Avina Foundation PES Workshops
Curitiba: 15-18 Oct 07, Quito: 16-18 Abr 08, Panama: 28-30 Julio 08

Español: El Grupo Katoomba de América Tropical y Forest Trends tienen el placer de anunciar el Taller de Servicios Ambientales que se estará celebrando en la Ciudad del Saber, Panamá del 28 al 30 de julio. La reunión se enfocará en las oportunidades y los desafíos que se presentan para el desarrollo de transacciones y fortalecimiento de mercados de servicios ambientales y ecosistémicos en América Latina. Organizado a solicitud de y en conjunto con la Fundación Avina y CIDES, el evento de tres días convocará a expertos nacionales e internacionales en discusiones acerca de la evolución y las tendencias en los mercados ecosistémicos y las fuentes de financiamiento, la participación local y el rol de las instituciones y la gobernabilidad legal en el desarrollo de mercados para carbono, agua, biodiversidad y recursos marinos. Este taller tomará como base los primeros dos talleres enfocados en Servicios Ecosistémicos en América Latina encomendados por la Fundación Avina en Brasil y la región andina. Aunque el evento se fortalecerá de los especialistas locales y destacará iniciativas de Centroamérica, las discusiones se han estructurado para asegurar su relevancia en toda América Latina e incluirán la participación de representantes de toda Mesoamérica y Sudamérica. La sesión pública del primer día ofrecerá una síntesis de los desarrollos internacionales en los servicios y mercados ecosistémicos además de destacar su importancia en toda América Latina. Las sesiones privadas de los tres días tienen como objetivo identificar y apoyar el diseño y el desarrollo de las actividades relacionadas con los servicios ecosistémicos y las iniciativas de los participantes de Centroamérica. El taller es solo por invitación. Si usted quiere asistir la primera sesión pública, escríbale a Oscar Coto ocoto@amnet.co.cr.

English: The Tropical America Katoomba Group and Forest Trends are pleased to announce the Environmental Services workshop, to be held in Ciudad del Saber, Panamá from July 28-30. The meeting will focus on the opportunities and challenges to the development of environmental and ecosystem services transactions and markets in Latin America. Organized at the request of and in collaboration with the Avina Foundation and CIDES, the three-day event will assemble national and international experts to discuss evolution and trends in the ecosystem services markets and sources of financing, local participation and the role of institutions and legal governance in the development of markets for carbon, water, biodiversity, and marine resources. This workshop will build on the first two Ecosystem Services focused workshops in Latin America commissioned by the Avina Foundation in Brazil and Andean region. While the event will draw strength from local expertise and highlight initiatives from Central America, the discussions will be structured to be relevant throughout Latin America and will include participation by representatives from all over Mesoamerica and South America. A public session held on the first day will provide an overview of international developments in ecosystem services and markets as well as focus on their importance throughout Latin America. The closed sessions on day 1, 2 and 3 aim to identify and lend support in the design and progress of ecosystem service related activities and initiatives of the Central American participants. The meetings are by invitation only. If you would like to attend the public first session, please write to Oscar Coto at ocoto@amnet.co.cr.

Full Details found at http://www.katoombagroup.org/event_details.php?id=16

Consulting and Training Conference on Policies Concerning Sino-Russian Forest Resource Exploitation and Timber Processing Investment
Beijing, International Bamboo and Rattan Tower, March 27-28, 2008

Objective:  To promote investment and trade in sustainably produced forest products between Russia and China. Participating in the conference were representatives from government, industry, financial institutions, research experts and NGOs. Topics covered included: opportunities for collaboration between Russian and Chinese government, industry and NGOs in sustainable business enterprises in the forest sector, the overall business environment in Russia and the implications of new Russian forestry code, regional forest regulations and new log export taxes, current trends in trade and investment in the forest products sector, and the socio-economic implications of these trends.

I. Conference Agenda

• March 27-28 Agenda

II. Proceedings

• Proceedings

III. Electronic Presentations

• Russia new forest code: Forestry Management, Forest Utilization and Forest Resources Usage, Giryev M.D., Deputy Administrator of Federal Forestry Agency of Russia (Chinese, Russian)
• Problems and Trends of Forestry in Irkutsk, Mikhailov Yuri, Deputy Director, Irkutsk Forest Service (Chinese)
• Status Quo and Prospects for Forestry in Tomsk, Khmelnitskly Bogdan, Chairman of Commission for Local Forest Politics, Tomsk Economic Development Department (Russian)
• Inspection and Quarantine Measures of Importing Timber from Russia, Lou Junwen, Animal & Plant Quarantine Department, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (Chinese)
• Implementation of Russian New Forest Code: Regional Perspectives – Khabarovsk, Primorye, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Mikhail Karpachevskiy, Biodiversity Conservation Center (English)
• Forest Logging and Timber Processing in Russia: How to Benefit Environment and Livelihoods of Local Communities, Kerstin Canby, Director, Forest Trade and Finance Program, Forest Trends (English)
• Certified Forests and Timber Sourcing in Russia: Guidelines for Legal Sustainable Operations in the Russian Forest Sector, Elena Kopylova, Russia Forestry Program Coordinator, WWF (English)
• Challenges for Sustainable Timber Supply, Josh Newell, Professor, University of Southern California/ WWF International Consultant (English)
• Status and Trends in Trade and Investment in the Far East, Natalya Antonova, Economic Research Institute, Far Eastern Division of Russian Academy of Sciences (English)
• How to Log Legally – for Russian Companies, Liliya Shevlyakova, Chief Expert on Certification and Permission, Lesosibirsky LDK No.1 (Russian)
• Sino-Russian Relationship in Forestry: Practical Meaning, Status and Prospects, Anastasiya Kopylova, Head of Research, Lesprom Network (Russian)
• Promising Prospects for Investing in Russian Forestry, Guo Weidong, Chairman, YanTai Northwest Forestry Co., Ltd. (Chinese)
• Sino-Russian Investment and Cooperation in the Forestry Sector, Madam Zhang Yanhong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Development Planning and Finance Management, China’s State Forest Administration (Chinese)
• Financing Policies on Forestry Development in Russia, Chen Weihong, Administrative Researcher, Business Development Department, Export-Import Bank of China (Chinese)

The 2nd Potomac Forum on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade
Washington, DC
February 14, 2008, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

Objective: The objective of this meeting is for participants to develop a better understanding of the issues, different perspectives and different initiatives currently being undertaken by governments, industry and NGOs. Ultimately, our goal is to foster a constructive network of stakeholders interested in working on this issue. The main focus will be on issues that are pertinent to U.S.-based organizations and markets. This can include international developments in both producer and manufacturing countries exporting to the U.S. (e.g. Indonesia, China) or consumer countries importing U.S.-produced wood products (e.g. China, Europe).

I. Workshop Agenda

• Agenda
• Participants List

II. Proceedings

• Proceedings
• About the Speakers

III. Electronic Presentations

• The U.S. Green Building Council, Brendan Owens, Vice President, LEED Technical Development, U.S. Green Building Council
• Wood for Paper: Fiber Sourcing in the Global Pulp and Paper Industry (Commissioned by the America Forest & Paper Association), Al Goetzl, President, Seneca Creek Associates, LLC
• Initiatives in Europe, Julia Falconer, European Commission
• Quebec Wood Export Bureau Auditing and Traceability System: A Canadian Commitment to Responsible Trade, Carl-Eric Guertin, Responsible Trade Manager, Quebec Wood Export Bureau
• Update on Bali and REDD, Kate Hamilton, Associate Director, Ecosystem Marketplace
• REDD and Forest Governance: Supply and Demand Perspectives, Jade Saunders, FLEGT support team, European Forest Institute
• China: PEFC Certification and the Combat against Illegal Logging, Benson Yu, China Initiative Director, Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC)
• Legality Verification: What Should Voluntary Programs for the Private Sector Include? Jeff Hayward, Verification Services Manager, SmartWood Program
• Citigroup’s Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy, Courtney Lowrance, Vice-President for Environmental & Social Risk Management, Citigroup
• Peru Free Trade Agreement: Impact and Challenges in the Peruvian Forest Sector, Lucila Pautrat, Environmental & Forestry Specialist, Peruvian Public Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoria del Pueblo) (English or Spanish)

VI. Feedback

• Survey for Participants

China and the Global Forest Products Trade: Trade of Legal and Sustainable Wood in China – 2nd Meeting
Beijing, Beijing Oriental Hotel
November 1, 2007

Objective: Second of a series of 6-monthly 'Chatham House' Chinese stakeholder consultations in Beijing. Hosted by Chatham House in partnership with Forest Trends and IUCN China. Contact Duanduan at IUCN for more information: duanduan@iucn.org.cn. Resources hosted by Illegal-Logging.info: click here for this meeting's page on Illegal-Logging.info.

I. Workshop Agenda

• Agenda
• Participants List

II. Electronic Presentations

• Chinese
• English

China’s Future Forest Products Trade: Potential Production, Processing, Consumption and Trade Scenarios

Beijing, Beijing Oriental Garden Hotel

Sept 17-18, 2007

Objective:  This workshop provided an overview of the forest product trade between China and its major supplier regions, and focuses on modeling scenarios of China’s future role in these markets in the medium to long term. Scheduled just prior to EU-China Conference on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance, the workshop was designed to engage experts in a dialogue on the most recent findings of the International Forests and Forest Products trade model. Discussions centered on efforts to mathematically model Chinese domestic consumption, production and imports, particularly Eastern Russia, currently China’s most important source for wood. Participants will learn to employ information from the IFFP trade analysis and find the underlying reasons for discrepancies between the scenarios. On Sept 18th, economic modeling practitioners delved into the technical details of the model and explore ways to extend the model’s usage in China and globally.

I. Workshop Agenda

• Sept. 17th Agenda & Participants List
• Sept. 18th Agenda & Participants List

II. Electronic Presentations

• Gary Bull: Evaluating China’s Forest Products Trade: History, Issues and the Future
• Steven Northway: Review of Capabilities of the International Forest and Forest Products Trade Model
• Steven Northway & Gary Bull: China: International and Domestic Trade Scenarios

China and the Global Forest Products Trade: Trade of Legal and Sustainable Wood in China

Beijing, Beijing Oriental Hotel
April 26, 2007

Objective: First of a series of 6-monthly 'Chatham House' Chinese stakeholder consultations in Beijing. Hosted by Chatham House in partnership with Forest Trends and IUCN China. Contact Duanduan at IUCN for more information: duanduan@iucn.org.cn. Resources hosted by Illegal-Logging.info: click here for this meeting's page on Illegal-Logging.info.

I. Workshop Agenda

• Agenda: English | Chinese
• Participants List
• Speaker Bios

II. Electronic Presentations

• Chinese
• English

First Update Meeting on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade

Washington, DC
March 8th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Objective: The goal of this meeting is for participants to develop a better understanding of the issues, different perspectives and different initiatives currently being undertaken by governments, industry and NGOs. Ultimately, our goal is to foster a constructive network of stakeholders interested in working on this issue. The main focus will be on issues that are pertinent to US-based organizations and markets. This can include international developments in both producer and manufacturing countries exporting to the US (e.g. Indonesia, China) or consumer countries importing US-produced wood products (e.g. China, Europe).

I. Workshop Agenda

• Agenda
• Participants List

II. Proceedings

• Proceedings
• About the Speakers

III. Electronic Presentations

• Overview of the President's Initiative Against Illegal Logging (PIAIL), Stephanie Caswell, US Department of State
• Activities of the US Forest Service Office of International Programs, Alex Moad, USDA Forest Service, International Programs
• From the Forest to the Suburbs: Responsible Wood Production Chains in Latin America, Steve Gretzinger, World Wildlife Fund
• Imported Wood: An Established Chain of Legality, Brent McClendon, International Wood Products Association
• The US Forest Industry: Combating "Illegal" Logging, Mike Virga, American Forest and Paper Association
• Stemming the Flow of Illegal Wood: Experience form Indonesia and the Region, Jack Hurd, The Nature Conservancy
• Duncan Brack - Recent Initiatives and Trends in Europe: The EU FLEGT Action Plan, European Government Procurement Policies and Legislative Options Under Consideration, Duncan Brack, Chatham House
• EU Demand for Verified Legal and Sustainable Timber, Rupert Oliver, Forest Industries Intelligence, Ltd
• US Hardwood Exports and International Procurement Policies, Jameson French, Northland Forest Products
• China and the Global Market for Forest Products, Kerstin Canby, Forest Trends
• Supply Chain Management: Experience with Chinese Mills, Scott Poynton, Tropical Forest Trust
• The GLOBE G8 Dialogue on Illegal Logging, Mike Packer, GLOBE International
• FLEG Initiatives Supported by the World Bank, Tapani Oksanen, World Bank

VI. Feedback

• Survey for Participants

China and the Global Forest Products Trade: Strengthening Production and Policy

September 20, 2006
Beijing , China

Objective: First in a series of two workshops to present and discuss issues related to a sustainable forest and related industries' sector, which will cover aspects from strengthening domestic production and rural livelihoods through collective tenure reform to sustainable international trade. This workshop provides an overview of China 's domestic production of wood products and its relation with the global market. Proceedings include examples and policy recommendations for how governments (producer and consumer) and industry can use trade to advance sustainable and pro-poor forest trade.

I. Workshop Agenda

• Agenda | English | Chinese |
• Participants List | English |

II. Proceedings

• Proceedings | English | Chinese |

III. Presentations

• China and the Global Market for Forest Products: Transforming Trade to Benefit Forests and Livelihoods, Kerstin Canby, Forest Trends
• China: Modeling Trade Scenarios for Forests and Forest Products, Gary Bull, University of British Columbia
• How Competitive is Wood Pulp Production in South China?, Chris Barr, Center for International Forestry Research
• Policy Research Priorities for China's Production Forestry, William Magrath, World Bank
• China's Timber Supply: Technical Models and Related Issues, Zhang Sheng, FEDRC
• The Global Challenge: Steps Towards Sustainable Forests, Livelihoods and Trade, Andy White, RRI
• Tackling Illegal Logging: The United Kingdom's Program, John Hudson, DFID
• Private Sector Experience with Supply Chain Management in South East Asia and China, Hugh Blackett, Tropical Forest Trust | Chinese
• China's International Trade of Forest Products from the view of FLEG, Wu Baihai, FEDRC

Improving Production and Livelihoods in China through Tenure and Regulatory Reform

I. Workshop Agenda

• Agenda | English | Chinese |
• Participants List | English | Chinese |

II. Proceedings

• Proceedings | English | Chinese |

III. Presentations

• Plans, Progress and Challenges in China's Collective Tenure and Policy Reform, Jiang Jisheng, State Forestry Administration
• Global Overview of Trends in Tenure and Regulatory Reform, Andy White, RRI
• Local Experience in Tenure Reform, Chai Xitang, Fujian Department of Forestry
• Community Forestry in India: Evaluating the roles of state and community in natural resource management, Ashwini Chhatre, Harvard University
• Testing the Community Forestry Hypothesis in Mexico : Poverty Alleviation and Forest Protection, David Bray, Florida International University
• Analysis of Laws that Affect Collective Forest Owners and their Interactions with Government and Industry, Li Ping, Rural Development Institute
• Impacts of Forest Tenure Reform on Farmer Forest Management in Fujian, Kong Xiangzhi, People's University of China
• Economic Analysis of Collective Forest Tenure Formation, Xu Jintao, Peking University
• Collective Forest Reform: Case Study Analysis, Hou Meng, Peking University

Promoting Trade of Sustainable and Legal Wood in China : Information Sharing Workshop for Technical Experts

I. Workshop Agenda

• Agenda | English |

II. Proceedings

• Proceedings | English |

III. Presentations

• Forest Trends' relevant work program, Kerstin Canby, Forest Trends
• The Nature Conservancy's Work Relevant to Green Wood Procurement, Chen Xiaoqian, TNC
• Experiences with Russia-China Softwood Commodity Chain Analysis, Song Weiming & Cheng Baodong, Beijing Forestry University
• WWF's relevant program, Dong Ke & An Yan, WWF China
• Greenpeace's program on illegal logging and associated trade, Dong Wan, Greenpeace China
• Lessons Learned from Supply Chain Management and the Tropical Forest Trust Workprogram as it relates to China, Hugh Blackett, Tropical Forest Trust
• The Chatham House Dialogue on Illegal Logging: Is this an Option for China ?, Jade Saunders, Chatham House/Royal Institute of International Affairs

Forest Products Trade between Russia and China: Encouraging Responsible Enterprise through a Solid Investment Climate

August 17-18, 2006
Burduguz Village, Russia

This one-and-a-half day small meeting of Russian, Chinese and international leaders in business, international investment, government, environment and academia discussed how responsible industry engagement, a positive investment climate backed by solid governmental policies and regional development, and responsible trade policies can foster sustainable forest enterprise on both sides of the border - with positive contributions to the economy and livelihoods of local communities.

I. Workshop Agenda

• Meeting Agenda
• Agenda in Russian

II. Stakeholders' Statement

• Harmonious Forest Sector Development and Trade between Russia and China (English)
• (Russian)
• (Chinese)

III. Presentations

• Financial Institutions in the Forestry Sector, Richard Burrett, ABN AMRO
• Russia-China Forest Products Trade: Promoting Sustainable Trade, Kerstin Canby, Forest Trends
• Combating Illegal Logging and Associated Trade, Chen Xiaoqian, The Nature Conservancy China
• Wood-Tracking Systems from Russia to China, Dong Ke and Elena Kopylova, WWF China and Russia
• An Emerging Markets Forestry Investment Strategy, John Earhart, Global Environment Fund
• Certification Development in Russia: Advances and Challenges, Mikhail Karpachevsky, Biodiversity Conservation Center
• Perspective Vision for Forest Sector Cluster Programs Towards Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Eastern Russia and Northern China, Andrey Kushlin, World Bank
• IKEA and Forestry, Andrey Rudykh, IKEA Russia
• China's Timber Market in Relation to Russia's Timber Exports, Sun Xiufang, Forest Trends
• China's Forest Sector: Domestic Supply and Demand and Forest Policy, Xu Jintao, Peking University
• Environmental and Social Perspectives of Russian Forest Sector, Alexey Yaroshenko, Greenpeace Russia
• Modern Priorities and Challenges of Improved Forest Management in the Asian part of Russia as Illustrated by Irkutsk, Sergey Zhurkov, Federal Forestry Agency

International Forum on Public Forest Reform Issues and Future Directions

September 27-28, 2005
Beijing, China

I. Workshop Agenda

• Meeting Agenda
• Agenda in Chinese

II. Papers and Background Materials

• Message from Brian Emmett to Forum Participants (letter)
• Forest Management Experience in the United States (speech), Forest Service Associate Chief Sally Collins
• India - Public Forests and Public Forest Agencies in Transition (paper)

III. Presentations

• Mexico: History of Forest Ownership and Government Regulation, Antonio Azuela
• Recent Experience in China's State Forestry Areas: A Reform Agenda, Xu Jintao, CCAP - CAS
• India: Public Forests and Public Forest Agencies in Transition, Arvind Khare, Forest Trends
• On the Optimum Forest Management System in China, Keijiro Otsuka
• Public Forests And Public Forest Agencies in Transition: Global Trends, Andy White, Forest Trends

Building Foundations for Pro-Poor Ecosystem Services in Africa: Eighth Public Meeting of the Katoomba Group

19-22 September, 2005
Uganda

In recent years, markets and payments for ecosystem services (PES), such as carbon sequestration, watershed protection and biodiversity conservation, have emerged in several African nations as a viable method for maintaining ecosystems and rewarding responsible environmental management. These mechanisms are generally appearing on an ad hoc basis, however, and little strategic dialogue has occurred to harmonize efforts to achieve broader economic and environmental objectives. In response, Forest Trends, the Katoomba Group, Ecoagriculture Partners, and other international and African partners organized the workshop, "Building Foundations for Pro-Poor Ecosystem Services in Africa," on 19-22 September, 2005 in Uganda.

The objectives of this workshop were to strengthen the capacity for individuals to create PES mechanisms, to assess the current state of PES in Africa, to share information about past PES schemes in other regions of the world and to plan the systematic establishment of pro-poor PES schemes in East and Southern Africa . A diverse group of leaders from Kenya , Tanzania , Uganda , Malawi , and South Africa who are involved with private business, policy making, community leadership, NGOs and academia attended, representing the integral players needed to establish PES (buyers, sellers, intermediaries, etc).

For photographs of the meeting, please click here. Other resources, including agendas, participant lists, and presentations are included below.

For resources from this meeting, including agendas, participant lists, and presentations, please click here.

China/Asia-Pacific Workshops

June 4-6 and June 6-7
Beijing, China

I. Workshop Agenda & Logistics:

• Agenda and Logistical Information for the Regional Network and Trade Scenarios Workshop, June 4-6
• Agenda and Logistical Information for the Workshop "The Chinese Market: Supply, Demand and Trade", June 6-7
• Draft of Participants List
  

II. Specific Workshop Background documents:

• Project proposal for Workshop #1 Workprogramming - Transforming China's Forest Impacts in the East Asia Region: Advancing Pro-Poor Policy & Market Reforms for Sustainable Livelihoods & Forests, June 6
• Tim Brown: Presentation - Forest Future Scenario Analysis: Discussion on Plantations
• Tim Brown: Presentation - Approaches to Building Policy-Relevant Future Forest Scenarios - Experience from Indonesia
• Gary Bull: Briefing Note - Developing Scenarios and Evaluating Policies for China and Asia Pacific Regional Forest Products Suppliers: A Proposed Model Structure
  

III. Other Background Documents:

Publications of the China/Asia-Pacific initiative  in DRAFT form:

• Status and Trends in Forest Product Exports from the Russian Far East and Eastern Siberia to China
  by Alexey Lankin
• Siberian and Russian Far East Timber for China: Legal and Illegal Pathways, Players, and Trends
  by Anatoly Lebedev
• Russian Far East – China Softwood Log Commodity Chain and Livelihood Analysis
  by Alexander S. Sheingauz, Anatoliy V. Lebedev, Natalia Ye Antonova
• At the Supply Edge: Thailand’s Forest Policies, Plantation Sector, and Commodity Export Links with China
  by Keith Barney
• Central Plans and Global Exports: Tracking Vietnam’s Forestry Commodity Chains and Export Links to China
  by Keith Barney
• Who Drives Conservation in China? A Case Study in Protected Areas in Yunnan, Southwest China
  by Jianchu Xu
  

IV. Workshop Presentations:

Presentations and Resources from the June 4-6 Workshop

• Mekong Region Timber Import Data
  by Keith Barney
• Mekong Region Timber Export Data
  by Keith Barney
• Approaches to Building Policy-Relevant Future Forest Scenarios: Experience from Indonesia
  by Tim Brown, Forest Futures Working Group
• Forest Future Scenario Analysis: Discussion on Plantations
  by Tim Brown, Forest Futures Working Group
• More What If: Implications of Increasing Global Demand for Bejing Roast Duck
  by Kerstin Canby, Forest Trends
• China and Asia Pacific: Forest Markets for sustainable livelihoods and Forests - Country Situation observation: Malaysia
  by Chen Hin Keong, TRAFFIC
• Export of Major timber products from Malaysia 2003
  by Chen Hin Keong, TRAFFIC
• Forest Sector of the Russian Far East: Potential of the Foreign- Economic Cooperation
  by Alexander S. Sheingauz, Economic Research Institute
• The Chinese Market: Supply, Demand and Trade Workshop
  by Sun Xiufang, Forest Trends
• China's Forest Product Exports 1997-2004
  by Sun Xiufang, Forest Trends

Presentations and Resources from the June 4-6 Workshop

• China Structural Lumber Market
  by Matthew Brady
• Impacts of China on the Global Value (Supply) Chain: The wood sector
  by Dr. David Cohen, University of British Columbia
• Competitiveness of Hill Plantations in Southern China Current Situation and Future Scenarios
  by Christian Cossalter, CIFOR
• Modeling Demand, Supply and Trade in China's Pulp & Paper Markets
  by David Dequan He, China Economic Consulting, Inc.
• Bamboo Forest Trends
  by Dr. Maxim Lobovikov, INBAR
• The Demand & Supply of Wooden Material for Chinese Furniture Industry
  by Xu Meiqi
• Focus on the Future: Plantations in China
  by Matti Naakka, Stora Enso
• The Pulp and Paper Industry: Brian Stafford and Associates Pty. Ltd.
  by Brian Stafford, Brian Stafford and Associates Pty. Ltd.
• Chinese Wood Pulp Imports
  by Brian Stafford, Brian Stafford and Associates Pty. Ltd.
• China's Financial Sector: Basic Form and Reform
  by Ding Tao
• China's Wood Product Market – Baseline Scenarios: A Preliminary Summary of Trends and Projections for the Medium Term
  by Andy White and Chris Barr
• Studies of Chinese Forest Products Market: WBP Sector
  by Dr. Chen Yong, Center for China Wood-market Consulting Chinese Academy of Forestry

Publications of the China/Asia-Pacific initiative currently available can be accessed at: http://www.forest-trends.org/programs/pacific_rim.htm

Katoomba Dialogue "That Sinking Feeling" at the Carbon Expo in Cologne

May 12, 2005, 9:30-11:30 am, "Blauer Salon"
Cologne, Germany

For some time now, the issue of how to incorporate forestry sinks (referred to as Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry, LULUCF) into a carbon emissions trading scheme has been extremely controversial. The issues are many: Critics believe that sinks will simply serve as an easy “greenwashing” mechanism that will enable companies to not reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They further point out that paying for sinks will lead to the creation of monoculture plantations in developing countries; plantations that ultimately damage biodiversity, impact communities, and don't really contribute to resolving the climate change problem. Advocates, meanwhile, say that incorporating sinks into carbon emissions trading schemes will ultimately be beneficial not only to the world's climate, but also to the world's forests, its biodiversity, and communities in developing countries. They further charge that including sinks is important to carbon emitting businesses because it will keep the costs of meeting Kyoto targets down.

Now is the time to revisit the problem, its potential, and opportunities, since the the decision of the EU-ETS, the world's largest carbon market, not to allow for the inclusion of sinks will be reviewed in 2006. In addition, as countries begin to debate how Kyoto's mechanisms for flexibility (primarily the Clean Development Mechanism, or CDM, and Joint Implementation, or JI) will operate from 2012 forward, the issue of sinks and LULUCF is likely to take on added importance.

We plan to bring together a distinguished panel of 5-6 people from a variety of backgrounds to discuss the issue:

John O. Niles ,Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance, CCBA
Byamukhama Biryahwaho, EcoTrust, Uganda
Kirsten Macey, Climate Action Network Europe
Gisela Ulloa , National Clean Development Office of Bolivia
Charlotte Streck, Climate Focus, Netherlands

Please note: This event will be held just outside of Carbon Expo (but in the same convention facility). It is free to attend and it is not necessary to have a Carbon Expo pass.

CARBON EXPO, the global carbon fair and conference, will take place in Cologne, May 11-13. CARBON EXPO is coorganized by IETA, the World Bank and Koelnmesses. It features:
- 110 Exhibitors from over 50 countries
- A conference with 150 expert speakers in 12 workshops, 6 plenary sessions and 30 Exhibitor Side Events
- A trader corner in which 27 CDM/JI host countries will offer a minimum of 2 projects each for negotiation
More information and full conference program can be downloaded at www.carbonexpo.com.

For a map locating the event, click here.
If you have further questions, please email Ricardo Bayon.

Global Launch of the Ecosystem Marketplace

March 31, 2005
London, United Kingdom

On March 31st , 2005, the Ecosystem Marketplace sponsored by The Katoomba Group and Forest Trends was officially launched in London . Keynotes were delivered by Sir John Bond, Chairman of HSBC, Sir Win Bischoff, Chairman for Europe of Citigroup, and Hermann Mulder, Co-Head of Group Risk Management at ABN AMRO. A discussion on the past, present, and potential future of environmental markets followed, involving Robert Napier (WWF-UK) ,Jon Williams (HSBC), Steve Howard (The Climate Group), Dixon Harvey (Environmental Banc and Exchange, EBX), Byamukama Biryahwaho ( EcoTrust , Uganda ). The session was moderated by Mark Nicholls, editor of Environmental Finance.

The fact that high-level representatives of three of the world's largest banks came together at the London headquarters of ABN-AMRO shows that some of the world's largest financial actors are now beginning to take environmental markets (the carbon market in particular) seriously. It also shows that the banking community sees issues of environment and environmental markets as an area for increasing collaboration. All banks are increasingly establishing environmental guidelines to direct their activities (lending in particular). For these banks –all three of which are core members of the group that put together the Equator Principles—the issue of environmental markets is interesting because of the potential for creating new business opportunities. ABN-AMRO's Mulder stated “There is a good business case,” he said, “for banks and other businesses to become increasingly environmentally responsible.”

The panel discussion highlighted the fact that the advent of these new markets turns the issue of the environment into something of interest to all sectors of society: governments, NGOs, businesses, local communities, and others. Also, it was noted that environmental markets are more than just carbon and the concept can be applied to the protection of wetlands and species (as is being done in the US), to water, and to other ecosystem markets. The panelists agreed that for markets to work properly, the role of governments and government regulation is crucial. Most of the large environmental markets that exist, owe their existence to government regulations such as the Kyoto Protocol and the US Clean Water Act.

Richard Burrett, Managing Director for Sustainable Development for ABN-AMRO, noted that the time has come for the increased use of environmental markets to achieve environmental ends, bringing the power of the market to the scale of the problem. ABN AMRO estimates that the total value of the carbon market in Europe alone will be EUR 45 billion by 2012, which, Burrett said, bodes well not only for financiers interested in these markets, but also for the interest these markets are likely to generate in the future. Michael Jenkins, President of Forest Trends, emphasized that since these new markets are early in formation there is a historic opportunity to ensure that real and significant conservation outcomes are delivered and that low-income communities, many of whom currently produce these ecosystem services, benefit from these new markets.

Overall, there was a clear consensus that one thing that both markets and “environmental payment schemes” need in order to work properly is information; information on regulation, on prices, on who is doing what, and on regulatory systems that work and that don't work in particular situations. In short, the time is ripe for a service such as that being provided by the Ecosystem Marketplace.

Sir Win Bischoff's Keynote Speech

Press Release

See photos from the launch!

See Videos and CNN coverage of the launch:

• CNN: Squawktalk
• CNN: Street Signs
• Video: Herman Mulder - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 (these are large files and require an mp4 player)
• Video: John Bond - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 (these are large files and require an mp4 player)
• Video: Win Bischoff - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 (these are large files and require an mp4 player)

View media coverage on the event:
Bloomberg.com
Guardian
Dow Jones Newswire story on Morningstar
Environmental Finance online
Joel Makower's Blog
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"Property Matters: Collective Forest Policy Issues and Opportunities"

January 11th-14th, 2005
Fujian and Beijing, P.R. China

This will be the culminating workshop of the yearlong project "Building Knowledge of China's Collective Forest Sector, in China and Beyond". The event will be co-hosted by the China National Forestry Economics and Development Research Center (FEDRC) at the State Forestry Administration (SFA), China Agricultural University, and Forest Trends.

Agenda

Final Comments by Andy White

Presentations

Rethinking Forest Regulations
by Arnoldo Contreras

Alternatives to Public Protected Areas: Community Driven Conservation, International Experiences and Trends
by Andy White

Initiatives to Reform Tenure in India
by Arvind Khare

Company-Community Contracts for Forest Protection in Sichuan: Examples and Lessons from Experience
(English and Chinese)
by Gan Tingyu and Zhang Qingwen

Overview on China's Collective Forests Research
by Miao Guangping

Basic Issues Fostering Successful Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), Including Successful Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM)
by Owen Lynch

From Innovation to Adaptation: The Share-Holding Integrated Forestry Tenure (SHIFT) System in Sanming, China
by Song Yajie, Wang, G., W. Burch and M. Rechlin
Chinese version

Collective Forests and Fast-growing and High-yielding Forest Plantations in Fujian: Experiences and Lessons
by Wang Chufeng

Who Drives Conservation? Case of Yunnan (Chinese Only)
by Xu Jianchu

Forest Ecosystem Compensation Program (FECP): Impacts and Implications for Collective Forest Owners
by Xu Xiuli, Zuo Ting, Zhang Binqian and Anders West

Managing Timber Harvest in China: Harvest Policy (English and Chinese)
by Zhang Lei, Zhang Kun, Zhao Jincheng and Liang Yongwei

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PROFOR Supported Forest Policy Dialogue in India

December 2, 2004
New Delhi, India

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) has established a National Forest Commission, chaired by the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to review forest policy, legislation, administration and institutions in India, particularly as they relate to local communities and tribal people. Through PROFOR support, a partnership comprised of the World Bank, Forest Trends and MOEF made a joint presentation to the Commission on December 2, 2004. The World Bank is presently engaged in comprehensive forest sector studies in India that will support new lending for community forestry projects at the state level, and guide policy dialogue between the Bank and the Government of India. The MoEF noted the need for external assistance and Joint Forest Management in India, current policies and legal framework, and key challenges ahead for conservation and improving livelihoods. The Bank presented preliminary results from its ongoing studies in two states, covering forest management and resource assessment systems, legal framework, institutions, marketing systems, and community perspectives. Forest Trends together with representatives of the Mexican government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences highlighted a range of global experiences on how other countries have made the transition to community forestry.

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Global Synthesis Workshop "Ecosystems for Sale in an Unequal World"
Seventh Public Meeting of the Katoomba Group

IUCN World Conservation Forum,
November 19th, 2004
Bangkok, Thailand.

On November 19, 2004, the Katoomba Group hosted a one-day Global Synthesis Workshop in conjunction with the World Conservation Congress entitled, "Ecosystems for sale in an unequal world."  The session explored emerging markets in watershed protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation and addressed issues of equity. 

Final Agenda

Proceedings

Launch of the Ecosystem Marketplace

Presentations:

Presentations - Set 1

Presentations - Set 2

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Seventh Private Meeting of the Katoomba Group

The Tide Resort Hotel
Bangsaen Beach , Thailand
20-21 November, 2004

Agenda

Participants List

Proceedings from the Meeting

Presentations:

Strategic Planning for Katoomba Activities in Africa, 2005
by Mira Inbar, Alice Ruhweza, Nicola King, and Sam Muhumure

Biodiversity offsets: good for business and biodiversity?
by Kerry ten Kate and Ricardo Bayon

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The Future of Forests in East Asia and China: New Markets for Ecosystem Services / Trends in Regional Forest Trade and Finance

October 7-8, 2004
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Agenda

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International Forum on Investment and Finance in China's Forestry Sector

September 22-23, 2004
Beijing, China

Agenda

Conclusions: Summary & Policy Recommendations on Finance and Investment in China's Forestry Sector
by Zhang Lei, China National Forestry Economics and Development Research Center (FEDRC) on behalf of sponsors

Forest Trends, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), and the China National Forestry Economics and Development Research Center (FEDRC) of the State Forestry Administration (SFA) co-organized the International Forum on Investment and Finance in China's Forestry Sector, which was held on September 22-23, 2004 in Beijing, China. The event was co-sponsored by the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and attended by over 150 representatives from domestic and international financial institutions, government agencies, academe, and private sector. The forum heard presentations and encouraged dialogue between decision makers from the forestry and financial sectors. Themes central to the meeting included: (1) China's Forest Production and Trade: Current Trends and Issues, (2) Public Finance for Forestry: Experiences from China and Other Countries, (3) Loan-Based Finance for Forestry: the Role of Chinese Banks, (4) Private Sector Perspectives on Forestry Investment in China, (5) Forestry and Financial Sector Reforms in China, (6) Emerging Roles and Opportunities for International Finance, and (7) Financial Due Diligence and Risk Analysis in Forestry Investment. The forum produced a set of recommendations for the consideration of policy and market makers and includes the following:

(I) There is a need to improve and strengthen public investments in forest restoration.

(II) There is a need to better target public investments in industrial plantation development and plantation-based wood processing industries.

(III) Policy reforms that encourage greater investment by private sector and collective forest owners should be adopted.

(IV) There is a need to establish markets for forest ecological services.

(V) There is a need to encourage private and public banks and investors to adopt new, and more stringent investment policies and due diligence procedures for all forestry and wood processing investments.

Presentations:

China's Forest Production and Trade: Current Trends and Issues

Overview of China's Forestry Industry Development
by Sun Jian, National Administrative Office of the Timber Industry, State Forestry Administration (SFA)

Current Trends and Challenges for Pulp and Paper Investment in China
by Ilkka Kuusisto, Associate Principal, Jaakko Pöyry Consulting

Financing the Development of an Integrated Wood Pulp Industry and Plantation
by Hu Nan, China Light Industry Investment Association

Public Finance for Forestry: Experiences from China and Other Countries

Chinese Government Investment for Forestry Development
by Li Zujiao, China National Forestry Economics and Development Research Center (FEDRC), State Forestry Administration (SFA)

Government Subsides for Industrial Plantations: A Global Assessment of Trends and Issues
by Andy White, Senior Director, Policy and Market Analysis, Forest Trends

General Framework for Forestry Finance Reform in China
by Zhang Liqun, Macro-Economic Research Institute, National Development Research Center (NDRC)

Loan-Based Finance for Forestry: The Role of Chinese Banks

Overview of Chinese Bank Finance for Forestry Investments
by Mu Yejiu, China State Development Bank, Tianjin branch

Assessing the Competitiveness of China's Expanding Pulp and Paper Industry in a Global Context
by Roger Wright, Hawkins Wright

Project Analysis – Issues and Best Practice in the Forestry Sector
by Cary Raditz, CFA, EMRG/Forest Trends

Private Sector Perspectives on Forestry Investment in China

Forestry Sector Reforms and Policy to Promote Investment in Plantations
by Wang Qianjin, Survey and Research Office, State Forest Administration (SFA)

Financing Potentials for Plantation in Fujian Province of China
by Liu Weiping, Fujian Agricultrural University

Does China Have a Comparative Advantage for Growing Pulpwood?
by Christian Cossalter, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

Forestry and Financial Sector Reforms in China

Investing in Pulp and Plantation Development in Guangxi: The Experience of Stora Enso
by Markku Pentikainen, Stora Enso

Experiences for Private Sector Investment in China
by Zhang Jinghai, Jiashide Bamboo & Rattan (Beijing) Co. Ltd

Emerging Roles and Opportunities for International Finance

The KfW Experience Promoting Banking Reforms and the Forestry Sector
by Arne Gooss, Director, KfW

Investing in China's Forest Industry: New Standards to Advance Social and Economic Development
by Ole Sand, International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank

International Finance Perspectives on Forestry Investment in China
by John Begley, President & CEO, Port Townsend Paper

Investing in Forest Plantations in China: Experiences, Lessons and  New Directions
by Jiang Xishan, World Bank Forestry Project Management Center, State Forestry Administration (SFA)

Financial Due Diligence and Risk Analysis in Forestry Investment

Financial Due Diligence and Risk Analysis in Pulp and Plantation Investments: A Global Overview
by Masya Spek, Financial Analyst, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

Risk Analysis and Social-Environmental Impacts Assessment for Pulp and Plantations Investments: The Case of Indonesia
by Christopher Barr, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

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The Tenth Biennial Conference of the International Association for the Study of Common Property (IASCP)

"The Commons in an Age of Global Transition: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities"
Hosted by the Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

August 9 -13, 2004
Oaxaca, Mexico

Forest Trends and China Agricultural University entered two panels presenting research on China's collective forests including work on compensation for ecosystem services, company-community agreements, protected areas, the harvest quota and the logging ban.

Compiled Presentation Abstracts

Comments on China Forestry Panel
Jesse C. Ribot, Senior Associate, Institutions and Governance Program, World Resources Institute

Presentations

China’s Collective ForestsAn Overview
by MIAO Guangping, China National Forestry Economic and Development Research Center (FEDRC)
See Presentation Abstract

Forest Ecosystem Compensation Program (FECP): Impacts and Implications for Collective Forest Owners
by Zuo Ting, Zhang Bingqian, and Tang Lixia, China Agricultural University
See Presentation Abstract

Company-Community Contracts for Forest Production in Sichuan: Examples and Lessons from Experience
by Gan TingyuSichuan Academy of Social Sciences, China
See Presentation Abstract

Collective Forests and Fast-growing Plantations in Fujian:Experiences and Lessons
by Li Nuyun, Deputy Director, Department of Afforestation, State Forestry Administration
See Presentation Abstract

Placement and Displacement: Establishment and Expansion of Protected Areas in Yunnan, Southwest China
by Xu Jianchu, Ph.D., Center for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
See Presentation Abstract

Forest Harvest Policyin China
by Zhang Lei, Deputy Director General, China National Forestry Economics and Development Research Center (FEDRC)
See Presentation Abstract

The Harvest Quota: Impacts on Incentives for Sustainable Collective Forest Management
by Yang Congming, Center for Community Forestry Information - Forestry Department, Guizhou Province, P.R. China
See Presentation Abstract

Sustainable forestry as an alternative to the logging ban:Findings from policy experiments
by Zhao Yaqiao, Center for Community Development Studies, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences (YASS), Yunnan Province, P. R. China
See Presentation Abstract

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The 36th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council

July 26-30, 2004
Geneva and Interlaken, Switzerland

As a member and co-chair of the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) in the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Forest Trends advanced the participation of community voices in the CSAG and their inputs into the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) discussions. The Civil Society Advisory Group launched a position statement on the successor agreement to the ITTA which was negotiated July 26-30th in Geneva, presenting recommendations on a range of issues including the scope of ITTO, role of communities in decision-making, and the inclusion of non-timber forest products and ecosystem service markets in the agreement and organization’s focus.

CSAG Opening Statement to UNCTAD

CSAG Closing Statement to Renegotiation Conference

Minutes of CSAG Meetings 7-21 and 7-25

As a member of the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG), Forest Trends also co-chaired a meeting with the Trade Advisory Group (TAG) of the ITTO to identify joint measures to combat illegal logging. Their recommendations were presented at the Thirty-sixth Council Session in the same city. As a result, donors pledged to support the top three short-term actions: (1) an international conference on communities, tenure and illegal logging; (2) a conference on illegal transport; and (3) new funding to support private and civil society partnerships to advance sustainable forestry. The ITTO is studying the full set of recommendations to see how they can be incorporated into its current work plan.

Final Workshop Report

ITTO press release

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Expo Forestal Mexico Siglo XXI:
Bosques y Selvas para siempre

July 1-4, 2004
Guadal