Highlighted Events
CD REDD: REDD Readiness: Forests for Climate Change Mitigation in the Context of National Development Policies, August 15, 2009, Bonn, Germany.
The Coalition for Rainforest Nations continued its CD REDD series by organizing the fourth technical workshop of the Capacity Development for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (CD REDD) programme. CfRN was again supported by the German Ministry of the Environment (BMU), the German Techinical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations REDD Programme (UN-REDD). The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank extended generous financial support. Presentations: UN-REDD Programme; Norwegian Forest Initiative; Socio Bosque Programme of Ecuador; FCPF REDD; Papua New Guinea MRV Practice; Honduran Presentation; Democratic Republic of Congo Presentation; Brazil REDD Presentation; Vietnam REDD Presentation; German International Climate Initiative;
CD REDD: National Forest Inventory: The Experiences of Non-Annex I Countries, April 27-29, 2009, Dehradun, India (ICFRE HQ).
CfRN staged the third in a series of three technical workshops of the Capacity Development for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (CD REDD) programme. The CD REDD initiative is conducted with the support of the German Ministry of the Environment (BMU), the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations REDD Programme (UN-REDD). The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank also participated.
This workshop was graciously hosted by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), an autonomous body of the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Over one hundred delegates from REDD countries shared policy and national forest inventory initiatives. More than 20 non-Annex I countries, including India, have national forest resource assessment programmes. The experience of these developing countries were presented during the workshop and IPCC experts explained how to integrate forest inventories in national GHG monitoring and reporting systems. Workshop Presentations
CD REDD: Forest Area Change Assessment: Existing Operational Systems. February 4-6, 2009, Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil (INPE HQ).
CfRN and the Brazilian National Space Agency (INPE) with the support of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) of the German Ministry for Environment conducted the second of three technical workshops. Delegates from 37 countries attended the meeting which discussed land cover and land use change detection using remote sensing data. The objective of the workshop was to introduce developing countries to sound scientific practices of detection and tracking of forest land cover changes due to changes in land use (deforestation) and in carbon density (forest degradation). Workshop Presentations
UNFCCC Fourteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-14) and Fourth Meeting of the Parties (MOP-14). December 1-13, 2008, Poznan, Poland
Over eleven thousand participants attended the UNFCCC meeting in Poland where a number of REDD conclusions were addressed directly by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). Discussions indicated that a REDD mechanism may provide positive incentives to reduce rates of carbon emissions or to increase rates of carbon removals. Delegates agreed on specific issues on methodological guidance such as promotion of REDD capacity building in developing countries; encouragement of indigenous people participation; active use of IPCC documents to monitor GHG balance with respect to REDD activities; and the setup of national forest monitoring systems and the independent review of such systems.
Perhaps most significant, the United Kingdom and Papua New Guinea catalyzed a joint ministerial declaration detailing the commitments of a number of key Annex I countries and developing nations willing to take early action on REDD. The declaration also stated that establishing national systems for monitoring, reporting and verifying emissions and reductions will be essential to desired outcomes on a viable REDD mechanism. Poznan Joint Declaration on REDD
Capacity Development REDD Workshop--Understanding National Inventories for the LULUCF Sector: The Experince of Annex-I Countries. November 5-7, 2008, Berlin, Germany
In cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Environment of Germany and Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), CfRN co-hosted a technical workshop, Understanding National Inventories for the LULUCF Sector: The Experience of Annex-I Countries. The objective of the meeting was to introduce developing countries to techniques and practices of Annex I countries in establishing national GHG inventory systems and to provide guidance on procedural aspects of completing a national GHG inventory under the UNFCCC. Presentations; Additional Presentations: FCPF: An Experience from Nepal/Kandel; Example of Tier 3 Inventory Method/Ogle; Workshop Report (English); Workshop Report (French)
Accra Climate Change Talks: August 21-27, 2008, Accra, Ghana
CfRN Executive Director Kevin Conrad discussed a category-based REDD system that begins with a country-led voluntary stage, focuses on capacity building and demonstration projects, and eventually moves to a market-based approach, while maintaining environmental and market integrity.
More than 1600 participants, including government delegates from 160 countries and representatives from business and industry, environmental organizations and research institutions attended this one-week meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UN Climate Change Talks--Accra, 2008 constituted the third major UNFCCC negotiating sessions this year to get to an agreement on strengthened long-term cooperative action on climate change.
In a working group on long-term cooperative action under the UNFCCC, disucssions took place on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. "Countries have made it very clear that the issue of forests need to be part of a Copenhagen deal," said Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer. "That's important because emissions from deforestation account of 20% of global greenhouse gas emisssions."
For the first time at a UNFCCC gathering, governments also discussed what is needed both in terms of financing and technology to step up action on both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Various proposals will be assembled and submitted to the COP-14 meeting in Poland.
UNFCCC Workshop on Methodological Issues Relating to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries: June 25-27, 2008, Tokyo, Japan
Parties at this workshop recognized that the IPCC Guidelines and Good Practice Guidance currently provide methodologies that may serve as the basis for estimating and monitoring emissions reductions and carbon stock changes. However, further guidance is needed to ensure the accuracy of estimates when remote sensing is used.
Parties agreed on the following: reference scenarios should be flexible, adaptive, based on reliable and periodically reviewed historical data; there is need for more capacity building; and a conservative approach could minimize uncertainties due to overestimation of reductions.
A method for remunerating countries with little deforestation (conservation) was discussed as well as how to convince countries to endorse REDD to account for displacement of emissions (international leakage).
Bonn Climate Change Talks: June 2-13, 2008, Bonn, Germany
The UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technnological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) held its twenty-eighth session during this latest round of climate change meetings.
Five elements of negotiation--adaptation, mitigation, technology, finance and a shared vision for long-term cooperative action--were discussed. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer also identified REDD as an additional element of the talks.
The CfRN was successful in incorporating within the SBSTA text clear reference to the "principle of conservativeness," a method of managing uncertainty allowing countries with poor data quality to access positive incentives.
UNFCCC Bangkok Climate Change Talks: March 31-April 4, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand
The first round of UNFCCC negotiations after COP-13 in Bali, Indonesia were held in Thailand. The climate change talks in Bangkok also convened sessions of both the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (first session) and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (first part of the fifth session).
Climate negotiators agreed on an agenda for talks that is intended to lead to a post-Kyoto global warming pact. The schedule requires Parties to settle issues such as how countries will cut emissions and how Annex I nations will help developing countries adapt to climate change.
The agreed agenda called for talks on technology transfer in June 2008 in Bonn. A meeting in August 2008 in Ghana will address a Japanese proposal on industry-specific emission targets as well as deforestation.
High-Level Policy Workshop on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation & the Role of Conservation, Sustainable Management of Forests and the Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks: March 16-18, 2008, Berlin, Germany
The CfRN and the Forest-11 Group co-hosted this workshop. InWent--Capacity Building International, Germany and the German government provided financial and logistical support. Over forty delegates attended the meeting.
The workshop opened with IPCC presentations on forest accounting and reporting issues. Delegates also participated in discussions led by representatives from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Development Program and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility of the World Bank.
The delegates then discussed and drafted a joint Submisson of Views which was due at the UNFCCC Secretariat by 21 March 2008. A final version of the REDD Submission of Views will be presented at the twenty-eighth session of SBSTA in June 2008. Submission of Views.
International Workshop on Developing Methodology for Assessment of Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks Due to Conservation, Sustainable Management of Forests, and Increase in Forest Cover: March 7-8, 2008, New Delhi, India
Participants at this workshop addressed the financial incentives, capacity building initiatives and the technology necessary to establish compensation schemes for REDD and for conservation, sustainable management of forests and increases in forest cover.
CfRN Executive Director, Ambassador Kevin Conrad, presented the Papua New Guinea plan for a system to monitor and report on carbon stocks and changes in forests which would provide a national inventory of stocks and greenhouse gas emissions from forest land. This construct would allow PNG to report emissions in compliance with Kyoto Protocol reporting requirements and with the IPCC Good Practice Guidance 2003. With sufficient support, PNG will complete its National System to monitor and report emissions in 2-3 years.
At the close of the meeting, delegates emphasized the need for adequate financing and capacity building expertise to achieve desired technological outcomes such as a combined remote sensing/field inventory mechanism for verifying carbon stock and the development of a blueprint for national forest carbon estimation in developing countries.
United Nations Climate Change Conference: December 3-14, 2007, Nusa Dua, Indonesia
The UNFCCC 13th Conference of the Parties met in Bali, Indonesia to agree on a roadmap for the post-2012 period. The conference not only capped twoyears of work for the Coalition for Rainforest Nations but also defined issues for future initiatives. CfRN's primary objective, the institution of a REDD post-2012 mechanism, was agreed by all Parties. CfRN was also instrumental in securing agreement of the Parties to consider to credit REDD action taken by developing countries during the first Kyoto commitment period, 2008-2012.
High-Level Workshop on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries:
August 15-16, 2007, Jakarta, Indonesia
Secretary General of Department of Forestry Boen Mochtar Purnama addressing the delegates
CfRN and the Indonesian Government co-hosted this meeting where delegates from over 15 countries collaborated and agreed upon a Submission of Views to be presented at the Twenty-Seventh session of the SBSTA of the UNFCCC. Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics and Professor at Columbia University, delivered the Keynote Address. After drafting of the SOV concluded on the second day, Dr. Joseph Leitmann, Environment Coordinator of the World Bank, led a presentation on the Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. Dr. Nur Masripatin of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry concluded the workshop with an overview of Indonesia's current efforts and strategy to reduce emissions from deforestation.
United Nations Climate Change Conference: November 5 - 17, 2006, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya hosted the second Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 2), in conjunction with the twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention (COP-12) in Nairobi, Kenya from 6 to 17 November 2006. During the twenty-fifth session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBSTA-25), the Parties agreed to a second Workshop on Deforestation and elements for the process forward. (SBSTA-25 Agenda #5 Conclusion>>) (SBSTA-25 Agenda #5 Webcast>>)
CfRN's Heads of Government Dinner: September 20, 2006, New York
Prime Minister Somare, President Arias & Dr. Joseph Stiglitz
Sir Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, and Nobel Laureate Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica, invites other Heads of Government to an exclusive dinner to address issues surrounding Fair Trade, Environmental Sustainability and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries featuring Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, Noble Laureate in Economics. Event by Invitation Only.
UNFCCC Workshop on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation: August 30 - Sept. 1, Rome, Italy
Mr. Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, Minister for Environment, Land & Sea
The UNFCCC Secretariat organized a Workshop to address issues related to UNFCCC COP-11 Agenda Item #6: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries.
The Workshop included 163 representatives of 94 Parties, 13 intergovernmental organizations and 15 non-governmental organizations attended the workshop. Mr. Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, Italy's Minister for Environment, Land and Sea addressed the Workshop on the opening day. (Workshop Report>>)
CfRN Pre-Workshop Session: August 28-29, 2006, Rome
The Coalition for Rainforest Nations held a Pre-Workshop Session in advance of the UNFCCC Secretariat's Workshop on UNFCCC COP-11 Agenda Item #6: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries. Participating Nations included Bolivia, CAR, Columbia, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Uganda.
CfRN Policy Workshop on COP-11 Agenda Item #6: March 13-14, 2006, New York
Participants at the The Italian Academy, Columbia University
UNFCCC Focal Points and technical advisors attended a high-level policy workshop to prepare 'Submissions of Views' to meet the deadline of March 31, 2005 for for UNFCCC Parties and accredited observers. The purpose was to seek common ground and develop consensus in advance of the submission deadline. Partially sponsored by PROFOR and the World Bank, national participants hailed from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific, including: Bolivia, CAR, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Gabon, Guatemala, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Papua New Guinea, etc.
United Nations Climate Change Conference, Montreal, Canada, Nov. 28 - Dec. 9, 2005
December 9, 2005: COP-11 Approved Conclusion for Agenda Item #6: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries: Approaches to Stimulate Action. (Conclusion Text>>)
The Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference overwhelming supported the proposal by Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica seeking consideration of approaches to reduce emissions from deforestation in developing countries.
Considered at the COP-11 Plenary Meeting held at 10am on 30 November 2005, (Webcast>>) the agenda item was supported by the G77 & China, the European Union, the African Congress, the Alliance of Small Island States and individually by Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and many others. (Recent Press >>).
Leadership Roundtable and UNDP-UNEP 'Environment & MDGs (September 14, 2005)
Minister Tavola, Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Fiji; Minister Namaliu, Foreign Affairs Immigration, PNG; Minister Bbumba, Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda; Steven McCormick, President, Nature Conservancy, Minister Caldera, Foreign Affairs, Nicaragua.
Leaders and Senior Ministers from Costa Rica, Fiji, Gambia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Uganda, Vanuatu convened to address bilateral and multilateral cooperation related to the Rainforest Coalition's initiatives.
The Roundtable concluded with the 'Environment and the MDGs' dinner coordinated by the UNDP and UNEP (Program>>) .
The Rainforest Coalition's UNFCCC Initiative was announced by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs (Webcast>>). Many luminaries were present at dinner (Photos>>), where Minister Carlos Rodriguez of Costa Rica officially launched the Rainforest Coalition and unveiled a video prepared for the event. (Video>>)
G8 Declaration
G8 seeks to address illegal logging, deforestation and carbon sequestration. On July 8, 2005, the leaders of the G-8 Nations (Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Russia, United Kingdom and the United State) issued ‘The Gleneagles Communiqué: Climate Change, Energy and Sustainable Development.’
UNFCCC Seminar of Governmental Experts, Bonn, Germany (May 16-17, 2005)
Robert G. Aisi, Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to the United Nations, presented options under the UNFCCC to address the carbon emissions caused by tropical deforestation.
After the presentation, discussions continued with representatives from approximately 15 nations who agreed to place this issue on the Provisional Agenda for the upcoming UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP-1).
Global Roundtable on Climate Change (May 11-12, 2005)
The Global Roundtable on Climate Change brought together more than 150 high-level, critical stakeholders from all regions of the world — including senior executives from the private sector and leaders of international governmental and non-governmental organizations — to discuss and explore areas of potential consensus regarding core scientific, technological, and economic issues critical to shaping sound public policies on climate change.
In his keynote speech, Sir Michael Somare, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, challenged the global community to review the regulations of the Kyoto Accord related to carbon emissions from tropical deforestation. The Prime Minister proposed several alternatives for the international community to consider at the annual UNFCCC Conference of the Parties.
.
UN's Commission on Sustainable Development Side-Event (Apr. 21, 2005)
The Environmental Ministers from Congo (Henri Djombo), Costa Rica (Carlos Manuel Rodriguez), Dominican Republic (Max Puig Miller) and Tanzania (Arcado Ntagazwa) joined Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Don Melnick of the UN Millennium Project and other representatives from Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Peru, UK, the UNDP and other NGO's to outline proposals for resolving the Kyoto Protocol's exclusion of carbon emissions resulting from deforestation.
During the course of the Working Discussion, each Minister present outlined the policies of their respective nations and subsequently pledged to collaborate through the Rainforest Coalition.
.World Leaders Forum, Columbia University (Jan. 15, 2005)
 |
Glenn Hubbard presents award to Sir Michael |
Sir Michael Somare, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, spoke at the Executive MBA Graduation ceremonies co-sponsored by the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University.
The Prime Minister utilized this opportunity to address the inequities of the Kyoto Protocol and called for the formation of the ‘Coalition for Rainforest Nations.’ Sir Michael was presented with an award for Environmental Leadership within Developing Nations.
Professor Jeffery Sachs hosted the Prime Minister at his home for dinner to discuss these issues along with the United Nations Ambassadors from the Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Minister's Roundtable (Oct. 5, 2004)
 |
Kevin Conrad, Joseph Stiglitz & Sir Rabbie Namaliu |
Hosted by Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea, Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, and Jeffrey Sachs headlined a productive Roundtable session that included representatives from the World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, JP Morgan, and the Museum of Natural History --who together investigated the issues surrounding the Kyoto Protocol and sustainable development related to tropical rainforests.
As a result of the Roundtable, it was determined that Developing Nations should unite efforts to more effectively negotiate within the international arena while implementing a small number of pilot projects to demonstrate feasibility. Furthermore, the participants concluded that robust forestry and carbon emissions baselines should be developed. (>>more) (>>speech)