UN-REDD Programme

What UN-REDD Programme does

UN-REDD Programme is a United Nations knowledge and advisory partnership established in 2008 and jointly coordinated by FAO, UNDP, and UNEP. It supports 65 partner countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean in implementing REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) through technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge products. The programme is governed by an Executive Board with representation from donor governments (Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom), partner country constituencies (Ghana, Viet Nam, Chile), Indigenous Peoples networks, civil society organizations, and the three participating UN agencies. Its Secretariat is hosted by FAO in Rome.

The programme's core technology stack is centered on Open Foris, an open-source forest monitoring software platform serving approximately 40,000 active users across 38 countries with national forest monitoring systems and 31 countries with national forest inventories. Adjacent platforms include National REDD+ Registries (carbon credit tracking aligned with Gold Standard, VCS, and ART-TREES methodologies) and Safeguards Information Systems that document compliance with UNFCCC Cancun safeguards. Capacity development is delivered through the REDD+ Academy, which combines Learning Journals, regional Learning Labs, and Communities of Practice. FAO's Solutions-tree toolkit provides an analytical framework for identifying systemic interventions to halt deforestation.

UN-REDD operates as a free, grant-funded multilateral initiative rather than a commercial enterprise. All technical assistance, knowledge products, and capacity-building services are provided at no cost to partner countries, while the programme itself is financed through a multi-donor trust fund receiving contributions from the European Commission and the governments of Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Cumulative funding mobilized since inception exceeds US$1 billion, including US$350 million specifically for REDD+ results-based payments. Since 2008, partner countries have submitted forest emissions reductions equivalent to 700 million tCO2 to UNFCCC.

Name

UN-REDD Programme

Legal name

UN-REDD Programme

Website

https://un-redd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UN-REDD Programme is a UN knowledge and advisory partnership coordinated by FAO, UNDP, and UNEP that provides free technical assistance, forest-monitoring software, and capacity building to 65 developing countries to implement REDD+ and protect tropical forests, funded through a multi-donor trust fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation / Climate Advisory Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA), Carbon Accounting, Verification & Registry Services (MRV, Audits, Certification) (IMAMAJAE), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI), Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Forest Ecosystem Services & Carbon/Conservation Programs (AFAMAAAJ), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Forest conservation
• REDD+ implementation
• Forest monitoring
• Climate advisory services
• Carbon emissions reduction

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Trust Fund Donations: UN-REDD Programme is funded through a multi-donor trust fund with contributions from governments including the European Commission, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. The programme has mobilized over US$1 billion since inception, including US$350 million for REDD+ results-based payments.
2. Results-Based Payments: The programme channels results-based payments to developing countries that meet UNFCCC REDD+ requirements for verified emissions reductions. Countries receive payments upon completing reporting, assessment and analysis processes under UNFCCC.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The UN-REDD Programme delivers free technical assistance, capacity development, and knowledge advisory services to 65 partner countries to support REDD+ implementation, reduce forest emissions, and enhance forest carbon stocks under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement. Its offering combines advisory support (national REDD+ strategies, policy coherence), software tools (Open Foris, National REDD+ Registries, Safeguards Information Systems), capacity building (REDD+ Academy), and a knowledge repository of 14,000+ documents, all funded through a UN multi-donor trust fund and delivered jointly by FAO, UNDP, and UNEP.

Product overview

The UN-REDD Programme is the flagship UN knowledge and advisory partnership on forests and climate, providing technical assistance to 65 partner countries to reduce forest emissions and enhance forest carbon stocks. The offering is structured as a platform of interconnected tools and services: core technologies include Open Foris (forest monitoring software with 40,000 active users), the National REDD+ Registry, and the Safeguards Information System (SIS); capacity development is delivered through the REDD+ Academy comprising Learning Journals, Learning Labs, and Communities of Practice; knowledge products include the Document Library with 14,000+ resources; and analytical tools include FAO's Solutions-tree toolkit. The programme supports forest solutions through REDD+ implementation, National Forest Monitoring Systems, MRV systems, and results-based finance mechanisms under the Paris Agreement Articles 4, 5, and 6.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REDD+ Academy: The UN-REDD Programme's capacity development initiative providing systematic capacity development to deliver REDD+ on the ground through Learning Journals, Learning Labs, and Communities of Practice.

Products and services

• Open Foris Forest-monitoring software platform used by 40,000 active users across UN-REDD partner countries for tracking forest cover, emissions, and conservation outcomes, supporting Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) under UNFCCC.
• REDD+ Academy UN-REDD Programme's capacity development initiative structured around three pillars (Learning Journals, Learning Labs, and Communities of Practice), providing systematic e-learning courses, assessments, and toolkits for REDD+ practitioners worldwide.
• Document Library Central knowledge repository containing 14,718 documents including technical reports, annual reports, fact sheets, learning journals, country documents, and executive board materials in multiple languages.
• FAO Solutions-tree Online analytical toolkit that helps governments, businesses, and communities identify practical, systemic, and context-specific solutions to the complex root causes of forest loss through sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
• National REDD+ Registry Database system administered by partner countries to track and transfer information on carbon credits, distinguishing accounting registries from transaction registries that manage issuance, modification, and withdrawal of credits. Aligned with Gold Standard, VCS, ART-TREES, and Article 6 requirements.
• Safeguards Information System (SIS) System that holds information demonstrating that the Cancun safeguards are addressed and respected throughout REDD+ design and implementation, integrated with national strategies and action plans and supported by legal frameworks and institutional arrangements.
• Bangladesh Forest Information System (BFIS) Country-specific forest information system connecting people and resources for climate decision-making support in Bangladesh.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700 million tCO2 of forest emissions reductions submitted to UNFCCC
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008FAO is one of the three founding UN agencies of the UN-REDD Programme, alongside UNDP and UNEP. FAO provides technical expertise in forestry, agriculture, and land use, and hosts the UN-REDD Secretariat in Rome. The partnership leverages FAO's extensive country office network and forestry expertise for REDD+ implementation.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008UNDP is one of the three founding UN agencies of the UN-REDD Programme. UNDP contributes expertise in governance, capacity development, and sustainable development, supporting countries in integrating REDD+ into national development strategies.
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008UNEP is one of the three founding UN agencies of the UN-REDD Programme. UNEP provides expertise in environmental safeguards, climate policy, and ecosystem services, and coordinates the Safeguards and Integrity Working Groups regionally.
• Lowering Emissions in Asia's Forest (LEAF) ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEAF is a major partnership initiative that works to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation across Asia, complementing UN-REDD's global efforts.
• UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNFCCC is the UN convention that developed the REDD+ mechanism. UN-REDD Programme supports countries in meeting their UNFCCC REDD+ requirements, including Warsaw Framework compliance and Paris Agreement implementation.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUCN contributes expertise in conservation, biodiversity, and natural resource management to support UN-REDD's environmental integrity and safeguards work.
• Forest Investment Program (FIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIP supports developing countries' REDD+ efforts by providing scaled-up financing for forest investments, complementary to UN-REDD's technical assistance programme.
• Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries collaborated with FAO and UN-REDD Programme to develop the certified e-learning course on agrifood systems solutions for halting deforestation.
• DRC National REDD+ Coordination (CN-REDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCN-REDD is the national coordinating body for REDD+ in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UN-REDD supports DRC in developing and operationalizing its National REDD+ Registry and Safeguards Information System.
• CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFORIG partners with FAO/UN-REDD on the Forest Policy Coherence and Public Expenditure Analysis (FoRCE) initiative, working with Thünen Institute (Germany) and Makerere University.
• Thünen Institute (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman research institute collaborating with FAO/UN-REDD and FORIG on the FoRCE initiative to develop policy coherence analytical frameworks for forest public expenditure.
• Makerere UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUganda's leading university partners with FAO/UN-REDD on the FoRCE initiative to analyze policy coherence and public expenditure for forest conservation.
• TRACEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRACE collaborated with FAO/UN-REDD on Nigeria's Deforestation-Free Finance Workshop under the FOLUR Integrated Program to advance sustainable agricultural investment.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency GIZ partnered with FAO/UN-REDD on Nigeria's deforestation-free finance workshop, bringing expertise in sustainable finance and governance.
• Propcom+majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPropcom+ collaborated with FAO/UN-REDD on Nigeria's FOLUR project to promote sustainable agricultural practices and deforestation-free finance mechanisms.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Green Climate Fund (GCF): GCF is the principal multilateral climate finance vehicle and has approved large REDD+ results-based payments (e.g., $82M for Argentina supported by UN-REDD). It is both a financial partner and a competing channel for climate finance that countries can access for forest programs.
• World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF): The World Bank's FCPF is the largest dedicated REDD+ results-based payments facility, working with the same developing countries as UN-REDD on capacity building, MRV, and carbon credit payments. It directly competes with UN-REDD for donor funds and country-level engagement on REDD+ implementation.
• LEAF Coalition (Lowering Emissions in Asia's Forests): A public-private coalition (Norway, UK, US, Gates Foundation, Amazon, Bayer, etc.) that procures high-integrity forest carbon credits at scale. UN-REDD lists LEAF as a major flagship partnership, reflecting direct overlap in jurisdictions and methodology alignment.

Broad incumbents

• Gold Standard: Gold Standard is a major carbon credit certification body whose methodologies are aligned with UN-REDD's National REDD+ Registries. It serves overlapping country and project developer clients and competes for share of high-integrity forest credit issuance.
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme): UNEP is the third co-convening UN agency of UN-REDD, contributing safeguards expertise and coordinating regional Safeguards and Integrity Working Groups. UNEP's broader ecosystem and climate portfolio overlaps with UN-REDD's environmental integrity work.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme): UNDP is a co-convener of UN-REDD and operates its own extensive portfolio of climate, governance, and biodiversity programs that intersect with REDD+. It shares country offices and capacity-building infrastructure with UN-REDD.
• Verra (Verified Carbon Standard): Verra administers the VCS Program and is the dominant global carbon credit standard, including REDD+ methodologies. UN-REDD's National REDD+ Registries are aligned with VCS methodologies, positioning Verra as both a complementary infrastructure partner and a competing channel for forest credit issuance.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): FAO is one of the three UN-REDD convening agencies and hosts the UN-REDD Secretariat in Rome. FAO's broader forestry, agriculture, and land-use programs (including the Solutions-tree toolkit) overlap substantially with UN-REDD's work areas.

Emerging players

• ART (Architecture for REDD+ Transactions) / TREES: ART-TREES is a major REDD+ credit standard launched by a coalition of tropical forest countries. UN-REDD's National REDD+ Registries explicitly respond to ART-TREES requirements, positioning ART as both a peer and a key spec-setter for the infrastructure UN-REDD builds.
• World Resources Institute (WRI) / Global Forest Watch: WRI's Global Forest Watch provides near-real-time forest monitoring data and is a leading platform for forest transparency. It partially overlaps with UN-REDD's Open Foris and National Forest Monitoring systems in providing decision-support data to countries and the public.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unredd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UN-REDD Programme