Fiji REDD Plus Preparation Process

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1 Fiji REDD Plus Preparation Process Christine Fung Land use Planning Specialist/ Deputy Team Leader SPC/GIZ Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region CO2 H2O N2O CH4 1

2 HUMAN ACTIVITIES 2

3 Carbon dioxide emissions Global atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) increased markedly as a result of human activities, with an increase of 70% in *Source: EPA, Time (before 2005) CO2 CO2 N2O CO2 N2O N2O CH4 CH4 CH4 3

4 Temperature changes in the 21st century Climate Change: the South Pacific Scenario (Fourth Assessment Report 2007) For the South Pacific, models indicate that the surface air temperature by 2100 is estimated to be at least 2.5 C more than the 1990 level. An increase in mean temperature would be accompanied by an increase in the frequency of extreme temperatures. Synthesis of the recent model results indicates that, for the future warmer climate, tropical cyclones will show increased peak wind speed and increased mean and peak precipitation intensities The number of intense cyclones is likely to increase, although the total number may decrease on a global scale. It is likely that maximum tropical cyclone wind intensities could increase, by 5 to 10% by around

5 Forests & carbon Stock ~1200 GtC nearly twice as in atmosphere Sink 2.6 GtC/yr Source 1.6 GtC/yr = 25% CO 2 emissions 1 kilogram of dry wood 0.5 kg of carbon (50% of dry biomass) 5

6 Reduced deforestation and degradation is the forest mitigation option with the largest and most immediate carbon stock impact in the short term per ha and per year globally because large carbon stocks (about tco2/ha) are not emitted when deforestation is prevented. IPPC 4AR, 2007 Cancun COP 16, 2010 Final decision on REDD+ made: Encourages developing country Parties to contribute to mitigation actions in the forest sector by undertaking the following (...) activities ( ): (a) Reducing emissions from deforestation; (b) Reducing emissions from forest degradation; (c) Conservation of forest carbon stocks; (d) Sustainable management of forest; (e) Enhancement of forest carbon stocks 6

7 Deforestation The conversion of forest to another land use or the long-term reduction of the tree canopy cover below the minimum ten per cent threshold. FAO 2001 from forest Forest Degradation The long-term reduction of the overall potential supply of benefits from the forest, which includes carbon, wood, biodiversity and other goods and services. Trees standing but reduced carbon stocking Conversion to agriculture Avoiding emissions caused by the removal of forest areas + Forest conservation, sustainable management, carbon stock enhancement CARBON SEQUESTRATION From targeted logging to Forest Protection SFM, Reduced Impact Logging Afforestation, Reforestation Increasing the removal of carbon dioxide and expanding carbon storage 7

8 NATIONAL -LEVEL ACTIVITIES Implementing REDD+ GOVERNANCE Policy & Institutional framework 1. Forest governance 2. Financial governance 3. Multi-level governance 4. Multi-actor governance SUB-NATIONAL -LEVEL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED ELEMENTS MRV: How emission reductions are Measured; Reported and Verified Robust and transparent national monitoring system PROJECT-LEVEL ACTIVITIES (Pilot sites) SAFEGUARDS Protecting against social and environmental damage or harm Annex I Guidance and safeguards for policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries 2. When undertaking activities referred to in paragraph 70 of this decision, the following safeguards should be promoted and supported: PARA: 72. Also requests developing country Parties, when developing and implementing their national strategies or action plans, to address, inter alia, drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, land tenure issues, forest governance issues, gender considerations and the safeguards identified in paragraph 2 of annex I to this decision, ensuring the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, inter alia, indigenous peoples and local communities; (a) Actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements; (b) Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty; 8

9 (c) Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities, by taking into account relevant international obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; (d) The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular, indigenous peoples and local communities, in actions referred to in paragraphs 70 and 72 of this decision; (e) Actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, ensuring that actions referred to in paragraph 70 of this decision are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize the protection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits;1 (f) Actions to address the risks of reversals; (g) Actions to reduce displacement of emissions. PHASED IMPLEMENTATION National REDD+ Policy / Strategy/ Action Plan Identifying strategies to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation Needs for capacity building REDD+ Strategy Implementation & result-based demonstration activities National forest MRV methodology developed & national reference level determined Safeguard MRV methodology developed Payment for Verified emission reductions & removals the choice of a Based on national starting MRVphase system depends on the specific national circumstances, Safeguards monitored capacities and capabilities of each developing country SAFEGUARDS GOVERNANCE MEASURING REPORTING & VERIFICATION of carbon emissions and removals 9

10 FIJI BACKGROUND Fiji has a forest cover of almost 1.1 million hectares, covering about fifty-six percent of the total land mass. Almost 90% land customary owned. Forest clearance is largely attributed to agriculture The country has large areas of degraded and unutilised lands Fiji recognises REDD-plus as an opportunity to contribute towards global efforts to reduce GHG emissions, strengthen the socio-economic status of its forest resource owners and protect its forest ecosystems. The SPC/GIZ Regional Programme Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region is supporting Fiji through a REDD-readiness programme. APPROACH Fiji phased approach: 1st phase: put in place policy and institutional frameworks for the implementation of REDD-plus and addressing capacity needs for the establishment of a national MRV system. 2nd phase: development of a national REDD-plus strategy, the establishment of pilot sites and strengthening MRV capacities (towards Tier 2 and 3 level reporting). 3rd phase: implementation of the strategy, participation in a REDD carbon financing mechanism, establishment of an operational MRV and IPCC reporting system. Phases 1 & 2 are carried out in parallel 10

11 Institutional arrangements Government consultation and decision that the Forestry Department will be the lead the agency for the Fiji national REDD+ programme Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UNFCCC national focal point) plays an important role in international policy negotiations and REDD+ approval processes Establishment of national REDD+ Steering Committee to coordinate implementation of Fiji REDD+ programme 1 st Phase 2009: Scoping more than 50 stakeholders from various sectors and agencies involved; main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and capacity requirements to implement REDD-plus identified 2010: Development of the Fiji national REDD-plus Policy identifies appropriate scope, scale, MRV approach, distribution of benefits, institutional support, and safeguards for the implementation of REDD-plus 2011: Formalisation of the Fiji REDD+ Steering Committee - multi-sectoral membership 2009 present: Training of relevant technical officers in MRV areas 2009 present: Awareness-raising and training of concerned sectors 2011: Consultations with local communities following FPIC process 11

12 1 st / 2 nd Phase : Drafting of the National REDD+ Strategy through multistakeholder consultation process : Development of a series of REDD+ guidelines Safeguards, MRV, financing, governance, distribution of benefits etc 2011: Establishing criteria for identification REDD+ pilot sites and appropriate activity type. Fiji has made significant progress towards establishing a national MRV system with the Forestry Department as the lead agency. This week international expert working with the Fiji Forestry Department to determine a national forest carbon reference level for Fiji (UNFCCC decision) Addressing safeguards The Government of Fiji provided a capital funding of F$300,000 in 2012 for the Fiji national REDD+ programme large component on addressing safeguards, including the establishment of community forest care groups, FPIC development for Fiji REDD+ activities incorporated in the Fiji Forestry Ministry corporate plan and Department business - institutionalised the REDD+ programme e.g. REDD+ part of the community awareness and consultation programme of the Forestry Extension Division ALL REDD+ Projects will need to be endorsed by the Conservator of Forests 12

13 The Fiji Ministry of itaukei Affairs, the Department of Culture, the itaukei Land Trust Board, and Landowner representatives are members of the National REDD+ Steering Committee national approving body for REDD+ activities Consideration of gender issues in all phases of decision-making and implementation Development of a standard language and consistent message when carrying out awareness to local communities The Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process is required in all consultation stages Clarity on forest carbon rights and development of legislations in this regard will be undertaken Development of a carbon financing instrument that ensures equitable benefit sharing to resource owners The conversion of natural forests is prohibited in the REDD+ Policy - promote land use planning The Fiji Climate Change Policy calls for streamlined reporting of climate change issues to the three Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD) and systematic monitoring across all sectors 13

14 Some observations and lessons so far Clear identification of the responsible national REDD+ agency and roles of key stakeholder A wide participatory consultation process, along with capacity development on the subject, ensures a common understanding of REDD-plus Implementation will be greatly facilitated by the existing legislative frameworks protecting indigenous land and rights Need for accurate and current information going out consistent information REDD+ controversies regarding indigenous and carbon property rights need to be taken in the context of the Pacific land tenure system and customary arrangement VINAKA 14

15 REDD+ co-benefits In the long term, a sustainable forest-management strategy aimed at: maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual yield of timber, fiber or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit. (IPCC, 2007) An integrated landscape approach for adaptation and mitigation THE FOREST Supports: nutrient cycle, soil formation, Provides: food, fresh water, wood, fiber, medicine,... Regulates: climate, floods, diseases, water purification, Cultural: aesthetics, spiritual, recreational, 15

16 Main REDD+ Initiatives in the MSG Countries 1. SPC/GIZ Climate Protection through Forest Conservation project (funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety) regional REDD+ programme with national activities in PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji i. Regional REDD+ information platform (endorsed at the regional Heads of Forestry meeting, 2009) ii. Supporting REDD+ processes in the Melanesian countries iii. Development of a regional REDD+ policy framework (endorsed at the regional Heads of Forestry meeting, 2009) 2. UN REDD Programme National and Regional programme 3. SPC/GIZ Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region programme (funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) Fiji 4. Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Vanuatu, PNG 5. Various NGOs Conservation International, Live ad Learn A HEALTHY FOREST ECOSYSTEM contributes to climate change mitigation & increases resiliency against climate change impacts 16