During the 17th meeting of the COP in Durban, South Africa, Parties to the UNFCCC decided (as per Decision 12/CP.17) that countries participating in REDD Plus should establish a Safeguards Information System (SIS) to demonstrate how the seven Cancun Safeguards are addressed and respected throughout the implementation of REDD Plus in participating countries. The SIS should:
- Be consistent with the guidance identified in Decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, paragraph 1.
- Provide transparent and consistent information that is accessible by all relevant stakeholders and updated on a regular basis.
- Be transparent and flexible to allow for improvements over time.
- Provide information on how all the safeguards referred to in appendix I to Decision 1/CP.16 are being addressed and respected.
- Be country-driven and implemented at the national level.
- Build upon existing systems, as appropriate.
The COP also decided that Parties are to periodically submit a summary of information (SOI) to the UNFCCC, which should form part of a country’s National Communications.