Mangroves and climate change given spotlight at 2014 Forest Asia Summit

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia. 5th May 2014

Mangroves for the Future (MFF) was proud to host a side-event May 5, on the topic “Managing mangrove forests for climate change adaptation and mitigation benefits,” at the 2014 Forest Asia Summit organized by the Centre for International Forestry Resarch (CIFOR). The theme of the Summit was “Sustainable Landscapes for Green Growth in South East Asia”.

The MFF-hosted panel discussion presented examples of local efforts in ecosystem-based approaches to manage mangrove areas in changing landscapes, and discussed ways of scaling up the model/demonstration practices to national and regional levels. The panel talked about potential reasons why governments and society seem incapable of halting this loss of mangroves and what role sustainable mangrove use can play in a green economy and address whether REDD+ and carbon marketing could save mangroves. 

The panel speakers included Nyoman Suryadiputra, Director, Wetlands International Indonesia; Jake Brunner, Regional Programme Coordinator, IUCN Asia; David Ganz Chief of Party, USAID’s LEAF Program; and Richard McKenzie, Aquatic Ecologist, US Forest Service, Hawaii.

Wetlands International Indonesia and IUCN showcased mangrove-shrimp culture models from Indonesia and Vietnam that are successfully integrating mangrove conservation with aquaculture. The USDA Forest Service presented an overview of methodology for 'below and above' soil carbon measurement in mangroves, developed under the Sustainable Wetlands Adaptation and Mitigation Program (SWAMP). Data from a long-term study in Micronesia on mangroves and sea level rise revealed that belowground root production coupled with sediment loads allow intact mangroves to keep up with sea level rise. This unique ability of mangroves can be severely compromised even with a small amount of deforestation. Thus, conservation of entire mangrove forests maximizes the mangrove's ability to reduce impact from sea level riseThe information was received with great interest by the audience, and sparked a lively discussion on the topic.

Another highlight of the panel discussion was USAID-LEAF’s overview on general carbon financing, and the new regional project of MFF on REDD+. Implemented with FAO and the USAID LEAF Program, the MFF regional project will help understand the conditions needed for establishing mangrove carbon and livelihoods projects. More importantly, the project aims to generate incentives for mangrove conservation that will benefit people living near mangrove forests.

The Forest Asia Summit 2014 aimed to lay the foundation for continued dialogue, transitions toward sustainable investments, and further research to support evidence-based policy, all directed toward achieving equitable green growth and more sustainable management of landscapes across Southeast Asia.

The MFF panel discussion, one of the Summit's many side events, was well-attended  and appreciated  by the Summit organizers. Recommendations from the MFF event are reflected in the Summit's Outcome Statement. Read more about the 2014 Forest Asia Summit Outcome Statement.

Forest Asia Summit 2014 attracted more than 2,200 participants, 120 speakers and 30 panel sessions. The Summit was also widely promoted online through live webcasts which generated 6,000 views, and social media which engaged more than 7.3 million Twitter users.

 

Watch a video of the MFF session and learn more about the presentations of the panel: 

 

CIFOR Forests Asia Summit 2014

CIFOR Forests Asia Summit 2014, Jakarta, Indonesia © CIFOR, 2014

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