UNCCD: Land Day at Climate Change conference, 2 December

UNCCD with various partners committed to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality will organize a one-day event Land Day: Land Degradation Neutrality as a solution to climate change at UNFCCC COP21 Generations Climate area, Rio Conventions Pavillion on 2 December. We will deliver convincing arguments about the importance of land degradation neutrality in pursuing mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. Everyone is welcome to attend.

PROGRAMME

  • 10:45-12:15 Ecosystem Based Adaptation (ICRAF – World Agroforestry Centre and ASB Partnership for Tropical Forest Margins)

Humans rely on ecosystems to adapt to diverse changes occurring in their living environments. Two streams of actions currently address climate change: mitigation and adaptation. Most intervention actions rely directly or indirectly on ecosystems. The session will focus on two key themes: 1) what roles do ecosystems play in facilitating local communities adaptation to climate change? 2) What are the mechanisms to enhance ecosystem resilience to ensure the delivery of ecosystem services that assist human adaptation to climate change impacts?

Speakers: Dr. Ravi Prabhu (DDG Research ICRAF), Dr. Dennis Garrity (UNCCD Drylands Ambassador), Dr. Lalisa Duguma (ICRAF), Dr. Peter Minang (ICRAF), Prof. Meine van Noordwijk (ICRAF), Dr. Edmund Barrow (IUCN), Dr. Larwanou Mahamane (African Forest Forum), Ms. Winnie Khaemba (African Center for Technology Studies), Dr. Margaret Kroma (ICRAF)

Keynotes: (a) The role of ecosystems in addressing climate change; (b) Water restoration as a long-term adaptation strategy

Panel Discussions: (a) Policy aspects of Ecosystem based Adaptation  (b) Incentives and financial aspects of implementing Ecosystem based Adaptation (c) Practice portfolios to promote Ecosystem based Adaptation (d) Gender aspects of Ecosystem based Adaptation

  • 12:20–13:50 EverGreen Agriculture and Land Restoration (ICRAF – World Agroforestry Center)

This session will focus on the role of evergreen agriculture in achieving the Africa Restoration Initiative’s 100 million hectare target, the goal of scaling-up farmer-managed natural regeneration in the drylands through an AU-coordinated program, and the scaling-up of fertilizer tree technologies within national input subsidies programs through the COMESA-led EverGreen Fertilizer Subsidies Initiative. (Moderator: Dennis Garrity, UNCCD Drylands Ambassador).

The opening presentations by Monique Barbut (UNCCD Executive Secretary) and Dennis Garrity will set the stage for a panel discussion examining the implications of these major programs. The panel will include: Shantanu Mathur (IFAD), Chikakula Miti (COMESA), Ravi Prabhu (ICRAF), Randall Purcell (World Food Program), Lori Pearson (CRS), Chekh Mbow (ICRAF), Matthew Reddy (WBCSD).

  • 14:00 –15:30 Ecological Rainfall Infrastructure: a new perspective on how forests and trees matter for climate (ICRAF – World Agroforestry Center)

In many parts of the world, local people are convinced that forests, trees and rainfall are related; forests and trees not only depend on rainfall but also help to generate it. Scientists have always denied such effects, or at best been ‘agnostic’, due to lack of evidence. Now, new evidence on credible mechanisms for forest and tree effects on rainfall is emerging. It can revolutionize current climate negotiations that focus on greenhouse gas emissions. Managing trees for their role in rainfall is easier to understand than the complex carbon story, and will offer new ways of reducing negative effects of climate change.

Speakers: Dr. Dennis Garrity (UNCCD Drylands Ambassador), Dr. Meine van Noordwijk (ICRAF), Dr. David Ellison and a WeForest science synthesis team, Dr. Peter Minang (global ASB coordinator, ICRAF),Dr. Daniel Murdiyarso (CIFOR), Dr. Eduardo Somariba (CATIE), Dr. Ravi Prabhu (DDG Research ICRAF)

Keynotes: (a) Ecological Rainfall Infrastructure: investment in trees for sustainable development (b) Why forests matter for water, energy and climate: what we think we know

Panel Discussions: (a) Launch of ASB-Policy Brief Policy (b) Seeing the forests as well as the trees (c) A meso-american perspective (d) Steps to close critical knowledge gaps

  • 15:45 –17:30 Desertification, Land degradation and Climate Change – Time to Act !!

Lessons learned from the International Civil Society Forum DESERTIF’ACTIONS (CARI – Centre d’Actions et de Realisations InternationaIes, France )

Based on the screening of the D’a15 film and one presentation, the event will provide space for debate and exchange among CSOs, VIPs and the audience about the Land Degradation Neutrality, including SDG 15 and target 15.3 and their link with the initiative 4 per mill in a view of a transition towards agroecology.

Speakers: Patrice Burger (CARI), Benoît Ivars, CARI, Marc Dufumier Agronomist (Agroparistech-CARI ), French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Film screening: DA 15 – Cartoons and poetry booklet made available

Panel Discussion: Land degradation and climate change: towards a LDN transition based on agroecology

  • 17:45 –19:00 [Cocktail reception] Pursuing Synergies in the implementation of the Rio Conventions in Namibia (Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia)

This session will highlight Namibia’s approach towards the synergistic implementation of the three Rio Conventions. Realizing the synergies in the implementation of these three Conventions is an increasing national focus, which was embodied in the simultaneous launching in October 2014 of the National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP II), and Third National Action Programme for the Implementation of the UNCCD (NAP3). This event will involve remarks from the Minister of Environment and Tourism, presentation and screening of a documentary and discussion on the pursuit of synergies in the implementation of the Rio Conventions.

Speakers: H.E. Mr. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister, Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Source: Notification from UNCCD from 27.11.2015UNCCD with various partners committed to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality will organize a one-day event Land Day: Land Degradation Neutrality as a solution to climate change at UNFCCC COP21 Generations Climate area, Rio Conventions Pavillion on 2 December. We will deliver convincing arguments about the importance of land degradation neutrality in pursuing mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. Everyone is welcome to attend.

PROGRAMME

  • 10:45-12:15 Ecosystem Based Adaptation (ICRAF – World Agroforestry Centre and ASB Partnership for Tropical Forest Margins)

Humans rely on ecosystems to adapt to diverse changes occurring in their living environments. Two streams of actions currently address climate change: mitigation and adaptation. Most intervention actions rely directly or indirectly on ecosystems. The session will focus on two key themes: 1) what roles do ecosystems play in facilitating local communities adaptation to climate change? 2) What are the mechanisms to enhance ecosystem resilience to ensure the delivery of ecosystem services that assist human adaptation to climate change impacts?

Speakers: Dr. Ravi Prabhu (DDG Research ICRAF), Dr. Dennis Garrity (UNCCD Drylands Ambassador), Dr. Lalisa Duguma (ICRAF), Dr. Peter Minang (ICRAF), Prof. Meine van Noordwijk (ICRAF), Dr. Edmund Barrow (IUCN), Dr. Larwanou Mahamane (African Forest Forum), Ms. Winnie Khaemba (African Center for Technology Studies), Dr. Margaret Kroma (ICRAF)

Keynotes: (a) The role of ecosystems in addressing climate change; (b) Water restoration as a long-term adaptation strategy

Panel Discussions: (a) Policy aspects of Ecosystem based Adaptation  (b) Incentives and financial aspects of implementing Ecosystem based Adaptation (c) Practice portfolios to promote Ecosystem based Adaptation (d) Gender aspects of Ecosystem based Adaptation

  • 12:20–13:50 EverGreen Agriculture and Land Restoration (ICRAF – World Agroforestry Center)

This session will focus on the role of evergreen agriculture in achieving the Africa Restoration Initiative’s 100 million hectare target, the goal of scaling-up farmer-managed natural regeneration in the drylands through an AU-coordinated program, and the scaling-up of fertilizer tree technologies within national input subsidies programs through the COMESA-led EverGreen Fertilizer Subsidies Initiative. (Moderator: Dennis Garrity, UNCCD Drylands Ambassador).

The opening presentations by Monique Barbut (UNCCD Executive Secretary) and Dennis Garrity will set the stage for a panel discussion examining the implications of these major programs. The panel will include: Shantanu Mathur (IFAD), Chikakula Miti (COMESA), Ravi Prabhu (ICRAF), Randall Purcell (World Food Program), Lori Pearson (CRS), Chekh Mbow (ICRAF), Matthew Reddy (WBCSD).

  • 14:00 –15:30 Ecological Rainfall Infrastructure: a new perspective on how forests and trees matter for climate (ICRAF – World Agroforestry Center)

In many parts of the world, local people are convinced that forests, trees and rainfall are related; forests and trees not only depend on rainfall but also help to generate it. Scientists have always denied such effects, or at best been ‘agnostic’, due to lack of evidence. Now, new evidence on credible mechanisms for forest and tree effects on rainfall is emerging. It can revolutionize current climate negotiations that focus on greenhouse gas emissions. Managing trees for their role in rainfall is easier to understand than the complex carbon story, and will offer new ways of reducing negative effects of climate change.

Speakers: Dr. Dennis Garrity (UNCCD Drylands Ambassador), Dr. Meine van Noordwijk (ICRAF), Dr. David Ellison and a WeForest science synthesis team, Dr. Peter Minang (global ASB coordinator, ICRAF),Dr. Daniel Murdiyarso (CIFOR), Dr. Eduardo Somariba (CATIE), Dr. Ravi Prabhu (DDG Research ICRAF)

Keynotes: (a) Ecological Rainfall Infrastructure: investment in trees for sustainable development (b) Why forests matter for water, energy and climate: what we think we know

Panel Discussions: (a) Launch of ASB-Policy Brief Policy (b) Seeing the forests as well as the trees (c) A meso-american perspective (d) Steps to close critical knowledge gaps

  • 15:45 –17:30 Desertification, Land degradation and Climate Change – Time to Act !!

Lessons learned from the International Civil Society Forum DESERTIF’ACTIONS (CARI – Centre d’Actions et de Realisations InternationaIes, France )

Based on the screening of the D’a15 film and one presentation, the event will provide space for debate and exchange among CSOs, VIPs and the audience about the Land Degradation Neutrality, including SDG 15 and target 15.3 and their link with the initiative 4 per mill in a view of a transition towards agroecology.

Speakers: Patrice Burger (CARI), Benoît Ivars, CARI, Marc Dufumier Agronomist (Agroparistech-CARI ), French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Film screening: DA 15 – Cartoons and poetry booklet made available

Panel Discussion: Land degradation and climate change: towards a LDN transition based on agroecology

  • 17:45 –19:00 [Cocktail reception] Pursuing Synergies in the implementation of the Rio Conventions in Namibia (Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia)

This session will highlight Namibia’s approach towards the synergistic implementation of the three Rio Conventions. Realizing the synergies in the implementation of these three Conventions is an increasing national focus, which was embodied in the simultaneous launching in October 2014 of the National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP II), and Third National Action Programme for the Implementation of the UNCCD (NAP3). This event will involve remarks from the Minister of Environment and Tourism, presentation and screening of a documentary and discussion on the pursuit of synergies in the implementation of the Rio Conventions.

Speakers: H.E. Mr. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister, Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Source: Notification from UNCCD from 27.11.2015