Southeast Asia has experienced significant deforestation and forest degradation between 1995 and 2010. Climate change is also impacting the region through more frequent extreme weather events. Smallholder and subsistence farmers are especially vulnerable. The program focuses on issues like sustainable forest and land management, payments for environmental services, agroforestry, and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. It partners with various organizations and conducts research in countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Indonesia to address these challenges and develop solutions. In 2010, key accomplishments included national emissions baseline mapping in Indonesia, technical advice on climate change and REDD+ strategies, and studies on topics like tree planting programs and carbon finance projects.

1. Where are we?Southeast Asia Program Southeast AsiaRegional characteristicsBetween 1995 and 2010, Southeast Asia lost 32.8 million ha of its forests and woodlands and 18.2 million ha of its natural exploitable forests, equalling 11% and 14% respectively of the 1995 area.The demands and expectations of lowland capital cities and economic centres for regular flows of clean water from the uplands cannot be realistically met. Inconsistent or contradictory policies and conflicts over rights of use and access are main determinants of unsustainable natural resource management and poverty in the uplands and forest margins. Climate change is a present reality in Southeast Asia; Heat waves, droughts, floods and tropical cyclones have been more intense and frequent, causing extensive damage to property, assets and loss of human life. Smallholder and subsistence farmers are especially vulnerable to the impact of climate change.Such issues play a major role in our agenda.

2. Regional Research Program in Southeast AsiaRegional Research Program in Southeast Asia

3. PartnersSoutheast Asia ProgramAustralian Agency for International Development

4. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

5. Bridgestone Japan

6. Canadian International Development Agency

7. Center for International Forestry Research

8. Common Fund for Commodities

9. Conservation International

10. Farmers

11. National, district and local governments

12. Non-government organisations: local, national and international

13. David and Lucille Packard Foundation

14. Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit

15. Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia of the International Development Research Centre

16. European Union

17. German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development

18. Ford Foundation

19. International Fund for Agriculture and Development

20. PanEco

21. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

22. Swedish Research Council

23. United Nations Development Program

24. United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

25. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

26. World Conservation Union

27. World Resources Institute