Overview of Opportunities for Research and Collaboration Relevant to Climate Change and Forests

1. Overview of Opportunities for Research and Collaboration Relevant to Climate Change and Forests • Improve GHG inventory from forest sector in India • Assess mitigation opportunities, costs and benefits in forest sector • Asses impacts of projected climate change on forest ecosystems and plantation forestry • Identify strategies and silvicultural practices to reduce vulnerability and adapt to changing climate • Identify institutional requirements and best practices to implement such strategies • Explore opportunities to benefit from global mechanisms

2. I GHG Inventory from Forest Sector in India: Background • F-7 Network analysis using COPATH model • No net CO2 emissions from forest sector during 1996 • Estimates using IPCC-1995 Guidelines • Net emissions of CO2 for 1990 at 1.4 MtC • Estimates using revised IPCC 1996 guidelines using default data • Net CO2 emissions during 1994 at 92 MtC • National Communication Process • Indian Institute of Science • Forest Survey of India • Forest Research Institute

3. I GHG Inventory from Forest Sector in India: Research Opportunities • Developing land use change matrix covering all land uses; Forest and Non-forest • Estimating carbon pools in different land use systems • Above ground biomass • Below ground biomass • Soil carbon • Litter • Estimating carbon fluxes under different land use change situations and management systems • Soil carbon stocks and flows under land use change and management for different land use categories • Estimates of extraction of fuelwood and timber from different forest and non-forest sources • Explore use of forest inventory for GHG inventory

4. II. Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies: Background • 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. V. Collaboration Background; Areas of interest to USA & Experience so far • US 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 • Current focus of USEPA, LBNL on research and Technical Assistance in climate change and Forestry • Major Institutions involved • Areas of Work and Activities • Potential opportunities for collaboration between USEPA and India, LBNL and Indian Institutions

10. 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 1.5-2 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)