This report summarizes the REDD+ experience over the past decade. It draws on research conducted under the Global Comparative Study on REDD+ by the Center for International Forestry Research to take stock of lessons learned from REDD+ implementation to inform future forest-based climate change mitigation activities.

REDD+—which stands for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries—debuted on the global stage more than a decade ago.

This working paper builds on a study of REDD+ policies in 13 countries to provide a global overview and up‑to‑date profile of benefit‑sharing mechanisms for REDD+ and of the political‑economic factors affecting their design and setting.

The report provides an analysis of actual REDD+ design and early implementation, based on a large research project – the Global Comparative Study on REDD+ (GCS), undertaken by CIFOR and partners.

Adaptation is necessary for reducing the impacts of climate change on forests and societies. So far, forests, forest