In May 2009, the SADC Member States decided to develop a regional REDD Programme that addresses the common problems of deforestation and degradation in the region and formulates joint Climate Change mitigation measures in the forest sector. The content of this programme was developed in a participatory process with all SADC Member States emphasizing topics that promote regional integration and create synergies through the co-operation among Member States.

Goal of the SADC REDD Programme

The goal of the regional programme is to contribute to the sustainable management of the forests of SADC and also to promote poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Programme Purpose

The purpose of this programme on REDD is to improve the capacity of SADC Member States to manage and benefit from their national REDD programmes through regional co-operation and also increase the influence of SADC as a region, on the international processes on REDD and Climate Change.

Programme Priorities

The programme priorities include:

• Inter and Intra-sector coordination and policy harmonization for national REDD Programmes
• International Engagement on REDD and Climate Change Processes
• Capacity development to manage regional and national REDD Programmes
• Systems to monitor forests and carbon
• Establishment of reference emission and reference levels for REDD
• Knowledge management for REDD
• Sustainable Funding Mechanisms for REDD