Presented by Heti Herawati of the Center for International Forestry Research at the 3rd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit, on 23–25 April 2018 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

1. Climate Change and Forests:
Synergy between Mitigation and Adaptation
Hety Herawati - CIFOR

2. GHGs concentration
increase in the Atmosphere
Climate Change
Impacts
Global warming
Climate Change

3.  IPCC AR5: (Compared to 1986–2005) at the end of the 21st century
(2081–2100), climate change may cause:
• Global mean surface temperature (T) increase about 0.3 oC – 4.8 oC
• Precipitation (P)/rainfall (amount, distribution) change
• Ocean temperature increase. T of top 100 m increases approx. 0.6 -2 0C -
> affect ocean circulation
• Sea level rise around 26-55 cm
• The characteristics (magnitude, frequency) of extreme weather events
(e.g. long drought, cyclone) will change
Climate Change (contd)

4. Climate change beneficial Impacts -> e.g. T increase -> longer plant
growing season in temperate areas.
Climate change adverse impacts, e.g.
 Too much or too little precipitation /rainfall -> affect e.g.
agriculture activities & drinking water availability
 Frequency and magnitude of climate extreme events e.g. flood,
drought, cyclones may increase
 Ocean circulation change -> Fish stock (population and
distribution) change
 Sea level rise -> island countries like Indonesia -> significant coastal
area loss -> affect settlements & agriculture areas
 P pattern change -> Dengue fever. T increase -> Malaria
 Higher T and less P -> Higher forest fire danger
Climate Change Impacts

5. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Current GHGs concentration in
the Atmosphere
Climate Change
Impacts
Responses
MITIGATION (M) ADAPTATION (A)
Global warming
Absorb
GHGs or
reduce the
emissions

6. Forest and climate change (1)
1. Forest -> Source GHGs
Forests/trees store Carbon.
If we
 Clear (cut, burn) forest
 Degrade forest
 Drain peat swamp
Forest & land will emit CO2

7. Forest and climate change (2)
2. Forest -> Mitigate CC
Forests absorb CO2 <- Photosynthesis
To absorb GHGs /reduce emissions:
 Afforestation
 Reforestation
 Maintain Carbon stock in forest by
e.g. avoid deforestation and forest
degradation
 Substitute fossil fuel -> Wood-
based biofuels

8. Forest and climate change (3)
3. Forest for Adaptation
Forest Ecosystem Services (FES):
 Regulate water
 Produce forest products e.g. food
 Mangrove forest can protect coastal
areas from winds & waves
When CC causes e.g. long drought,
agriculture crop failure, climate extreme
events (strong winds & high waves), FES
can be used to cope to CC.

9. Forest and climate change (4)
4. Forest is affected by CC
For examples:
 Higher T and less P may :
‐ Alter forest structure (tree size,
density), flowering seasons,
species distribution
‐ Change forest pest & disease
characteristics
‐ Cause higher forest fire danger
We need to make sure that forests can
adapt to CC impacts

10. Mitigation and Adaptation issues and measures in
forestry sector: Current conditions
 There is still a segregation between Mitigation and Adaptation issues
and measures. Most workshops & discussion are on Mitigation or
Adaptation only
 Mitigation issue more popular. More events & discussions on
Mitigation
 More funds are available for Mitigation topic -> more activities on
Mitigation carried out. Examples in forestry sector: afforestation,
reforestation, REDD and biofuel
By Alain Compost

11. Mitigation needs Adaptation
 Even with reduced GHGs emissions, the current GHGs concentration in
the atmosphere will still cause CC.
• It means: with successful Mitigation actions, we still need to
anticipate/adapt to climate change impacts
 Adaptation actions can make Mitigation measures more sustainable
and effective.
e.g. when implement REDD activities, we need to anticipate possible
CC impacts on forest & fire .
If CC is predicted to cause higher forest fire danger, anticipation: (1)
establish wider fire break and (2) work with communities -> no fire
use during long drought -> reduce forest fire risk

12. Adaptation needs Mitigation
 Without Mitigation measures, it will be difficult to cope/adapt to climate
change impacts
For example:
• With Mitigation, CC causes stronger wind & higher wave in coastal
areas. Adaptation action = e.g. restoring and conserving mangrove
forest.
• Without Mitigation, CC can cause devastating tropical cyclones.
Restoring and conserving mangrove will not be sufficient. There will be
more casualties and properties damages.

13. Synergy between Mitigation and Adaptation
Mitigation (M) and Adaptation (A) measures can be implemented in
synergy, for examples :
 Mangrove restoration absorb CO2 (M) and protect coastal areas from
storms (A)
 REDD activity reduces CO2 emission (M) and provide water and forest
products for communities (A)
 Forest conservation around hydro-electric dam avoids CO2 emission
(M) and reduce sedimentation (A)
 Improving community-based peat and fire management can
reduce/avoid CO2 emission (M) and improve community capacity (A)
 Afforestation and reforestation activities absorb CO2 (M) and need to
consider possible CC impacts on forest and fire (A)
By Patrice Levang

14. Conclusion
By Patrice Levang
 Climate is changing
 Forest can become source of GHGs, mitigate CC, be used
to adapt to CC but also affected by CC
 There is still a segregation between Mitigation and
Adaptation issues and measures
 Mitigation and Adaptation Synergy can make climate change
related activities more sustainable and effective
 It is possible to Synergy Mitigation and Adaptation measures

15. Thank you
Hety Herawati h.herawati@cgiar.org

16.  Besides those mentioned in the presentation, give one example of
activities to address climate change.
 Give explanation whether you consider the activity as an Adaptation
or a Mitigation or as both Mitigation and Adaptation activity
EXAMPLE:
Subtitute fossil fuels to wind energy (Mitigation)
QUIZ