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Vanuatu REDD+ Programme 2016

Vanuatu REDD+ Programme

Report on the outcome of the PTAC Workshop on Erromango

BACKGROUND

Erromango remain always as a forestry island as it has historical significant related to

forestry activities in Vanuatu. The first commodity from Vanuatu to be traded or exported

overseas believed to be sandalwood from the island of Erromango. After which the era of


the sandal traders laps and come the post-colonial era saw the interest remain on the

island for its huge forest resources. That was when the Agathis Company; a French logging

company established its base on Erromango for logging operations. During the pre and

post-independence, the Department of Forests continues to prioritize Erromango as one of

the forestry island. In the early nineties the department established a forestry station there

with two officers on the ground and continues to maintain that office to date.

The government of Vanuatu through the Department of Forests is very fortunate to have a

project that is adhere to protect the national wealth of the country and to enhance the

carbon stock. The National REDD+ Programme is now seen as a new way to value the role

of forests to mitigate climate change, however in a simpler explanation of forest officer, it is

just another sustainable forest management practices.

International policy-makers recognize that reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and

forest degradation is an important part of international and national plans for mitigating or

reducing climate change. Policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to

reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and

the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest

carbon stocks in developing countries (UNFCC Decision 2/ CP. 13)

Having the REDD+ Programme coordinated under the department of Forests is a very

significant approach as it address and implements the National Forest Policy Objective that

clearly highlights REDD+ as a potential mitigating activities for Climate Change.

Hanging of Salusalu


Workshop Introduction

Erromango according to the Deputy Director is one of the special islands and is one of the

few fortunate islands to be selected as a REDD+ island. Given the REDD+ Provincial

Technical Committee workshop to be carried on Provincial level, REDD+ Unit has to take

this further to the island level of Erromango to run this workshop as it is one of the REDD+

islands. The REDD+ Unit has organized a week long workshop that took three officers to

Erromango as facilitator of the workshop. The workshop was carried out in Ipota,

Erromango from 22 to 26 of March 2016.

The workshop started with a Word of acknowledgement to the participants including the

REDD+ Team by the Chairman, before the Salusalu ceremony proceeded by the Chief

Representative of Ipota Mr. Paul. The freshly made garland from kauri leaves which

resembled a pride of Erromango as the home of Giant kauri trees were then received by the

representative of community Leaders- Ipota, North Erromango Area Council Secretary, and

the REDD+ Team.

The program continued with welcome remarks from the Forestry Officer, Ipota. Workshop

was specifically for the REDD+ stakeholders and urged the participants to stay foot until

the 4 days are over because the important thing would be to grasps the understanding of

the REDD+ concept to be able to relate the messages back to the communities to help

address REDD+ issues.

The opening remarks presented by the Area Secretary for the North Erromango, Mr. Remy

Naling; Conveyed acknowledgement to the Deputy Director, including the REDD+ and

forestry team. Strongly emphasized on sustainability through proper management of

resources were his words, because the societies and communities encountered threats

these days. The impacts of climate change are evident thus, capacity building on how to

adapt is often is key messages from the Government, Non- Government Organization, and

International Agencies and now REDD+ will be very useful for Erromango. He concluded by

officially declaring the opening of the four days; Erromango REDD+ TAC workshop.


Opening Remarks by Mr. Remy Nabil – Area Secretary


Introduction to the REDD+ Programme – Mr. Watson Lui D/Director

The Deputy Director acknowledged the presence of all participants including the various

remarks addressed by the respective representatives before workshop objectives were

stated.

Erromango, a unique case because of its small population with its high volume and

diverse forest thus is stands of special importance to forestry; the island was one of

the five REDD+ Islands.

The workshop is especially for the provincial levels but with special consideration

Erromango is fortunate to undergo with the same.


The main objective of the workshop is to strengthen the institution and that is by

identifying a structure that will channel the exchange of information horizontally

and vertically, including vulnerable groups such as women and people with

disabilities.

The expected outcome of this workshop is to create a mechanism or platform that is

suitable to represent Erromango.

Workshop Outcome

The REDD+ Unit and the Department of Forest being the implementing agency of the

programme very much aware that REDD+ as a project is a new concept in Vanuatu. Going

to Erromango and running a workshop there is more like an introduction to the people of

Erromango to be aware of the project and to establish some mechanism in place to

accommodate the implementation of the project in the coming future.

Tea Break Discussion – Mr. Lui provide additional explaination during tea break

The workshop was structure in such a way that suites the level of understanding of

participants coming from different background.

The Deputy then continues to summarize concept of REDD+ and the impacts caused by

climate change.


An illustration of a blanket in the atmosphere was used to depict concentration of

the Greenhouse Gas.

Only forests can absorb the Green House Gasses

World leaders continued to fund ways to address and further set up programs such

as UNFCCC to institutionalise REDD+.

All in all in simple terms REDD+ aims to reduce Greenhouse gasses and its effects.

The World Bank through Forest Carbon Partnership Facility funded the program

which initially has two phases; the Readiness and the Implementation.

Supplement by one of the facilitator noted that greenhouse effect not only is caused by

deforestation and degradation of forest but gasses or fumes off set by major factories and

industries do as well.

Group Discussion Outcome

Mr. Russel leading a group discussion

Drivers of Deforestation

Slush and burn

Logging

Bush burning


Population growth

School fee

Plantation clearance

Development – infrastructure

Settlement

Management Options

Activities Options LOGGING – Control of sawmill

Limit number of big sale and Small scale operations COLP Reforestation programme Introduce diverse activities – e.g. fisheries

Gardening – improve gardening method to climate change related adaptation activities

Intercropping Alley cropping Crop rotation Backyard gardening Reduce/ manage tradition gardening practice of

slush and burn Plantation clearance – intercropping, Agroforestry

Reforestation, conservation activities

Cattle farming – plant different tree species/ allow some natural stand

Cattle under trees/ silvi-pastor practice

Bush burning – enforcement of laws – at the national, provincial area council, and chief council

Population growth – education/ awareness on reproductive health

Educate people about the use of forest

Development – infrastructure development must follow required standard to safeguard the environment

Settlement – management in clearing of bushes

Replanting of trees/ fruit trees

Education programs around Erromango to make this management options work

Encourage ecotourism

Forest conservation

Reforestation

Enforcement of laws

Sustainable logging practice


Group Discussion

Capacity Needs

Training and awareness on REDD+ - To address drivers and to implement the

management option

Office space/ conference room

Office equipment

Stationaries

Relevant tools and equipment – laptop, camera, photocopier, GPS, solar system,

boat, life jackets

Nursery establishment and training

Roles and Responsibility

Organization Roles and Responsibility

REDD+ Unit - Provide technical assistance/ fundings to ERedd+

Committee to carry out awareness, trainings,

monitoring ad evaluate and make regular visitations to

the 6 Nompunarop (districts)

- Provide Erromango Redd+ Committee empowerment/ facilities


Area Council - Endorsement and submission to Erromango Redd+

committee for reporting

- Provide information on activities to the provincial government

Erromango REDD+ Committee - Awareness in every 6 nompunarop

- Trainings

- Monitoring and evaluation

- Regular visitation

- Report to the REDD+ Unit and inform ENSCC

- Assist land owners to identify their conservation areas

Erromango Natmonuk Simanlou (Council of Chiefs)

- Deal with disputes then pass information to ER+

committee and advisory group

6 Nompunarop (Districts)

- Report to ER+ committee/ advisory group

- Assist Nompunarops to comply with/ or to implement

management options

- Conduct meetings on village levels with each

Nompunarop to identify landowners

- Inform landowners to identify their conservation area

- Set up laws of conservation

- Inform ENSCC about uprising dispute and development

of REDD+

Landowner - First to take lead on forest management

- Carry out reforestation activities, conservation etc

Presentation of Discussions


Presentation of Discussions


Erromango REDD+ Committee

Name Organization Russel Louvu Department of Forests Samuel Lokre Department of Forests Remy Nambil Area Secretary Tafea Province Thomas Naling Farmer Martha Lawo Ipota Woman Association Nancy Patrick Port Narvin Woman Association Taroll Nentu Agriculture Farmer Seule Tavo Nurse Practitioner Philip Thomas Farmer Jacky Dick Farmer


REDD+ Unit

PTAC

Tanna REDD+ committee

Erromango REDD+ Committee

District/ Nompunarop

Area Council/ Natmonuk Simanlou

Landowner

Erromango REDD+ Structure


Conclusion

The structure at the Provincial level begin with the guidance of the REDD+ Unit in Port Vila

which headed by the Project Coordinator. From the REDD+ Unit, then we have the

Provincial Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC), the overall advisory body that guide the

TAFEA REDD+ Programme that include both Tanna and Erromango. From PTAC the

structure links down to the Erromango REDD+ Committee, the Area Council level, the

Council of Chiefs, the Districts and then the community of which the people including the

landowners are.

Finally, the key messages that were stressed strongly to the Erromango REDD+ Team are to

be able to start providing awareness on REDD+ to the communities. And specific

consideration taken is that;

Generally it must be understood that REDD+ is an International mechanism that

assists countries to reduce levels of deforestation and forest degradation.

The government of Vanuatu is developing a REDD+ program to support land use

planning to prevent deforestation and support sustainable land use

REDD+ supports key industries such as livestock, agriculture, tourism, fisheries and

forestry to achieve their priorities for green development. The Government of

Vanuatu’s REDD+ program is planning to incentivise actions that leads to reduced

deforestation undertaken by Provincial Government, NGOs, landowners and

communities

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