The REDD Agenda in Tanzania – Lessons

Professor Pius YandaDirector, Institute of Resource Assessment

& Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Chair in Environment and Climate Change, University of Dar Es Salaam

Background

Climate change is a challenge facing human society in the 21st century.

It is now affecting both natural and social systems.

African continent is affected most. Climate changed is caused by global warming This is associated with human induced green

house gas emissions Carbon dioxide being the most significant gas.

Background

IPCC established that about 20% of the emitted carbon dioxide is through deforestation

Mainly in the tropical regions including Tanzania Efforts to reduce rate of deforestation would

significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through deforestation.

At UNFCCC COP 13 in December 2007, it was agreed that Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) should be considered for inclusion in a future protocol.

Why Tanzania Engage on REDD+

Tanzania has a total area of about 94.5 million ha 88.6 million ha are covered by landmass The rest is water bodies.

A total of 35.3 million ha of forestland 6 million ha comprise of reserved forests, 2 million ha are forests in national parks 17.3 million ha (49% of all forestland) are

unprotected forests in General Land.

Why Tanzania Engage on REDD+

Forests in General Land are ‘open access’, characterized by; unsecured land tenure, shifting cultivation, annual wild fires, harvesting of wood fuel, poles and timber, heavy pressure for conversion to other competing land

uses, such as agriculture, livestock grazing, settlements and industrial development.

The rate of deforestation is estimated at 412,000 ha per annum

Taking place mostly in the General Land forests. Efforts towards forest conservation aim at reversing this

trend.

Why Tanzania Engage on REDD+

In Tanzania, the main sources of finance for forest management are currently: charges levied on the major forest products and

services, state budget allocation to the forestry

administration, and development partners’ grants for forestry projects.

The limited financial resources require new sources of investment in forest management outside these traditional channels.

Components of REDD+

Reducing emissions from deforestation Reducing emissions from forest degradation Conservation of forest Carbon stocks Sustainable management of forest Enhancement of forest Carbon stocks

Opportunities

REDD has potential for contributing to national foreign income.

REDD can promote rural development and contribute to the efforts of reducing poverty of the majority.

But also REDD can mitigate climate change challenges,

REDD can enhance biodiversity conservation and ecosystem stability.

REDD provides ecosystem based adaptation

Challenges

Heavy dependency on natural resources for livelihoods and economic development

REDD based land use system changes Misinterpretation of policies Poor law enforcement e.g in preventing illegal logging Lack of regular, reliable, specific and accurate data

for computing baseline emissions Lack of equitable benefit sharing mechanisms Conflicting interests among various stakeholders in

developing and implementing REDD initiatives

Addressing the Key Challenges

In response to these challenges, Norway launched an International Climate and Forest Initiative (ICFI) in 2007, with a global commitment towards REDD efforts at international and national levels.

The Climate Change Partnership between Norway and Tanzania, which was signed in April 2008, is part of this global initiative to support REDD initiative in Tanzania.

REDD Initiative in Tanzania

The Task Force comprises of 7 members, 3 from Vice President’s Office (VPO-DoE) 3 from Ministry of Natural Resources and

Tourism (MNRT – FBD) 1 from Zanzibar and

The National REDD Secretariat: Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA),

University of Dar es Salaam The National REDD Framework

The Draft National REDD+ Strategy

Objectives of the StrategyKey Intervention Areas

Goal:

The main goal of the National REDD+ Strategy is: to facilitate effective and coordinated implementation of REDD+ related policies, processes and activities so as to contribute to climate change agenda and overall sustainable development.

Objective:

National REDD+ Strategy is expected to guide; the implementation and coordination of

mechanisms required for Tanzania to benefit from a post-2012 internationally approved system for forest carbon trading

This will be based on demonstrated emission reductions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Structure of the Strategy Document

Chapter One: The Introductory Chapter Chapter Two: Describes in a nutshell the Strategy development

process. Chapter Three: provides an overview of the forest estate in

Tanzania and highlights some of the major efforts made to conserve it in an increasingly participatory manner.

Chapter Four: Gives an overview of forest governance for REDD+,

Chapter Five: Outlines the modalities for baseline establishment, monitoring, verification and reporting.

Chapter Six : Illustrates the key strategic elements for REDD+ implementation in Tanzania.

Finally, Chapter Seven provides a framework for Strategic Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the Strategy and highlights some of the potential risks that may face the country as it implements the National REDD+ Strategy.

Policy Relevance

The National REDD+ Strategy in Tanzania has been developed based on the National Framework for REDD developed in 2009. The framework is based on the objectives of reducing emissions related to deforestation and forest degradation as well as reducing poverty of forest dependent communities.

The REDD+ Strategy is closely linked to the current national growth and development strategies such as the National Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (MKUKUTA), the National Forest Programme and other strategies which contribute to effective conservation and utilization of Tanzania’s natural and renewable resources and improving the livelihoods of its people.

The Process:

The strategy development process has undergone three phases: A Preliminary analytical phase, A Strategic analysis and Piloting phase A Consolidation phase

Knowledge Building:

This involved the scoping studies to; identify potentials for REDD+ in Tanzania, access capacities for REDD+ implementation, identify gaps and issues to be addressed.

In this stage institutional structures were established REDD+ Task Force Secretariat.

A National REDD+ Framework was also developed. Study tours were conducted in Brazil, Australia and

Norway Lessons learned from these tours have been

reflected in this Strategy.

Stakeholders’ Consultations:

A series of awareness raising and consultative meetings were conducted nationwide.

The REDD+ consultation plan divided the country into 8 zones, including Zanzibar, and held meetings with people working in forestry and agriculture.

The Task Force and IRA visited communities practicing participatory forest management (PFM), a key REDD+ entry point.

SWOT Analysis for establishing and implementing REDD+ in Tanzania

Key Intervention Areas (Matrices):

1. REDD+ baseline scenario, monitoring, reporting and verification framework

2. Financial mechanisms and incentive schemes3. Stakeholders engagement in the REDD+ implementation

process4. Coordination of REDD+ schemes5. Understanding carbon market options6. Governance mechanism for REDD+7. Training programme and Infrastructure for REDD+8. Current knowledge and scientific understanding of the target

forests and adjacent communities improved through research 9. An effective information and knowledge communication system on

REDD+ issues10. REDD+ strategy options for addressing drivers of D&D

National REDD Strategy – Next Steps

Shared with key stakeholders (vertically and horizontally)

Shared with expert groups (Technical Working Group)

Synthesis of lessons learned from the pilot projects

Prepare action plan Submission to the government for approval

Technical Working Group

The proposed technical groups include: Legal & Governance Monitoring, Reporting and Verification

(MRV) Financial Mechanism (REDD Fund) Energy drivers Agriculture Drivers

Thank You!