18 June 2015: The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) organized its 17th Dialogue on Forests, Governance and Climate Change under the theme ‘Forest Tenure, Restoration and Green Growth.’ The day-long event featured four panel-led discussions, which highlighted the centrality of tenure and rights to successful forest landscape restoration (FLR) and debated the role of FLR in “green growth.”

The Dialogue opened with a keynote address from Chief Thomas Tidwell, US Forest Service, on his agency’s efforts to engage indigenous peoples and local communities in the US and around the world in collaborative FLR and to mitigate climate change. He underscored the US’s commitment under the Bonn Challenge to restore 15 million hectares by 2020 and described ways the Forest Service is educating landowners on economic opportunities that incentivize sustainable forest management (SFM).

In the first session on ‘Forest Tenure, Restoration and Green Growth: Linkages and Opportunities,’ a framing presentation on the current global status of FLR was followed by presentations on indigenous perspectives, national strategies, and financing. Discussions touched on: indigenous peoples’ participation in and “direct access” to the Green Climate Fund (GCF); the potential for land titling to indigenous peoples to be part of national restoration strategies; and the need to first show national governments benefits from FLR, then work at the district level to convince landowners of these benefits.

During the second session on ‘Forest Tenure and Restoration’ participants heard about activities in Niger, Nepal, Mali and Nicaragua. Panelists highlighted the relationship between: legal recognition and protection of rights and low deforestation rates and better forest cover; community forestry and protection of the forest; and decentralization of control of forests and improved restoration efforts.

A third session covered ‘Forest Restoration and Green Growth,’ with examples presented from Mexico and China. In the ensuing discussion, participants debated the green growth model, noting that indigenous peoples respect forests for their intrinsic value, while the private sector responds to price signals. Participants also discussed: externalities in the forestry sector that cause a disconnect between economic and financial analysis in forestry; differences between state and collective land ownership in China; and powerful groups in many countries that dominate wood energy markets and practice rent-seeking behavior.

The final panel, on ‘Policy Opportunities and Messages,’ examined ways to mainstream forest restoration into policy, and recent developments in international climate negotiations. Presentations covered: building blocks to scaling restoration, including capacity building at different levels, supportive policies, financial instruments and engagement with the private sector; the recent conclusion of REDD+ agenda items under the UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA); approaches to including restoration in national climate action plans; a dedicated grant mechanism being developed in Peru under the World Bank Climate Investment Funds’ (CIF) Forest Investment Program (FIP); and respect for human rights in land-based climate change mitigation.

In concluding remarks, RRI Executive Director Arvind Khare noted both the common refrains heard throughout the day as well as the lively debate the Dialogue had spurred, pointing out divergent viewpoints, such as: how some see the private sector’s role as essential while others find private capital has never been used to advance the public’s objectives; differing views on indigenous peoples’ participation in the GCF; and valuing versus monetizing nature.

The Dialogue, attended by over 100 participants, was held in Washington DC, US, on 18 June 2015 at the Maison Française. RRI hosted the Dialogue in partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Embassy of France in the US. [IISD RS Sources] [IISD RS Coverage of 17th RRI Dialogue] [RRI Dialogue Website]