Opportunities for Research and Collaboration Relevant to Climate Change and Forests Overview of Opportunities for Research and Collaboration Relevant to Climate Change and Forests çImprove GHG inventory from forest sector in India çAssess mitigation opportunities, costs and benefits in forest sector çAsses impacts of projected climate change on forest ecosystems and plantation forestry  Identify strategies and silvicultural practices to reduce vulnerability and adapt to changing climate çIdentify institutional requirements and best practices to implement such strategies çExplore opportunities to benefit from global mechanisms

I GHG Inventory from Forest Sector in India: Background çF-7 Network analysis using COPATH model  No net CO 2 emissions from forest sector during 1996 çEstimates using IPCC-1995 Guidelines  Net emissions of CO 2 for 1990 at 1.4 MtC çEstimates using revised IPCC 1996 guidelines using default data  Net CO 2 emissions during 1994 at 92 MtC çNational Communication Process  Indian Institute of Science  Forest Survey of India  Forest Research Institute

I GHG Inventory from Forest Sector in India: Research Opportunities çDeveloping land use change matrix covering all land uses; Forest and Non-forest çEstimating carbon pools in different land use systems  Above ground biomass  Below ground biomass  Soil carbon  Litter çEstimating carbon fluxes under different land use change situations and management systems çSoil carbon stocks and flows under land use change and management for different land use categories çEstimates of extraction of fuelwood and timber from different forest and non-forest sources çExplore use of forest inventory for GHG inventory

II. Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies: Background 1.Assessment of impact of climate change on forest ecosystems in India –Indian Institute of Science 2. Assessment of climate change on forest ecosystems in the Western Ghats –Indian Institute of Science 3. Impacts of climate change on forests in Himachal Pradesh –Tata Energy Research Institute

II. Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies: Research Needs çAssessment of impacts of projected climate change (scenarios) on forests at the national & regional level  Biodiversity  Forest regeneration  Biomass growth rates  Timber production  NTFP flows çIdentify vulnerable forest ecosystems çAssess socio-economic implications of impacts of climate change çDevelop adaptation technologies, silvicultural practices and policies çLink adaptation with mitigation strategies & options çAdapt vegetation response models to diverse tropical forest situations

III. Climate Mitigation in Forest Sector: Background F-7 Network analysis using COMAP model (1995) –Technical potential estimated & published in 1995 ALGAS work (1998) –Estimated potential for plantation forestry & regeneration F-7 update using COMAP model (2001) –Estimated incremental mitigation potential of sustainable & commercial forestry scenario Case studies of agroforestry in Tumkur dist. Exploring CDM guidelines for A&R in Adilabad dist. Several research institutions are involved

III. Climate mitigation in Forest Sector: Research Needs Practices and technologies –Identify potential mitigation options or activities: by state –Develop or adapt existing models to estimate mitigation potential, costs and benefits for different activities –Estimate mitigation potential, cost effectiveness, investment needed, land requirements and availability Technical potential vs. economic or market potential –Assess co-benefits and co-effects: biodiversity, income etc. –Timber production, supply and demand modeling and projections –Economic analysis of land use climate mitigation options –Policies and programs Develop a sustainable forest management strategy including meeting the growing round wood demand Study land use management and changes, land tenures and land use policies

IV. Projects: Specific Studies Needed çStudy Afforestation and Reforestation activities which are likely to be eligible under Article 12 or other international approaches at the state level çDevelop or adapt models to assess mitigation potential, costs, benefits  Economic and market potential in different states çDevelop or adapt models to rank barriers in different states & incorporate them for assessing mitigation pot. çDevelop approaches and methods for addressing issues such as permanence, leakage, additionality çStrengthen institutional capacity to address climate change related issues in forestry sector çEvolve institutional arrangements needed to involve local communities, ensure enhanced livelihoods

V. Collaboration Background; Areas of interest to USA & Experience so far çUS Experience of Collaboration & assistance  US Country Studies Programme  FORCLIMIT ASIA; Indonesia, the Philippines & Malaysia  F-7 network: 7 key tropical countries  Mexico & Russian: Continuing cooperation çCurrent focus of USEPA, LBNL on research and Technical Assistance in climate change and Forestry  Major Institutions involved  Areas of Work and Activities çPotential opportunities for collaboration between USEPA and India, LBNL and Indian Institutions

V. Collaboration Goals Some lessons from US international cooperation on climate and forestry issues –Identify a set of activities over time, and be persistent (these take time): say years –Select activities that can produce real, policy- useful products, and do not try to do everything –Include government agencies, private sector, academia and NGOs in consultations on key issues –Meet 1-2 times per year to develop continuing dialog –Plan to publish results in technical journals –Seek to share technical tools (e.g. models) and methods (eg. work in progress)