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When we wrote our first report on the REDD pilot initiatives, less than two years ago, they were in the initial planning phase. REDD was a relatively new idea in which much hope was invested. To some extent, this is still true. REDD has been developed and expanded to REDD+, including not only deforestation and forest degradation, but also conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks. After COP15 in Copenhagen, the outlook for REDD+ was better than for most issues discussed in the negotiations. At COP16 in Cancún, Mexico REDD+ was one of the topics where agreement was reached and a decision made.

Meanwhile, a number of pilot initiatives continue to advance the preparatory work for REDD+, including technical development of systems for monitoring and verification, capacity building and stakeholder consultations. The REDD+ work is still in a stage of planning and consolidation. Both international organisations and countries hosting REDD+ initiatives are at the same time taking part in a learning process and in a process of informing the REDD+ developments. This report aims to provide an update of what has happened in the REDD+ arena in the last two years and to identify some key issues for the future.