As the VCS continues to expand upon our Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) Framework, we wanted to alert you to a recently released new tool that will allow REDD+ programs to estimate leakage emissions. This tool and associated modules are the first of their kind and bridge an important gap that will allow jurisdictional programs to robustly and efficiently address the potential for leakage.  In addition to the tools, the VCS released several templates to support JNR programs, including a JNR program description, JNR baseline description and JNR non-permanence risk report.

The JNR Leakage Tool is relevant for subnational jurisdictions, where a REDD+ program can cause leakage emissions outside the jurisdiction, but within the same country. While the tool is optional, it provides jurisdictions a simplified step-by-step approach for such programs to address leakage due to activity shifting, market effects and deforestation-to-degradation leakage.

To account for leakage from the production of global commodities, jurisdictions may use a simplified default approach, or may apply one of two modules: the Global Commodity Leakage Module: Effective Area Approach, and the Global Commodity Leakage Module: Production Approach. The tool and modules allow for leakage emissions to be reduced through the implementation of activities that mitigate them.

VCS developed this tool and associated modules with input from working groups of practitioners and technical experts from across the world. It was further reviewed and tested by peer reviewers as well as jurisdictions piloting JNR programs.

VCS will host two webinars on 27 February 2014 to present the tool and modules. An English language webinar will be held at 11:00am US eastern standard time (EST) and a Spanish language webinar will be held at 1:00pm US EST. Register for the English webinar or the Spanish webinar.

As always, questions, comments or feedback may be sent to secretariat@v-c-s.org.