Status of REDD +measurement , reporting and verification (MRV) system for Tanzania)

Abstract

Through the current discussions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) there is a possibility for developing countries to receive financial benefits for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation; forest conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). As REDD+ is a result-based mechanism, countries will be required to quantify their achievements in REDD+ by establishing a robust and transparent forest carbon Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system. MRV provides a system on how to account for the amount of forest carbon, including changes over time. The main focus is on the national level reporting to the UNFCCC, and the subsequent, anticipated accounting of valuable carbon credits at different levels that contributes to the country as a whole. Tanzania envisages participating in the implementation of REDD+ and has started setting up her MRV system for the determination of carbon benefits. Online with the methodological guidance for activities related to REDD+ under discussion by UNFCCC, Tanzania is undertaking her national forest resources inventory, estimating historical deforestation and forest degradation and or growth rates. It is anticipated that most of the data for the establishment of national carbon baseline for Tanzania will be available towards the end of 2012.