The Cancun Safeguards are a set of social and environmental safeguards adopted during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010. These safeguards were established to ensure that activities under the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) initiative are carried out in a manner that respects both environmental and social considerations.
The National REDD+ Strategy must be implemented in compliance with the objectives of national forest programmes, and consistent with the provisions of the relevant treaties and international conventions to which PNG is Party.
Transparency and effectiveness of forest governance structures, including the right to access to information, accountability, access to justice and the recognition and protection of land use rights are promoted and regulated in the scope of the application of the National REDD+ Strategy through the relevant PLRs of the country.
The recognition of, and respect for the rights of customary landowners, local communities and vulnerable groups in accordance with the relevant PLRs is applicable to the implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy; including the rights to non-discrimination, traditional knowledge and culture, self-determination, benefit sharing and collective tenure rights.
The right to participate, in particular for customary landowners, local communities and vulnerable groups, is recognized and promoted under the National REDD+ Strategy through the relevant PLRs of the country, which include the promotion of gender equality and the right to free, prior and informed consent.
REDD+ actions under the National REDD+ Strategy will promote the conservation of natural forests and biodiversity, the enhancement of social and environmental benefits, and will not result in the conversion of natural forests, in accordance with the relevant PLRs in the country.
Addressing risks of reversals of and displacement of emissions from the REDD+ actions are required by the National REDD+ Strategy.