The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regime has been developing a voluntary climate change mitigation mechanism that is called ‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries; and the Role of Conservation/Conservation of Forest Carbon Stocks, Sustainable Management of Forests, and Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks in Developing Countries’ (REDD-plus). One of the most important aspects of the implementation of REDD-plus activities is that the activities should not violate the rights of indigenous peoples that live within and near the forest areas. This research has identified at least three main approaches that can be used by indigenous peoples to protect their rights in the context of REDD-plus. The first approach is the UNFCCC approach that uses the UNFCCC regime to protect indigenous peoples in the context of REDD-plus. The second approach is the human rights approach; it uses human rights treaties and their bodies, the regional commissions and courts on human rights, as well as the UN bodies and special rapporteur that are pertinent to indigenous peoples’ issues to protect indigenous peoples in the context of REDD-plus. The third approach is the financial approach that uses the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD Programme) and the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) to protect indigenous peoples in the context of REDD-plus. In order to increase the protection of indigenous peoples in REDD-plus, a coherent approach needs to be created and enhanced through cooperation and coordination by the parties that are directly or indirectly involved with the three respective approaches listed above. It should be noted that the available protection for indigenous peoples in the context of REDD-plus are currently insufficient to quickly address cases where the rights of indigenous peoples have been violated in REDD-plus activities. In order to address this insufficiency, as well as to achieve a coherent approach to protecting indigenous peoples in the context of REDD-plus, the research recommends the establishment of a REDD-Plus Committee supported by a REDD-Plus Panel to develop and increase the protection of indigenous peoples in REDD-plus, should REDD-plus is placed outside the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). On the other hand, if REDD-plus is placed under the CDM then the research recommends the establishment of a Committee on REDD-Plus under the CDM and a Panel on the CDM. The existence of the pertinent committee and panel can be expected to bring benefits in the context of REDD-plus as well as in wider contexts, such as climate change, human rights, and international law through its contribution to reduce the risks of the negative effects of the fragmentation of international law.

Ce travail s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un programme de recherches appuyé par le Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada. / Les forêts de Bornéo sont inestimables. En plus d’une faune et d’une flore riche et diversifiée, ses milieux naturels constituent d’efficaces réservoirs de carbone. En outre, la matière ligneuse qui y est abondante fait l’objet d’une exploitation intensive. Par contre, c’est le potentiel agricole de l’île qui crée le plus d’enthousiasme, principalement en ce qui concerne la culture du palmier à huile. Pour tenter de mieux comprendre et surveiller le phénomène, nous avons développé des méthodes de détection de la déforestation et de la dégradation des forêts. Ces méthodes doivent tenir compte des caractéristiques propres à l’île. C’est que Bornéo est abondamment affectée par une nébulosité constante qui complexifie considérablement son observation à partir des satellites. Malgré ces contraintes, nous avons produit une série chronologique annuelle des points chauds de déforestation et de dégradation des forêts pour les années 2000 à 2009. / Borneo’s forests are priceless. Beyond the richness and diversity of its fauna and flora, its natural habitats constitute efficient carbon reservoirs. Unfortunately, the vast forests of the island are rapidly being cut down, both by the forestry industry and the rapidly expanding oil palm industry. In this context, we’ve developed methods to detect deforestation and forest degradation in order to better understand and monitor the phenomena. In doing so, the peculiarities of Borneo, such as the persistent cloud cover, had to be accounted for. Nevertheless, we succeeded in producing a time series of the yearly forest degradation and deforestations hotspots for the year 2000 through the year 2009.

Les forêts de Bornéo sont inestimables. En plus d’une faune et d’une flore riche et diversifiée, ses milieux naturels constituent d’efficaces réservoirs de carbone. En outre, la matière ligneuse qui y est abondante fait l’objet d’une exploitation intensive. Par contre, c’est le potentiel agricole de l’île qui crée le plus d’enthousiasme, principalement en ce qui concerne la culture du palmier à huile. Pour tenter de mieux comprendre et surveiller le phénomène, nous avons développé des méthodes de détection de la déforestation et de la dégradation des forêts. Ces méthodes doivent tenir compte des caractéristiques propres à l’île. C’est que Bornéo est abondamment affectée par une nébulosité constante qui complexifie considérablement son observation à partir des satellites. Malgré ces contraintes, nous avons produit une série chronologique annuelle des points chauds de déforestation et de dégradation des forêts pour les années 2000 à 2009. / Borneo’s forests are priceless. Beyond the richness and diversity of its fauna and flora, its natural habitats constitute efficient carbon reservoirs. Unfortunately, the vast forests of the island are rapidly being cut down, both by the forestry industry and the rapidly expanding oil palm industry. In this context, we’ve developed methods to detect deforestation and forest degradation in order to better understand and monitor the phenomena. In doing so, the peculiarities of Borneo, such as the persistent cloud cover, had to be accounted for. Nevertheless, we succeeded in producing a time series of the yearly forest degradation and deforestations hotspots for the year 2000 through the year 2009. / Ce travail s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un programme de recherches appuyé par le Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada.