Transcript Slide 1
Tackling climate change through Sustainable Forest Management Global lessons from a small island The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Presentation Outline 1 1. What is sustainable management 1 2. Climate change and forest management 3. Lessons learnt from the UK The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Forest Values "seeing the wood and the trees!" IUCN Photo Library © Jim Thorsell IUCN Photo Library © IUCN / Ger Bergkamp IUCN Photo Library © IUCN / Enrique Lahmann IUCN Photo Library © IUCN / Martijn Ter Heegde IUCN Photo Library © Phaivanh Phiapalath The World Conservation Union IUCN Photo Library © IUCN / Jeffrey McNeely Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Forest history in a nutshell EXTENSIVE FOREST PHASE multiple values, small-scale multiple use FOREST CONVERSION PHASE good land to agriculture; multiple "over-use“, resource depletion; forest value loss FOREST INTENSIFICATION PHASE Singular focus to regain some values, forests simplified (plantations) or put off limits (protected areas); often further loss of values FOREST LANDSCAPE PHASE Sustainable and integrated approach across landscapes; multiple purpose management; start to regain broad range of values The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 A global snapshot: Countries with large net changes in forest area 2000 - 2005 FAO 2005 The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Climate Change & Forest Management Some climate change impacts are unavoidable! The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Climate Change & Forest Management For example, through increased pest attack British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range http://www.for.gov.bc.ca BUT- good management can reduce the consequences The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Climate Change & Forest Management However many climate impacts on forests could be avoided Photo: Florien Siegert Image: Nato ….although climate change will punish poor management! 2002 Forest Fires – Kalimantan; Indonesia The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Climate Change & Forest Management • Well managed forests can also contribute to combating climate change, through: – Sequestering carbon through new forests – Substituting energy derived from fossil fuels – Avoiding emissions from forest loss and degradation The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Good management can reduce forest loss…. FAO 2007 The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 … and thus reduced GHG emissions WRI 2005 The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 1 Global lessons from a small island. • Post-WW1 emphasis on production to create a strategic reserve – from low starting point (5.6%) • Plantation forestry the way forward - single purpose objective –but there were costs! • By mid 1990’s forest area more than doubled in 80 years – 1.5 million hectares of new forests created • FC takes a major shift to multiple objective forestry • 2000 UKWAS – a common UK-wide standard for forest management supported by both government and civil society: a world first! The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 1 Global lessons from a small island. • More than just increased forest cover • A managed multi-purpose resource • From forest blocks to landscapes • Minimising conflict to building partnerships • Public participation • International collaboration (Forest Landscape Restoration) The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007 Conclusions • • • • Bedrock of forests contribution to combating climate change is Sustainable Forest Management The UK has 90 years of relevant lesson learning culminating in a sustainable forest estate Reducing fossil fuel consumption is urgent – but there will be a "lead-in" time to achieve deep cuts Well managed forest resources can make a significant contribution during that transition period • THEREFORE – the opportunity is NOW – not in 30 years time! The World Conservation Union Forests and Climate Change: a convenient truth ? 21st November 2007