This chapter assesses the status of the REDD+ process (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) in East and Southern Africa. Through a literature review by and with experts working on REDD+ in East Africa, the chapter provides an overview of how the process is gradually being integrated into forest management systems in the region. It begins with a review of pilot projects, progressing to the integration of climate and forest considerations into sectors responsible for deforestation and forest degradation. Within this context, it examines how institutional changes, and the influence of donors have resulted in changes at the subnational level for farmers and other stakeholders. Additionally, it explores how the REDD+ process contributed to developing and strengthening various national environmental documents, some of which have been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Finally, the chapter looks at how lessons learned from REDD+ pilots can inform national policy and scale up successful approaches.
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This work is licensed under CC-BY 4.0
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TI - REDD+ in East and Southern Africa: Progress and challenges
AU - Sonwa, D.J.
AU - Majambu, E.
AU - Sufo-Kankeu, R.
AU - Ngouhouo-Poufou, J.
AU - Atmadja, S.
AU - Muhate, A.
AU - Ribeiro, N.
AU - Sitoe, A.
AU - Zahabu, E.
AU - Begumana, J.
AU - Walker, S.
AU - Martius, C.
AB - This chapter assesses the status of the REDD+ process (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) in East and Southern Africa. Through a literature review by and with experts working on REDD+ in East Africa, the chapter provides an overview of how the process is gradually being integrated into forest management systems in the region. It begins with a review of pilot projects, progressing to the integration of climate and forest considerations into sectors responsible for deforestation and forest degradation. Within this context, it examines how institutional changes, and the influence of donors have resulted in changes at the subnational level for farmers and other stakeholders. Additionally, it explores how the REDD+ process contributed to developing and strengthening various national environmental documents, some of which have been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Finally, the chapter looks at how lessons learned from REDD+ pilots can inform national policy and scale up successful approaches.
PY - 2026
PB - CIFOR-ICRAF
PP - Bogor, Indonesia and Nairobi, Kenya
UR - https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/46402/
KW - carbon sinks, climate, forest management, governance, redd-plus, research projects, resilience
ER -Endnote (.ciw)
%T REDD+ in East and Southern Africa: Progress and challenges
%A Sonwa, D.J.
%A Majambu, E.
%A Sufo-Kankeu, R.
%A Ngouhouo-Poufou, J.
%A Atmadja, S.
%A Muhate, A.
%A Ribeiro, N.
%A Sitoe, A.
%A Zahabu, E.
%A Begumana, J.
%A Walker, S.
%A Martius, C.
%D 2026
%I CIFOR-ICRAF
%C Bogor, Indonesia and Nairobi, Kenya
%U https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/46402/
%X This chapter assesses the status of the REDD+ process (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) in East and Southern Africa. Through a literature review by and with experts working on REDD+ in East Africa, the chapter provides an overview of how the process is gradually being integrated into forest management systems in the region. It begins with a review of pilot projects, progressing to the integration of climate and forest considerations into sectors responsible for deforestation and forest degradation. Within this context, it examines how institutional changes, and the influence of donors have resulted in changes at the subnational level for farmers and other stakeholders. Additionally, it explores how the REDD+ process contributed to developing and strengthening various national environmental documents, some of which have been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Finally, the chapter looks at how lessons learned from REDD+ pilots can inform national policy and scale up successful approaches.
%K carbon sinks
%K climate
%K forest management
%K governance
%K redd-plus
%K research projects
%K resilience
Publication year
2026
Authors
Sonwa, D.J.; Majambu, E.; Sufo-Kankeu, R.; Ngouhouo-Poufou, J.; Atmadja, S.; Muhate, A.; Ribeiro, N.; Sitoe, A.; Zahabu, E.; Begumana, J.; Walker, S.; Martius, C.
Language
English
Keywords
carbon sinks, climate, forest management, governance, redd-plus, research projects, resilience
Source
State of the Forests 2025: The Forests of the East and Southern Africa. CIFOR-ICRAF: Bogor, Indonesia and Nairobi, KenyaGeographic
Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Uganda
