for tracking carbon fluxes from land-based activities.

A systematic process for tracking, documenting, and independently validating REDD+ activities, emission reductions, and removals.

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.

Procedures and actions to address potential negative social and environmental impacts of REDD+ activities, ensuring they complement rather than undermine national sustainable development strategies.

A system for providing information on how REDD+ safeguards are addressed and respected, promoting transparency and accountability.

A summary document describing how countries have addressed and respected REDD+ safeguards, as required by UNFCCC COP decisions.

Land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 30 percent,  or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ. It does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use.