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Biodiversity and climate change: integrating REDD+ into BioTrade strategies

The II BioTrade Congress entitled “Biodiversity and Climate Change: Integrating REDD+ into BioTrade Strategies” focused on how best to integrate climate change mitigation measures into BioTrade activities. In particular, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) introduced targeted measures such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), which now includes “conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks” (REDD+). These measures offer financial incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to foster sustainable development. Furthermore, the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in 2013 in Warsaw agreed on the Warsaw Framework for REDD+, which provides a package of measures designed to contribute both to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The II BioTrade Congress provided a platform for a significant number of stakeholders to share their experiences of BioTrade and related efforts to integrate climate change mitigation.