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Environmental Services Capacity Building Course for Technical Staff of the Government of Acre

Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

The Acre State Secretary of Environmental Management (SEMA) has finalized the new System of Incentives for Environmental Services (SISA). As Acre has worked vigorously to formalize the implementing institutions and ratify the legislation which established program, building capacity for SEMA technical staff is now of the utmost priority.Forest Trends’ Communities and Markets Program, the Katoomba Group’s Rapid Response Team, and the State Secretary of Environmental Management delivered a four-day workshop to technical experts in Acre from 9 – 12 November 2010. The training course focused on the basics of environmental services and REDD in preparation for implementing the new forest carbon and PES framework introduced with the new System of Incentives for Environmental Services (SISA) in Acre.

Group Photo

Objectives of the course included:

  • Introduce the role of forests in climate change
  • Define environmental services
  • Describe payments for environmental services (PES), carbon markets, and reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD)
  • Provide background on international climate negotiations, and Brazil’s national REDD regime
  • Outline the principal elements of the regional level carbon policy in Acre
  • Present the essential elements of a carbon project, accounting and MRV methodologies
  • Discuss opportunities for PES outside of carbon/ REDD
  • Explore incentives and finance for conservation in the context of SISA
  • Share information on Indigenous Rights, Best Practices and Social Environmental Principles and Criteria

Forest Trends was honored to participate in this opportunity to work together with the Government of Acre in the implementation of the Policy for Valuing Forest Assets, with an emphasis on aspects of payment for environmental services and carbon. We look forward to continuing to build this important relationship.

 

Background

Government logo The state of Acre is one of most advanced states in Brazil and the world in thinking and planning for the preservation of the environment. Building on Chico Mendes’ dream of seeing the whole forest preserved, the State is seeking innovating ways to give an economic value to the forest. The State recognizes that the forests provide much more than “goods” such as wood, medicine and natural rubber, but that they also provide clean water, biodiversity protection, and carbon sequestration. In the past, these services have not been valued in the international economy. However, the recent emergence of markets for ecosystem services may mobilize funds for their protection and maintenance.

To seize this opportunity, the departments and municipalities responsible for the sustainable development of Acre created the Plan for Valuing Forest Assets, and the State System of Incentives for Environmental Services (SISA) which looks to introduce new environmental markets to incentivize conservation throughout the state.

Acre Countryside

The government of Acre has decided to seek social, productive and environmentally appropriate alternatives to help in the socio-environmental management and regulation of Forest Environmental Liabilities (the legal limits established for forest reserves on private lands) within the state.

The State System of Incentives for Environmental Services (SISA) proposes the structuring of financial and economic incentives aimed at maintaining the forests of the State considering the various pressures under which these forests are subjected. The project seeks to generate carbon credits for trading in the carbon market and once it is bound and willing to pay fairly for these environmental services.

SISA has the following objectives:

Acre Training Center

    • To incentivize the intensive use of altered areas by strengthening agroforestry production and / or sustainable agriculture generating income and substantially reducing the pressure on the forest allowing the maintenance of forest environmental value.
    • Promote the sharing of benefits for actors who conserve, preserve and recover the forest assets.
    • Facilitate public and private financial flows to provide for the ongoing delivery of environmental services in the Acre forests which provide these services.
    • Ensuring effective and lasting reductions in deforestation.

Resources

Course Discussion

Event Resources:

Presentation of Certificates

Power Points from the Course:

Co-Hosts

Organized by:

SEMA, Acre

Governo Do Estado Do Acre Secretaria De Estado De Meio Ambiente – SEMA
Forest Trends

Forest Trends

A Forest Trends é uma organização internacional sem fins lucrativos que trabalha para expandir o valor das florestas para a sociedade, promover o manejo e a conservação florestal sustentável por meio da criação e captação de valores de mercado para serviços ambientais, apoiar projetos inovadores e empresas que desenvolvem esses novos mercados, e melhorar os meios de vida das comunidades que vivem nas florestas e no seu entorno. Forest Trends analisa questões de mercado e políticas públicas, catalisa conexões entre produtores, comunidades e investidores, desenvolvendo novas ferramentas financeiras para fazer com que os mercados beneficiem a conservação e as comuniades. www.forest-trends.org

Katoomba

O Groupo Katoomba

O Grupo Katoomba trabalha com os principais desafios para o desenvolvimento de mercados para serviços ambientais, desde facilitar a legislação para a criação de novas instituições de mercado, até estratégias de elaboração de preço e marketing e monitoramento de desempenho. O grupo busca atingir sua meta por meio de parcerias estratégicas para análise, intercâmbio de informações, investimentos, serviços de mercado e apoio à políticas públicas. O Grupo Katoomba inclui mais de 180 peritos e profissionais do mundo todo, que representam uma rede formada por colaboradores com experiência em finanças comerciais, políticas públicas, pesquisa e apoio. www.katoombagroup.org

 

Sponsors

Sponsored By:

USAID
 United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

 USAID promotes peace and stability by fostering economic growth, protecting human health, providing emergency humanitarian assistance, and enhancing democracy in developing countries. These efforts to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide represent U.S. values and advance U.S. interests for peace and prosperity.
USAID Translinks

Translinks

This event was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the terms of the TransLinks Cooperative Agreement No.EPP-A-00-06-00014-00 to The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). TransLinks is a partnership of WCS, The Earth Institute, Enterprise Works/VITA, Forest Trends and The Land Tenure Center. The contents are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
 The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Established in September 2000, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation seeks to advance environmental conservation and scientific research around the world and improve the quality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area.The Foundation is devoted to the inspirational vision articulated by our founders: “creating positive outcomes for future generations.” This vision guides our mission: “to achieve significant, lasting and measurable results in environmental conservation, science and the San Francisco Bay Area.” A set of core values—impact, integrity, disciplined approach, and collaboration—directs our work.
The Global Environment Facility
 The Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) unites 179 member governments — in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector — to address global environmental issues. An independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
United Nations Development Program UNDP
 The United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

 United Nations Development Program is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. World leaders have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including the overarching goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015. UNDP’s network links and coordinates global and national efforts to reach these Goals. Our focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of: democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention and recovery, environment and energy, HIV/AIDS. UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women.