This side event explored the way to enhance multiple environmental and social benefits of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD-plus) through ecological landscapes approaches. The event started by opening speech from Deputy Director General, Koji Hongo, and then we had presentations by Dr. Christopher Martius at Center for International Forestry Research on integrated landscape approaches that address ecosystem services for mitigation and adaptation, and Dr. Tamotsu Sato at Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute on discussion on the effects of land-sparing to mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Further, Mr. Hiroshi Nakata at Japan International Cooperation Agency, Mr. Shinsuke Yazaki at Kanematsu Cooperation, and Ms. Rina Susanti at Keio University and North Kalimantan province government made presentations on the REDD-plus and ecosystem-based approaches in the cases of Cambodia and Indonesia. In the panel discussion, speakers actively discussed on the challenges of coordination among stakeholders involved in REDD-plus and ecosystem-based approaches, participation of local people to patrol for illegal-logging, impacts of expansion of plantation on forests, and participation of local people in REDD-plus.

REDD-plus implementation can be an instrument for promoting improved ecosystem functions for stakeholders' benefits. This side event focused on the effects of ecological approaches to discuss on how to implement REDD-plus and planning land use in a better way by in consideration of local complex ecosystem dynamics.
During the panel discussion, speakers discussed on key question "What makes it possible for REDD-plus implementation to contribute to sustainable rural development in an ecological sound manner?" regarding the importance of scientific knowledge accumulation and local people participation.