Technical Feasibility Assessment of the Nam Phui National Protected Area REDD+ Project in Lao PDR

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Summary

This report has been prepared to assess the feasibility of implementing a REDD+ project for the voluntary carbon markets in and around the Nam Phui National Protected Area (NP NPA) in Sayabouri province, Lao PDR. This site has been selected by the national REDD+ Taskforce as one of four official REDD+ demonstration sites within Lao PDR. In this regard, it is hoped that the results of this study will be integrated into the ongoing methodology and framework development process for REDD+ activities implemented in Lao PDR. Additionally, a preliminary assessment of the afforestation, reforestation and revegetation (ARR) carbon finance potential of this site was also conducted.

The NP NPA has been subject to a number of drivers of deforestation and degradation over the recent past that have slowly impacted its forest cover. Due to a lack of funding for the NPA management unit, especially over the past ten years, it has not been possible to implement meaningful management interventions to protect the NPA. The NP REDD project aims to establish a functioning NPA management unit that simultaneously provide environmental benefits (forest protection, wildlife management, biodiversity conservation) as well as community benefits (more secure land tenure, improved agricultural practices, local development opportunities).

Before moving ahead with project development, several key issues need to be resolved. Firstly, legal clarity on the ownership of carbon rights at a national level is required. Secondly, government authorities need to agree upon a mechanism for how REDD financing will be distributed between various project stakeholders. Finally, the project needs to conduct open consultations via a Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) approach with all stakeholders potentially involved with the project to inform them of the project idea and gain their consent.