Abstract International law development theories fail to determine the legal nature and effect of decisions made by treaty bodies. An example that demonstrates this is the ongoing evolution of a mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). REDD+ was incorporated into the UNFCCC negotiating agenda on further implementation by the Bali Action Plan in 2007. Although using classical interpretation of the making of international law there is no REDD+ legal agreement, REDD+ has permeated many areas of law in a number of ways, from the international to the local level. This article examines the cumulative effect that REDD+ is having on related forest law and policy making, as well as indigenous peoples and human rights. It concludes with consideration of the potential linking role that REDD+ safeguards could have, and the problems with this approach.