Subnational governments and jurisdictional approaches to REDD+ in Peru: An analysis of the current legal and policy framework

Abstract

Key Messages 1. There is much interest in jurisdictional approaches to REDD+ from new sources of climate finance and voluntary market mechanisms (e.g., LEAF Coalition). Given this interest, it is important to consider how national policy and regulatory frameworks can facilitate these jurisdictional approaches. 2. Peru is a useful case study given that some of the country’s subnational governments have signed agreements for the sale of emission reductions from future REDD+ programmes in their jurisdictions. 3. Currently, there are no policies or regulations for jurisdictional initiatives by subnational governments in Peru. However, the national government is developing rules under the National Registry of Mitigation Measures (Registro Nacional de Medidas de Mitigación, or RENAMI) and is considering guidelines for nesting initiatives using the Forest Reference Emissions Level (FREL) and the Forest Reference Level (FRL) for the Peruvian Amazon biome that could provide relevant rules for these types of jurisdictional initiatives. 4. Legal uncertainties remain for jurisdictional approaches led by subnational governments. These include defining the areas within their jurisdictions that could be part of an initiative, whether the legal framework allows subnational governments to carry out carbon market transactions, and how they would receive and manage the proceeds of those transactions. 5. This Infobrief reviews Peru’s current and forthcoming policy and legal framework to understand how subnational governments can be involved in jurisdictional approaches and to assess where the national government rules are heading. Introduction