India must ensure that rigorous monitoring and reporting procedures are incorporated in any Copenhagen deal on REDD-Plus issues. THE Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) has concluded that the forest sector is critical for addressing climate change and that reducing emissions from tropical deforestation is the dominant, immediate and low-cost mitigation option. According to estimates made by the panel, the forest sector contributes about six billion tonnes, or 20 per cent, of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, more than that from the transport or industry sectors. Recognising this, the United Nations Framework for Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to the Bali Action Plan aimed at Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). During the pre-Bali negotiations, the focus was largely on REDD activities, which would enable countries with high forest cover and high deforestation to benefit most. However, countries such as India and China with low or no deforestation rates insisted on the inclusion of conservation and sustainable management of forests leading to an enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The Bali Action Plan included