MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST and CLIMATE CHANGE

NATIONAL REDD+ SECRETARIAT

National REDD+ Readiness Process and Sustainable Forest Management in Mexico

(Short Report on Awareness Creation Visit)

September 26 - October 3/2015

1

CONTENTS

1. BACKGROUND TO THE VISIT 3

1.1 Organization of the report 5

2. VISIT OBJECTIVES, JUSTIFICATIONS AND GOAL 5

3. VISIT SCHEDULE 7

4. VISIT ENGAGEMENT 9

5. LESSONS LEARNED 24

6. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS 25

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 26

ANNEXES 27

2

1. BACKGROUND TO THE VISIT

Ethiopia has been implementing a Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy since

2011. The goal of building a green economy aims at reducing carbon emissions across sectors

through the years and achieve a middle income status. Ethiopia's green development path ensures

sustainable natural resource management and utilization along with a significant reduction in

national GHG emissions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

In building a green economy, four sectors were selected for fast track implementation among

which forestry is one (Figure 1). As part of the CRGE, the forestry sector is expected to have a

huge (around 50%) abatement potential with the implementation of a wide range of abatement

levers to reduce the pressure on the country's forests. Realizing the full potential of the forestry

sector and achieving sustainable forest management, a number of abatement levers are identified

for implementation. REDD+ is one of these abatement levers.

Figure 1. Pillars of the CRGE Strategy

Unlike most countries, the REDD+ program in Ethiopia is embedded in the national CRGE

strategy making its implementation a national development endeavor.

REDD+ Mechanism: is a policy approach and an incentive mechanism to reduce GHG

emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Globally, REDD+

implementation process follows a phased approach namely Readiness phase, Implementation

phase and emissions reduction phase.

3

The Four Pillars of Ethiopia’s Climate

Resilient Green Economy StrategyAGRI

CULTURE

POWER

Forestr

y

TRANSPORT,INSUSTRY & BUILDING

S

REDD+ process in Ethiopia: REDD+ Readiness in Ethiopia started in January 2013. A national

REDD+ Secretariat under the Ministry of Environment and Forest has been implementing

different readiness activities. The major readiness include REDD+ Strategy preparation, National

Forest Inventory, Forest Reference Level Setting and MRV system establishment, Analysis of

the legal and Institutional frameworks for REDD+ implementation, consultation and

participation of stakeholders, awareness creation and capacity building, putting in place

management arrangements and initiating regional pilots.

In this regard, among the various Readiness activities that ensure the effective REDD+

implementation, awareness raising and capacity building to key stakeholders (Policy makers,

federal and regional implementing entities, Civil Society and NGOs) is one. Capacity building to

decision makers and federal/regional implementers will ensure their informed participation. They

will help them provide effective leadership and facilitation of REDD+ and Sustainable forest

management activities at federal/regional level. Therefore, it is with this context that participants

(Federal Ministry of Environment and Forest, of this awareness creation also able to effectively

coordinate and lead REDD+ and/ or Moreover, it will e and will help informing stakeholders.

4

1.1 Organization of the report

This report is organized into 7 sections. The first section presents a background information on

Ethiopia's CRGE strategy and the role of forestry in the realization of CRGE goals. It also

touches upon the mechanism of REDD+ and Ethiopia's REDD+ process objectives and goals in

relation to sustainable forest management and emissions reductions goals. The second section

outlines the objectives of the visit and the justifications for choosing the visit destination

(Mexico) and the goal of the visit. This section is followed by an outline of the activity schedule.

Section four of the report provides a synopsis of the visit engagements including presentations,

discussions, facility/field visits and on-site interactions. The report then builds on (Part 5) the

discussions in the preceding sections and draws on lessons and experiences of the visit. Few

recommendations (section 6) are forwarded based on the strength and weaknesses of the visit

followed by acknowledgements (section 7) to those who made (in one way or the other) the visit

a success.

As a note to the reader, the full version of the presentations will be uploaded to the National

REDD+ Secretariat temporary blog (www.redplusethiopia.wordpress.com). Interested readers

can download these resources to supplement this report.

2. VISIT OBJECTIVES, JUSTIFICATIONS AND GOAL

The objectives of the visit were

To share lessons and experiences on REDD+ readiness implementation in Mexico.

To understand the institutional and policy approaches relevant in sustainable forest

management.

2.1 Justifications (Why Mexico?)

In preparation for this visit, the National REDD+ Secretariat made a serious of consultations

with partners like the World Bank to help us identify a REDD+ advanced country with whom we

can share lessons and experiences in the area of REDD+ readiness implementation and

5

approaches for sustainable forest management. On the basis of these discussions, Mexico was

found to be a suitable destination for the planned visit for a number of reasons

Mexico is one of the few REDD+ advanced countries (REDD+ early movers) with a lot

of lessons and experiences on the challenges and opportunities of REDD+ readiness

process.

Mexico has a practical experience on implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services

(PES), a feasible scheme for the promotion of Sustainable Forest Management.

Historically, Mexico had a high rate of deforestation (up to 600,000ha/yr in the south

east) and Mexico's deforestation was driven by agricultural expansion and unsustainable

fuel wood extraction. This has a parallel in Ethiopia as these divers are the current

challenges in Ethiopia. On top of that, the country has got lessons (success and failures)

from forest rehabilitation and development efforts.

Mexico is a mountainous country like Ethiopia and forest development is intrinsically

linked with ensuring sustainable land and water resource management which is the case

in Ethiopia.

2.2 The goal of the visit

Upon the successful completion of the visit, Visit participants

Will better understand/evaluate the challenges and opportunities of REDD+ Readiness

implementation process and Sustainable Forest Management.

Will learn experiences and identify best practices that will help them guide REDD+

process at federal or regional level.

6

3. VISIT SCHEDULE

A team of nine Ethiopian delegates (see annex 1) led by H.E. Ato Belete Tafere, Minister,

Ministry of Environment and Forest, left Addis Ababa on September 25/2015, arrived in Mexico

on 26 September. Visit engagement began on September 28/2015. The Following is the schedule

for the daily engagements of the delegation during the course of the visit.

Monday (September 28/2015)

Time

Activity Responsible

9:30 Meeting with representatives of the Deputy Director General of CONAFOR ,Officials and experts at CONAFOR for a briefing on institutional programs and collaborative activities

CONAFOR

Welcoming Remarks Mr Alturo Beltran Retis, Deputy Director General, CONAFOR

Short Remark H.E. Ato Belete Tafere, Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest

10:00 Overview of Ethiopia's Forestry Sector and Expected outcomes

Dr Wubalem Tadesse, Director General, Ethiopia Environment and Forest Research Institute

10:20 Overview of Mexico's Forestry Sector and National Forestry Program (PRONAFOR) 2013-2018

Jorge Fernandez, General Coordinator, Planning and Information

11:00 National REDD+ PreparednessDesign of National REDD+ Strategy/National REDD+ ProcessImplementation of REDD+ early actionsREDD+ National Consultations

Jaime Severino, Manager of Forest Carbon Projects and Markets

11:45 Coffee Break12:00 REDD+ Safeguards Mrs Fransisco Moreno, Manager

of Information System of Socio-environmental safeguards

12:15 National Forest and Soil Inventory Rubi Cucena Lara, Management of Forest Inventory and Geomatics

13:10 Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for REDD+

Jorge Morfin Rios, Coordinator of Project Preparation and REDD+ Strengthening South-South Cooperation

14:00 Lunch Break16:00 Fire Management (Including Visit to the National Center of

Forest Fire Control)Alfredo Nolasco Morales, Manager of Forest Fires Protection

17:30 End of Meeting CONAFOR

7

Tuesday (September 29/2015)

Time

Activity Responsible

07:30 - 14:30

Field VisitTrip to Military Forest Nursery, Ameca JaliscoTour of the Nursery facilities

CONAFOR

14:30 Lunch Break CONAFOR15:30 Field visit to Reforestation Site CONAFOR18:00 End of visit

Wednesday, September 30/2015Tim

eActivity Responsible

8:00-11:00

Field VisitTrip to site, Jacales, MascotaConserved Maple ForestPayment for Ecosystem Service and Community Engagement (Cloud Forest)

CONAFOR State Office at Jalisco

14:00 Trip to Mascota14:30 Lunch Break16:00 Presentation "Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystems of the

Biological Corridor Ameca, Manantlan" designed to strengthen governance mechanisms and integrated management of territories in biological corridors.

CONANP, Project Coordination

18:00 End of Visit16:00 Fire Management (Including Visit to the National Center of

Forest Fire Control)Alfredo Nolasco Morales, Manager of Forest Fires Protection

17:30 End of Meeting CONAFOR

Thursday, October 1/2015Tim

eActivity Responsible

8:00-14:00

Field VisitTrip to Predo El Atajo, MascotaTimber Forest ManagementLow Impact timber ExtractionReforestationFire Management

CONAFOR

14:30 Lunch Break16:00 Drive Back to Guadalajara18:00 End of Visit

Friday, October 2/2015

8

Time

Activity Responsible

13:00 Check out and transfer to air port CONAFOR14:00 Arrival to airport and Check in14:30 Lunch17:00 Departure Flight

4. VISIT ENGAGEMENTS

In this section, we provide a synopsis of the major engagements of the visit with a focus on the

presentations and discussions, field/facility visits and on-site discussions. For convenience, a

highlight of individual presentations is given followed by a summary of the general discussions

made. In reporting visits to facilities/field sites, a description of the facility/field site is given

followed by issues discussed. The daily engagements are presented separately and the narration

in this section is hyphenated with selected photos so as to give the reader a feel of visit

engagement in discussion rooms or field sites.

DAY 1

The Ethiopian delegation enjoyed a warm welcome at CONAFOR head office in Gudarajara,

Mexico. Following a short introduction of meeting participants, the Mr Alturo Beltran Retis,

Deputy General of CONAFOR gave a short welcoming remark. In his remark, the Deputy

director highlighted the following points,

The forest sector is a high priority for Mexico as it supports the livelihood of the rural

community

National forest programs in Mexico are focused on integrating forests for development,

protection of high biodiversity areas and restoration of degraded areas

Mexico is taking part in the global REDD+ initiative and made considerable progress in

REDD+ preparedness

Following the Deputy directors remark, H.E. Ato Belete Tafere took the stage and made a short

remark stressing that

9

The Ethiopian delegation give the visit a special consideration and anticipates that it will

be an opportunity to learn from Mexico's challenges and opportunities.

The Government of Ethiopia's Vision to achieve a carbon neutral green economy through

a CRGE strategy and the role of forestry in achieving the vision and

The process of REDD+ readiness in Ethiopia and the lessons that his delegation would

like to draw from Mexico's REDD+ Process

(A) (B)

Photo Plate 1. Opening remarks: Mr Alturo Beltran Retis, CONAFOR's Deputy Director (left, center) and H.E Ato Belete Tafere (right)

Photo Plate 2. H.E Ato Belete Tafere presenting a small gift to Mr Alturo Beltran Retis, CONAFOR's Deputy Director

10

Presentation 1 - Dr Wubalem Tadesse: Overview of Ethiopia's Forestry Sector and

Expected outcomes

The presentation gave an excellent overview of Ethiopia (its geography, ethnic and cultural

diversity, population, history, topography, economy etc...). It drew a parallel between Ethiopia

and Mexico as both countries are home for ancient civilizations (Axum, Lalibela vs. Maya,

Aztec). It then highlights the forest resources of Ethiopia with a focus on the contribution of the

forestry sector and; non-timber forest resources in Ethiopia; the major challenges and

opportunities of the sector in Ethiopia. It described the institutional structure of MEF and EEFRI.

and gave a brief account of the status of REDD+ readiness in Ethiopia. The presentation winds

up by providing justifications for choosing Mexico as visit destination and the expectations of

the Ethiopian delegation from the visit.

Presentation 2 - Jorge Fernandez: Overview of Mexico's Forestry Sector and National

Forestry Program (PRONAFOR) 2013-2018

This presentation aimed at providing the Ethiopian delegation a basic information of Mexico's

forestry sector. It described the forest wealth (64.8million ha) of Mexico (70% of this forest is

owned by communities) and how important the forest resource is in supporting the livelihood of

a considerable (11 million) portion of the population. It then outlined a diagnosis of the forestry

sector that clearly identifies a range of legal, institutional, technological, social and market

related challenges that should be addressed within the national forest program in the short-term

and long-term. The national forest program of Mexico is prepared under a presidential decree

and the program is a mandate of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources and State

entities coordinated by the same. In addition, other agencies of the Federal Government are

subject to applicable legal provisions of the National Forest Program and shall formulate their

respective programs and preliminary budgets for an effective fulfillment of the objectives and

goals of the National Forest Program 2014-2018. The program strongly emphasizes the need for

transversality and institutional coordination among federal agencies for the realization of the

program. The five-year National Forest Program has the following five interrelated objectives:

increasing sustainable forest production and productivity; promotion of conservation and

restoration of forest ecosystems; protection of forest ecosystems; strengthening governance and

development of local capacities and promote and facilitate an enabling environment for

11

sustainable forest development. The program further outlines key performance indicators for the

plan period with respect to component activities. It is worth noting some of these targets

Developing markets linked with forest industry (2.5 million ha will be certified by 2018)

Promote matching-funds for payment of environmental services (Increase area under

Payment for Environmental Services from 2.8million ha to 3.1 million hectares by

2018).

Restoration and/or productive reconversion of 1 million hectares in the period 2013-

2018

Improving seedling survival from 30% in 2013 to 60% by 2018.

The presentation also outlined the activities of the National Forest and Soil Inventory by

CONAFOR and the procedures of state level inventories. A brief account of the National

REDD+ Strategy and Mexico's goal of reducing 25% of its GHG emissions and short-lived

pollutants and its commitment to achieve 0% deforestation rate by 2030 (Mexico's INDC) is

summarized.

Presentation 3 - By Jaime Severino National REDD+ Preparedness (Design of National

REDD+ Strategy/National REDD+ Process, Implementation of REDD+ early actions and

REDD+ National Consultations)

This presentation provides a detailed description of the national REDD+ process. Through the

years, Mexico has tackled drivers of deforestation and significantly reduced the rate of

deforestation between 1990 and 2010. Mexico's vision on REDD+ is based on the diagnosis

carried out for the forestry sector and recognizes that addressing deforestation and degradation is

a challenge. To this end, it underlines that the best way to develop REDD+ in Mexico is through

Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) which promotes a territorial and multi-sectorial

approach, in order to reduce the pressures that lead to deforestation and forest degradation. The

major objectives of the National REDD+ program is to address deforestation and forest

degradation to reduce GHG emissions through implementation of sustainable practices aimed at

Sustainable Rural Development and conducive to improve living conditions of forest owners

and users in rural areas. Mexico has produced a comprehensive REDD+ strategy with three

components: actions to specifically meet the needs of forests and climate change; Program of

12

REDD+ Early Actions and Low emissions activities. The presentation further outlines REDD+

Early Actions under implementation which includes:

Develop and strengthen capacities of different sectors and actors.

Develop replicable and scalable models on integrated landscape management, as

platforms for local governance options.

Integrate different activities into sustainable rural development.

Selection of priority sites for early action implementation was based on a clearly defined criteria.

The national REDD+ strategy preparation involved a continuous consultation and participation

of multi-stakeholders based on a communication strategy and a consultation plan. The

consultation process has 3 phases (information/fact fishing, consultation/advisory and

systematization of feedbacks) and the process has been successfully implemented in 32 different

32 different states across Mexico.

DISCUSSIONS

The presentations were followed by questions from members of the Ethiopian Delegation. Here

are some of the most important questions and the responses that follow.

Q What is the financial support and the benefit sharing mechanism to ensure proper

implementation of activities and distribution of benefits particularly from PES schemes?

Response: About 50% of the budget to run the 43 different programs is covered by CONAFOR

and additional financial support is also provided by developmental partners. The basis for

payment for PES is calculated from the opportunity cost of the forest (i.e. the opportunity cost

associated if 1ha forest is converted to 1ha corn field). This cost usually ranges from USD 35 -

100/ha/year and payment depends on the type of ecosystem (i.e. ecosystem with high

biodiversity or hydrological value get the highest pay than ecosystems with lower ecological

significance).

Q Why it took so long for REDD+ Process?

13

Response: REDD+ process started at the end of 2010. The major reason for an extended process

is the broad consultation and participation of all relevant stakeholders/actors that REDD+

requires. The consultation and participation process involved a wide range of stakeholders at

different administrative and sectoral levels. For example the national REDD+ strategy has been

under consultation for the last two years and it has been consulted with different federal sectors

and those in the 32 states of Mexico.

Q What were the socioeconomic challenges (for REDD+) you learned from REDD+

consultations?

Response: The two most important challenges are for future REDD+ implementation are

unemployed youth and woman and free grazing which REDD+ need to address.

Q How is forest land certification done?

Response: The work of Certifying good forest management practices were done with a financial

support from FAO since 2013. Good forest management practices are identified and are

evaluated for certification.

Q How do you promote reforestation?

Response: Through technical support for restoration for ecosystem services and by working

towards increasing seedling survival.

Q What is the contribution of reforestation in achieving carbon neutrality?

Response: The 1 million ha of reforestation and/or productive reconversion will contribute to

carbon neutrality. This is in fact additional to other programs for commercial wood and

restoration.

Q How do you align pubic policies which is a challenge and also an important step for REDD+

implementation?

Response: We combine a top-down and bottom-up approach in dealing with this challenge. In a

top-down approach the decree for the National Forest Program implementation obliges sectors to

align their policies and plans with the forest program. We did also series of discussions with

14

different actors for better coordination. Second, territorial (equivalent to sub-national level) level

discussions are initiated by Public Territorial Development Agency to identify the needs of local

people and harmonize programs accordingly.

Following the discussion, the Ethiopian delegation were shown a documentary titled

'Biodiversity in production forest and certified markets'. The film exemplifies the possibility of

ensuring ecosystem sustainability by creating a workable linkage and balance between nature,

society and business.

Presentation 4 - Rubi Cucena Lara National Forest and Soil Inventory

This presentation is a more technical one and deals with the general objective, legal framework,

sampling intensity and design, and sampling variables of the inventory process. Issues worth

noting are: the forest inventory is a multi-resource inventory, it is comprehensive and it is a

phased (2004 - 2009 and 2010 - 2014) approach.

Presentation 5 - Francesco Moreno REDD+ Safeguards

This short presentation on the design of REDD+ National Safeguard system underlines the

effective application and compliance with the safeguards and principles stipulated in the strategy

and the legal framework. The components of the National Safeguard System (NSS) are

crosscutting theme of the draft National REDD+ Strategy in order to ensure their application and

compliance. Accordingly, there are principles and measures relevant to safeguards in other

sections of the strategy

Institutional Arrangements and Capacity Building

Public Policy and Legal Framework

Communication, Social Participation and Transparency

Mexico identified a series of actions and steps to advance the design and implementation of the

NSS in Mexico these include

Promote a process of participation and communication during the design and implementation of the NSS.

Identification and analysis of the legal, institutional and compliance frameworks Definition of REDD+ Safeguards in Mexico

15

Define the architecture and operation of the NSS – inputs from analysis to determine

Determine how the NSS and the SIS will operate between the national and state levels

Designing the structure and operation of the Safeguards Information System (SIS)

Presentation 6 - Jorge Morfin Rios Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system

for REDD+

The presentation on Mexico's REDD+ MRV system outlines the components of the national

Forest Monitoring system, the IPCC requirements, the context of the approach and inter-

institutional arrangement. The process of establishing Mexico's MRV system started in 2011

with the support of Norway, UNDP and FAO. Mexico employs Tier 2 in assessing its activity

data and determining emissions factor. The process of MRV system establishment aspires to

build the national capacity and generated lessons through engaging research institutions.

Mexico's activity data combines 4 time-series (1993, 2002, 2007, and 2011) for land use land

cover change. Mexico has advanced in its REDD+ Readiness and accomplished its international

commitments. Readiness activities also improved monitoring of national mitigation targets and

the country is now a reference in Forest Monitoring across Latin American countries.

A few questions were raised on the presentations.

DISCUSSIONS

Q What is your forest definition?

Response: According to Mexico's forest definition, land with no livestock and/or water is

considered as forest. For REDD+ MRV purposes, we adopt a forest definition which includes

woody plants, shrubs including grasslands and shrubs having 30% cover.

Q How do you tackle assessment of forest degradation?

Response: We combine two series satellite data to detect forest degradation. A historical change

is captured with Land Sat 7 and Rapid Eye Sensors are used to detect changes after 2011.

16

After a lunch break, the delegation team was taken to a Fire Protection and Management facility

in the premises of CONAFOR. The following is our observation of the facility and the discussion

we had with the personnel at the fire protection department.

Visit to Fire Protection and Management Facility

Wild fire is common in different parts of Mexico and Mexico has identified wild fire priority

areas (101,43million ha high and medium priority areas). Wild fire is caused by a number of

drivers including agriculture, hunting, festivals, rituals etc,,,). While fire due to agriculture is the

major cause, 98% of wildfires are caused by humans. The Sustainable Forestry Development

Law of Mexico stipulates that Fire Management is a shared responsibility among CONAFOR,

municipal government, state government, land owners and the Federation. Mexico has a well-

developed strategy for the prevention, detection, and suppression of wildfire activities. The

strategic planning principle is to promote applied research in early warning system, moving from

fire suppression policy toward fire management policy and strengthening international

cooperation. There are 6 regional fire management centers which are aligned with the fedreal fire

managemnt center. A central fire management unit can monitor fire incidences and coordinate

onground actions with regional centeres. In general, Mexico has an advanced fire management

system in the region.

17

Photo Plate 3. Ethiopian delegation visiting the central fire protection department

DAY 2

Modern Nursery Management

The delegation made a field visit to a modern nursery managed within the premises of a military

campus. A briefing, by the Nursery manager, outlines seed source, annual production capacity of

the Nursery, seedling survival rate, and the approaches used to standardize nurseries across

Mexico. A total of 236 million seedlings are produced annually across Mexico in 341 nurseries

owned by the State Governments, Municipalities, educational institutes, Military institutes,

individual nurseries and nurseries owned by CONAFOR. These nurseries are providing planting

material for reforestation activities across Mexico. The nurseries are located in areas with high

deforestation rate. A national reforestation program coordinates the reforestation activity.

Around 170,000ha of land is reforested annually largely in communal lands. Reforestation is

often done in areas with <20% forest cover and where erosion is stronger. Improving survival

rate of seedlings is a focus area of research. At national level, the current seedling survival rate

18

(1 year after planting) is 43%. Currently, a number of measures are being taken to improve

seedling survival to 70%.

Photo Plate 4. Briefing on Nursery Management and a Modern Nursery

DISCUSSIONS

Q Why is survival rate so low?

Response: The 43% is a national average. In different climates, the survival rate is different. In

social forestry programs, it is expected to be low as most of the reforestation activity is taking

place in degraded areas. In commercial forestry the survival rate can be as high as 85% .

Q With diverse Nurseries, what is the mechanism of ensuring seedling quality?

Response: We ensure seedling quality by standardizing nurseries (through provision of selected

germ plasm or seed source and certifying nurseries). Standard seedling production manuals are

often used across Nurseries.

Q What is the role of the community and their benefit in reforestation activities?

19

Response: We engage the communities in reforestation activities particularly in soil preparation,

fencing and fire break construction and they get payments for these activities.

Q What type of seed source you use for seedling production?

Response: we have 18 germplasm banks where we carry out feasibility and sensitivity tests. We

also use vegetative produced

Q What are the indicators of seedling vigor?

Response: Seedling height, root collar diameter, percent lignification of seedling stem, presence

of mechanical damage and % of root mass. Specific indicators are used for conifers and other

tree species.

Community Supported Reforestation Program

The next site visit was to a community supported reforestation site. The reforestation activity is

being carried out on communal land covering 1,163ha. We had a discussion with a community

member and he explained that they are working the reforestation activities on their own land.

They do soil conservation (stone band, cactus barrier) and site fencing during June to September

and start planting of seedlings during the June (wet season). The community member explained

that they are benefiting from the program as they get payments for their engagement in the

reforestation activities.

20

Photo Plate 5. Visit to community managed reforestation site

DAY 3

Payment for Ecosystem Services

As per the visit schedule, the Ethiopian delegation had another trip to a field site in Mascota,

south east of Mexico. The visit was to a forest area (about 27,000ha) where communities work

with CONAFOR to sustainably mange the forest through a payment for ecosystem service (PES)

arrangement. The forest is rich in biodiversity and has a hydrological importance. In the PES

arrangement communities are required to avoid unsustainable timber extraction, avoid livestock

grazing and prevent fire. The government provided financial support (a biodiversity fund has

been established) for financing community activities to protect the forest. The government sets

up a legal and institutional arrangement for promotion of PES in more than 2.5million ha forest

area. In the PES arrangement CONAFOR enters a 5-year contract agreement with community

associations. The communities need to perform conservation activities and CONAFOR carries

out annual field visits and satellite monitoring on site conditions. Communities receive up to

USD 60,000 annually. Communities often invest the money on micro-business (local bakery,

building school). Generally, the PES arrangement and the enabling environments for its

implementation are conducive for realizing the objectives of sustainable forest management in

Mexico.

Field visit to Maple forest - Conservation for biodiversity

We had a brief visit to a Maple forest which the government conserves for biodiversity purposes.

It is a strictly conserved forest with no human interaction. A similar conservation forests are

found in different parts of Mexico. These forests together with other biodiversity focused

sustainable forest management activities will contribute Aichi 2020 global biodiversity

conservation goal.

21

Photo Plate 6. A Maple forest for biodiversity conservation

DISCUSSIONS

Q What is the responsibility of communities in a PES arrangement?

Response: Communities are engaged in soil conservation, reforestation activities, fire protection

and fence protection. Mostly low income families will make use of these job opportunities.

Q What are the criteria for selection of a PES site?

Response: There are well-defined criteria which gives high priority to social and environmental

values. Some of the criteria are: areas whose water resources are over exploited, flora and fauna

in need of conservation, level of poverty etc...

22

Q Which NTFPs do communities extract from the forest?

Response: Mainly mushrooms, honey and coffee.

DAY 4

Visit to Low-impact logging site

Sustainable forestry in Mexico attempts to address the national wood demand (so as to reduce

the pressure on the natural forest) and also improving the competitiveness of forest production

systems in regional markets. The plan by CONAFOR is to increase production, modernize the

industry, increase efficiency and provide technical support. The overarching government policy

encourages wood production on community land with value-adding in community-based

sawmills. Bigger timber companies in Mexico do not own land (as the maximum land that can be

provided to these companies is 25,000ha). These companies either buy logs from community

saw mills or use their own work force to extract timber from community owned plantations.

CONAFOR provides technical support to private land owners and communities while the

Ministry of Natural Resources play a regulatory role. In an attempt to promote the contribution

of forestry in the economy, CONAFOR works towards strengthening community-based wood

industries through technical support, capacity building and improving productivity. We visited

a small (4500ha) wood production site where 10 land owners form an association. With a

technical and financial support (60% of the cost is covered by government) from CONAFOR,

the association is now using a cable technology for low-impact log extraction replacing tractors.

Low-impact logging will reduce the impact on the site, improve safety, increase efficiency and

productivity. The cable technology can carry and transport 1500kg of log and transports

110cubic meter log per day.

23

Photo plate 7 Low impact logging (cable technology) site

5. LESSONS LEARNED

The following lessons/best practices were identified during a wrap-up discussion that visit

participants had at the end of the visit. Some of these lessons/best practices can be adapted.

Mexico has established a system in running the forestry sector and standardized forestry

activities.

The government (CONAFOR) has strong involvement in the national forestry

development program (technical and financial support) and there is strong linkage

between CONAFOR, regional sectors, military and NGOs working in forestry sector.

24

Mexico's reforestation program is quality-oriented: objective based plantation programs,

plantation programs measured by the covered area and not by number of planted

seedlings and give focus on improving seedling survival through research.

The Military is highly engaged and contributing on forestry development of the country

(modern seedling production system, vast seedling production in many nurseries all over

the country).

Mexico's nursery management can be a model for Ethiopia.

Communities own the largest (up to 70 %) forest resources and they

Mexico's PES scheme benefits community and conserved ecosystems (a very good lesson

to adapt).

Mexico has a good land use plan.

Mexico's REDD+ readiness has progressed well.

Mexico's REDD+ Strategy development was highly consultative and participatory

(lessons that Ethiopia need to take)

Mexico has a comprehensive forest inventory program.

Inter-sectoral Coordination in REDD+ is effective (lesson to learn).

6. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ETHIOPIA'S FOREST

SECTOR

The following are recommendations, on the basis of lessons learned and best practices identified

Private forestry should be encouraged in Ethiopia.

PES should be initiated in Ethiopia in a form of projects in different regions.

MEFCC should establish linkage with CONAFOR for future collaboration.

25

MEFCC should work to standardize forestry activities (e.g Seed source establishment and

Nursery establishment and management).

This visit was organized and coordinated by the National REDD+ Secretariat in collaboration

with Mexico's National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR). With comments and guidance from

H.E. Ato Belete Tafere, the original content of the visit was modified so as to make the visit

practical. It is recommended that future visits should evaluate country profile and provide

sufficient information for visit participants well ahead of time to identify visit destination.

Coordination should be improved so as to make the visit smooth.

Coordination should be improved for future experience sharing visit programs.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A number of individuals and organizations have contributed their share for the success of this

visit. We are grateful of their service

CONAFOR (Comision Nacional Forestal, Mexico's Forestry Commission) - for

accepting our request, for their warm hospitality, for planning and coordinating visit

engagements and for generously sharing Mexico's lessons and experiences and for

making our stay in Mexico memorable. Two individuals, Mr Jose Armando Alanis de la

26

Rosa and Mrs Miriam Andreli Solis Hernandez at CONAFOR deserve special thanks for

their company and serving us tirelessly.

The World Bank (Karin Kachelle) - for providing the necessary information in

identifying visit destination and facilitating the link with CONAFOR

The National REDD+ Secretariat/Ministry of Environment and Forest - For arranging the

visit and providing overall support.

ANNEX - Visit Participants list

H.E. Ato Belete Tafere Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest

H.E Ato Dessie Dalkie President, Southern Nations, Nationalities, Peoples Regional State

Honorable Ato Yalew Abate Speaker, Amhara Regional Government Council

Honorable Ato Sani Redi Vice President, Southern Nations, Nationalities, Peoples Regional State

& Head, SNNPR Bureau of Agriculture

27

Dr Wubalem Tadesse Director General, Ethiopia Environment and Forestry Research Institute

Ato Abraham Mashalo Advisor to the President of Southern Nations, Nationalities, Peoples

Regional State

Ato Haftu Kiros Core Process Owner, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection,

Regional Bureau of Agriculture, Tigray Regional State

W/O Abrehet G/Hiwot Director, Private Forest promotion and Marketing Directorate, MEF

Dr Solomon Zewdie National REDD+ Pilots Coordinator, National REDD+ Secretariat, MEF

28