Interactive online course on REDD

[Sanchayan Nath]

A new interactive web-based course has been launched that provides an introduction to climate change and REDD. The course is free and open to the public at: www.conservationtraining.org.

The course is designed for non-specialists who seek a general understanding of REDD and can be started and stopped as needed by the user. If you are looking to learn about the basics of climate change and REDD issues – take a look at what it includes:

Module 1: Background on Climate Change. This introductory module will walk you through the basics of climate change so that you have a solid understanding of what climate change is, what causes it, what the impacts are predicted to be, and how to mitigate its effects. With that foundation, you will learn about the role of forests in climate change and delve into the drivers of deforestation. Finally, the module wraps up with a discussion on strategies to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. Length: 4 lessons – 2.5 hours

Module 2: International Considerations. The module begins by providing you with a general framework of REDD, including essential elements like carbon accounting, monitoring, financial flows, and policy. Lessons on technical elements, policy context, carbon markets, social considerations, and biodiversity considerations will give you a solid understanding of what REDD is. Length: 6 lessons

Module 3: National Considerations. This module begins with an overview of the various scales (project, sub-national, and national) at which REDD activities can be undertaken. The second lesson then provides an overview of national approaches to REDD.
Length: 2 lessons

Module 4: Project Considerations. In this concluding module, you will learn about REDD project considerations. This module will provide information on standards that have been created for avoided deforestation projects, as well as the steps of REDD project design and implementation. The module ends with a case study for you to read and review, as you reflect on what you have learned throughout the course.
Length: 2 lessons and 1 case study

This course was prepared by a consortium of non-profits that includes The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance, GTZ, the Rainforest Alliance and the World Wildlife Fund. In addition to the online course, the consortium has published detailed manuals for the instructors and participants of in-person training events on REDD. These documents are available in English, French and Spanish at www.conserveonline.org/workspaces/trainingmaterials