Forest and climate change: towards best practices for adaptation and mitigation Arend Jan van Bodegom, Herman Savenije, Marieke Wit, René Boot and Peter Saile

ETFRN news 50 Aim: to contribute to a better understanding of the role of forests and their management in climate mitigation and adaptation. Open call for papers, not a complete picture Some promising approaches and measures and the enabling conditions needed. From local to global, from policy to practice

Themes  International policy  Country-level REDD experiences  Forest management practices  Climate adaptation strategies  Landscape restoration in practice  Forest carbon business approaches  Conclusions

International policy (1) Whatever the outcome of Copenhagen, better protection and sustainable use of forest resources will remain one of the main environmental and social challenges of the coming century. It would be shortsighted not to consider biodiversity and livelihood needs. Not only monitoring on carbon, but also on social and environmental principles. Clear trade-offs between retaining biodiversity and maximizing carbon and timber yields. However, most managed forest fall far below the efficiency frontier.

International policy (2) International definition of ‘forest’ could become a bottle neck RED – REDD - REDD+ - REDD++ tendency: a larger share of total land use change Logical end point: reducing emissions from any land use: Trees outside forest Agroforestry systems Community-based forest management One billion hectares of agricultural land (20%) have at least 10% tree cover.

Country-level REDD and readiness experiences Problems in the first phase: defining the baseline for deforestation (time consuming, no accurate date available, high transaction costs to collect info) Local indigenous community involvement: awareness and consultation sessions. If opportunity costs of alternative land uses ris in the future, communities’ commitment to REDD could cause them to forego profit Power differences between communities and those who want to buy the carbon stock

Country-level REDD and readiness experiences (2) Mexico: existing forestry programs have the potential to reduce forest degradation and enhance carbon stocks inside and outside the forest. Governments must ensure that these programs continue to benefit local people when integrating into a REDD strategy. Opportunity costs are an important factor. If alternative land use is very profitable, then it is difficult that carbon money becomes competitive (Guyana US$ 580 million per year)

Country-level REDD and readiness experiences (3) Many promising REDD projects have depended on the voluntary market – maybe a risk for sustainability An international REDD scheme could overcome this problem, but small-scale projects will probably continue to depend on the voluntary market (high transaction costs of certification under REDD)

Forest Management practices (1) Will sustainable forest management change (SFM)? New actors and opportunities to forestry Much of the practices of SFM also useful for climate adaptation and mitigation Mitigation/adaptation objectives must be made more explicit inn forest management, within realistic parameters Key motivating factor for protecting the forest is often a direct benefit, rather than forest conservation itself (e.g. hydro-power plant)

Forest Management practices (2) Community participation – supported by the forest department - is a vital part of forest management Indigenous communities are not just victims of global warming, they and their knowledge can be part of the climate adaptation strategy. A plea for an accounting system from stands to finished products: sustainable wood production for social housing projects.

Climate adaptation strategies (1) Some elements of an adaptation strategy: Multi-stakeholder needs assessment in Congo basin: Bio-energy (incl. fuel-wood), NTFPs for food and medicines and Water Development of vulnerability maps Existing forestry programs may contain many elements of an adaptation strategy. Identification of weaknesses, e.g.: Lack of clear ownership agreement Accountability and consultation Meeting livelihood needs in the medium term

Climate adaptation strategies (2) Gap in relations!! Adaptation strategies do not use forest resources. In forestry strategies adaptation is hardly mentioned.

Landscape restoration in practice (1) Many small-scale landscape restoration initiatives (5 cases in the book), most from the voluntary market. Carbon sequestration not the only criterion. Other important issues: Multi-purpose trees Diminishing of impact of frost and drought on coffee and citrus crops (in Brazil) Protection of soil and biodiversity Living conditions of local people Water security and fuel-wood access

Landscape restoration in practice (2) Problem: costs of certification, also for the voluntary market Option: refrain from certification and rely on ‘trust’. Anthropological insights can be helpful for forest restoration (land heritage system in Mata Atlantica, Brazil)

Forest carbon business approaches (1) Forestry carbon project should be based on effective communication between science, civil society, government and the business community. Inter-generational equity: production of services and goods in the future is as valuable as production now. Lower discounting rates for carbon forestry?

Forest carbon business approaches (2) Lessons from CDM: after 12 years more than 1700 projects, only 6 A/R! Reasons: High transaction costs Lack of demand for A/R credits Poor reputation of tree-planting projects In voluntary market solutions have been found.

Forest carbon business approaches (3) Improvements: Credible institutional structures and good governance Capacity building for design and implementation of marketable forest carbon projects Multi-use approach in design Connect forest carbon developers with people working on SFM

Some reflections: Adaptation and mitigation Adaptation and mitigation are two sides of the same coin. Adaptation and mitigation objectives should be included more explicitly in regular forest management plans We need a multiple use forest management approach Recognize trade-offs

Some reflections: implementation on the ground Analyze experiences and lessons learned from current initiatives and share them (low cost) Not all countries will be able to comply with REDD rules. The voluntary market will remain important There is a clear need for harmonization and coherence in the certification market (SFM and carbon, fair trade etc.) If certification is too expensive, then ‘trust’ might be an option, or local certifiers.

Some reflections: good governance Capacity building on technical and monitoring issues, but also on governance and institutional structures Not addressing ‘people’ and ‘planet’ considerations is increasingly seen – by both the public and private sector – as a business risk. REDD is an opportunity and a risk for local communities. Make risks transparent and promote open and equitable participation by communities in design and decision-making

Some reflections: good governance Clarify the role of forests in National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs) If costs of operating and managing the institutional system are taken into account, forest carbon prices would become much higher and more realistic.

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