International policies to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) envisage the creation of financial incentive mechanisms that reward forest protection efforts and adequately compensate those actors that face new costs. In order for REDD+ to achieve these objectives, effective benefit sharing systems will need to be implemented.

While most countries acknowledge the importance of benefit sharing, they are only just beginning the process of defining how the sharing of benefits in REDD+ may work. There are numerous approaches which differ depending on the actors involved, the benefits being shared and how systems are governed.

Drawing on experience from emerging REDD+ approaches and from existing benefit sharing schemes in development policy, this policy note outlines the different components of benefit sharing systems and considers their implications for poor people.