Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

The FCMC task on greenhouse gas measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) has the goals of: 1) creating a greater shared understanding and technical capacity at the international level, and among USAID staff and partners, to design and implement sustainable MRV systems for forest and land use greenhouse gas emissions; and 2) contributing to countries' forest and land use inventory and their measurement, reporting and verification systems.

Many developing countries with dynamic forest frontiers do not have the capacity to participate effectively in international REDD+ markets. A functional REDD+ mechanism requires national institutions capable of managing MRV systems. These are expected to be based on a range of activities that include forest inventories, soil surveys, satellite monitoring of forest and land-cover changes. It also requires much institutional coordination as well as a capacity to synthesize information into a reliable and transparent reporting system. An effective MRV system must engage local and national governments, which themselves may draw on the expertise of various non-governmental organizations. An MRV system must also be transparent to warrant the confidence of stakeholder groups and international investors that underpin a "pay-for-performance" system. The FCMC will focus its efforts on building capacity in various MRV protocols linked to REDD+. Activities can include capacity assessments, advising on aspects of MRV systems, including on institutional arrangements, and technical capacity building. The FCMC MRV team can provide missions with specific MRV and greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory expertise, as well as assist in the design and development of national systems and the integration of forest carbon MRV into national greenhouse gas inventories. The FCMC MRV is also coordinating closely with the USG SilvaCarbon inter-agency program, which will explore thoroughly specific technical issues within MRV.