Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Paragraph: 80
Complement demand-side due diligence with government initiatives to build capacity in producer countries.
Conclusion
To be effective, the Government’s proposed approach requires the UK to work in partnership with producer countries and to reinforce (and in some cases, strengthen) their legal and policy provisions to counter deforestation. We therefore recommend that the proposed demand-side due diligence system is complemented by Government initiatives to support and build capacity in producer countries.
Government Response Summary
The government stated it shares responsibility for IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge commitments and detailed numerous existing UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes that support IPLCs, strengthen tenure rights, and build capacity in producer countries, including future scoping missions and support for IPLC inclusion in negotiations.
Paragraph Reference:
80
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
As clarified under recommendation 17, FCDO shares responsibility with all of Government to uphold the commitments made under the IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge. This includes addressing measures to improve tenure rights, or support IPLCs in the protection and restoration of forests. Improving the tenure rights of IPLCs is an important focus of a number of UK ODA programmes, including the Global Land Governance Programme; Forest Governance, Markets and Climate programme; and Forest, Communities and Sustainable Growth (TEFOS) programme. In addition, the UK’s contribution to the REDD Early Movers programme, the Brazilian Amazon Fund and the Central African Forests Initiative (CAFI) supports several project activities which seek to strengthen IPLCs’ forest tenure security. The UK Government is committed to developing new projects and programmes in this area. For example, in autumn 2023, FCDO officials carried out a scoping mission across five Amazon countries, meeting with 18 IPLC organisations and 17 partner NGOs, in order to better understand IPLCs’ needs and priorities for donor support. This will inform the design of future HMG policy and programmes. The UK Government is also taking action to promote the inclusion of IPLC representatives in key global and national negotiations. For example, through the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP), which the UK co-launched with other members at COP27, a Platform for Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities (IPLCs) is being established as an inclusive and constructive dialogue between governments, funders and representatives of IPLCs organisations. This will allow IPLCs to actively participate in high-level discussions, emphasising the importance of securing forest tenure rights. The UK also supports greater inclusion of IPLCs within the formal UNFCCC negotiations, including language that both recognises the important role that IPLCs play in climate action and respects their rights. During the UK’s COP26 Presidency, the role of IPLCs was recognised in both decision text and non-negotiated outcomes, and Parties agreed the three-year Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) workplan, which is now being implemented.