Download Opportunities for Research and Collaboration Relevant to

Overview of Opportunities for Research and
Collaboration Relevant to Climate Change and
Forests
Improve GHG inventory from forest sector in India
Assess mitigation opportunities, costs and benefits
in forest sector
Asses impacts of projected climate change on forest
ecosystems and plantation forestry
Identify strategies and silvicultural practices to
reduce vulnerability and adapt to changing climate
Identify institutional requirements and best
practices to implement such strategies
Explore opportunities to benefit from global
mechanisms
I GHG Inventory from Forest Sector in India:
Background
F-7 Network analysis using COPATH model
 No net CO2 emissions from forest sector during
1996
Estimates using IPCC-1995 Guidelines
Net emissions of CO2 for 1990 at 1.4 MtC
Estimates using revised IPCC 1996 guidelines
using default data
Net CO2 emissions during 1994 at 92 MtC
National Communication Process
Indian Institute of Science
Forest Survey of India
Forest Research Institute
I GHG Inventory from Forest Sector in India:
Research Opportunities
 Developing land use change matrix covering all land uses;
Forest and Non-forest
 Estimating carbon pools in different land use systems
Above ground biomass
Below ground biomass
Soil carbon
Litter
 Estimating carbon fluxes under different land use
change situations and management systems
 Soil carbon stocks and flows under land use change and
management for different land use categories
 Estimates of extraction of fuelwood and timber from
different forest and non-forest sources
 Explore use of forest inventory for GHG inventory
II. Impacts of Climate Change and
Adaptation Strategies: Background
1.
Assessment of impact of climate change
on forest ecosystems in India
–
Indian Institute of Science
2. Assessment of climate change on forest
ecosystems in the Western Ghats
–
Indian Institute of Science
3. Impacts of climate change on forests in
Himachal Pradesh
–
Tata Energy Research Institute
II. Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation
Strategies: Research Needs
 Assessment of impacts of projected climate change (scenarios)
on forests at the national & regional level
 Biodiversity
 Forest regeneration
 Biomass growth rates
 Timber production
 NTFP flows
 Identify vulnerable forest ecosystems
 Assess socio-economic implications of impacts of climate change
 Develop adaptation technologies, silvicultural practices and
policies
 Link adaptation with mitigation strategies & options
 Adapt vegetation response models to diverse tropical forest
situations
III. Climate Mitigation in Forest
Sector: Background
• F-7 Network analysis using COMAP model (1995)
– Technical potential estimated & published in 1995
• ALGAS work (1998)
– Estimated potential for plantation forestry &
regeneration
• F-7 update using COMAP model (2001)
– Estimated incremental mitigation potential of
sustainable & commercial forestry scenario
• Case studies of agroforestry in Tumkur dist.
• Exploring CDM guidelines for A&R in Adilabad dist.
• Several research institutions are involved
III. Climate mitigation in Forest Sector:
Research Needs
• Practices and technologies
– Identify potential mitigation options or activities: by state
– Develop or adapt existing models to estimate mitigation
potential, costs and benefits for different activities
– Estimate mitigation potential, cost effectiveness,
investment needed, land requirements and availability
• Technical potential vs. economic or market potential
– Assess co-benefits and co-effects: biodiversity, income etc.
– Timber production, supply and demand modeling and
projections
– Economic analysis of land use climate mitigation options
– Policies and programs
• Develop a sustainable forest management strategy including
meeting the growing round wood demand
• Study land use management and changes, land tenures and
land use policies
IV. Projects: Specific Studies Needed
 Study Afforestation and Reforestation activities which
are likely to be eligible under Article 12 or other
international approaches at the state level
 Develop or adapt models to assess mitigation potential,
costs, benefits
 Economic and market potential in different states
 Develop or adapt models to rank barriers in different
states & incorporate them for assessing mitigation pot.
 Develop approaches and methods for addressing issues
such as permanence, leakage, additionality
 Strengthen institutional capacity to address climate
change related issues in forestry sector
 Evolve institutional arrangements needed to involve local
communities, ensure enhanced livelihoods
V. Collaboration Background; Areas of
interest to USA & Experience so far
US Experience of Collaboration & assistance
 US Country Studies Programme
 FORCLIMIT ASIA; Indonesia, the Philippines & Malaysia
 F-7 network: 7 key tropical countries
 Mexico & Russian: Continuing cooperation
Current focus of USEPA, LBNL on research and
Technical Assistance in climate change and Forestry
 Major Institutions involved
 Areas of Work and Activities
Potential opportunities for collaboration between
USEPA and India, LBNL and Indian Institutions
V. Collaboration Goals
• Some lessons from US international cooperation on
climate and forestry issues
– Identify a set of activities over time, and be
persistent (these take time): say 1.5-2 years
– Select activities that can produce real, policyuseful products, and do not try to do everything
– Include government agencies, private sector,
academia and NGOs in consultations on key issues
– Meet 1-2 times per year to develop continuing
dialog
– Plan to publish results in technical journals
– Seek to share technical tools (e.g. models) and
methods (eg. work in progress)