CIFOR has worked with Chinese colleagues on forestry topics since 1995, producing over 50 publications. China's 12th Five Year Plan includes commitments to increase research and development, transition to a green economy, and increase forest coverage. CIFOR research with Chinese partners has covered topics such as forest tenure reform, management, rehabilitation, bamboo forestry, livelihoods, the pulp/paper industry, global timber trade, payments for ecosystem services, and China's role in global development. Current interests include learning from China's forestry programs and China's role in tropical countries. CIFOR uses a theory of change approach, working with partners to set research priorities and produce knowledge to support informed decision making and benefits for affected people.

1. CIFOR and China
Presented by Louis Putzel, Senior Scientist, Forests & Environment Research
June 7, 2013

2. Hundred-foot trees made by
heaven
Are sawed into long planks,
And some of this timber
Is forgotten in a hidden valley.
But the heartwood stays strong
despite the years,
And even though its bark
sloughs off,
Knowing people can seek it out
And build a barn.
-Cold Mountain (9th Century)

3. CIFOR and China: New opportunities to
contribute
 The 12th 5 year plan includes commitments to:
• Increase scientific research and development;
• Developing a "green economy" including reducing carbon dioxide
emission per unit of GDP by 17%
• Increasing Forest coverage to 21.66 percent and forest stock to
increase by 600 million cubic meters.
 “Go Global” opportunities for research
Source: FEDRC

4. “Sentinel
landscape” with
World Agroforestry
Center

5. CIFOR and China
 CIFOR scientists have worked
with Chinese colleagues on
topics related to Chinese
forestry since 1995
 Over 50 publications related to
China
Photo: Nick Hogarth

6. Frequency of publications
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
CIFOR China-related Publications
Publications

7. Topics of Research
EARLY AND ONGOING
 Forest tenure reform
 Forest management
 Forest rehabilitation
 Bamboo forestry
 Livelihoods of rural people
MIDDLE
 China’s pulp and paper industry & plantation forests
 Global timber trade
RECENT
 Globalized trade and investment/emerging economies
 Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)
0
2
4
6
8
10
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
CIFOR China-related Publications
Publications

8. Early support to
publish and
disseminate work on
forest rehabilitation
and livelihoods by
CAF colleagues
Liu, DC et al. (2003)
CIFOR and China

9. CIFOR and China
Work with partners such
as Forest Trends and
Chinese Center for
Agricultural Policy on
China’s global timber
trade

10. CIFOR and China
Work from the
Poverty Environment
Network on forestry
and rural livelihoods
in China
Hogarth and Belcher (2013)

11. CIFOR and China
Understanding the
effects of
changing global
trade and
investment flows
from China and
other emerging
economies

12. Some Current Interests
 Learning from China’s experience in key forestry programs
• Conversion of Cropland to Forest Program in collaboration
with the Forest Economics and Development Research
Center
• Contribution of forestry in China to carbon sequestration
 China’s role in development and green development in
tropical forest countries

13. A generalized NRM research to impact theory of change
 We work with partners to identify knowledge gaps that require the support of
an international research effort
• Assess the baseline situation – knowledge, actors, interests, coalitions
• Determine what needs to change and the obstacles to change
• Determine how research can help support change
 We work with partners to set priorities for knowledge generation
• Determine the desired state of society to which the research will ultimately contribute
• Determine indicators of progress toward impact (outcomes)
• Determine the research products that are needed to produce the outcomes
• Plan activities with partners to produce the outputs
 We implement research with partners and produce knowledge products
• Conduct field and lab work and collect data
• Analyze data and generate research reports to the scientific community that is
validated by the peer review process
• Produce research products for actors and stakeholders outside the scientific
community
 We disseminate knowledge through different forums to facilitate informed
decision making. More informed decisions or improved practices will lead to
benefits for affected people.

14. China: Knowledge
sharing
Collaborative partnerships:
 Working together with Chinese
scientists
 Interacting with them and with
forest stakeholders in the field
 Abundance of existing institutions
in China working on sustainable
forestry management for
development

15. Hundred-foot trees made by
heaven
Are sawed into long planks,
And some of this timber
Is forgotten in a hidden valley.
But the heartwood stays strong
despite the years,
And even though its bark
sloughs off,
Knowing people can seek it out
And build a barn.

16. Visit us at CIFOR.ORG