A future REDD+ framework with a landscape approach that combines forests, agriculture and land use might be possible by 2015 according to negotiators at this year’s UN climate talks.

Reuters Alert Net reports how the ‘Durban Platform’ – which was discussed during the UN climate talks in Doha, Qatar - aims to encourage both developed and developing countries to set and commit to greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2015 and these targets must be met by 2020. It is now likely that a landscape approach to achieving food security while protecting natural resources will be incorporated into the 2020 emissions reduction agreement.

While there is growing support for a landscape approach, it is estimated it will take 3 to 5 years for political leaders to be sufficiently educated and convinced of the value of incorporating REDD+ into the UNFCC’s agenda.

Many believe a landscape approach could overcome some of the challenges currently before REDD+, including the difficulties associated with accurate measurements, monitoring, unclear forest definitions, leakage and ensuring rights and equity for local communities.

Research by the World Agroforestry Centre hosted ASB Partnership for the Tropical Forests Margins is already examining the way that climate mitigation schemes such as REDD+ could be more effective as part of the broader architecture addressing all land uses in developing countries.

Read the full story: Climate Conversations - Doha: Future climate agreement may merge agriculture, land use change and forestry