Forestry for a low-carbon future

1 177. 177. FAO Forestry PAPER. Forestry for a low- carbon future Forestry for a low- carbon future Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies Forestry for a low- carbon future Integrating forests and wood products Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies in climate change strategies Forests are critical to mitigation, having a dual role;. they function globally as a net carbon sink but are also responsible for about 10 to 12 percent of global emissions. Forests and forest products offer both developed and developing countries a wide range of options for timely and cost-effective mitigation.

2 Afforestation/reforestation offers the best option because of its short timescale and ease of implementation. Reducing deforestation, forest management and forest restoration also offer good mitigation potential, especially because of the possibility for immediate action. Yet forest contributions to mitigation also go beyond forest activities. Wood products and wood energy can replace fossil-intense products in other sectors, creating a virtuous cycle towards low- carbon economies. The mitigation potential and costs of the various options differ greatly by activity, region, system boundaries and time horizon.

3 Policymakers must decide on the optimal mix of options, adapted to local circumstances, for meeting national climate change and development goals. This publication assesses the options and highlights the enabling conditions, opportunities and potential bottlenecks to be considered in making apt choices. Aimed at policymakers, investors and all those committed to transition to low- carbon economies, it will support countries in using forests and wood products effectively in their climate strategies . ISSN 0258-6150. ISBN 978-92-5-109312-2 ISSN 0258-6150.

4 FAO. Forestry . 9 7 8 9 2 5 1 0 9 3 1 2 2 PAPER. FAO. I5857E/1 177. Cover photos: FAO/Joan Manuel Baliellas (wood products). Kate Evans (natural forest). FAO/Roberto Faidutti (forest plantation). Forestry for a low- carbon FAO. Forestry . PAPER. future 177. Integrating forests and wood products . in climate change strategies FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS. Rome, 2016. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

5 The mention of companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily r the views or policies of FAO. This product is the result of a free, open collaborative process, edited by FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-109312-2. FAO, 2016. FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product.

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7 And can be purchased through iii Contents Foreword ix Acknowledgements x Acronyms and abbreviations xi Executive summary xiii Key messages xvii 1. Introduction 1. Options for mitigation in the forest sector: Encouraging a multiple-use perspective 3. About this publication 4. Key messages: overview 7. 2. Mitigation in the forest sector 9. Forestry in the climate change framework 9. Mitigation potential in the forest sector 18. Finance options for forest-sector mitigation 26. Key messages: forest-sector mitigation 27. 3. Expanding forest and tree cover 29.

8 Mitigation potential of afforestation and reforestation and trees outside forests 29. Economic feasibility 31. Bottlenecks in harnessing potentials 34. Embracing opportunities 37. Key messages: expanding forest and tree cover 39. 4. Reducing deforestation and preventing forest loss through REDD+ 41. Mitigation potential of reducing forest loss 41. Economic feasibility 42. Bottlenecks in harnessing potentials 47. Embracing opportunities 47. Key messages: REDD+ 49. 5. Changing forest management practices 51. Improved harvesting 51.

9 Rotation length and mitigation 52. Better management of pests and diseases 55. iv Improving fire management 57. Management of the soil carbon pool 61. Key messages: forest management 67. 6. Improving and using wood energy 69. From traditional use to biorefineries 70. Potential of using wood energy for mitigation 72. Economic feasibility 76. Bottlenecks in harnessing potentials 80. Embracing opportunities 82. Key messages: wood energy 85. 7. Promoting the use of wood for greener building and furnishing 87. Trends in wood use 88.

10 Mitigation potential of wood use in building and furnishing 91. Bottlenecks in harnessing potentials 94. Embracing opportunities 96. Key messages: wood in green building and furnishing 101. 8. How to make it happen 103. Deciding among mitigation options 103. Capitalizing on co-benefits for sustainable development 105. Sustainable wood budget: securing sustainable wood sources for the advancing bioeconomy 110. Financing forest mitigation 114. Key messages: making it happen 122. 9. Conclusion 123. References 125. Contributors 147.