REDD+ scheme is a result-based scheme offering financial compensation to developing countries for reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation PLUS conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Addition to emission reductions, the REDD+ scheme requires that socio-economic benefits for local people and biodiversity be safeguarded when REDD+ project is implemented. Therefore, information on carbon biomass per individual trees, forests, and carbon emissions becomes increasingly necessary. The Paris Agreement reached in December 2015 at the COP21 of the United Framework Convention on Climate Change on limiting greenhouse gas emissions strengthens to need for tropical forest protection for climate change mitigation and sustainable development through the REDD+ activities.
Training Objectives
This training course is designed to provide trainees the knowledge needed to estimate carbon stocks in forests in their respective countries using forest inventory data. Trainees will learn how to estimate carbon biomass in individual tree species, forest carbon stocks at landscape, regional, and country levels. They will also learn the basics of REDD+ activities and how to achieve emission reductions under one or more REDD+ activities. In addition, trainees will learn how socio-economic values and biodiversity can be safeguarded under the REDD+ scheme.
Course Content
1. Update on Paris Agreement
2. Intended Nationally Determined Contribution and REDD+
3. Estimation of Carbon Biomass of Individual Trees
4. Estimation of Carbon Biomass from Sample Plots
5. Estimation of Forest Carbon Stocks
6. Forest Carbon Stock Changes
7. Baseline Emissions vs Forest Reference Emission Level
8. Emission Reductions under Individual REDD+ Activities: REDD, REDD + Conservation, REDD+ Sustainable Management of Forests, REDD + Enhancement of Carbon Stocks
9. Forest Carbon Monitoring using Remote Sensing
10. Socio-economic and Biodiversity Safeguards
11. Payment for Ecosystem Services
Course Instructors (more coming soon)
1. Dr. Nophea Sasaki: NRM-AIT Associate Professor and recognized REDD+ expert, global expert panel on REDD+, forest management and biodiversity conservation, REDD+ advisor to Japan’s FFPRI REDD+ center
2. Dr. Rajendra P. Shrestha: NRM-AIT Professor and recognized expert in applications of GIS and remote sensing to forest carbon monitoring and land use planning
3. Dr. Masahiko Nagai: RS/GIS-AIT Visiting Associate Professor and Associate Professor at Tokyo University, recognized expert in space system engineering, satellite remote sensing and global gavigation satellite system
4. Dr. Shobhakar Dhakal: Energy-AIT Associate Professor and recognized expert in climate and energy policy, Coordinating Lead Author of the Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC for the Group III dealing with the human settlements and the climate change mitigation.
Who should attend?
Governmental officials, researchers, NGOs, carbon developers, and local community leaders who:
1. are interested in forest carbon accounting
2. are working in the MRV unit or national REDD+ taskforce or similar
3. are interested in participating in REDD+ project development and implementation
4. are interested in further research in forest carbon cycling modeling
5. are advising the development of MRV system
Course fees
US$2,000 including local transport, accommodation at AITCC, meals, training materials, and fees.
US$1,500 for trainees who do not need accommodation, transportation, breakfast and dinner
Registration
Please register here (https://goo.gl/UbvFRm) now to secure your seat. Only 25 seats are available on a first come first serve basis.
Closing Date for Applications: Interested trainees should apply early to secure your spot. Once 25 applications are received from the paid trainees or their sponsors, no more application will be accepted. Final closing date is 30 September 2016.
Contact Information (Organizer)
Dr. Nophea Sasaki
Coordinator and Associate Professor of Natural Resources Management
School of Environment, Resources and Development
Asian Institute of Technology
P.O. Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Email: nrmcoordinator@ait.asia
URL: http://www.nrm.ait.asia/nrmevents/training/
Additional information about REDD+ is available at this video.