1. Main characteristics of the CBD questionnaire on forests:

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1 CBD questionnaire on forest-reporting: Synthesis of comparative analysis against FAO, ITTO, UNFF, and UNFCCC Manuel Guariguata, SCBD February 10 th 2003 Draft for internal discussion within the CPF Task Force on streamlining forest related reporting 1. Main characteristics of the CBD questionnaire on forests: -Non periodic -Originates after COP decision VI/22 (2002); one-time compliance-oriented/not progressoriented. -Qualitative information only -Terms/definitions/glossaries absent -Quality control: none. -Two versions: one voluntary (comprehensive), one mandatory (national report, questions based on adopted goals of the expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity). 2. Comparative assessment of FAO questionnaire against CBD Scope of FAO questionnaire: assessment of forest resources (biophysical, socioeconomical) Nature of data: mostly quantitative Degree of quality control: high Terms and definitions: well explained and available to the user. Degree of overlap with CBD questionnaire in extent and format of questions asked: very low to none Degree of complementarity in terms of nature of data: potentially high; FAO information need is largely quantitative; CBD s questionnaire is qualitative. Potential for harmonization From a temporal perspective: low because of intrinsic differences in reporting periods. FAO is periodic (10-yr cycles), while CBD will not report forests on a cyclic basis. From a content perspective: low because of nature of data of both questionnaires.

2 Broad similarities between FAO questionnaire and CBD questionnaire FAO variables Link to CBD PoW goals 1 (asked in questionnaire) Land use/land use change g.2 p.e. 1 and g.2 p.e. 2 Ownership --- Designation g.1. p.e. 1 Forest characteristics/forest characteristics change g.2 p.e.1 Growing stock --- Biomass g.2. p.e. 1 Carbon stock g.2 p.e. 1 Fires and pests g.2. p.e. 1 Species occurrence g.3 p.e. 1 Forest tree species abundance g.4 p.e. 1 Wood supply balance g.4 p.e. 1 NWFP supply g.4 p.e. 1 Socio cultural sites g. 4 p.e. 1 Value of primary production of wood/nwfp --- Employment through primary activities in forests --- Illegal harvesting g.4 p.e. 1 Area by forest types g.1 p.e. 3 Fragmentation g.2 p.e. 1 1 PoW: Expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity. It consists of three programme elements. Each programme element contains several goals, objectives, and activities. Questions asked in CBD questionnaire used for this analysis are derived from stated goals in the PoW.

3 3. Comparative assessment of UNFF questionnaire against CBD Scope of UNFF questionnaire: Assessment of compliance/implementation of previously adopted activities (IPF/IFF proposals for action) by countries. The questionnaire also allows countries for expressing specific national interests. Nature of data: qualitative Degree of quality control: none Terms and definitions: Very well explained. Process as how to fill the forms is made clear to the users. Degree of overlap with CBD questionnaire in extent and format of questions asked: high Degree of complementarity in terms of nature of data: low Potential for harmonization: From a temporal perspective: low; UNFFS asks countries to report on different UNFF elements at different intervals (not cyclic nor repetitive). For the current reporting period (results to be presented at UNFF 3 in mid 2003), UNFFS is asking parties to report on three elements: (1) economic aspects of forests, (2) forest health and productivity, and (3) maintaining forest cover to meet present and future needs. From a content perspective: high. The SCBD can ask countries to use information provided for UNFF questionnaires before 2005 (national reporting due by countries before COP8).

4 Broad similarities between UNFF questionnaire and CBD questionnaire UNFF elements/items in current questionnaire (out of 16 UNFF elements) Link to CBD PoW goals (asked in questionnaire) Economic aspects of forests Valuation of forest goods and services g.2. p.e. 2 Amount, scope, quality of market --- Use of socioeconomic and policy instruments g.2 p. e. 2 To facilitate progress towards SFM Efforts to reduce negative impacts on trade g.1 p. e. 2 Participation in forest certification and labeling schemes g.4 p.e.1 Efforts to reduce illegal trade g. 1 p. e. 2 Forest health and productivity Information on recent national programmes to minimize damaging air pollution g.2. p.e.1 Maintaining forest cover to meet present and future needs Progress made in efforts to harmonize policy frameworks g.1 p.e. 2 that collectively address the full range of forest values Information on efforts to assess long-term trends g.2 p.e. 2 in national supply and demand for wood, non wood forest products and services. 4. Comparative assessment of ITTO questionnaire against CBD Scope of ITTO questionnaire 2 : Assessment of progress on achieving sustainable forest management by producer ITTO member countries. Questionnaire based on a preselected set of criteria and indicators. Nature of data: quantitative/qualitative. Degree of quality control: At least the guidelines asks for inter-reporting consistency in making data as comparable as possible between successive periods. Terms and definitions: easy to understand, appendixes and glossaries readily available to the user. Explicit request to the user on reporting of any potential difficulties in obtaining requested information. 2 ITTO asks countries to report both at the national level and the forest management unit (FMU) level. For the purposes of this analysis, ITTO questionnaire at the national level was assessed against CBD questionnaire.

5 Degree of overlap with CBD questionnaire in extent and format of questions asked Medium to high (for qualitative information only). Many questions relate to specific activities and objectives (all embedded within goals) of the CBD PoW on forest biological diversity. Degree of complementarity with CBD questionnaire in terms of nature of data: potentially high (quantitative component in ITTO questionnaire could complement CBD qualitative information). Potential for harmonization Overall very low because ITTO questionnaire is not global in coverage. Only producing member countries are asked to reply Broad similarities between ITTO questionnaire and CBD questionnaire ITTO criterion Link to CBD PoW goals (asked in questionnaire) Enabling conditions for SFM g.1, 2, and 3, p.e. 2 Forest resource security g.1, p.e. 3 Forest ecosystem health g.2, p.e. 1 Flow of forest produce g.4 p.e 1 Biological diversity g.3 p.e. 1, g. 4 p.e.1 Soil and water g. 4., p.e. 1 Economic, social, and cultural aspects g. 4, p.e Comparative assessment of UNFCCC questionnaire against CBD Scope of UNFCCC questionnaire: Quantitative assessment of anthropogenic emissions by contracting Parties. Nature of data: strictly quantitative. Degree of quality control: high Terms and definitions: very well explained. Degree of overlap with CBD questionnaire in extent and format of questions asked: inexistent.

6 Degree of complementarity with CBD questionnaire in terms of nature of data: low (due to the very different nature of both questionnaires). Potential for harmonization: low (due to the very different nature of both questionnaires). Broad similarities between ITTO questionnaire and CBD questionnaire: No obvious links to CBD PoW on forest biological diversity. 6. Proposals for harmonization/streamlining: some general issues Due to intrinsic differences in the timing of reporting among agencies, as well as variation in the type of information requested between successive reports, harmonization may be difficult to achieve under current conditions. Although CBD questionnaire on forests is in general terms, similar in content to those examined here, the highest potential for harmonization/streamlining in terms of nature of information/types of questions asked is within UNFF and ITTO questionnaires (although ITTO questionnaire is not global in coverage, an exception being the ITTO/UNECE/FAO/EUROSTAT joint forest sector questionnaire). Information needed to answer questions asked in UNFF questionnaire could be used for answering CBD national-level questionnaire (due in 2005). CBD could refer Parties to this existing information under reporting guidelines. The potential for synergism if the production of an unified interagency report on forests is, however, high (if ever considered). There is a good degree of complementarity both in the nature and extent of the information requested across all examined reports.