Tropical Forests

March 11, 2010 Tropical 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-Chavez Climate 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 Protection Kyle Gracey, Chair SustainUS [email_address]

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 other co-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, and
local levels.

Emerging international law
protects indigenous property
rights and the rights of indigenous
peoples 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 ? Next steps on the pathway to achieving a fair and binding international climate agreement Barbara Bramble Senior Program Advisor for International Affairs National Wildlife Federation [email_address]

Remember the goals for REDD from last Year? “ Climate Action Network (CAN) 450 NGOs Principles 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 2011
The best intermediate step

Senator Kerry’s Bill
The 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 * InterAction Climate Change Working Group FY 2011 International Climate Change Financing Proposal (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

The Road to Cancun or Where? UNFCCC April 2010: Bonn, Germany Possibly 5 meetings of negotiators June 2010 : Bonn, Germany August: ?? 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 Anderson
Program Associate
National Wildlife Federation
www.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 Deforestation
Educate Your Peers
Institute Sustainable Wood and Paper Purchasing
Get Back to Basics:
Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle
4. Plant Trees!

Forest Justice this Spring
Ensure U.S. sticks to $1billion commitment to REDD by advocating for this to stay in 2011 budget
Ensure REDD provisions remain in Climate Bill
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: andersone@nwf.org
Gustavo A. Silva-Chávez - Environmental Defense Fund , Climate and Forests Specialist
Email:gsilva-chavez@edf.org
Kyle Gracey – SustainUS , Chair
Email: [email_address]
Alex Page - Attorney at Law
Email: alex.c.page@gmail.com
Barbara Bramble – National Wildlife Federation
Email: bramble@nwf.org

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 wildlife for our children’s future.

Tropical Forests

by National Wildlife Federation on Mar 29, 2010

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