Comments on: Indigenous Peoples meeting in Cochabamba condemn “predatory REDD forest programs” http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/04/23/indigenous-peoples-meeting-in-cochabamba-condemn-predatory-redd-forest-programs/ news, views and analysis about reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:47:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Teresa Flores http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/04/23/indigenous-peoples-meeting-in-cochabamba-condemn-predatory-redd-forest-programs/#comment-22331 Teresa Flores Wed, 12 May 2010 05:20:25 +0000 http://www.redd-monitor.org/?p=4546#comment-22331 Fortunatelly in the document Submited by Bolivia to the UNFCCC (May 4, 2010) is writen: 62. Developed country Parties shall provide adequate, predictable and sustained financing, technology and capacity building in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention to enable and support national development needs and voluntary actions to be undertaken by developing country Parties consistent with their national circumstances in the context of reducing emissions from, inter alia, deforestation, forest and land degradation and to increase forest coverage, stabilize forest carbon stocks, enhance carbon sinks through forest conservation, sustainable management of forests, afforestation, reforestation, restoration of degraded ecosystems, improved land use and agriculture practices. 63. A framework for the delivery of financial resources for forest related actions is hereby established to fund the agreed full incremental costs for the implementation of developing countries’ commitments under Article 4.1 (d) to promote sustainable management; and promote and cooperate in the conservation and enhancement ofsinks and reservoirs of all greenhouse gases, including forests ecosystems. 64. The following principles and elements will apply to forest related actions and the proposed framework: • A fund based mechanism that enables equitable distribution of funds. • The framework will not allow for offset mechanisms. • It will ensure environmental integrity. • It will protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, as there is no transfer of rights of carbon ownership to the market. • Ensure sovereignty and national as well as local control over forest related activities. These activities must be framed under the national laws and policies. • Forest conservation can be funded, including adaptation activities related to forests. 65. Under the proposed Multilateral Climate Fund established under the COP: • A funding window or specialized fund should be established for forest related activities as set out under paragraph 1(b)(iii) of the BAP. Fortunatelly in the document Submited by Bolivia to the UNFCCC (May 4, 2010) is writen:
62. Developed country Parties shall provide adequate, predictable and sustained financing, technology and capacity building in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention to enable and support national development needs and voluntary actions to be undertaken by developing country Parties consistent with their national circumstances in the context of reducing emissions from, inter alia, deforestation, forest and land degradation and to increase forest coverage, stabilize forest carbon stocks, enhance carbon sinks through forest conservation, sustainable management of forests, afforestation, reforestation, restoration of degraded ecosystems, improved land use and agriculture practices.
63. A framework for the delivery of financial resources for forest related actions is hereby established to fund the agreed full incremental costs for the implementation of developing countries’ commitments under Article 4.1 (d) to promote sustainable management; and promote and cooperate in the conservation and enhancement ofsinks and reservoirs of all greenhouse gases, including forests ecosystems.
64. The following principles and elements will apply to forest related actions and the proposed framework:
• A fund based mechanism that enables equitable distribution of funds.
• The framework will not allow for offset mechanisms.
• It will ensure environmental integrity.
• It will protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, as there is no transfer of rights of carbon ownership to the market.
• Ensure sovereignty and national as well as local control over forest related activities. These activities must be framed under the national laws and policies.
• Forest conservation can be funded, including adaptation activities related to forests.
65. Under the proposed Multilateral Climate Fund established under the COP:
• A funding window or specialized fund should be established for forest related activities as set out under paragraph 1(b)(iii) of the BAP.

]]> By: David Vincent http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/04/23/indigenous-peoples-meeting-in-cochabamba-condemn-predatory-redd-forest-programs/#comment-20376 David Vincent Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:28:38 +0000 http://www.redd-monitor.org/?p=4546#comment-20376 Whilst I have a lot of sympathy for these sentiments we must also be careful not to over simplify the issues or condemn out of hand efforts by western economies to right the wrongs. In the wider department of Cochabamba itself the rate of deforestation is horrendous - not caused in the least by western capitalism but by migrant communities who have been granted settlement rights and continue to practice devastating and totally unsustainable slash and burn methods to clear native forest for agriculture. An example of what I believe to be worthy involvement and financial support from the west is project ArBolivia, involving over 1000 smallholders whose representatives are also very actively involved in the talks. The project has evolved from international aid programmes sponsored by the Belgian government, and the FAO and now private finance from the UK and the Netherlands. In a nutshell the project would not exist without the upfront and ongoing payments from carbon credits sold again to the Belgian government - for all the anger and abuse aimed at the system no-one has yet come up with a way of providing incentives for such communities to plant rather than plunder. Under the Arbolivia scheme participating smallholders receive immediate and ongoing regular payments to plant and care for native species on their own land. In addition they get professional farm management training and advice to help improve and sustain income. - In addition to long term revenues from certified timber production investment also pays for badly needed conservation, particular along water courses where erosion through flooding is becoming an annual hazard - 8 people were killed in floods during my visit there in February. - at the end of the day there also has to be an incentive for those in the North to support those in the South - in Arbolivia eventual timber profits will be split 50/50 between those who supply their land and labour and those who provide the vital capital to make it all happen. Irrespective of what opponents may say - I have shaken hands with my partners in Cochabamba who know and understand the deal. However I am very conscious that rural peoples in the developing world are rightly sceptical of western capitalism and big business. For this reason we set up a not-for profit social co-operative enterprise - an industrial and provident society for the benefit of the community - in this case Cochabamba. Any profits we make from providing capital for the smallholders will eventually be used for their benefit anyway. However we still need to attract and retain capital - so we award our members/shareholders interest annually, which will of course eat into the profits that we can plough back into the community - but they are getting 50% in the first place plus all the support that ArBolivia can bring along the way so anything else is a pure bonus. I have worked in socially responsible investment for 16 years and I don't know a fairer way to encourage sustainable developing where it is needed using capital from well intentioned ordinary people in the UK. If anyone has any better ideas please tell me. Of not please JOIN US - www.cochabamba.coop David Vincent, director, The Cochabamba Project (see also www.arbolivia.org) Whilst I have a lot of sympathy for these sentiments we must also be careful not to over simplify the issues or condemn out of hand efforts by western economies to right the wrongs. In the wider department of Cochabamba itself the rate of deforestation is horrendous – not caused in the least by western capitalism but by migrant communities who have been granted settlement rights and continue to practice devastating and totally unsustainable slash and burn methods to clear native forest for agriculture.

An example of what I believe to be worthy involvement and financial support from the west is project ArBolivia, involving over 1000 smallholders whose representatives are also very actively involved in the talks.

The project has evolved from international aid programmes sponsored by the Belgian government, and the FAO and now private finance from the UK and the Netherlands.

In a nutshell the project would not exist without the upfront and ongoing payments from carbon credits sold again to the Belgian government – for all the anger and abuse aimed at the system no-one has yet come up with a way of providing incentives for such communities to plant rather than plunder.

Under the Arbolivia scheme participating smallholders receive immediate and ongoing regular payments to plant and care for native species on their own land. In addition they get professional farm management training and advice to help improve and sustain income. – In addition to long term revenues from certified timber production investment also pays for badly needed conservation, particular along water courses where erosion through flooding is becoming an annual hazard – 8 people were killed in floods during my visit there in February.

- at the end of the day there also has to be an incentive for those in the North to support those in the South – in Arbolivia eventual timber profits will be split 50/50 between those who supply their land and labour and those who provide the vital capital to make it all happen.

Irrespective of what opponents may say – I have shaken hands with my partners in Cochabamba who know and understand the deal.

However I am very conscious that rural peoples in the developing world are rightly sceptical of western capitalism and big business. For this reason we set up a not-for profit social co-operative enterprise – an industrial and provident society for the benefit of the community – in this case Cochabamba.

Any profits we make from providing capital for the smallholders will eventually be used for their benefit anyway. However we still need to attract and retain capital – so we award our members/shareholders interest annually, which will of course eat into the profits that we can plough back into the community – but they are getting 50% in the first place plus all the support that ArBolivia can bring along the way so anything else is a pure bonus.

I have worked in socially responsible investment for 16 years and I don’t know a fairer way to encourage sustainable developing where it is needed using capital from well intentioned ordinary people in the UK.

If anyone has any better ideas please tell me.

Of not please JOIN US – http://www.cochabamba.coop

David Vincent, director, The Cochabamba Project
(see also http://www.arbolivia.org)

]]>