REDD side events at Copenhagen
“It seems increasingly likely that no binding deal will come out of Copenhagen and that the North will attempt to scrap the Kyoto Protocol. It also seems likely that some sort of deal will be pushed through on reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). There is a serious danger that REDD will act as greenwash for the North’s failure to reduce emissions dramatically.
“REDD could generate a massive land grab, it could pour money into some of the most corrupt governments and forestry ministries in the world, it could trample on indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ rights, it could accelerate conversion of forests to plantations and it could create a massive loophole allowing pollution in the North to continue. All the while allowing deforestation to continue.”
That’s the opening paragraphs from an article I wrote in the World Rainforest Movement Bulletin this month. A REDD deal from Copenhagen cannot be held up as a success in the face of the failure of the North to agree to dramatic emissions reductions. For one simple reason: The forests will go up in smoke if we don’t reduce emissions. Yes, of course, we have to stop deforestation, but to stand any chance of avoiding runaway climate change, we must also massively reduce emissions from burning of fossil fuels.
For those in Copenhagen, there are many side events relating to REDD and several more at the parallel Klimaforum event. Here’s a calendar (I’ll update this during the two weeks of the Copenhagen meetings – please let me know if anything is missing!):
TUESDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2009
Amazon Forest Destruction and Climate Change
Brazilian Vegetarian Society
10:00-12:00 Brown room, KLIMAFORUM, 8 December 2009
80% of the Amazon Forest is destroyed by cattle rearing and soy production. Some 247 million acres are burnt every year and the resulting emissions in this region are larger than all emissions coming from big cities and transportation. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions the issue of meat consumption must be addressed.
REDD Readiness in Tanzania
Tanzania
13.15, M/F Norønna (for details, click here), 8 December 2009
The Government of Tanzania in partnership, with Tanzanian civil society and universities, is proud to present a showcase on some key elements of its REDD-Readiness process
REDD Realities: The gap between REDD Dreams and the real-life forest policies
Global Forest Coalition (GFC)
20:00—21:30 Room Victor Borg, Bella Centre, 8 December 2009
The event will present the results of an independent monitoring project on REDD policy development in 9 different countries. It will also elaborate on the potential impacts of REDD-projects like genetically modified tree plantations-on Indigenous Peoples, local communities and biodiversity.
The Story of Cap and Trade
Film by Annie Leonard, Side Event by Sustainable Energy & Economy Network, Institute for Policy Studies
21:30-22:30 Red room KLIMAFORUM, 8 December 2009
WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2009
REDD – Getting the safeguards right
Rainforest Foundation Norway
11:30-13:00 Bellona Stand, Bella Centre, 9 December 2009
Will REDD proposals safeguard the rights of local and indigenous peoples? How can eligibility criteria connected to rights and governance be strengthened in the negotiating text? RFN and Accra Caucus members provide analysis and concrete proposals for the negotiations at COP 15 and beyond
Monoculture Tree Plantations: False Solutions to Climate Change
Latin American Network against Monoculture Tree plantations and the World Rainforest Movement
13:00-15:00 Orange Hall KLIMAFORUM, 9 December 2009
Carbon sink projects, biofuels and tree – ethanol have been proposed as solutions for climate change. On the contrary these are false solutions and monoculture tree plantations have many negative impacts on the surrounding communities, mainly in Southern countries. This negative impact has been documented and denounced by several organizations including the World Rainforest Movement, the Latin American Network against Monoculture Tree Plantations and the Global Forest Coalition.
People’s Protocol on Climate Change: Southern Voices on Climate Change
The People’s Movement on Climate Change
13:00-18:00 Green Hall KLIMAFORUM, 9 December 2009
Partnership for Capacity Development for National GHG Inventories in non-Annex 1 Countries for REDD
Papua New Guinea
13:00—14:30 Room Victor Borg, 9 December 2009
Development of a new coordinated action for capacity building on REDD implementation in developing countries.
Why we should listen to what young people have to say
Young Friends of the Earth Europe
15:15-16:15 Brown Room KLIMAFORUM, 9 December 2009
Showing examples of actions, events and methods that young people have been doing to mobilise and ensure their voices are heard, to encourage action for climate justice at home, and why they are here in Copenhagen. The discussion will involve the participation of diverse youth networks, movies and photos.
GMO Trees, Plantations and REDD: Impacts on Indigenous Peoples & the Climate
Global Justice Ecology Project
16:00-18:00 Blue Hall KLIMAFORUM, 9 December 2009
Reducing emissions from deforestation continues to be a major emphasis in the international climate negotiations. Unfortunately, the draft of the REDD text allows monoculture tree plantations and even GE trees to be used. The impact on indigenous people, forest dependent people and the climate itself, will be discussed in the workshop along with ways how people can get involved.
Development of social & environmental standards for national REDD+ programs
Nepal
18:15—19:45 Room Dan Turell, Bella Centre, 9 December 2009
Nepal in collaboration with CCBA, CARE and Ecuador will present a global initiative on social and environmental standards for REDD+ that aims to enhance the contribution of national REDD programs to rights, poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation while avoiding social or environmental harm.
Madagascar’s progress towards a national REDD system
Madagascar
20:00—21:30 Room Liva Weel, Bella Centre, 9 December 2009
The country is building the REDD national approach by harmonizing methods developed through projects. Stakeholders in the forest sector are leading the process to ensure engagement of other sectors. For permanency, efforts are ongoing to define distribution of benefits at the community level.
THURSDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2009
Making it Happen: Monitoring Forest Emissions and Governance to Achieve REDD
Amazon Institute of People and the Environment (Imazon)
09:00—10:30 Room Victor Borg, Bella Centre, 10 December 2009
How can we monitor forest carbon emissions and governance for REDD? We will present independent initiatives to quantify uncertainty of carbon emissions in Brazil and initial results of efforts to assess the situation and challenges of forest governance in Brazil and Indonesia.
Monitoring REDD for climate compliance – an integrated approach
11:00—12:30 Room Halfdan Rasmussen, Bella Centre, 10 December 2009
Global Witness Limited
Global Witness presents IM-REDD – a system of independent monitoring to address governance. A comprehensive monitoring system will be needed to support MRV. But what should be monitored and how? And how can we secure “climate compliance”?
Youth, Forest Protection and Survival: Why Forest Protection and Education is Essential
SustainUS
11:00—12:30 Room Niels Bohr, Bella Centre, 10 December 2009
Hear about youth-led forest protection and education efforts from around the world, and listen as international youth discuss how protecting intact forests under REDD can support a successful climate agreement.
Indigenous Perspectives on Forests and Climate Change
International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests and the Global Forest Coalition
13:00-16:00 Red Room KLIMAFORUM, 10 December 2009
Aiming to raise awareness of indigenous perspectives of forests and climate change indigenous representatives with expertise in forests and climate change policies elaborate on real issues: The rights of Indigenous peoples as laid down in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; The impacts of climate change and false solutions to climate change on indigenous peoples; Indigenous perspectives on carbon trade and REDD; REDD realities on the ground.
Towards a Peoples Tribunal on Ecological Debt and Climate Justice
Jubilee South, World Council of Churches, Climate Justice Now!, Oilwatch, Southern Peoples Ecological Debt Creditors Alliance (SPEDCA), Friends of the Earth International, Focus on the Global South, FASE, Ecologistas en Acción, CRBM
16:00-20:00 Orange Hall KLIMAFORUM, 10 December 2009
Protecting human rights also means promoting the rights of people and nature. This activity aims at deepening understanding of ecological debt and its relation to climate, human and nature rights, through analysis and testimonies from the creditors of ecological debt, the sharing of strategies and proposals for achieving recognition, and payment of that debt. Including the role of a Peoples’ Tribunal on Ecological Debt and Climate Justice.
Indigenous Speak out
Global Justice Ecology Project and Indigenous Environmental Network
16:15-19:00 Blue Hall KLIMAFORUM, 10 December 2009
For too many years the UNFCCC has stifled the voices and wisdom of indigenous peoples. “Indigenous Peoples’ Speak Out” will offer an important cultural opportunity for both participants and the audience. Come and hear the uncensored expression of indigenous peoples from every corner of the earth regarding their experience with climate changes.
Making REDD Work
Conservation International (CI)
16:30—18:00 Room Liva Weel, Bella Centre, 10 December 2009
NGOs present experiences in building preparedness for an international REDD mechanism, including case studies ranging from exploration of potential REDD activities to implementation of pilot projects and national-scale mechanisms and discussion of the international policy framework required for REDD
FRIDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2009
How to make Joint National-International Actions on REDD works : Experiences from Indonesia
Indonesia
13:00—14:30 Room Liva Weel, Bella Centre, 11 December 2009
The government of Indonesia will highlight early experience with REDD. The event will cover the development of national policy, monitoring system, demonstration activities implemented in cooperation with international partners including the Australian and The German Governments, and the TNC.
REDD and the Amazon’s Forest Guardians: Indigenous Peoples from Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia engage
Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA)
14:45—16:15 Room Niels Bohr, Bella Centre, 11 December 2009
The Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA),with the national indigenous organizations, the Forum on Readiness for REDD, and the Woods Hole Research Center held national-level REDD workshops. Participants present outcomes and next steps.
REDD in the Congo Basin Sub-region: Opportunities and Challenges
Commission des forets d’Afrique Centrale (COMIFAC)
16:30—18:00 Room Victor Borg, Bella Centre, 11 December 2009
The side event presents experiences of REDD initiatives and activities in the Congo Basin sub-region. The progress made and the challenges in the assessment of activity data and emission factors, as well as institutional arrangements.
Will the Amazon survive Climate Change?
Catalan Institute of Climate Sciences
17:15-18:15 Brown Room KLIMAFORUM, Bella Centre, 11 December 2009
One of the most dramatic events that climate change could bring about is a demise of the Amazonian rainforest. We are not yet sure that this is going to happen, but it is a real risk in the absence of emission cuts far more ambitious than governments are currently willing to accept. This workshop will present an overview and some of the latest research results about this topic.
REDD in the Real World: Lessons from Global Research
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
18:15—19:45 Room Halfdan Rasmussen, Bella Centre, 11 December 2009
As REDD moves from negotiation to implementation, CIFOR and GOFC-GOLD will present science-based technical guidance and recommendations for carbon measuring and monitoring, financing, rights and tenure and other key issues for making REDD efficient, effective and equitable.
SATURDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2009
The Business Case for a Strong REDD
Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
11:00—12:30 Room Niels Bohr, Bella Centre, 12 December 2009
Companies whose brands and business rely on sourcing socially and environmentally responsible forest and agricultural products are seeking a credible REDD. This event brings together businesses and NGOs to outline requirements for strong REDD and discuss how supply chains can contribute to it.
Indigenous and community engagement in REDD: Experiences in project design and MRV
Forest Trends Association
18:15—19:45 Room Halfdan Rasmussen, Bella Centre, 12 December 2009
The Confederation of Indigenous Peoples (CIDOB), FAN Bolivia, Forest Trends, Google, Jane Goodall Institute and indigenous leaders present lessons learnt from practical experiences underway.
Earth Journalism Awards
Earth Journalism Awards
21:00-23:00 Red Room, KLIMAFORUM, 12 December 2009
This event screens a selection of award-winning documentaries. The documentary “REDD Alert” discusses whether carbon could become the developing world’s new cash crop? Earth Report travels to the vast rainforests of Africas Congo Basin, to find out if forests can realistically pay their way as global carbon stores and who exactly will benefit. “The Element Series” features Sepehr from Iran and Tia from New Zealand.Tia volunteers to get arrested for chaining herself to a deep sea trawler. Then she goes to Paradise. Internews, a global media assistance organisation, is organizing a high profile climate change journalism awards, honoring the world’s best climate change reporting.
SUNDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2009
CIFOR – Forests 3 Day
All day – Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, 13 December 2009
Click here for further details.
Why Carbon Markets Won’t Work and a Route Map for Alternatives
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland
11:15-12:15 Green Hall KLIMAFORUM, 13 December 2009
This session looks at the corporate-driven carbon trading agenda; why it is high risk, irresponsible, unjust and dangerous; and at alternatives for tackling climate change and achieving climate justice.
MONDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2009
Regional and Amazonian initiatives on climate change and REDD: voice of Latin America
Institute for Conservation and Sustainable Development of Amazonas (IDESAM)
09:00—10:30 Room Niels Bohr, Bella Centre, 14 December 2009
Highlights of ongoing initiatives to address forthcoming challenges and opportunities for Latin America involving multi-stakeholder dialogues on a range of critical issues and with a focus on REDD projects and proposals to address the theme of forests and climate change in the Amazon region.
Are Emissions Declining From Deforestation?
Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC)
09:00 Asger Jorn, Hall H, Bella Center, 14 December 2009
The panelists will review recent studies of global carbon emissions from land use, likely future trends in these emissions, and the potential for improving the quality of these estimates through new remote sensing technologies.
Saving the rainforest and transition to sustainable forestry in the North and the South
MJV/Friends of the Earth Sweden, NOrdBruk/Via Campesina Sweden
10:00-12:00 Red Room KLIMAFORUM, 14 December 2009
We address the role of forests for the climate, the role of forest degradation and deforestation in the climate negotiations, and the uncertainties and impacts of commodification of the forest. We then focus on how to change the production, that is, move to ecologically and socially sustainable forestry in the North and the South. Environmetalists, small farmers, forest dwellers and indigenous people will address this issue.
Implementing REDD, Making REDD work on the ground
Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) / Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC)
11:00-12:30 Room Niels Bohr, Bella Centre, 14 December 2009
IPAM and WHRC present initiatives for fostering REDD Readiness in Brazil and globally, including political and stakeholder planning and preparedness, sub-national targets within national plans, information sharing, Indigenous engagement and progress toward pan-tropical forest cover and biomass maps.
Climate policy and land scarcity – finding effective responses
Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg and FOCALI – Forest, climate and livelihoods research network
13.00-15.00 Monnet room, EU-pavilion, Bella Centre, 14 December 2009
Income induced diet changes, increased demand for biofuels, and climatic changes, have already caused food price increases and consequent deforestation. Here we will discuss three main responses to the challenges this development poses: pricing the carbon emissions from deforestation (i.e., REDD), climate taxes on meat consumption, and utilization of marginal lands.
Carbon Market Crimes, The Kyoto Years (to date)
Durban Group for Climate Justice
13:00-15:00 Green Room KLIMAFORUM, 14 December 2009
Carbon trading is a complex system with a simple goal: to make it cheaper for companies to continue polluting. The carbon market has fielded perhaps the largest avenue for businesses to earn money while polluting. This workshop will examine some of the largest carbon trading criminal acts to date taking an in-depth look at the corruption inherent in the system, ways in which the Clean Development Mechanism has perpetuated the criminalisation of resistance on the ground, the breakdown of the market and how climate finance has functioned to rig the system throughout Kyoto’s history.
Carbon and Koalas Collide: The science of trees, mapping and the carbon economy
Australian Koala Foundation
13:20-13:40 cc Solutions Studio, Bella Centre, 14 December 2009
How much carbon is sequestered in the forests of Australia? After 20 years of research, 78000 trees and 1800 field sites, the Australian Koala Foundation will discuss the staggering consequences of the removal of existing native forest, and demonstrate the impossible task of replacing this carbon.
The Role of Boreal Forests in the Climate Change Debate
Global Forest Coalition and the Taiga Rescue Network
13:00-16:00 Red Room KLIMAFORUM, 14 December 2009
The workshop aims to address the importance of boreal forests in mitigating and adapting to climate change as well as the threats to boreal forests posed by climate change. The workshop will look into opportunities to preserve boreal forests as carbon storage and also discuss perspectives on how outcomes of the climate negotiations affect boreal forests, situated mainly in Annex 1 countries.
Carbon Market Crimes, Kyoto, Post-2012
Durban Group for Climate Justice
15:00-17:00 Green Room KLIMAFORUM, 14 December 2009
Carbon trading is a complex system with a simple goal: to make it cheaper for companies to continue polluting. New false solutions such as REDD, techno-fixes like CCS and market linking schemes arrive into the debate daily. What are they and what would their potential impacts be? While questions around what to expect post-Kyoto, after 2012, continue to be discussed, it is often unclear what direction these new market mechanisms will take. This workshop aims to decode the new languages developing inside the climate talks and highlight real issues from a justice-based approach of the impacts on people and the environment.
TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2009
REDD in Amazonia, will the rainforest be part of the carbon market?
Heinrich Boell Stiftung
10:00-12:00 Green Hall KLIMAFORUM, 15 December 2009
The inclusion of the tropical forests in a global climate agreement has evoked hopes and fears in the world’s largest rain forest area. While some expect large amounts of money for forest conservation and forest people, others fear drastic impacts of the market mechanisms on habitat and culture of traditional forest dwellers. Is REDD a unique chance or the starting point for a transformation of nature into an economic good?
False solutions – how to resist them and promote alternatives
Friends of the Earth International, La Via Campesina, World March of Women, Indigenous Environmental Network
13:00-14:00 Green Hall KLIMAFORUM, 15 December 2009
This debate explores the false solutions that have been promoted in the name of tackling climate change including the role of the World Bank, carbon offsetting, monoculture plantations, agrofuels and their devastating impacts on local communities in particular, Indigenous Peoples, peasant farmers, women and their environment. The speakers will highlight the inspirational struggles for survival that are taking place and what sustainable alternatives are being put in place.
Forests and the Climate Deal
Rainforest Foundation Norway
17:30-19:00 Bellona stand, Bella Centre, 15 December 2009
What would be acceptable and non-acceptable outcomes of the climate negotiations on major forest related issues? Participants include Marina Silva, Senator and previous Minister of the Environment of Brazil, Lars Løvold, director Rainforest Foundation Norway and leading representatives from civil society in rainforest countries.
Institutional set-up of REDD and the involvement of the private sector
Slovenia
18:00—20:00 EU Pavilion, Bella Centre, 15 December 2009
The side-event will address questions related to the current barriers to the participation of the private sector in a future REDD scheme and present some ideas of how these can be removed as well as what the institutional set-up for the REDD under the UNFCCC framework could look like.
WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2009
Reducing Emissions from Forest Degradation: FSC Certified Management (with Guatemala Case Study)
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
11:00—12:30 Room Niels Bohr, Bella Centre, 16 December 2009
Forest degradation represents ~20% of forest-based emissions. FSC, Rainforest Alliance and the Guatemalan government explore forest conservation and improved forest management as viable REDD strategies and FSC certification as a way to address environmental and social concerns of such activities.
Achieving climate justice: reducing emissions and building resilience without false solutions
Friends of the Earth International
16:30-18:00 Room Halfdan Rasmussen, Bella Centre, 16 December 2009
Industrialized countries must lead immediate and steep emissions reductions without resorting to unjust false solutions. We present case-studies on how emission targets can be met, and why false solutions such as offsetting, ccs and agrofuels are dangerous distractions to achieving climate justice.
Ecuador and Peru towards their National REDD Strategies Concept note
Ecuador
18:15—19:45 Room Halfdan Rasmussen, Bella Centre, 16 December 2009
Forest resources, megadiversity and communities place Ecuador and Peru in an excellent position to deliver positive results from REDD. The two countries are taking firm steps towards implementing their REDD Strategies. The event will present the progresses and challenges that are faced on the path to REDD
Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy
Guyana
18:15—19:45 Room Victor Borg, Bella Centre, 16 December 2009
A workable model that demonstrates how highly forested countries with low deforestation rates can develop along a low carbon path
They Have Sold the Lungs of the World
Social Elephant
19:00-21:00 Yellow Room KLIMAFORUM, 16 December 2009
Film: In 2003, 5% of the Peruvian rainforest had been concessioned to a series of foreign companies with the purpose of extracting oil and gas. In 2007, this figure had increased to 67%. The film is a portrayal of the dilemma the Amazonian natives are confronted with. A kaleidoscopic journey which follows the oil throughout the fragmented Peru as well as the fundamental changes that follow in its wake.
The geography of forests in climate solutions
Resources for the Future (RFF)
20:00—21:30 Room Niels Bohr, Bella Centre, 16 December 2009
This event will discuss the global geography of REDD+ potential. Panelists will discuss the importance of new interactive mapping tools to policymakers, landscape managers, and private investors.