This initiative is developing standards that can be used by governments, NGOs, financing agencies and other stakeholders to design and implement REDD and other forest carbon programs that respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and generate significant social and biodiversity co-benefits. They are being designed to work for the new global REDD+ regime expected to emerge out of ongoing climate change negotiations, that is for government-led programs implemented at national or state/provincial/regional level and for all forms of fund-based or market-based financing.

The standards are being developed through an inclusive process engaging governments, non-governmental organizations and other civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples organizations, international policy and research institutions and the private sector. The standards development is being overseen by a Standards Committee representing a balance of interested parties and facilitated by the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) and CARE International.

A draft version of the REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards is available in English, Spanish and French at REDD+ and comments are invited until 30 November 2009 which is the end of the first 60-day public comment period.