A/HRC/36/46 C. United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD-plus) 95. In 2007, the parties agreed that a comprehensive approach to mitigating climate change should include incentives to reduce emissions from deforestation. REDD-plus is a global initiative to pay countries to protect their forests in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. 96. The strong advocacy of indigenous peoples and NGOs at the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties in 2010 resulted in the adoption of safeguards for REDD-plus which call, inter alia, for respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities by taking into account relevant international obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the General Assembly had adopted the Declaration.54 97. The “Cancun safeguards” also include the need to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. Subsequent guidance notes developed by REDD-plus have further elaborated on how the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples will be obtained. However, implementation of these safeguards has proved problematic. Indigenous peoples and local communities are often not recognized as owners of forests by the State in national laws; there is therefore concern that they will not see equitable benefits from REDD-plus projects and that forest and climate schemes risk driving a global “green land grab”.55 98. Several indigenous peoples in countries where REDD-plus is being implemented have actively engaged with Governments to ensure that the safeguards are implemented. REDD-plus finance provided by Governments, including Australia, Germany, Norway and the United States of America, include resources to help build capacity to implement the safeguards. While there are still serious challenges in efforts to implement REDD-plus safeguards, opportunities for indigenous peoples to enter into constructive dialogues with Governments have been enhanced. D. Adaptation Fund 99. The Adaptation Fund was created in 2001 under the United Nations Framework Convention and designed to finance climate change adaptation projects based on the priorities of eligible developing countries. Its primary funding comes from a 2 per cent share of proceeds of the certified emission reductions issued by the Clean Development Mechanism.56 100. The environmental and social policy of the Fund requires that all projects comply with the rights and responsibilities contained in the Declaration and other applicable international instruments relating to indigenous peoples. The implementing entity has to describe how the project complies with the Declaration, particularly with regard to free, prior and informed consent, during project design and implementation, as well as how expected outcomes will affect the indigenous communities. The implementing entity must provide documentary evidence, including detailed outcomes of the consultation process. 101. The policy also requires that environmental and social assessments be available for public consultation. The Adaptation Fund is one of the better mechanisms for addressing the relevant human rights obligations of States. 54 55 56 See FCCC/CP/2010/7/Add.1, decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, para. 2 (e). See www.forestpeoples.org/en/work-themes/climate-forests/redd-and-related-initiatives. See www.adaptation-fund.org/about/. 17