Background Information and Rationale- Project description
The Government of Angola has signalled its intention to shift towards a greener and more diversified economy. The REDD+ initiative (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) emerges as a promising strategy to combat climate change while stimulating sustainable development. Yet, the nation’s readiness to implement REDD+ is still in its infancy, hindered by limited institutional capacity, absence of legal frameworks, and insufficient engagement with local communities and private stakeholders.
This project seeks to address this critical gap by laying the essential groundwork for Angola’s REDD+ readiness. This will be achieved through comprehensive reference studies and innovative roadmap concepts, as well as through fostering private-public partnerships and community-led conservation models that reduce emissions, restore degraded ecosystems, and foster green employment opportunities. With a structured approach that combines expert technical support, capacity building programs, strategic policy planning, and targeted investments—particularly in rural micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and circular economy initiatives—this project aspires to establish a solid foundation for effective REDD+ readiness and implementation in Angola. Moreover, it will support Angola’s transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy, setting in place the foundational pillars that will enable rural communities to benefit directly from climate financing opportunities and engage in sustainable land-use practices.
By aligning national priorities with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, this initiative stands as a replicable model for inclusive, climate-resilient growth, grounded in local ownership and environmental integrity.
This project is structured around four pivotal outputs designed to lead Angola’s approach to REDD+, at the national, subnational and local levels, as specified for each output:
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Output 1: Groundwork for National REDD+ Readiness
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Output 2: Enabling Environment for Climate Governance Developed
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Output 3: Community-Led Conservation Projects Designed and Implemented
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Output 4: Community-Based Circular Waste Management Pilots Operationalized
Specific Objectives
UNDP Angola CO intends to engage a consortium to coordinate a multidisciplinary team of experts to develop Component 1 of the Project, with the following objectives:
i.Conduct a Pre-Feasibility Assessment
- Prepare a rapid baseline analysis, legal and policy scan, and risk and finance screening to inform a go/no-go management decision.
ii. Develop a Comprehensive REDD+ Readiness Package for Angola
- If the decision is positive, produce a consolidated package aligned with international REDD+ standards, centered on MRV readiness1, and structured into three parts:
▪ Part 1: Feasibility Analysis
Includes full technical, financial, and environmental baselines; institutional and legal assessments (national and subnational policies relevant to REDD+); land tenure and rights analysis; carbon modeling; drivers of deforestation and degradation; financial, operational, and social risk assessment; cost-benefit analysis of interventions; and revenue projections ($/tCO₂)
▪ Part 2: Strategic Framework
Defines national vision, policies, and goals; identifies necessary legal reforms; ensures alignment with standards such as VCS and ART TREES; and provides a draft outline of the legal framework.
▪ Part 3: Action Plan
Details specific activities, timelines, responsibilities, and monitoring indicators.
iii. Integrate All REDD+ Readiness Pillars
- Design robust MRV, Forest Reference Level (FRL), and Safeguard Information System (SIS) roadmaps, including detailed timelines, milestones, and responsibilities for MRV components.
- Outline capacity-building needs and plans, benefit-sharing mechanisms, governance structure and roles, grievance redress mechanism (GRM), and budget allocations for MRV system establishment.
iv. Identify Priority Areas for REDD+ Interventions
- Based on feasibility and strategic analysis, propose priority geographic and thematic areas for REDD+ implementation.
