Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative: A Strategic Evaluation

Summary

This evaluation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI): its past and current elements of its status, and possible threats and opportunities in the future. Launched in 2007 NICFI pledged US$500 million a year to REDD+, in the context of substantial skepticism about the feasibility of the REDD+ mechanism and significant concerns from indigenous groups and civil society around several issues, including the rights of local and indigenous peoples, land tenure, benefits sharing, measurement issues, governance, and enforcement. NICFI’s strategy consisted of using a pay-for-performance approach, emphasizing national ownership for REDD+ efforts, and fostering an atmosphere of cooperation and broad engagement. 

This review finds that NICFI’s basic premise – that a large investment in REDD+ was necessary and could be effective in advancing global forest carbon efforts – has proven to be sound. Interviewees largely agreed that NICFI has been a game changer in forest protection, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development efforts. The report recommends the NICFI continue to invest at least at current levels, and ideally at increased levels, to support growing momentum in REDD+. Further, it suggests that NICFI continue to expand at its current pace and continue to be responsive to feedback and adapt as circumstances evolve.