The 16th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC

Unless we take immediate action against climate change, people, ecosystems and all life on Earth face irreversible harm.

At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 16^th Conference of the Parties in Cancun, Mexico, the world’s nations have a key opportunity to advance the negotiations toward a post-2012 global climate agreement.

The UNFCCC convenes national governments to decide on the policies and actions that must be taken in order to fight climate change. Because climate change is a global challenge, climate solutions will not be possible without decisive actions by this group (which includes all of the countries of the world) to facilitate a coordinated, international approach. CI is helping to ensure that participating world leaders have the best possible information and tools to inform their decisions.

Our Climate Solutions

Building on a solid foundation of climate science, field work and policy engagement, CI is working with governments in pursuit of an ambitious global climate agreement, emphasizing the role that natural ecosystems can play in dramatically cutting emissions and preserving the adaptive potential of our biosphere.

CI's climate work pursues five natural solutions.

• REDD+ (PDF - 634 KB)
• Ecosystem-based adaptation (PDF - 577 KB)
• Policy (PDF - 573 KB)
• Climate-friendly land use (PDF - 611 KB)
• Blue carbon (PDF - 554 KB)

Our Goals for COP16

At last year's UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen, world leaders failed to create a legally binding framework for nations to address climate change. Some countries did, however, make important commitments in Copenhagen to take mitigation and adaptation actions, and to support those actions in developing countries in the short term; it is now time to design a long-term climate solution. COP16 provides a critical opportunity to advance the work that was left undone in Copenhagen.

At the Cancun meeting, delegations from 196 countries will be joined by indigenous groups, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and other decision-makers. CI staff members working in nearly 20 countries will participate in the meeting as both national representatives and observers to inform and advise governments and key stakeholders on important issues based on our field experience and scientific and policy expertise.

We hope to support the political process and development of policies in Cancun in order to achieve these main goals:

• Advancement of UNFCCC negotiations and agreement on a timeline that puts the world on track for comprehensive post-2012 climate agreement(s).
• A detailed REDD+ decision that, among other things: includes social and environmental safeguards and activities beyond deforestation and forest degradation; secures adequate and sustainable financing; and initiates a process to establish clear guidelines on reference levels and Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV).
• A detailed adaptation decision that includes a framework for adaptation action and support for community and ecosystem-based adaptation solutions.

Press Releases

December 2, 2010 0
"Blue Carbon" – Buried Treasure for Climate and Communities

November 29, 2010
REDD+: A Win-Win for Climate and Biodiversity

August 6, 2010
Saving the World from the Human Response to Climate Change

July 22, 2010
Conservation International CEO Reacts to U.S. Climate Legislation

May 27, 2010
Major Step Forward in Global Efforts to Tackle Climate Change

April 16, 2010
New Forest Carbon Project is the "Swiss Army Knife" of Conservation

April 15, 2010
On a 'Tipping Point' of Climate Change, Africa Needs the U.S. to Lead

Experts at COP 16

Fred Boltz Senior Vice President for Global Strategies and Climate Change Lead Talk to me about: climate change, adaption and mitigation, payment for ecosystem services, REDD, economics, sustainable development Languages: English, French, Spanish

	Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Vice President for International Policy Talk to me about: expert on REDD+ Policy, Institutions and Markets Languages: English, Spanish
	Rebecca (Becky) Chacko Director of Climate Policy Talk to me about: international climate policy, UNFCCC, REDD, market mechanisms Languages: English, Spanish
	Manuel Oliva Director, U.S. Climate Policy Talk to me about: U.S. Climate Policy Languages: English, Spanish
	Richardo Ulate Regional Climate Change Advisor, Mexico and Central America Field Division Talk to me about: REDD, international climate policy Languages: English, Spanish
	Hannah Campbell Senior Manager for Climate Adaptation and Communities Talk to me about: climate change adaptation policy and strategies, role of ecosystems in helping people adapt to climate change, building capacity and stakeholder engagement for indigenous peoples and local communities in adaptation efforts Languages: English, French
	Juan Carlos Franco Guillen Climate Change Coordinator, CI-Mexico Talk to me about: sub-national climate change readiness, GHG inventories, REDD+ readiness, CDM projects Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
	Johnson Cerda Indigenous Advisor, Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Talk to me about: indigenous issues, rural communities, Global Indigenous Caucus on Climate Change, Latin American indigenous peoples Languages: English, Spanish
	Paulo Gustavo Prado Environmental Policy Director Talk to me about: REDD+ Projects, environmental services, low carbon agriculture, sustainable development projects and Brazil environmental policy Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, French, English, Italian

CI Policy Recommendations

Policy Recommendations for UNFCCC COP 16 (PDF - 103 KB) (en Español | en Français)

REDD+ Text Analysis

Analysis of REDD+ negotiating text (PDF - 101 KB)

Policy Briefs

UNFCCC Adaptation Brief (PDF - 147 KB) (en Español | en Français)
REDD+ Policy Agenda (PDF - 81 KB)
Ecological Co-Benefits of REDD+ (PDF - 36 KB)
Financing Options for REDD+ (PDF - 30 KB)
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and REDD+ (PDF - 40 KB)
The Scale of REDD+ (PDF - 51 KB)
REDD+ Scope/Participation (PDF - 21 KB)

Adaptation Publications

Adaption to Climate Change: Freshwater Ecosystems (PDF - 135 KB)
Adaption to Climate Change: Terrestrial Ecosystems and People (PDF - 145 KB)
Adaption to Climate Change: Marine Ecosystems (PDF - 140 KB)

Scientific Publications

Climate Change: Helping Nature Survive the Human Response
Biodiversity Co-Benefits of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation Under Alternative Reference Levels and Levels of Finance

CCBA Publications

REDD+ Social & Evironmental Standards (PDF - 370 KB); Español | Français | Português
CCB Standards (PDF - 370 KB); Español | Français | Português | Chinese | Japanese | Vietnamese
CCB Standards Factsheet (PDF - 615 KB)

Other Publications

REDD+ Lessons Learned (PDF - 1.78 MB)
Climate Change & the Role of Forests: A Community Manual (PDF - 21.8 MB)
OSIRIS
OSIRIS-Indonesia: Decision Support Tool for National REDD+ Planning (PDF - 1.17 MB)
CI Field Programs Profile: Sierra Madre de Chiapas (PDF - 1.8 MB)

Videos

VIDEO: The Forest Connection


VIDEO: Responsible Coffee Practices: Plant and Protect

	VIDEO: Signs of the Times: Climate Change and the Verde Island Passage (07:34)
	VIDEO: Lost There, Felt Here (01:29)
	VIDEO: CI's New Mission & Logo (05:17)

Stories

	TAKING CLIMATE ACTION The Climate Change Action Program for the State of Chiapas (PACCCH) is a collaborative initiative that aims to establish a state-wide framework for tackling climate change. It is one of the first plans worldwide that integrates activities that mitigate, or reduce, greenhouse gas emissions with activities that help people and ecosystems adapt to the environmental changes that have already been set in motion by a changing climate. Learn more...
	FORESTS, CLIMATE, PEOPLE Managed by Ecuador's Ministry of Environment, Socio Bosque offers individuals and indigenous communities economic incentives to conserve their forests. Over a 20-year period, the program will pay landowners every year for each hectare they protect. The beneficiaries are also required to develop a social investment plan which outlines how they will use these funds, which can be invested in activities such as agro-forestry, ecotourism and local capacity-building. Learn more...
	THE FUTURE OF COFFEE Traditional shade-grown coffee helps maintain habitat for birds and other animals. However, environmental conditions threaten to wipe out a generations-old way of life. Coffee lands are producing smaller yields every year, partially in response to changes in weather conditions due to climate change. Read more...

CI and Partner Events

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Applying safeguards and enhancing co-benefits in Ecuador, and REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards
Co-hosted by Government of Ecuador, CARE and CCBA, this event will provide an overview of progress and challenges in applying safeguards and enhancing multiple benefits in Ecuador's national REDD+ strategy and use of the REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards in Ecuador, and in Indonesia and Brazil.
Presentations:

• Overview of the REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards Initiative
• Development of Ecuador’s national REDD+ strategy
• Ensuring effective social and environmental safeguards and enhancing multiple benefits in Ecuador’s national REDD strategy
• Use of REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards in Acre, Brazil
• Use of REDD+ Social & Environmental Standards in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1

Blue Carbon: Valuing CO2 mitigation by coastal marine systems
Coastal marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes, sequester carbon up to 50 times the rate observed in terrestrial systems. This session details the importance of these systems and the opportunities for valuing this unaccounted contribution to climate change mitigation.
Conservation International
CI Presenter: Dr. Emily Pidgeon
Time: 11:30 – 13:00
Location: Cancun Messe, Jaguar

Achieving scale in REDD+ finance through innovation and public-private partnership
The deployment of early stage private capital for REDD+ finance alongside fast-start public sector pledges is required immediately to preserve our chance of achieving meaningful reductions in deforestation and unsustainable land-use by 2020. The piloting of scalable, results-based approaches that employ strategic Public-Private Partnerships and which demonstrate models that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically viable could catalyse the private sector and build capacity across the full spectrum of stakeholders. An expert panel will discuss the importance and utility of such an approach, and propose specific initiatives that would leverage additional investment flows into REDD+ activities.
Invitiation only.
BNP Paribas Environmental Markets
CI Panelist: Agustin Silvani
Time: 17:15 – 18:30
Location: Orozco 1 Meeting Room, Westin Resort & Spa

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

Forests and Climate Change: Ecuador’s Socio Bosque program
Featuring in the Panel Discussion: “Incentives to reduce deforestation, lessons from Costa Rica, Mexico and Ecuador”
CI Panelist: Carlos Manuel Rodríguez
Time: 11:00 – 13:31
Location: Mexico’s Pavilion, at the Official COP Site in Cancunmesse

A Guide to learning about Livelihood Impacts of REDD+ Projects
Presentation of a resource for REDD+ stakeholders to undertake rigorous evaluation of the social welfare impacts of REDD+ projects. Learn more...
CIFOR
Time: 19:00-21:00
Location: Tulum Ballroom, Presidente Intercontinental Hotel

Abya Yala Indigenous Forum on Climate Change, Indigenous peoples, REDD+ & FPIC
This event will highlight perspectives from members of the Abya Yala Indigenous Forum on Climate Change on issues related to climate change, specifically REDD+, indigenous protocol for consultation processes and free prior and informed consent (FPIC), land rights, and governance.
Asociacion AK Tenamit (AAT)
Time: 20:15 – 21:45
Location: Cancun Messe, Mamey

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3

Under which conditions are REDD+ projects feasible?
ONFi invited CI, through Fred, to participate in side event called "Under which conditions are REDD+ projects feasible? The side event will gather return of experience and insights of REDD+ project developers, public and private banks, tropical country DNA on the key components to raise REDD+ projects off the ground. It will especially highlight the main risks and key factor of success to assess the feasibility of REDD+ projects. The side event will also launch, present and distribute a new publication entitled “REDD+ at the project scale: assessment and development guide” elaborated by ONF International with the support of AFD, FFEM and CEPAL."
ONF International
CI Speaker: Milagros Sandoval (CI-Peru)
Time:15:30 - 17:30
Location: TBD

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 & 5

Development and Climate Days
Development and Climate Days is an annual event held during the UNFCCC Conference of Parties and organized by IIED in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Regional and International Networking Group (RING). These two day events involve formal presentations of work on adaptation to climate change, and climate change as a development challenge. It also creates a platform of networking, provides opportunities to disseminate relevant literature and reports, and to showcase videos of community based adaptation innovative work. It will be Saturday and Sunday, Dec 4-5.
CI has two films that have been chosen to be played during the D&C days film festival:

• "Hudyat: climate change in the Verde Island Passage, Philippines" playing Sunday, Dec. 5th during the 11 am- 12:30 pm session and introduced by Rowie Boquiren from CI’s Philippines office.
• "Responsible Coffee Practices: Plant + Protect" playing Saturday, Dec. 4th during the 9 am-11:30 am session and introduced by Yatziri Zepeda from CI’s Mexico office.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Forest Day: Delivering multiple environmental and social benefits of REDD+
Get the official program schedule for Forest Day. You must registar through the Forest Day oragnizers to attend.
Time: All Day
Location: Cancun Center, Conventions and Exhibitions

Forest Day Learning Event: Optimising multiple environmental and social benefits of sustainable forest management and REDD-plus
Learn more about this event.
CCBA Panellist: Joanna Durbin
Time: 14:30-16:00
Location: Isla Mujeres

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6

REDD-plus? Should we proceed or not?
As high-level negotiations resume once again in Cancun, Mexico after the disappointing outcome of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in 2009, expectations and the political pressure to finalize a global deal on climate change seemed to have eased off. Instead all eyes are on Parties to deliver, at the least, a “balanced set of decisions” to activate action and implement key areas where some agreements have already been reached.

Since 2009, REDD-plus has been seen as “oven-ready” by Parties and by several stakeholders, enough to have triggered massive international and national efforts towards formulating REDD-plus strategies and related activities. Excitement over a possible Cancun decision on REDD-plus which, short of a full mechanism, at the least officially translates concepts to actions for REDD Readiness Phase.

Given these, questions remain: What are the actual prospects and implications of a REDD-plus decision on REDD-plus efforts across developing countries? How would such a decision impact on National REDD-plus Strategies? What do REDD-plus experiences and lessons from countries like the Philippines show the global community? Who will be the key players? How does the international community maintain momentum to finalize a full-fledged REDD-plus mechanism?
Time: 18:00
Location: Be Live Hotel

Freshwater: The Essence of Life - Book Launch
Invitation only
CEMEX, ILCP
Time: 19:00
Location: Palace Ballroom, Cancun Palace Resort Hotel

Tuesday, December 7

Resources for the Future Side Events, Co-Sponsored sessions with International Emissions Trading Association (IETA)
Resources for the Future (RFF), International Emissions Trading Association (IETA)
CI Panelists: Fred Boltz & Jonah Busch
Location: Westin Hotel and Spa, Siqueiros Room

Morning Session: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD)
Panel 1 – Waiting for the Market: The State of REDD Financing
Deforestation represents one of the most immediate and impactful ways to reduce global GHG emissions. Despite some progress in the UNFCCC negotiations and general agreement on the importance of deforestation, it will still be many years before a robust REDD market that utilizes both public and private funding sources is functional. In the meantime, some developed countries and organizations are currently stepping up with financing to help build capacity and improve readiness in nations with tropical forests. As prospects for an international market remain uncertain, current financing efforts will continue to define demand for REDD projects and new initiatives will have to develop if REDD is meant to be a long-term climate solution. This panel will look at the state of REDD financing now and what shape financing mechanisms will take over the next decade.
CI Panelist: Fred Boltz
Time: 9:00 – 10:15

Panel 2 – Finding Forest Carbon: Estimating and Tracking REDD Supply
As policymakers continue to develop mechanisms to reduce deforestation in tropical countries, they will need tools to help them visualize and track the interactions among forestry, land use, and economics. A suite of flexible tools already exist that can serve a useful role in guiding REDD decisions. While forest carbon supply tools were designed to help inform the generation of international carbon markets, they can still provide critical insights for the deployment of public and private funds aimed at capacity building and readiness. They may also highlight areas of special concern for leakage and assist in monitoring and verification practices. How accurate can these tools be and what are their major strengths and limitations? What data is needed to properly inform the tools? This panel will answer these questions by showcase some of the most innovative forest carbon supply tools currently available, as well as define the role for models in the international REDD process.
CI Panelist: Jonah Busch
Time: 10:30 – 11:45