Forest Day 5: Scientists discuss a landscape approach to REDD+

Agroforestry, reforestation and afforestation constitute very relevant strategies for alleviating pressure on forests and significantly contributing to co-benefits in a landscape approach to REDD+.

“Agroforestry can support programs to control deforestation. Increased production of timber and fuelwood on farms and in rotational wood-lots can potentially reduce emissions from forest degradation especially in instances of restricted access to forests or limited supply in “open access” forests. However, this depends on whether or not country definitions allow agroforestry, reforestation and afforestation to qualify as “forests” because, if and when they qualify, they could become part of REDD+ and not landscape strategies for achieving REDD+.”

Peter Minang of the ASB Partnership gives the keynote presentationThis was the key message delivered during a side event organized by the World Agroforestry Centre and ASB Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins during Forest Day 5, an international event held on the sidelines of the 17th UNFCCC Conference of Parties in Durban, South Africa.

When delivering the keynote speech, Dr Peter Minang’, ASB Partnership Global Coordinator, noted that the biggest obstacle to having agroforestry, reforestation and afforestation play an important role in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is their exclusion within what is defined as forest.

Dr. Minang’ noted that these systems often meet the minimum requirements and serve the purpose of a forest but because of where they are located, they are not considered or defined as such. This therefore presents a huge missed opportunity for initiatives aimed at accounting and rewarding for emission reduction efforts. On the flipside, areas defined as forest are so regarded even when they are temporarily cleared due to shifting cultivation.

The benefits of agroforestry to the REDD+ mechanism are real. Planting of tree crops equals a 90% concurrent loss of natural forest, holding a huge potential for agroforestry to control deforestation as a sustainable intensification strategy. One of the panelists, Dr Valentina Robiglio, Research Associate, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) pointed out that in Cameroon, timber is increasingly being sourced from agricultural land, thus opening a window of opportunity to reduce forest degradation especially in protected forest areas. see ASB Policy brief 23

A policy and legal frame work should be key in repositioning the role of agroforestry, reforestation and afforestation. “Planting trees is not enough,” said Dr. Minang, “there is need for policies that address rights and ownership of trees, carbon and land; adequate market infrastructure, for timber and non-timber tree products; and increased economic incentives for ecosystems services.”

Other panelists enriched discussions at the forum. Carole Saint Laurent, Senior Forest Policy Advisor, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Coordinator of the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration said that it was time people looked at the landscape through a lens of opportunities and how such opportunities can support efforts to cut down emissions.

On influencing policy, Saint Laurent pointed out that an effective way would be to better understand the cost and benefits of planting trees. For example, US$ 85 billion could be generated by planting 150 billion trees. She emphasized that success can be achieved through initiatives that help to sequester carbon, and the motivations behind the various initiatives are what we need to capitalize on. “In Niger, farmers gaining rights to trees on their land has triggered a huge change,” she said, citing an example.

The audience follow through discussions during Forest Day 5.

Michael Dutschke, Chair, Global Conservation Standard (GSC), explained that GCS looks at the landscape level and defines a project by the systems of conservation and existence of a commercial buffer zone. GCS offers a system that distributes benefits to economies through private sector engagement. Communities are involved in the management of a stakeholder’s fund. “Poor farmers are normally not thinking of the long term benefits to come after 30 years, they want to feed their families now and that is what we need to work with,” he said.

Manoel Sobral, former Director of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), showed the need to increase incomes of people living in and around forests and providing incentives such as financing options that have long grace periods and lower interest rates.

Participants engaged the speakers in a lively discussion with one of them proposing the formation of a group to champion agroforestry and the need for a landscape approach within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) discussions.

Others underscored the need for practical action with communities on the ground.  

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