tropical forests

March 11, 2010Tropical Forests: Post-Copenhagen

Policy & Perspective

2009-2010 Greener Campus Series

Speakers• Moderator: Erica Anderson– National

Wildlife Federation Program Associate

• Gustavo A. Silva-Chávez - Environmental Defense Fund, Climate and Forests Specialist

• Kyle Gracey – SustainUS, Chair

• Alex Page - Attorney at Law

• Barbara Bramble – National Wildlife Federation, Sr. Program Advisor, International Affairs

Policy Overview on REDD

Gus Silva-ChavezClimate and Forests Specialist

International Climate & Air Program

Overview

• Importance of deforestation to climate policy

• Importance of developing country participation in climate policy

• Two main arenas for REDD policy– U.S. Legislation– United Nations process

(REDD: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation)

Why does REDD matter?• Deforestation in developing countries

accounts for ~15% of annual GHG emissions

• Largest source of emissions in the developing world-more than all the cars and trucks in the world!

• We simply cannot stay below 2 degrees without reductions in all sectors

• Developing country participation is key for US action—and vice versa

• But….deforestation was left out the Kyoto Protocol!

Copenhagen

• What was supposed to happen?• LCA track (long-term cooperative action)

• KP (Kyoto Protocol)

• What Happened?– Copenhagen Accord– REDD draft decision

REDD under UNFCCC(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change) The latest version of the UNFCCC

negotiations document Contains a lot of really good stuff and it is the one issue that made the most progress Still has “brackets” meaning not fully agreed

What’s in the Copenhagen Accord? Specific reference to importance of REDD Call for getting started now

What have countries committed to do?Actions – Brazil, Indonesia Funding – U.S. and other donors “quick start”

funding

REDD under UNFCCC in 2010

• Outstanding Issues– Objective– Reference levels– Scale of REDD– Scope– Financing– Social safeguards

A Youth Perspective on International Forest

ProtectionKyle Gracey, Chair

SustainUS

[email protected]

International Youth Forest Policy Advocacy

• International Youth Climate Movement– More than 1,500 youth from over 100

countries in Copenhagen– www.youthclimate.org– Youth Forest Policy

Working Group• Over 2 years of

policy and activism at United Nations climate negotiations

• 127 youth members

What We Want For Forests• Policies that protect forests, forest life, and the

people who depend on forests– Forests are more than trees and carbon

• Industrialized countries (Annex I): Account for all forest and land use changes and their greenhouse gas pollution impact

• Plantations are not forests– Define intact,

natural forests

What We Want For Forests• Protect, and account for emissions from

other major sources like wetlands

• Not a substitute for reducing pollution in Annex I countries

• Ensure rights and project decision-making for indigenous and forest- dwelling communities

• Value and protect biodiversity and otherco-benefits

Get Involved!

• International Youth Forest Group– groups.google.com/group/

youthforests

• SustainUS Policy Group (forests and more!)– groups.google.com/group/sustainus-

policy

INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES ON

REDD/DOMESTIC CLIMATE

CHANGE LEGISLATION

March 2010

Prepared by Alexandra C. Page

• There is no single indigenous perspective

• Indigenous peoples have widely different situations and interests

One point of agreement among virtually all indigenous peoples is the need for strong protections of indigenous rights and the need for direct participation of indigenous peoples in planning and implementation of REDD activities on the international, national, andlocal levels.

Emerging international law protects indigenous property rights and the rights of indigenouspeoples to participate in decisions affecting them.

With Canada recently announcing an intent to take steps to endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the United States is now one of only two countries in the world that stands against the UNDRIP.

• The United States does not need to endorse the UNDRIP in order to support strong indigenous rights protections in domestic climate change legislation.

• The decision rests with the State Department.

Regardless, even strong provisions on protection of indigenous rights to property and participation will not address the significant divides among indigenous peoples regarding fundamental REDD issues.

The Road to Mexico or ?The Road to Mexico or ?Next steps on the pathway to achieving a

fair and binding international climate agreement

Barbara BrambleSenior Program Advisor for International AffairsNational Wildlife [email protected]

Remember the goals for REDD from last Year?“Climate Action Network (CAN) 450 NGOsPrinciples for Sustainable REDD (2009)”

Remember the goals for REDD from last Year?“Climate Action Network (CAN) 450 NGOsPrinciples for Sustainable REDD (2009)”

• REDD must be on top of deep cuts in GHGs by wealthy countries, not a substitute for shirking responsibility.• REDD must be tied to requirements: Recognize Land and other Rights of Indigenous Peoples/Local Communities; Full and effective public participation and transparency. • Prioritize areas with high Biodiversity, prohibit conversion to industrial plantations/agriculture.• National Accounting system vs. Isolated Projects

Status of REDD Negotiations

UNFCCC negotiations document

What’s in the Copenhagen Accord?

What have countries committed to do?

Next steps for U.S. climate legislation

- The 3 International Pieces Cap and Trade in House and Senate

Kerry, Lieberman and Graham (the mystery bill)

Kerry’s International bill (S. 2835)

Appropriations for FY 2011The best intermediate step

Senator Kerry’s BillThe International Climate Change Investment Act of 2009

(S. 2835)Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Combines the policy elements necessary to advance a global climate agreement and provides the foundation to meet America’s commitments under the UNFCCC & Copenhagen Accord:

• Addresses the global security risks of climate change, and protects decades of US investments in poverty reduction, development, and conservation

• Works with vulnerable countries and populations to build resilience and adapt to climate change impacts

• Promotes US economic competitiveness through a clean energy deployment program

• Pursues global emissions reductions by protecting forests and reducing deforestation

Reduced Deforestation in the Kerry Int’l Bill Goal: Zero net deforestation within 20 years of the baseline, and

reduce carbon emissions by 720 million tons in the year 2020 (equivalent to an additional 10% of US emissions) & 6bn tons in

2025.

Building Nationally Appropriate Forest Policies to Reduce Emissions

Calls for forests program within USAID to help at-risk developing countries reduce GHGs from deforestation.

Assists countries to develop & improve institutional capacity to monitor the effects of climate change on forests, map and conserve forests, improve law enforcement and land tenure systems, calculate a national deforestation baseline, and account for and verify GHGs due to deforestation.

Ensuring Good Governance and Social and Environmental Protections

Calls for funding to enable countries to maintain intact forests, natural biodiversity and resilience; develop and implement social standards and safeguards; avoid leakage and other adverse impacts. All activities must ensure full and effective participation of local communities and indigenous peoples, human rights protections, and equitable profits and benefits sharing.

Appropriations: Allocations for international climate financing

(including REDD) in the US Budget(US$ Millions) FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011

President’s Request

FY 2011 Recommendation*

International Climate Change Financing

$315 $1,007 $1,391 $1,952

International Adaptation

$24 $244 $334 $842

International Mitigation-Sustainable Landscapes

(including REDD)-Clean Energy

$292$123$169

$764$233$531

$1,057$347$710

$1,110$400$710

*InterAction Climate Change Working Group FY 2011 International Climate Change Financing Proposal

The Road to Cancun or

Where?

UNFCCC

April 2010: Bonn, Germany Possibly 5 meetings of negotiators

June 2010: Bonn, GermanyAugust: ??September/October: ??29 Nov-10 Dec 2010: COP 16 & CMP 6 (Cancun, Mexico)

But what about: MEF ?? G-8/G-20 ?? Copenhagen Accord ??

The Road to Cancun or

Where?

Stay Tuned!!

Erica AndersonProgram Associate

National Wildlife Federationwww.ForestJustice.org

Campaign Overview

Forest Justice is:• Calling on our elected leaders to recognize the importance of conserving the world’s natural forests when they are shaping domestic climate policies,

• Advocating for an international climate treaty that includes a fair and equitable REDD, the international policy framework that aims to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, and

• Working in our communities to support forests by planting trees and using recycled paper and FSC certified wood products.

.

Advocating for the protection of forests and the rights of forest dependent communities in our efforts to stop climate change.

4 Ways to Reduce Your Campus’s Impact on

Deforestation1. Educate Your Peers

2. Institute Sustainable Wood and Paper Purchasing

3. Get Back to Basics: Reduce, Reuse,

Recycle

4. Plant Trees!

Forest Justice this Spring1. Ensure U.S. sticks to $1billion

commitment to REDD by advocating for this to stay in 2011 budget

2. Ensure REDD provisions remain in Climate Bill

3. Pressure clothing and shoe retailers to disclose leather sourcing information for “Leather Sourcing Scorecard”

Three Steps to Influence National Policies

1. Organize Your Peers

2. Engage Your Elected Officials

3. Earn Media

Key Dates

• Earth Day - April 22, 2010

• Arbor Day - April 30, 2010

• COP16 in Cancun, Mexico,

December 2010

Contact Information• Erica Anderson– National Wildlife Federation

Email: [email protected]

• Gustavo A. Silva-Chávez - Environmental Defense Fund, Climate and Forests Specialist Email:[email protected]

• Kyle Gracey – SustainUS, Chair Email: [email protected]

• Alex Page - Attorney at LawEmail: [email protected]

• Barbara Bramble – National Wildlife Federation Email: [email protected]

Upcoming Webinars:

March 25: Student Leadership and Careers – What opportunities are available in the

conservation field and what skills are needed?

Register at: www.CampusEcology.org

Chill Out: Campus Solutions to

Global Warming

Chill Out is the nation’s premier competition recognizing colleges and universities for their

efforts to reduce global warming pollution. Winners will be announced in the following categories: green jobs, students in action, innovative

design, campus actions and more.

Go to: www.campuschillout.org

Register for Earth Day Webcast!

Promotes climate leadership and sustainability among colleges and universities by providing

resources and technical support, creating networking opportunities and organizing education events.

National Wildlife Federation

Inspiring Americans to protect wildlifefor our children’s future.

tropical forests

Education