Cancun Safeguards in Thailand

As broad principles, the Cancun Safeguards are often interpreted and clarified nationally, to determine what the safeguards mean and what they should focus on in the national context. The interpretation of the Cancun Safeguards for Thailand is based on understanding and consideration of the country context and accepted among the stakeholders, who were involved in consultation meetings on this topic during 2021-2022.

It should be noted that stakeholders in Thailand recognize the importance of social and environmental safeguards not only for REDD+ but also emphasize the application of safeguards in other forest-based climate mitigation mechanisms or programs to ensure that these operations will ‘do no harm’ to the local communities especially the vulnerable groups in the operation areas. The Cancun Safeguards are recognized as a minimum set of safeguards which need to be complied with when implementing other forest-based climate mitigation programs, which consider other additional requirements or emphasis concerning funding organizations or standards that these programs need to follow.

Thailand's national clarification of the safeguards is shown below

Safeguard A:

REDD+ and other forest-based climate policies, strategies, measures, and activities must be consistent with and support national policies and goals related to the forest sector as outlined in the country's master plan e.g., National Forest Policy and master plans on biodiversity, climate change, sustainable development. In addition, they have to be consistent with important laws, conventions and international agreements related to natural resources and the environment and social issues that Thailand has ratified and are being enforced.

Safeguard B:

REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation mechanisms or programs must uphold the principles of good governance; comprising of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and gender inclusion throughout the planning, implementation, and benefit sharing of results. The organizational structure and management of the mechanisms, programs or project at all levels must promote effective participation of all sectors and genders, encourage fairness and transparency in the operations and further strengthen forest governance of the country.

Safeguard C:

REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation mechanisms or programs must consider and respect the rights of local communities and ethnic groups (as defined in the laws or adopted international definitions under the stakeholders’ consensus as to which groups of people referred to) especially traditional/customary rights. These also include recognition of traditional knowledge and cultures of which have a long-standing practices and visions to carry on cultural identities and good traditions to support sustainable land use, livelihoods and management of forests and ecosystems. REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation mechanisms or programs must avoid violation of such rights, as well as to promote and support the process of documenting and transferring of good traditions for mutual sustainability.

Safeguard D:

All stakeholders and genders should be encouraged and supported to effectively participate in REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation processes, especially the local communities, ethnic groups, and vulnerable groups in the community. The level of participation should include participation in decision-making processes, implementation processes, benefit sharing, and monitoring and evaluation. Appropriate measures should be undertaken to provide information and increase capacity of stakeholders; especially the local communities, ethnic groups, and vulnerable groups; to be able to effectively participate at every stage of planning, implementation and evaluation.

Safeguard E:

Natural forest areas must not be destroyed or degraded by REDD+ or other forest-based climate mitigation implementation. Actions must help to foster positive incentives for preserving natural forests, conservation of biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services and social and environmental benefits, and lead to the balancing between conservation and development or utilization of resources with a balance, equitable and sustainable manners.

Safeguards F and G:

Actions under REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation mechanisms or programs must support solutions to address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the area of operations and adjacent areas. The trends of these drivers need to be monitored regularly and measures should be undertaken to deal with the factors that are likely to contribute to future deforestation and forest degradation in order to reduce the risks of reversal after the project is over or reduce the risks of creating pressure and causing deforestation or degradation in the adjacent areas as the results from REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation operations.