Transcript REDD in Copenhagen Accord - European Capacity Building Initiative

european capacity building initiative
initiative européenne de renforcement des capacités
ecbi
ECBI Pre-COP Workshop for LDC
Africa Negotiators
27 November 2010
REDD in Climate Change negotiation and possible
expected outcomes in Cancun
By: Abdalla Gaafar Mohamed
for sustained capacity building in support of international climate change
negotiations
pour un renforcement durable des capacités en appui aux négociations
internationales sur les changements climatiques
Deforestation
As estimated by the FAO
(2005), deforestation
continues at an alarming rate
of approximately 13 million
hectares per year (for the
period 1990–2005). =
immediate release of the
carbon originally stored in
the trees as CO2 emissions
 The IPCC noted that
reducing or preventing
deforestation is the mitigation
option
REDD
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation in developing countries was first
introduced into the COP agenda at its eleventh
session in Montreal (December 2005).
• Recognition of the contribution of greenhouse
gas emissions from deforestation in developing
countries to climate change ( need to take action
to reduce it).
 Deforestation and degradation account for almost
20% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas
emission
REDD
COP decision on “Reducing emissions from
deforestation in developing countries (Decision
2/CP.13). Providing
mandate for several elements and actions by
Parties to reduce emissions from deforestation
and forest degradation in developing countries
set of indicative guidance for the implementation
and evaluation of demonstration activities
REDD (methodologies)
• As requested by COP the SBSTA initiated a programme of
work In 2008 on methodological issues(policy approaches,
recommendations on possible methodological approaches and
positive incentives that reduce emissions from deforestation
and forest degradation)(COP at its fourteenth session)
• In 2008 and 2009, policy approaches and positive incentives
regarding reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation in developing countries and the role of
conservation and sustainable management of forests in
developing countries were considered under the process of the
Bali Action Plan(REDD-plus)
Monitor Forest cover change
• Methods and tools to estimate and monitor changes
in forest cover and associated carbon stocks and
GHG emissions, incremental changes due to
sustainable management of forest, and reduction of
emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
are essential.
• A combination of remote-sensing and ground-based
assessments could be one of the suitable approach
be used to estimate emission reductions from
deforestation and forest degradation, as well as
carbon stock changes
• New methods and tools are emerging.
REDD for Poor
 Huge amount of money could
flow to developing countries (aid
flow to forestry sector). Funds for
reducing emission from
deforestation and degradation
through the implementation of
various measures and policies
 Reducing conflict over resources
 REDD can aim to avoid increased
threat to the poor
 REDD could deliver benefit
directly to the poor
 Effort should be devoted to ensure
benefit of poor from REDD
REDD in ongoing climate talk
 The main body for REDD-plus negotiation is AWG-LCA but still the
negotiation undertaken by AWG-KP is also relevant to REDDplus(discussed in the sub-group on ‘1(b)(iii)’, as in the Bali Action Plan)
 During Many informal consultation meeting, REDD was discussed within
different groups such as G77+China and the African group to reaching a
common position on the Chair s text (no common position was reached)
Key Points and main issues in REDD+
discussion
Scope and Objectives of REDD +
Safeguards
Protection of natural forest and restoring degraded
natural forest and ensuring rights of indigenous people .
Gender considerations
Emissions global reduction goal for deforestation
Retaining forest carbon
Accountability mechanisms (Measuring, monitoring and
verifying (MRV) systems)
Institutional arrangements (financial mechanisms)
Developing Countries: Issues
The objective of REDD-plus is to provide positive incentives for the
reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and
the stabilization of forest carbon stocks consistently with the
sustainable development goals of each developing country
The scope of REDD-plus must include the following activities:
Reduction of emissions from deforestation
Reduction of emissions from forest degradation
Stabilization of forest cover and thereby forest carbon stocks
Enhancement of forest carbon stocks through afforestation,
reforestation and SMF
Voluntary participation of developing countries
Accommodate the diverse national circumstances of the
developing countries
Consider the national sovereignty and the right to use forests to
support livelihoods and national development
Developing Countries: Issues
The key principles that a REDD+ mechanism must be based on the following:
Consistency with national sustainable development goals
Be subject to accessible, equitable, adequate, predictable and sustainable
financing and technology support including support for capacity-building that is
new and additional to existing development assistance.
REDD-plus mechanism must operate under the COP and be guided by and
fully accountable to it
There should be flexibility in the setting of reference levels to incentivize
countries with high forest cover but low historical rates of deforestation and
forest degradation
Phased Approach for REDD-plus implementation
Un acceptable issues includes:
Setting of any target (for reduction of deforestation rate)that is expressed in
numerical form to be achieved within a stipulated time/period
Any provision that requires countries to account for emissions taking place
outside their national boundaries
Convergence
• Phased approach to REDD-plus - starting with a
readiness phase before implementation
• All parties considered safeguards, including the
involvement of Indigenous Peoples and local
communities with emphasis on Indigenous Peoples rights
Convergence
• Considering REDD as an opportunity for livelihood
improvement
• Consistency with national circumstances
• Incorporation of a gender perspective
• Inclusion of natural forest conservation safeguard
Other issues raised
 Consistency with national legislation and relevant international
agreements
 Inclusion of a clear safeguard against the conversion of native
forests to plantations
 The need of some countries to exploit forests to combat
poverty in their countries (argued against safeguards
concerning the conversion of native forests into plantation).
 Consideration of the high dependency of local people on
forests for their daily livelihood needs
REDD+ funding
• Funding sources for REDD were discussed
where Many developing countries prefer fundbased (not to be linked to the market
mechanism)
• while many of developed and some of
developing countries prefer market based or
combined-based.
REDD+ Copenhagen
 Understanding the social, economical, institutional and political conditions
that drive deforestation and forests degradation and land use change at
local, national and international levels
 Framework for actions to be developed to ensure effective means of
implementation and finance through phase approach that, should be
flexible and useful for building confidence and provide an opportunity for
actions
 Identification of effective measures to reduce deforestation and forest
degradation (policies and actions)
 Identification of alternative sources of financing where funding
approaches to REDD to be designed in such a way as to safeguard the
interests of the poor
REDD in Copenhagen Accord
REDD was mentioned in the Copenhagen Accord in para 6 and 8 as follows:
Para (6) We recognize the crucial role of reducing emission from
deforestation and forest degradation and the need to enhance removals of
greenhouse gas emission by forests and agree on the need to provide positive
incentives to such actions through the immediate establishment of a
mechanism including REDD-plus, to enable the mobilization of financial
resources from developed countries
Para (8). Scaled up, new and additional, predictable and adequate funding
as well as improved access shall be provided to developing countries, in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, to enable and
support enhanced action on mitigation, including substantial finance to reduce
emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD-plus), adaptation,
technology development and transfer and capacity-building, for enhanced
implementation of the Convention.
Despite the REDD-plus negotiations have progressed very
well in Copenhagen but still no decisions and legally binding
agreement was achieved . Obviously it seems that discussion
on REDD-plus issues is still need to be continued in Mexico
and after
African forests (target for REDD)
• 635 million hectares (16 per cent of the world's forests)
• According to FAO, Africa lost some 23 million hectares of forest during 1980s
and another 20 million ha in the 1990s.
• It is important in climate change because of their potential as a sink for carbon
dioxide.
• High rates of deforestation and forest degradation
• Unsustainable utilization and management
• In many countries mostly protective
• Have vital and prominent roles in Integrated agro-silvo-pastoral production
systems (crop and animal production)
• Exist in remote, marginalized regions where services are usually not available
• In other countries Forests support sectors in many African economies,
including support the majority of rural communities which are mainly poor
The problem: High Dependency on forests
National energy consumption (it goes up to
80%)
Feed for national herds (30 ->50% during
drought period)
Employment opportunities in rural areas
Requirements of woody and non woody
products
Food security and environmental services
The Solution : REDD !!
 Policies and Legislation (enabling environment)
Energy Problem
 Energy alternatives
Energy saving
Sustainable management ( woody and NWFPs, people
participation, efficient utilization: housing , furniture…)
Afforestation and reforestation
Controlling Agricultural Expansion
Over grazing ( Improving natural range….)
Alternative livelihood support
 Qualified staff , Capable Institution and sustainable
accessible funding
REDD in Cancun
The basis for the AWG-LCA’s negotiations
 Negotiating text prepared for AWG-LCA 12 in Tianjin
(FCCC/AWGLCA/2010/14)
In-session draft texts and notes by the facilitators (informal texts criticized by
many parties in Tianjin that not fully reflect the views of Parties)
The AWG-LCA negotiating text (FCCC/AWGLCA/2010/14) In the negotiating
text REDD-plus is addressed briefly in Chapter I. C, section 3, paragraphs 52-53
(options 1 and 2). Chapter VI is the main chapter on REDD-plus (paragraphs 1-14
in Options 1 and 2).
Option 1 contains several proposed changes by Bolivia and Saudi Arabia to the
‘text to facilitate negotiations among Parties’ prepared by the Chair for AWG 11 in
August
 Option 2 contains the ‘Text to facilitate negotiations among Parties’, prepared
by the Chair for AWG-LCA 11 in August
Optimism for Cancun
There is bad need for decisions on REDD to encourage developing countries to
take actions to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation
Statement of the AWG-LCA Chair who identified adaptation, REDD-plus,
agriculture and technology as issues that could formulate a base for decisions at COP
16
EU Environment Ministers agreed negotiating strategy for the Cancun
decisions to be adopted in Cancun:
•adaptation; mitigation; technology; capacity building, REDD+, (MRV); finance
and market-based mechanisms
•Ministers commitment to make considerable progress for REDD + guidelines, rules
and actions
•secure safeguards, the rights of indigenous peoples
Optimism for Cancun
Based on Copenhagen negotiation on REDD, some parameters for REDD
decision is expected on how to address emissions from REDD+ including
the following aspects
Scope and objectives
Safeguards on biodiversity
Social benefits
Rights of indigenous peoples and local communities
Conservation of natural forests
Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
Finance
Challenging issues such as New adequate , equitable and accessible
financing mechanism is expected not to be resolved
Expectations are more higher for South Africa to reach legally binding
agreement on REDD+ and other issues