SEMINAR ON GLOBAL WARMING, REDD AND CLIMATE CHANGE 16 th -21 st November, 2011, British Council, Accra YAW KWAKYE MANAGER, CLIMATE CHANGE UNIT FORESTRY COMMISSION
PRESENTATION STRUCTURE Background Introduction The REDD+ Trajectory in Ghana Ghana s R-PP Progress Status Challenges & Opportunities Way Forward
Aperitif About 15-20% of all global carbon dioxide emissions come from the destruction of forests
BACKGROUND Key principle of climate change negotiation frameworks: common but differentiated responsibilities This recognizes that : Historically industrialized nations have caused far more greenhouse gas emissions (even if some developing nations are only now increasing theirs); they should therefore shoulder a larger share of the responsibility and burden for action toward addressing climate change (Climate Justice and Equity) rich countries therefore must support developing nations with mitigation and adaption efforts through financing and technology transfer, among other things.
INTRODUCTION Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) is a global mechanism that seeks to incentivize initiatives/actions that effectively contribute to reductions in GHG (mainly CO2) emissions from deforestation and forest degradation This will take the form of payments for measures that result in reduced emissions or increased removal of CO2 It represents an opportunity for developing countries to leverage funding from industrialized/developed nations to safeguard their forest resources against deforestation and degradation pressures Co-benefits (REDD+) envisaged are biodiversity conservation, poverty alleviation, ecosystem restoration, carbon stocks enhancement etc.
HOW BAD IS THE DEFORESTATION/DEGRADATION SITUATION? Degradation of Pamu Berekum Forest Reserve Reserved in 1932, with a forest area of 189 sq. km Forest Area in 1990 = 91 sq km (98 sq km lost in 58 years) Forest area in 2000 = 1 sq km (90 sq km lost in 10 years)
THE REDD TRAJECTORY IN GHANA Ghana is one of the pioneer African nations to participate actively in the REDD process and has engaged actively and constructively with her international partners since Bali 2007 A REDD Readiness Preparation Idea Note (R-PIN) submitted by Ghana received approval from the FCPF in July 2008, paving the way for the formulation of a REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) The R-PP developed through a concerted effort by both state and non-state actors (CSOs, Private Sector, land owners, community reps, research and academia etc) was submitted in 2009 and received approval in March 2010, making it possible to access US$3.6M for early REDD+ activities over a 4-year period (2010-13)
THE R-PP The Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) aims to assist Ghana to prepare itself for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), in order to. become ready for the implementation of a full- scale international mechanism for REDD+, where Ghana can trade at the emerging global carbon market. The proposal has three steps towards readiness ; 1. Analysis, Preparation and Consultation 2. Piloting and Testing 3. Becoming Ready
Phasing of Ghana s Progress towards being Ready for REDDplus
Step 1: Analysis, Preparation and Consultation Detailed analysis of REDDplus policy, legal and technical requirements Setting of the Reference Emissions Level (REL) Confirmation of institutional roles, responsibilities and oversight for REDDplus Establishment of the entity responsible for MRV Selection of potential pilots / demonstration activities Continued consultation, information sharing and awareness raising on REDDplus strategy, legislative and institutional proposals Finalization of REDDplus strategy (to progress towards REDDplus readiness)
Step 2: Piloting and Testing Initial capacity building for pilots Establishment of pilots / demonstration activities Establishment of carbon accounting registry Testing of carbon measurement, accounting and MRV procedures Consultation around demonstrations and pilots Consultation on potential REDDplus policies, decisions and actions Training Needs Analysis for full REDDplus implementation
Step 3: Becoming Ready This entails making the necessary changes in policy, procedures and capacity Approval of any new legislation (e.g. carbon rights) and legal texts (as required) Finalized financing mechanisms, procedures, audit and controls Finalized operating procedures for MRV entity Recruitment of staff for the MRV entity Training and capacity building on the development and technical aspects of REDDplus Operational plan to scale up REDDplus in Implementation Phase
COMPONENTS OF THE R-PP The R-PP has been organized into 6 components i.e. 1. Organization and Consultation National Readiness Management Arrangements Stakeholder Consultation and Participation 2. Preparation of REDD Strategy Assessment of Land Use, Forest Policy and Governance REDD Strategy Options Arrangements for REDD Implementation Social and Environmental Impacts 3. Develop a Reference Scenario 4. Develop a Monitoring System 5. Schedule and Budget 6. Design of Program Monitoring and Evaluation
SUMMARY OF PROGRESS STATUS COMPONENT Organization and Consultation National Readiness Management Arrangements Stakeholder Consultation and Participation Preparation of REDD Strategy Assessment of Land Use, Forest Policy and Governance REDD Strategy Options Arrangements for REDD Implementation Social and Environmental Impacts PROGRESS ENRAC, NRSC, WGs, Redd Sec t established and functional, NCCC, register opened for REDD+ projects C&P Plan completed and being implemented for all the components forest policy, legislation and governance reforms are ongoing, consultations on governance initiated Two broad thematic areas identified; a) Timber policy and supply b) Wider aspects of forest policy including agro-forestry and other carbon conserving activities entities and institutions needed for policy definition, implementation, and management (legal and financial) identified/capacity needs assessment on-going/selection criteria for Redd+ projects developed TORs for SESA consultancy completed; selection process initiated
SUMMARY OF PROGRESS STATUS (Cont.) COMPONENT Develop a Reference Scenario Develop a MRV System Schedule and Budget Design a Program Monitoring and Evaluation PROGRESS Capacity building on-going, Data for estimating historic emissions and projections in Ghana being collated and analysed, mapping of land cover change on-going Infrastructure being set up for allencompassing MRV Training initiated Budgets and annual workplans completed Plans underway to adopt a harmonized M&E system developed under NLBI
CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES Late start of critical project activities due to administrative bottlenecks Lack of capacity in most technical aspects of REDD+ e.g. RL/MRV General awareness on REDD still inadequate More effective coordination needed Strong political will Vibrant civil society Avenues for technical cooperation abound
WAY FORWARD Step up awareness campaign Accelerate implementation by engaging all actors and stakeholders Sustainable financing is key Capacity building