The first expert meeting was held in in Brasilia, Brazil, from 14-15 July 2010. Participants discussed the development of a voluntary REDD+ database to track global activities on financing, actions, results and preliminary gap analysis. Discussions on the Partnership workplan and working modalities will continue at the August Bonn Climate Change Talks.

The Newsletter highlights several other recent meetings, including: a UN-REDD, Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, and the Forest Investment Program meeting to work on a joint paper on enhancing cooperation and coherence among REDD+ institutions; a workshop with indigenous people from Asia and the Pacific on applying the principles of free, prior and informed consent to REDD+ activities; and a meeting in Georgetown, Guyana to evaluate the Readiness Preparation Proposals (R-PPs) of Argentina, Costa Rica, Kenya, Nepal and the Republic of Congo

Commentaries in the Newsletter address REDD+ in Zambia and current issues with measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of REDD+ implementation. [UN-REDD July Newsletter]

The report underscores that jatropha can reduce soil erosion and that its seeds can be processed into biodiesel for light or cooking fuel. It highlights that jatropha grows in marginal areas and does not compete with food crops, but notes that it may need inputs, such as water and fertilizers for sustained yields. The report cautions that the seed yield, oil quality and oil content are variable, and stresses the need for more crop improvement. It suggests that the greatest pro-poor potential for jatropha at present is for the reclamation of degraded farmland. The report is based on papers and presentations from the International Consultation on Pro-Poor Jatropha Development, which convened from 10-11 April 2008, in Rome, Italy. It includes chapters on jatropha cultivation; seed harvest, processing and uses of jatropha; genetic improvement; and experiences in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. [FAO Report]

An updated draft protocol for the review, written by Gill Petrokofsky, FAO/UN-REDD Programme and external experts, has been posted for review on the website of the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence, until 10 August 2010. According to the draft protocol, this evidence-based review will principally address the question: How do current methodologies compare in their ability to measure and assess terrestrial carbon stocks and changes in carbon stocks with accuracy, precision and repeatability? It will aim to address the accuracy, precision and repeatability of methodologies used for conversion of in situ measurements into carbon stock estimates at the site level, and used for generating carbon stock estimates for larger geographical areas from site-level data, as well as the accuracy of direct remote sensing methodologies for estimating carbon stocks. A team of experts will be put together for the full review. [UN-REDD Press Release] [Draft Protocol]

According to the Altas, studies estimate that mangroves generate between US$2000-9000 per hectare annually, considerably more than alternative uses such as aquaculture, agriculture or insensitive tourism. It also underscores the link between these coastal forests and economically-important services from flood defences and fish nurseries to carbon storage to combat climate change.

The assessment highlighted various uses and ecological niches of mangroves related to climate change including: the importance of mangroves as greenbelts and carbon sinks that protect coastal areas from natural disasters such as tsunamis, cyclones and erosion resulting from sea-level rise, especially in small island countries; and the storage of organic carbon in mangrove soils, thereby mitigating climate change. According to the Altas, preliminary estimates indicate that the total above-ground biomass for the world’s mangrove forests may be over 3700Tg of carbon, and that carbon sequestration directly into mangrove sediments is likely to be in the range of 14-17Tg of carbon per year.

UNEP-WCMC partners in the assessment include: the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO); the International Society of Mangrove Ecosystems; the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-Man and Biosphere; the UN University (UNU) Institute for Water Environment and Health; and The Nature Conservancy. [UNEP Press Release]

Prabhu’s presentation was part of a special session at the Conference titled “Delivering REDD+: From Copenhagen to Cancun,” a daylong session addressing all aspects of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+). Prabhu mapped out bilateral and multilateral REDD initiatives and the organizations involved, including UN-REDD, the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and Forest Investment Program, and the Congo Basin Forest Fund. He outlined the three phases of support for REDD: supporting countries to become REDD-ready; investments that transform the sector; and payments for performance. Prabhu highlighted the Programme’s ongoing work in measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) and stakeholder engagement in REDD development, and noted that the Programme was initiating work on governance and equitable and transformational step-changes in the forestry sector.

McAlpine presented a 360 degree perspective on forests. She encouraged participants to promote the International Year of Forests (IYOF) 2011, unveiled the IYOF logo and highlighted preparations for related activities worldwide. She stressed the need to broaden the forest agenda beyond timber and carbon, and called for cross-sectoral cooperation to address deforestation, as the problems in the forestry sector are often caused by other sectors. [Conference Website]

dates: 7-9 October 2010  
location: Brest (Bretagne), France  
contact: FAO  
e-mail: Climate-change@fao.org  
www: http://www.fao.org/climatechange/49362/en/  

The aim of Climate Change Days was to enhance connections, cooperation and networking among FAO professionals working on climate change issues in the field, regional offices and headquarters. Under the theme “Share and Learn,” participants developed approaches to internalize “lessons from the field” into FAO activities and to integrate formal and informal knowledge into practice.

The programme included presentations by senior management and expert speakers, followed by parallel sessions of panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations and informal discussions. Workshop topics included, inter alia: climate change and water; livestock emissions and mitigation options; best practice platforms; linking headquarters, regional and country offices; FAO and the UNFCCC negotiations; the status of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+); bioenergy; and community based adaptation. On 24 June 2010, participants partook in a training event on the recently released EX-ACT Carbon Balance Tool. [FAO Climate Change Days Website] [EX-ACT Carbon Balance Tool]