CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION INITIATIVES IN

GHANA

CHARLES K. A. HAIZELWILDLIFE DIVISION

OF THEFORESTRY COMMISSION

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Introduction Climate change initiatives Capacity Challenges

INTRODUCTIONGhana is signatory to the UNFCCC which was

ratified by parliament in 1995. Ghana has been an active participant in international negotiations and debates on climate change.

At international level Ghana has opted for the RDD+ mechanism which seeks to provide financial incentives for national efforts at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation as well as co-benefits; biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest mgt. and carbon stock enhancement.

Mitigation and adaptation measures are being pursued through integrated and multi-stakeholder participation approach

Climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives:

REDD+ Forest Investment Programme Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) Non –Legally Binding Instrument on all Types

of Forest (NLBI) or The forest Instrument )

REDD+Process is managed by the National Working

Group, a multi-stakeholder body chaired by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources with the secretariat housed at Climate Change Unit of the FC

Working group attended by MDAs. Civil society groups, local communities, research institutions etc

National Working group functions through technical sub-working groups

The Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment

The Policy, Legislation and Governance The Consultation and Participation The Monitoring, Reporting and Verification

(MRV) The Reference Emission Level (REL) Reference

Level

Larger Technical Coordinating Committee responsible for coordinating various initiatives related to climate change and natural resources.

Environment and Natural Resources Advisory Council (ENRAC) provide guidance and policy direction at the inter-ministerial level. Chair is Vice President

PHASE 1 :REDD+ Readiness Preparation Proposal (2009-2011)

Following REDD+ activities carried out Organization and mgt of the REDD+ process

(Institutional arrangement) Consultation and stakeholder engagement Development of national REDD+ strategy Preparation of action plans Design of policies and measures Elaboration of reference level ie Forest reference

emission level & forest reference level Design and testing of monitoring (MVR) system Initial training and other capacity building

activities Seven (7) REDD+ activities selected

PHASE 2 : Implementation of REDD+ National Strategy (2011-2012)

Policy, legal and institutional reforms in the forest and related sectors eg. Carbon rights, tree tenure, benefit sharing schemes etc.

Land tenure reforms Land use planning and zoning National forest inventory Strengthening of law enforcement(in sync with

FLEGT/VPA) Capacity building for implementing REDD+(public

sector, forest communities, civil society and other stakeholders

Technology transfer eg Remote sensing and GIS equipment.

Target programs to address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation

Implementation of demonstration activities.Development of the performance base payment

system.

PHASE 3: Implementation of Performance based Incentive Payment Systems.

Administration of the payment system Implementation of results-based actions by

forest communities, landowners, the private sector, government agencies and other stakeholders (project based)

Implementation of other low carbon or carbon conserving activities to reduce pressure on forest (project based).

Promotion of measurable REDD+ outcomes and results based actions (MVR)

FOREST INVESTMENT PROGRAM(1) Mitigation actions related to forests; (2) Investments outside the forest sector, primarily agriculture

and cocoa sector, necessary to reduce the pressure on forests; and

(3) Institutional capacity including forest management and information.

Major transformations include: Improvement of coordination between ministries, agencies,

stakeholders, both at national as well as sub-national and local level;

A change in policies on tree tenure and benefits, especially regarding naturally occurring trees in off-reserve areas;

Improved management and benefit sharing arrangements between stakeholders (GoG, Traditional Authorities, private sector, civil society) in the management of FRs; and

Engaging the private sector in REDD+ and sustainable investments.

Coordinating activities: Landscape planning, inter-agency dialogue and enforcement;

Enabling activities: Policy and legal reform on tree tenure and on private investment in the forestry sector, capacity building;

Piloting activities: Testing alternative, inclusive models of forest reserves management, benefit-sharing schemes, and incentives to retain trees on farm; and

Direct investments: Investments in the private sector in sustainable forest and agriculture, through a REDD+ investment program and technical assistance program to scale up impact.

EU FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT GOVERNANCE AND TRADE: VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Came into force 3rd March 2013. Ghana FLEGT licences will be ready by early 2014

It improves forest governance and guarantees that the wood imported into EU is from legal sources discouraging deforestation and forest degradation.

NON–LEGALLY BINDING INSTRUMENT ON ALL TYPES OF FOREST (THE FOREST INSTRUMENT)

Sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation.

CAPACITY CHALLENGES Establishment of reference scenario and

carbon accounting. Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV). Inadequate funding and Technical capacity on

the part of REDD+ pilot proponents to kick start the process.

THANKS FOR YOUR

ATTENTION