ToR MRV Task Force 1. BACKGROUND Greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation have come to the forefront of the international discussions on climate change given their overall impacts. Since 2005, REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks, Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation) has been discussed in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) assists selected countries in their REDD+ efforts. It has the dual objectives of building capacity for REDD+ (the Readiness Fund ), and testing a program of performance based incentive payments in some pilot countries (the Carbon Fund ). Assistance under the Readiness Fund includes support for: (i) developing a national reference scenario for REDD+; (ii) adopting a national socially and environmentally sound REDD+ strategy that would reduce emissions and at the same time conserve biodiversity, enhance the livelihoods of forest dependent peoples and other forest dwellers; (iii) setting up implementation management framework for the effective and efficient implementation of REDD+; and (iii) designing and implementing accurate measurements, monitoring and verification systems to enable countries to report on emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. In line with this, Ethiopia is committed to transforming the country s economy while achieving a Climate Resilient and Green Economy (CRGE) by 2025. In the forestry sector, the government is engaged in the REDD+ Readiness process, with support, of donors. Ethiopia was selected as a REDD+ country participant in the FCPF in 2008. The Government started preparation of a Readiness Preparation Proposal (R PP) in April 2010, involving various analyses of the current issues around forest cover loss in the country through a highly participatory process. Among the agreements achieved in Cancun (16 th Conference of the Parties, 2010), it is requested that developing countries aiming to undertake the REDD+
activities, to develop, in accordance with national circumstances and respective capabilities, a robust and transparent national forest monitoring system for the monitoring and reporting REDD+ activities. The monitoring function of our National Forest Monitoring System will allow us to assess a broad range of forest information, including in the context of REDD+, and the MRV function for REDD+ will allow us the estimation and international reporting of forest emissions and removals. Responding to this Ethiopia is now designing and implementing robust and accurate system for monitoring and measuring carbon emissions and removals to enable the country to report and verify actions on deforestation and forest degradation and other activities aiming to conserve, sustainably manage and increase forest carbon stocks. The Terms of Reference for Developing Capacities for a national Measuring, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System to support REDD+ participation of Ethiopia, including the MRV Roadmap, were prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, with support from the Norwegian embassy and Wageningen University in June 2013. Several national and international institutions were identified in this study to be part of the MRV Task Force, a body of counseling, advice and technical participation jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Forest to implement the MRV project in a real participated process. For the implementation of the MRV Roadmap, the Ministry of Environment and Forest on behalf of the government of Ethiopia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations signed an agreement in August 2014 for the provision of technical assistance for the implementation of a national forest monitoring and MRV system for REDD+ Readiness in Ethiopia. This is a major project, but not the only, related to M&MRV System implementation at national level, but its launch makes it urgent to formalize the MRV Task Force for developing the first assigned tasks. These ToR, required to formalize the MRV Task Force, come to define the counseling, advice and technical tasks that the different member institutions will develop in the MRV system implementation.
2. MRV TASK FORCE MISSION 1) Support, monitor, and technically advice on the development of Monitoring systems (NFI, GHG, etc.) that allow for credible measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) at national, regional and project level. Build institutional framework for MRV (recruitment, training staff, extension activities and technical maintenance of MRV and Forest inventory units). 2) Support, monitor, and technically advice on the development and capacity on climate sciences, climate models (radiative and convective models, General Circulation Models), climate evolution and trends, natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change, emission inventories, emissions scenarios). Information on useful available data and advice on the acquisition and use of new climatic/meteo data, climate modeling and mapping. 3) Support, monitor, and technically advice on the development of vegetation classification systems, species (and genetic clusters) distribution modeling and biodiversity hotspots characterization and detection. Information on useful available data and advice on the acquisition and use of new vegetation data, vegetation and biodiversity mapping and vegetation distribution modeling. 4) Support, monitor, and technically advice on the development and capacity on methods to assess the stocks of carbon pools both aboveground (allometric equations for major tree species of interest) and belowground under forest systems. 5) Support, monitor, and technically advice on the development and capacity on estimating soil carbon release and sequestration. Information on useful available data and advice on the acquisition and use of new soil data, soil mapping and soil carbon modeling.
6) Support, monitor, and technically advice on the development and capacity on the preparation of the national GHG/data registry system. Specifications for: data, formats, storage systems, statistical data analysis, reporting. Information on useful available data and advice on the acquisition and use of new data. 7) Support, monitor, and technically advice on the development and capacity on remote sensing and GIS techniques and facilities. Information on available geo data and advice on the acquisition and use of new material (remote sensing data, aerial photography, DEMs, topographic and other thematic maps and other related geo information).
3. MRV TASK FORCE MEMBERS: PRESENTATION AND PROPOSED ROLES Central Statistical Agency (CSA): The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) is an agency of the government of Ethiopia designated to provide all surveys and censuses for that country used to monitor economic and social growth, as well as to act as an official training center in that field. It is part of the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Role:6 Ethiopian Mapping Agency (EMA): Since its establishment, it has been providing services in mapping, surveying, geodesy, cartography, remote sensing, and photogrammetry for over the past half century. EMA is the sole legal, autonomous federal government surveying and mapping organization tasked with acquisition, management, and processing of remotely sensed data, geodetic networks, topographic maps, aerial photography and other related geo information. Role:7 Ministry of Agriculture National Soil Testing Centre (National Soil Laboratory Center) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It carries out various activities related to soil, such as soil chemistry, soil physics, soil fertility, soil biology tests and soil mapping and database management. It provides service to investors and governmental institutions. Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (Ethiopian ATA) is a Government Agency and reports to an Agricultural Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister and vice chaired by the Minister of Agriculture. ATA administered, managed and supervised the EthioSIS project to provide information on the status of soil fertility of the agricultural lands. Role:5 Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity (EIB): The Objective of the Institute is to ensure the appropriate Conservation and Utilization of the Country s Biodiversity and eventually become a center of excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use in Africa (undertake study and research on the proper conservation of Ethiopia s Biodiversity and associated indigenous knowledge; establish participatory conservation mechanisms; ensure fair and equitable access and benefit sharing; promote sustainable utilization of biodiversity for sustainable development). Center for International Forestry Research CIFOR: It is a non profit, scientific facility that conducts research on the most pressing challenges of forest and landscapes management around the world. As CGIAR Consortium member, they lead the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry. Ministry of Environment and Forest Forest Sector / Forest Inventory Directorate/ Forestry Research Institute The Ministry, within the administrative structure of the national government, is responsible for the planning, promotion, co ordination and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes. Environment and Forest Coffee Forum (ECFF) they bring together forest communities and local government to share responsibility for developing sustainable plans for the forests. They develop projects, short term training, and key extension activities for the sustainable use of natural resources. Farm Africa / SOS Sahel: they bring together forest communities and local government to share responsibility for developing sustainable plans for the forests. They develop projects, short term training, and key extension activities for the sustainable use of natural resources.
World Vision: they bring together forest communities and local government to share responsibility for developing sustainable plans for the forests. They develop projects, short term training, and key extension activities for the sustainable use of natural resources. Addis Ababa University Biodiversity and Plant Conservation Department: the mission of the department is to provide relevant and problem solving education at BSc, MSc and PhD levels as well as short term training including carrying out research and extension for the advancement of science and technology in Conservation and Utilization of the Country s Biodiversity. Addis Ababa University Climate Science Center College of Natural Sciences: Provides climate science scientific information, tools, and techniques, including physical and biological research, ecological forecasting, and multi scale modeling, to be applied to anticipate, monitor, and adapt to climate change impacts. Role:2 Hawassa University Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources: the mission of WGCF NR is to provide relevant and problem solving education at BSc, MSc and PhD levels as well as short term training including carrying out research and extension for the advancement of science and technology in sustainable forestry and natural forestry management. Mekelle University: The mission of this university is pursuing academics, research and community service and contributing to the advancement of knowledge, economic growth, and social welfare to national and international community through empowering local communities, excelling in innovation and entrepreneurship, and partnering with national and international institutions. The College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources has as overall objective to address the trained human resource, technology and information needs for sustainable development of the drylands and to improved welfare of the people inhabiting these areas. Role:7 Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE): is an autonomous fully government owned organisation established with regulation number 122/2009, issued in July 2009 by the Oromia State Council under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. OFWE works to ensure conservation, sustainable development and the use of forest and wildlife resources in its concessions through community participation; to ensure supply of forest products to domestic and international markets by enhancing the forest industry; and subsequently contribute to regional and national socio economic development endeavours. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): FAO s staff capacity allows it to support improved governance inter alia, generate, develop and adapt existing tools and guidelines and provide targeted governance support as a resource to country and regional level FAO offices. In particular helping eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable, enabling inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems, and Increasing the resilience of livelihoods to disasters. Role:7
4. MRV TASK FORCE FORMALIZATION The REDD + Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MEF) invites your organization/institution to join the MRV Task Force and to participate in the quarterly meetings, MRV workshops and to design and implement activities as specified in these ToR. These tasks will be concretized over development of MRV project implementation. It is kindly requested to your institution accepting this invitation, signing this sheet, along with providing the appropriate technical staff to represent your institution and participate in meetings and activities taking place within the framework of this project. The designation of at least two representatives would be desirable to have a permanent representation of your institution in all events and activities (compatibility of agendas). INSTITUTION DEPARTMENT Representatives Nº Name Surname Position Email Phone Fax 1 2 3 Addis Ababa, 16/12/2014 Signature: REDD+ Secretariat Ministry of Environment and Forest Contact: Dr. Julian Gonzalo International MRV Specialist Mob: +251 929049356 Fax: +251 115580590 E mail: jgonzalo.jg@gmail.com Institution: Departament: Contact: Position: Mob: Fax: Email: