People, Forests, and Climate Change

The UN Bali conference on Climate Change in December 2007 achieved global consensus: Climate change is a fact and humans are part of the problem.

The debate now shifts to these key questions:

• How severe will climate change be? How can we lessen the severity (mitigation)?

• What will be the impacts? How should we respond to these impacts (adaptation)?

Why Are Forests Important to Climate Change?

Carbon sink: A permanent expansion of forest area through plantation or reforestation can lock up excess atmospheric greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change.

Carbon source: Some 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by clearance of natural forests for other land uses (deforestation) or unsustainable forest management (degradation). To mitigate climate change effectively we must reduce such practices.

Adaptation: Forests can form part of a climate change adaptation strategy through sustainable productive management for livelihood security and the provision of ecosystem services through forest protection.

Why Is Climate Change Relevant to RECOFTC?

Delivering BENEFITS from forests to local people: Carbon sequestered in sinks or saved from emission can be traded as Certified Emission Reductions (CERs, UN-approved) or Voluntary Emission Reductions (VERs). Potential benefits are substantial. But will they accrue to local people?

Forest carbon sink projects have been disappointing so far, but improved market standards such as those produced by the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA), recognize the value of local participation in securing project targets, and are bringing more private sector investment into forestry VERs.

Agreement to develop a mechanism for trade in Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) was the main headline from Bali. The UN system will deliver benefits at the national level, but how will they reach local communities? Voluntary REDD allows innovation in benefit distribution systems. All biomass in forests covered by REDD schemes will, for the first time, have a monetary value, regardless of its utility value.

Securing local RIGHTS to forest and forest products: REDD revenue increases forest value. Will this threaten local people’s rights to forests, as governments and private investors secure this added value for themselves?

Forest carbon markets, particularly in VERs, recognize the importance of local participation in ensuring that emissions are actually reduced. If traditional rights to forests are acknowledged, local people will be motivated to assist in generating the added value that forest carbon brings to their resource. Will investors therefore demand that local rights are secure, thus stimulating reform at the national level? 

Strengthening forest GOVERNANCE: REDD will require efficient and skilled forest administration systems in order to deliver the information on forest carbon stocks required to prove that REDD targets are being met. Investors will demand transparent audits to prove that this information is reliable.  Efficient benefit distribution systems to motivate all stakeholders in the process will require transparent and representative local governance.

What Is RECOFTC’s Contribution?

Building Community Forestry models for REDD: We are ideally placed to spread the message that participatory approaches are essential for the success of REDD as a climate change mitigation measure. 

We will draw on the experiences of over 20-years of community forestry in Asia in the development of local governance, benefit sharing and skills development packages to strengthen voluntary REDD projects and national REDD strategies.

Directing Private Sector investment to support participatory approaches: The forest carbon market has increased the number of companies interested in the forest sector. They recognize the value of inclusive approaches to guarantee results. For both carbon sink and REDD projects, we have the knowledge they need to reduce the risk of investment by ensuring local support. 

Through design of equitable benefit sharing systems and communication networks we can show investors that their good intentions are reflected in results on the ground.

Strengthening Regional Networks linking countries and people: REDD will increase government and private sector interest in CF approaches, as well as maintaining donor and INGO enthusiasm for participatory forest management. 

RECOFTC can provide a location for swift, reliable access to information throughout the region. Our regional focus is a bridge between global and national advocacy networks, enabling us to bring key actors together for constructive dialogue, through in face-to-face meetings, online social networks, policy discussions, training events and conferences.

For further information please contact:

Ben Vickers, Climate Change Focal Point

Regional Analysis and Representation

Phone: 66-2-940-7500 Ext. 1227

E-mail: ben(at)recoftc.org