Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Content EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1 1. ENTTITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED ER PROGRAM ...... 4 1.1 ER Program Entity that is expected to sign the Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the FCPF Carbon Fund...... 4 1.2 Organization(s) responsible for managing the proposed ER Program ...... 4 1.3 Partner agencies and organizations involved in the ER Program ...... 5 2. STRATEGIC CONTEXT AND RATIONALE FOR THE ER PROGRAM ...... 8 2.1 Current status of the Readiness Package and summary of additional achievements of readiness activities in the country ...... 8 2.2 Ambition and strategic rationale for the ER Program ...... 12 2.3 Political commitment ...... 14 3. ER PROGRAM LOCATION ...... 17 3.1 Accounting Area of the ER Program ...... 17 3.2 Conditions in the Accounting Area ...... 19 4. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIONS AND INTERVENTIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED UNDER THE PROPOSED ER PROGRAM ...... 22 4.1 Analysis of drivers and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation, and existing activities that can lead to conservation or enhancement of forest carbon stocks ...... 22 4.2 Assessment of the major barriers to REDD+ ...... 49 4.3 Description and justification of the planned actions and interventions under the ER Program that will lead to emission reductions and/or removals ...... 50 4.4 Assessment of land and resource tenure in the Accounting Area...... 76 4.5 Analysis of laws, statutes and other regulatory frameworks ...... 88 4.6 Expected lifetime of the proposed ER Program...... 97 5. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION, AND PARTICIPATION ...... 98 5.1 Description of stakeholder consultation process ...... 98 5.2 Summary of the comments received and how these points of view were taken into account in the design of the ER Program ...... 103 6. OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL PLANNING ...... 113 6.1 Institutional and implementation arrangements ...... 113 6.2 ER Program budget...... 120 7. CARBON POOLS, SOURCES AND SINKS ...... 122
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
7.1 Description of Sources and Sinks selected ...... 122 7.2 Description of Carbon Pools and greenhouse gases selected ...... 126 8. REFERENCE LEVEL ...... 128 8.1 Reference Period ...... 128 8.2 Forest definition used in the construction of the Reference Level ...... 129 8.3 Average annual historical emissions over the Reference Period ...... 129 8.4 Upward or downward adjustments to the average annual historical emissions over the Reference Period (if applicable) ...... 154 8.5 Estimated Reference Level ...... 154 8.6 Relation between the Reference Level, the development of a FREL/FRL for the UNFCCC, and the country’s existing or emerging greenhouse gas inventory ...... 154 9. APPROACH FOR MEASUREMENT, MONITORING AND REPORTING ...... 157 9.1 Measurement, monitoring and reporting approach for estimating emissions occurring under the ER Program within the Accounting Area ...... 157 9.2 Organizational structure for measurement, monitoring and reporting ...... 169 9.3 Relation and consistency with the National Forest Monitoring System ..... 176 10. DISPLACEMENT...... 177 10.1 Identification of risk of Displacement ...... 177 10.2 ER Program design features to prevent and minimize potential displacement180 11. REVERSALS ...... 185 11.1 Identification of risk of Reversals ...... 185 11.2 ER Program design features to prevent and mitigate Reversals ...... 190 11.3 Reversal management mechanism ...... 193 11.4 Monitoring and reporting of major emissions that could lead to Reversals of ERs 194 12. UNCERTAINTIES OF THE CALCULATION OF EMISSION REDUCTIONS ...... 195 12.1 Identification and assessment of sources of uncertainty ...... 195 12.2 Quantification of uncertainty of the Reference Level ...... 200 13. CALCULATION OF EMISSION REDUCTIONS ...... 206 12.3 Ex-ante estimation of the Emission Reductions ...... 206 14. SAFEGUARDS ...... 208 14.1 Description of how the ER Program meets the World Bank social and environmental safeguards and promotes and supports the safeguards included in UNFCCC guidance related to REDD+ ...... 208
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
14.2 Description of arrangements to provide information on safeguards during ER Program implementation ...... 232 14.3 Description of the Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM) in place and possible actions to improve it ...... 238 15. ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS ...... 249 15.1 Description of the arrangements for the distribution of benefits ...... 249 15.2 Process of design of the agreements for benefits distribution ...... 254 15.3 Process for the formal adoption of the benefit sharing plan ...... 255 16. NON CARBON BENEFITS ...... 257 16.1 Outline of potential Non-Carbon Benefits and identification of Priority Non- Carbon Benefits ...... 257 16.2 Approach for providing information on priority Non-Carbon benefits ...... 258 17. CERTIFICATES OF EMISSION REDUCTIONS ...... 261 17.1 Authorization of the ER Program ...... 261 17.2 Transfer of Title to ERs ...... 262 18. DATA MANAGEMENT AND REGISTRY SYSTEMS ...... 264 18.1 Participation under other GHG initiatives ...... 264 18.2 Management and data registration systems intended to avoid multiple ER claims 264 19. ANNEXES...... 268 Annex 1. World Bank missions in support of the ERPD Annex 2. Land use cover in the accounting area, 1983-2015 Annex 3. Description of the livestock sector Annex 4. Description of the productive system trusts Annex 5. Description of the interventions Annex 6. Emission calculations Annex 7. Geographic location of the interventions Annex 8. ER Program budget Annex 9. Reference level methods and protocols Annex 10. Protocol of the generation of emission and removal factors Annex 11. Generation of reference level protocol Annex 12. Road map for developing the plan for the distribution of benefits Annex 13. Act Delegation of functions. Annex 14. Mechanism to strengthen communication
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 15. MGAS Annex 16. Displacement Analysis Annex 18. FONADEFO operation analysis
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Tables
Table 1 Comparison of the mid-term and self-evaluation of the Readiness process ...... 9 Table 2 Proposed use of the additional Readiness funds requested by the government of Nicaragua...... 11 Table 3 Forest cover and changes in forest cover in Nicaragua, 1983-2015 ...... 13 Table 4 Characteristics of the accounting area in 2015 ...... 17 Table 5 Forest cover and loss in the accounting area, 2005 – 2015...... 23 Table 6 Characterization of the livestock sector in the accounting area (CENAGRO, 2011) . 30 Table 7 Characterization of principal perennial crops in the Caribbean coast...... 37 Table 8 Critical functions and roles of different levels of goverments in forest and natural resource management...... 45 Table 9 On-going projects that will contribute to the ER Program in the accounting area. . 57 Table 10 Relationship between underlying causes and barriers of deforestation and enabling conditions...... 63 Table 11 Priority geographical areas for interventions...... 67 Table 12 Chronogram of tentative activities for preliminary activities and ER Program roll- out...... 71 Table 13 Differences among private and communal property regimes...... 78 Table 14 Property regimes in the accounting area...... 79 Table 15 Private and communal lands in the BOSAWAS and Indio Maiz Reserves...... 81 Table 16 Forest cover by region and type of property in the accounting area...... 82 Table 17 Number and area of farms in the RACCN and RACCS (CENAGRO, 2011)...... 83 Table 18 Principal public policies and their relationship with the ER Program ...... 89 Table 19 ENDE-REDD+ Dialogue and Consultation Platform ...... 98 Table 20 Summary of the Map of Actors ...... 100 Table 21 Timetable of ENDE-REDD issues applicable to ERPD on which consultations took place ...... 101 Table 22 Percentage of participation by women, youth and ethnic groups ...... 102 Table 23 Summary of the comments made by Caribbean Coast actors participating in the ERPD...... 103 Table 24 Summary of ERPD topics ...... 110 Table 25 Distribution of Municipalities and ITGs for Consultations on ...... 113 Table 26 Institutional involvement in the activities and interventions of the ER Program. 116 Table 27 Principal costs and sources of funding of the ERPD ...... 120 Table 28 Activities included in the reference level ...... 122 Table 29 Forest cover and biomass relation based on the Nicaragua forest inventory information...... 124 Table 30 Anthropogenic forest degradation estimation ...... 125 Table 31 Compartments included in the reference level...... 126 Table 32 Greenhouse gases included in the reference level ...... 127 Table 33 Formulation of the calculation of the enhancement of carbon stocks in new forests...... 132
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 34 Summary of the stratification of each activity and the parameters used for the calculation...... 132 Table 35 Reclassification of the land use cover maps produced by INETER in order to obtain a 2005-2015 land cover change map...... 134 Table 36 Categories of REDD+ activities in the accounting area obtained from land use change matrices based on the available land use maps...... 135 Table 37 Reference points used for each of the REDD+ activities...... 136 Table 38 Confusion matrix for REDD+ activities, 2005 – 2015 ...... 138 Table 39 Precision and confidence intervals for REDD+ activities...... 139 Table 40 Adjusted areas for each of the activities during the 10 years reference period. . 139 Table 41 Summary of Activity data for deforestation...... 140 Table 42 Summary of Activity data for enhancement of carbon stocks...... 141 Table 43 Aggregation of INF classes corresponding with REDD classes. A full description of INF classes can be found in FAO, 2007...... 144 Table 44 Emission factors calculated from the INF database...... 146 Table 45 2015 land cover map areas for the non-forest classes in the deforested areas in the period 2005-2015...... 146 Table 46 Emission factor bias assessment based on deforested areas around INF sample units ...... 147 Table 47 Mean AGB annual increment and standard error reported by Mascaro et al 2005 in 10 forest plots in Nicaragua. (Adapted from Mascaro et al 2005)...... 148 Table 48 Emission factors for forest categories and tacotals (secondary vegetation)...... 149 Table 49 Removal Factor estimation for new broadleaf forests...... 150 Table 50 Removal Factor estimation for new conifer forests...... 151 Table 51 Carbon emissions from deforestation in the accounting area, 2005 – 2015...... 153 Table 52 Carbon removals from enhancement of carbon stocks in new forests in the accounting area, during the reference period 2005 – 2015...... 153 Table 53 Estimated reference level for the ER Program ...... 154 Table 54 Correspondence among the national and ERPD reference levels and the INGEI. 155 Table 55 Roadmap of harmonization of reference levels and INGEI...... 156 Table 56 Summary of the procedures for the generation of activity data during the M-MRV...... 159 Table 57 Summary of the procedures for the generation of Emission Factors for forest categories and tacotal (secondary vegetation) during the M-MRV...... 164 Table 58 Summary of the procedures for the generation of Removal Factor for new forests, during the M-MRV...... 168 Table 59 Institutional functions and internal entities related directly or indirectly to MRV, monitoring, and the generation of emission reductions reports to the ER Program...... 170 Table 60 Data capture with an Android platform for the SNM-MRV...... 175 Table 61 Risk of displacement in the accounting area associated with different factors or agents of deforestation...... 177 Table 62 ER Program activities aimed at mitigating the risk of displacement...... 181 Table 63 Summary of the assessment of risk factors and the resulting set-aside percentage...... 190
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 64 Mitigation strategies for risk factors potentially affecting the ER Program...... 191 Table 65 Confusion matrix for 2005 – 2015 land cover map...... 196 Table 66 Precision and confidence intervals for REDD+ activities...... 197 Table 67 Adjusted areas for each of the activities...... 197 Table 68 Estimates of emission factors and associated sampling errors ...... 199 Table 69 Summary of the removal factors, uncertainties and information sources...... 200 Table 70 Adjusted areas and standard errors for the forest conversions...... 201 Table 71 Emission factors for land use categories...... 201 .Table 72 Estimated total emissions due to deforestation and their uncertainty ...... 202 Table 73 Activity data and removal factors for new forests...... 203 Table 74 Total carbon removal by new forests in the accounting, average value and errors...... 203 Table 75 Total carbon removal by new forests in the accounting, average value and errors...... 204 Table 76 Ex-ante estimation of the ERs expected from the ER Program ...... 207 Table 77 World Bank safeguard policies activated for the ER Program...... 213 Table 78 Lines of intervention and their relation to the activated safeguards...... 218 Table 79 Environmental and Social Risk and Impacts Matrix of the Emissions Reductions Program and pertinent mitigation measures proposed for each strategic guideline...... 220 Table 80 Relation of CMNUCC and the World Bank safeguards with the legal framework of Nicaragua...... 226 Table 81 Indicators for the monitoring of compliance of the Safeguards during the implementation of the Emissions Reduction Program...... 234 Table 82 Format for the Mechanism for Strengthening Communication ...... 246 Table 83 General approach to Benefit-Sharing ...... 249
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figures
Figure 1 Governance structure of ENDE-REDD+...... 42 Figure 2 The roles and function of the ENDE-REDD+ Working Groups ...... 16 Figure 3 Political jurisdictions of accounting areas ...... 18 Figure 4 Map of the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories within the accounting area...... 18 Figure 5 Changes in the agricultural frontier and forest cover, 1983-2010...... 22 Figure 6 Change in forest cover in the Autonomous Regions, 1983 - 2015...... 23 Figure 7 Forest cover by land tenure category, 1983 al 2015...... 25 Figure 8 Carbon density in 2015 and changes in carbon density 2005-2015 (arrows indicate access routes)...... 25 Figure 9 Problem tree for deforestation and forest degradation ...... 27 Figure 10 Area of pastures, crops and forest in the Caribbean Coast, 1983-2015...... 28 Figure 11 Bovine herd map (# of heads) ...... 29 Figure 12 Importancia de las exportaciones ganaderas de Nicaragua ...... 30 Figure 13 Pastures (green) in the accounting area, 2015. Numbered polygons represent indigenous and Afrodescendant territories...... 31 Figure 14 The process of deforestation on the agricultural frontier of Nicaragua (Polvorosa y Bastiaensen, 2016) ...... 33 Figure 15 Location of annual and perennial crops in Nicaragua...... 35 Figure 16 Annual and perennial crop cover in the Caribbean Coast, 1983-2015...... 35 Figure 17 Deforestation associated with forestry management plans and permits, 2000- 2015...... 41 Figure 18 Flow diagram for the authorization of general forestry management plans, and domestic, salvage, and resin extraction permits ...... 42 Figure 19 Levels of government in the Caribbean region...... 44 Figure 20 Process of approval for natural resource use in communal lands ...... 45 Figure 21 Elements of the intervention strategy ...... 51 Figure 22 Outline of overall approach of the ERPD...... 52 Figure 23 General characteristics of the silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts...... 56 Figure 24 Schematiac description of the silvopastoral trust...... 57 Figure 25 Map of the geographic location of the proposed interventions ...... 69 Figure 26 Map of communal and private property in the accounting area...... 80 Figure 27 Deforestation in indigenous territories with a high degree of land use conflicts (red shading indicates deforestation)...... 85 Figure 28 Road map for the implementation of future consultations...... 115 Figure 29 Overall coordination of the ER Program ...... 114 Figure 30 Forest Cover and Biomass Relation ...... 125 Figure 31 Flow diagram for the accuracy assessment of the activity data and as estimators of the activity areas...... 133 Figure 32 Distribution of reference points in the accounting area...... 137
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 33 Distribution of the INF sample units in Nicaragua following the systematic design of a world 10´x10´ grid...... 142 Figure 34 Sample unit design of the INF of Nicaragua (INAFOR, 2007)...... 143 Figure 35 Sub-modules of the National System of Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification for the Emission Reduction Program...... 157 Figure 36 Inter-institutional platform responsible for monitoring variables associated with emission reductions in Nicaragua ...... 170 Figure 37 Proposed organizational structure of MRV for the ER Program...... 174 Figure 38 Articulation of ER Program monitoring with the National Monitoring System (SNM-MRV)...... 173 Figure 39 Structure of the System of Safeguard Information...... 233 Figure 40 Communication channels for complaints and suggestions...... 247 Figure 41 Procedures for responding to complaints and suggestions...... 248
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Acronyms AD Activity data AFOLU Agriculture, forestry and other land use AGB Aboveground biomass AGF Agroforestry systems AMASU Awas Tingni Mayangnina Sauni Umani indigenous territory ANACC Nicaraguan Climate Change Alliance APP Public-private partnerships BAU Business as usual BCN Central Bank of Nicaragua BECO Ecological Battalion BGG Belowground biomass BICU Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University C Carbon CADPI Center for the Autonomy and Development of Indigenous Peoples CANICARE Nicaraguan Chamber of Meat Exporters CANISLAC Nicaraguan Dairy Sector Chamber CCF-A Forest and Environment Consultative Committee CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CNU National University Council CO2 Carbon dioxide C02e Carbon dioxide equivalent CODEFOR Departmental Forestry Commission COMUFOR Municipal Forestry Commission CONADETI National Commission of Demarcation and Titling CONAFOR National Forestry Commission CONAGAN National Livestock Commission of Nicaragua CONFOR National Commission of Reforesters COP Committee of Parties COP Persistent organic contaminants DFI Direct foreign investment d.m Dry matter EF Emissions factor EIE Environmental Impact Evaluation ENDE-REDD+ National REDD+ Strategy ER Emission reductions ERP Emission Reductions Program ERPA Emissions Reduction Payment Agreement ERPD Emissions Reduction Program Document ER-PIN Emission Reductions Program Idea Note ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
EU European Union FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FCPF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility FGRM Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism FONADEFO National Fund for Forest Development FRL Forest Reference Level FUNDENIC Nicaraguan Foundation for Sustainable Development GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility GFOI Global Forest Observations Initiative GHG Greenhouse gas GIS Geographic Information System GIZ German International Development Agency GRACC Autonomous Regional Government of the Caribbean Coast GRACCN Autonomous Regional Government of the North Caribbean Coast GRACCS Autonomous Regional Government of the South Caribbean Coast ha Hectare IADB Inter-American Development Bank IED Direct foreign investment IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development INAFOR National Forestry Institute INATEC National Technological Institute INETER Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies INGEI National Inventory of Greenhouse Gases INIDE National Institute of Development Information INPESCA Nicaraguan Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture INTA Nicaraguan Institute of Agricultural and Livestock Technology IPCC International Panel on Climate Change IPSA Agricultural and Livestock Protection and Sanitation Institute IT Indigenous territory ITG Indigenous territorial government IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature LULUCF Land use, land use change, and forestry M Million MAG Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock MARENA Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources MEFCCA Ministry of Family, Community, Cooperative, and Associative Economy MHCP Ministry of Hacienda and Public Credit MIGA Multilateral Investments Guarantee Agency, World Bank MRV Measurement, Verification (Monitoring), and Reporting M-MRV Monitoring-Measurement, Reporting, and Verification
Mt Million tons
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
MTR Mid-term review NB Non-forest NGO Non-governmental organization NICADAPTA Adaptation to climate change and market changes project NMRVS National Monitoring, Reporting, and Validation System OP Operational policies PA Protected area PAIPSAN Support Project for the Increase of Productivity, Food and Nutrition Security in the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast PAMCC Policy of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation PES Payments for environmental services PIU Program Implementation Unit PNDH National Human Development Plan PNF National Forestry Program PP Private property PPP Public-private partnerships PROCACAO Project for the improvement of organizational and productive capacities of cocoa producers in the Mining Triangle. Produzcamos Production Bank PRONicaragua Nicaragua Investment Promotion Agency PRONicaribe Regional office of PRONicaragua on the Caribbean Coast RACCN Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast RACCS Autonomous Region of the South North Caribbean Coast RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands REDD+ Reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation REL Reference emission level R-PIN Readiness Program Idea Note R-PP Readiness Program Proposal RRNN Natural resources RSOP Roundtable on Sustainable Oil Palm SDC Swiss Development Cooperation SDCC Secretary for Development of the Caribbean Coast SEPLAN Secretary of Planning SEPROD Secretary of Production SERENA Secretary of Natural Resources and the Environment SESA Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment SICOR Regional Cooperation Information System SIGA Environmental Management Information System SIGC Knowledge Management Information System SIMEAR Information, Monitoring, and Environmental Education Systems SINAP National System of Protected Areas SINAPRED National System for Disaster Prevention SINIA National System of Environmental Information SIS Safeguard Information System
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
SNMRV National Monitoring, Reporting, and Validation System SPPP Secretary to the Presidency for Public Policies tn Tons TA Technical assistance TAP Technical advisory panel UCA Central American University UNA National Autonomous University UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNI National Engineering University URACCAN University of the Autonomous Regions of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast WB World Bank
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Executive Summary The Emission Reduction Program (ER-P) is expected to generate 14.6 Mt CO2e of emission reductions and 3.9 Mt CO2e removals, resulting in a total balance of emission reduction/removals of 18.5 Mt CO2e from the accounting area. Excluding the calculated 4% uncertainty factor and the 22% buffer, the net ex-ante estimated GHG emission reductions amount to 13.8 Mt CO2e during 5 years. This represents an average of reduction of emissions of 22% compared to the net reference level associated with an average deforestation of 74,656 ha/yr and an average accumulation rate of new forests of 39,133 ha/yr. Nicaragua is expected to transfer 11Mt CO2e of these emissions reductions to the Carbon Fund.
Emission reduction efforts will concentrate on the accounting area composed of the Autonomous Regions of the North (RACCN) and South (RACCS) Caribbean Coast as well as the highly biologically diverse BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve. The area has been singled out within Nicaragua´s National Human Development Plan as a high priority, since it contains 54% of the national territory, 80% (3.16 million ha) of Nicaragua´s forestland, the majority of the nation´s indigenous populations, high poverty levels, and accounts for the large majority of national deforestation.
The ER-PD will attack the main drivers of deforestation – expansion of the agricultural frontier based on extensive livestock and agricultural land use, underlain by institutional and productive barriers and weaknesses - by implementing a territorial-based production- protection model that is more intensive, more sustainable, more equitable, and less carbon- dependent. Building upon and enhancing the considerable socioeconomic and legal progress achieved by Nicaragua in recent years, the model will synergistically combine forest conservation, sustainable forestry and agricultural production, and improvements in underlying productive and institutional/legal enabling conditions, to reduce emissions, achieve more sustainable land use, and improve food security and conservation of biodiversity. It will also emphasize the strengthening of family economies, the defense of nature, and adaptation to climate change and will be based on inclusion, dialogue, partnerships, and consensus. In so doing, it is expected that the Program will impact more than 3 million ha of the forest landscape, thereby benefiting more than 1.1 million inhabitants of 26 municipalities and 23 indigenous and Afrodescendant territories found in the accounting area.
The overall intervention strategy uses greater access to technical assistance, credit, market access, and outside investment to achieve more sustainable production systems (community forestry, reforestation, natural regeneration, and agroforestry and silvopastoral systems based on an innovative trust arrangement) that create income and employment and reduce emissions. At the same time, it includes improved forestry governance, incentives, and control measures, such as: greater local monitoring, control, and law enforcement; early warning systems for deforestation; results-based incentives for 1
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve avoided deforestation; and improved forest governance in indigenous and Afrodescendant territories, in order to improve forest conservation, especially in protected areas and indigenous and Afrodescendant territories where most of the forests on the Caribbean Coast are found. The mix of interventions results in almost complete geographic coverage of the accounting area and lessens the possibility that unattended areas will continue to contribute to forest-based emissions.
Although improved enabling conditions may not directly produce emissions reductions, they play a key role in the Program proposed, since they determine the long-term success of the conservation or sustainable production measures by ensuring that economic development does not ultimately cause more deforestation. Among these conditions, improving institutional resources and capacities, institutional coordination, improved access and use of information, and especially land use monitoring, control, and enforcement are fundamental. On the other hand, the conditions of investment promotion and public education/promotion/awareness will enable the sustainable production systems proposed.
The interventions will activate seven World Bank safeguards (environmental evaluation, natural habitats, pest and disease management, indigenous peoples, cultural resources, involuntary resettlement, and forests) which are also mirrored in Nicaragua´s legal framework. The Environmental and Social Monitoring Framework will assist in avoiding or mitigating possible negative impacts of the interventions via the monitoring of land use cover, safeguards, and non-carbon benefits, which is based on inter-institutional cooperation. Equally important, not only for safeguard protection, but for overall implementation, is the continuation of on-going participatory dialogue and consultations through existing communication mechanisms and structures established during Readiness, as well as the feedback and grievance redress mechanism presently being designed.
The design of a benefit sharing mechanism is at a very preliminary stage and is based on the goal of integrating economic and non-monetary benefits, (including cultural, social, and environmental benefits) under a fair, equitable and transparent approach. It is anticipated that the country´s past experience with benefit distribution and payments for ecosystem services and the existence of a legally established framework for the distribution of funds originating from natural resource use will provide important contributions in this area.
In this context, land use and carbon rights are clear, since carbon rights pertain to the forest owners, and 98% of lands in the accounting area are titled as communal or private property, as a result of recent efforts by the Nicaraguan government to title indigenous territories that comprise 31.4% of the national territory and 53% of the accounting area. Legal rights and procedures for settling land and resource rights disputes are also clear.
The proposed budget for the ER Program is $78,411,048 for 7 years. The majority of the costs are associated with the enabling conditions ($11,110,000), direct incentives ($13,304,000) and credit lines and guarantees for the agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts
2
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
($40,790,400). Revenues include $9,172,461 from public funds (including $765,200 from the additional funds for Readiness), $39,178,600 in loans, $18,309,900 in REDD+ results- based payments from the Carbon Fund, $1,911,800 from the CONAGAN trust, and $8,919,486 from grants from the Green Climate Fund, which will be used to cover the financial gap. The loans will be used to establish the agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts and are expected to produce positive returns.
Overall ER Program coordination will be shared among MARENA, MHCP, MEFFCA, INETER, INAFOR, MAG, SDCC, and the regional and territorial governments. Based on their institutional mandates and past experience, MARENA will be responsible for REDD+ and overall ER-P implementation, MHCP for finance, MEFCCA for on-the-ground implementation of rural development activities in the Caribbean region, INETER for forest cover and land use monitoring, INAFOR for forest administration and supervision, the SDCC for coordination between the national and sub-national governments of the Caribbean Coast (SDCC), and the regional and territorial governments for governance at those levels. These institutions are considered key to overall Program governance and coordination, since they balance national and regional interests as well as contribute the necessary capacities for Program planning, coordination, and implementation.
3
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
1. Enttities responsible for the management and implementation of the proposed ER Program
1.1 ER Program Entity that is expected to sign the Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the FCPF Carbon Fund Name of entity Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) (Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales) Type and description of National Government Ministry organization Main contact person Maria Jose Corea Perez Title Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources (Ministra del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales) Address Km 12.5 carretera norte, frente al Centro Industrial Zona Franca. Managua, Nicaragua Telephone (+505) 22632862 Email Website www.marena.gob.ni
1.2 Organization(s) responsible for managing the proposed ER Program Same entity as ER Program Yes Entity identified in 1.1 above? If no, please provide details of the organizations(s) that will be managing the proposed ER Program Name of organization Type and description of organization Organizational or contractual relation between the organization and the ER Program Entity identified in 1.1 above Main contact person Title Address Telephone Email Website
4
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
1.3 Partner agencies and organizations involved in the ER Program
Contact name, telephone and Core capacity and role in the Name of partner email ER Program Responsible for national fiscal Ministry of Finance Iván Acosta Montalván, Minister policy and economic and Public Credit Tel (+505) 22227061 representative of the state of (MHCP) E-mail: Nicaragua before financial [email protected] organizations.
Advises the President with respect to public policies. Overseas the alignment of Private Secretary of Paul Oquist Kelly, Minister national policies, especially the Presidency for the National Human Public Policies (SPPP) Development Plan, with international commitments and the ER Program. Responsible for formulating, executing, monitoring and evaluating policies for the Edward Francisco Centeno, agricultural sector, intervenes Ministry of Minister to coordinate alignment Agriculture (MAG) Tel (+505) 22751441 efforts in forestry E-mail: [email protected] development areas and ecological protection programs. Will contribute to Program implementation via rural and Ministry of the agricultural development Economy of Families, Justa del Rosario Pérez Acuña, projects, and services such as Communities, Minister technical assistance to Cooperatives and Tel. (+505) 22706083 farmers and local Associations [email protected] governments, the (MEFFCA) organization of producers, and training. In charge of implementing the Fanny Sumaya Castillo country’s forest development National Forestry Directora policy, generates reference Institute (INAFOR) Tel (+505) 22330013 levels for the sector and has a E-mail: [email protected] presence throughout the country.
5
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
In charge of research, inventory and assessment of the country’s physical resources. Executes territorial Vladimir Gutiérrez, Director management studies, studies Nicaraguan Institute Tel (+505) 22492757 on effects caused by natural of Territorial Studies E-mail: phenomena to determine risk (INETER) [email protected] areas. Regulates and carries out cartographic and geodesic work. Establishes rules for, regulates, updates and executes national land registry. Representative of the different indigenous and Afrodescendant communities. Shaira Down Morgan, Participates in the Coordinator development, planning, Tel (505) 88281765 implementation and monitoring of policies, plans South Caribbean E-mail: [email protected] and economic, social and Coast Autonomous cultural programs that affect Government (RACCS) Judy Delcy Abraham Omier, the region. Administers Presidenta Consejo Regional planning and information Autónomo Costa Caribe Sur related to the execution and monitoring of economic, social, and cultural policies, plans, and programs that affect the region. Representative of the Carlos Alemán Cuningham, different indigenous and President, Board of Directors Afrodescendant communities. Tel (+505) 88515623 Participates in the E-mail: development, planning, implementation and North Caribbean carlosalemancuningham3@gmail monitoring of policies, plans Coast Autonomous .com and economic, social and Government (RACCN) cultural programs that affect Debony McDavis, the region. Administers Presidenta Concejo Regional planning and information Autónomo Costa Caribe Norte related to the execution and monitoring of economic, social, and cultural policies,
6
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
plans, and programs that affect the region. Responsible for the political administration of the indigenous and 25 territorial governments, 18 in Territorial Afrodescendant territories, the RACCN, 5 in the RACCS, and Governments including education, health, 2 in upper Wangki and Bocay economy, and sports. Democratically elected by territorial assemblies. Government body charged Secretary for with coordinating the Development of the General Director development of the Caribbean Caribbean Coast Regions and linking the (SDCC) national and regional governments. Basic political-administrative units within the country. Responsible for Municipalities 25 municipalities, socioeconomic and environmental development of the municipalities and their inhabitants. Educational institutions in the region with the necessary Universities URACCAN, BICU technical capacity to generate inputs related to the monitoring of indicators
In addition, the ER Program will include the active participation of the indigenous territorial governments (ITGs), community organizations, cooperatives, universities, and other organizations.
7
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
2. Strategic context and rationale for the er program
2.1 Current status of the Readiness Package and summary of additional achievements of readiness activities in the country
Background
Nicaragua´s participation in REDD+ began in 2008 when an R-PIN was formulated and submitted to the FCPF. During 2009-2011, an R-PP was formulated; it was subsequently approved in June, 2012 and signed in December, 2013. Readiness began in January, 2014, with a budget of $3.6 million1. These funds were used to: (i) establish the Project Implementation Unit (PIU); (ii) procure technical and technological equipment in the two autonomous regions of the Caribbean coast, the RACCN and RACCS; (iii) provide training for institutions involved in the ENDE-REDD+ Readiness process such as MAG, INETER, INAFOR, MHCP and the Secretary for Public Policy of the Presidency; and (iv) hold dialogue and consultations with indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples, local organizations, productive sectors and associations (i.e. cattle-ranchers and reforestation companies).
Nicaragua´s development of an ERPD proposal to the Carbon Fund of the FCPF has evolved in parallel with the REDD+ Readiness process and has received considerable support from the World Bank (see Annex 1 for more detailed information on World Bank missions in support of the ERPD). During this process, four important milestones have been achieved: the ER-PIN was endorsed in 2015; the “Letter of Intent for the Readiness of a Programme focused on the Reduction of Emissions by Deforestation and Environmental Degradation” was signed in January 2016; the Mid-Term Report (MTR) on Readiness was presented in August 2016; and PC approval for the request for $5 million of additional funds to complete the Readiness process was obtained in September, 20172. Implementation of the additional funds is expected to begin in early 2018 and will run for a period of 24 months.
Current Status of Readiness
The Readiness Program self-evaluation was carried out in February, 2017 and included the participation of 80 stakeholders, especially those of the Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions and representatives of the Indigenous and Afrodescendant Territorial Governments in the Caribbean, Pacific, Central and Northern regions. According to the scoring results from the participants in the five working groups, of the 34 progress indicators, 1 was below 20% compliance, 4 were between 21% and 50% compliance meaning that they need more
1 http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/2015-06-04-16-17-46/2015-06-04-16-19-34 2 https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/sites/fcp/files/2017/Sep/Final%20Resolution%205%20Endorsement%20of%2 0Nicaragua%27s%20Readiness%20Package.pdf 8
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve development; 24 were scored between 51% and 80% compliance, indicating that they are well-advanced but need more development, and 5 showed considerable progress or completion (Table 1).
Comparison of the results of the self-evaluation with the mid-term evaluation show that progress was made in the following areas: multi-sector collaboration; participation, consultation, and communication; plans to address rights to natural resources and land tenure; the identification of the implications of interventions for sectorial policies; the design of the implementation framework including the implementation of laws and regulations; guidelines for a mechanism for benefit sharing; the REDD+ registry and monitoring system; social and environmental impacts and safeguards including the implementation of SESA and the design of the ESMF; the formulation of reference levels; and almost all aspects of the forest monitoring and reporting system, including the identification of non-carbon benefits3,4.
Table 1 Comparison of the mid-term and self-evaluation of the Readiness process
Component Sub-component Status 1. Readiness Organization and 1a. National REDD+ management mechanisms Consultation 1b. Consultations, participation and outreach 2a. Assessment of land use, drivers of land use changes, forestry law, policy and management 2. REDD+ Strategy Preparation 2b. REDD+ Strategy options 2c. Implementation framework 2d. Social and environmental impacts 3. Forest Reference Emission Levels 4a. National forest monitoring system 4. Measuring, Reporting, and 4b. Information system for multiple benefits, Verification other impacts, governance, and safeguards Little progress Some progress Significant progress, but actions pending More or less complete
On the other hand, greater efforts are needed with regards to the system for stakeholder feedback and the redress of grievances, the implications of the Strategy on forestry and other sectorial laws and policies, a benefit sharing mechanism, further development of the reference level, and consolidation of the MRV system.
3 Please see the following link for information on the Readiness package: http://forestcarbonpartnership.org/sites/fcp/files/2017/Aug/1.%20PaqueteR%20%28R- Package%29%20%28English%29.pdf 4 For information on the Readiness grant, see: https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/sites/fcp/files/2017/Sep/GRM_Nicaragua_20170630_Progress%20Report_20 170921.pdf 9
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
According to the independent expert review of the self-assessment process of Nicaragua´s R-Package5, the R-Package exhibits a successful and positive government attitude and participation in the ENDE-REDD+ process. Other relevant findings are:
a The Readiness Process has enabled the Nicaraguan society to mature its vision of development based on consultation, discussion and critical analysis by several sectorial institutions. b The ENDE-REDD+ Program has been included in the national policy on forests and climate change. c The REDD+ Readiness process and progress at the national level is the result of a participatory process that has included stakeholders from the Caribbean Coast, the Pacific-Central-North (PCN) Region, and the national levels. d Self-evaluation of the readiness process was carried out in a noticeably participatory manner. e As a result, there is a better understanding among Nicaraguans of the scope and challenges of REDD+ in the indigenous territories, and among the authorities of the GTIs and the autonomous regions. During the REDD+ Readiness process organizational and institutional structures have been strengthened, both on the Caribbean Coast and in the PacificCentral-North Region. f An unquestionable inference is that the ENDE-REDD+ process has broadened the country´s vision of REDD+ to 2040, and has helped to formulate a roadmap for the implementation of effective actions to reach the goals defined and to reduce the rate of deforestation.
In addition, the international expert review of the R-Package included the following recommendations:
• Reforestation-afforestation, in order to be consistent and sustainable, should be made with a “purpose” either for the production of non-wood services, such as soil conservation or soil recuperation, water provision or non-wood products, or commercial timber for the production of saw logs, pulp logs or firewood through dendroenergy plantations. • Efforts should be made to incorporate oil palm, livestock, and other industrial crops, entrepreneurs, or landowners in the program. • There is a challenge and felt need to strengthen inter-sectorial coordination in order to tackle the problems of deforestation and forest degradation, which are rooted in many different sectors, as well as implementing multi-sectoral coordination. • Greater efforts should be made to obtain greater participation, cohesion and effectiveness in communication and liaison between public and private agencies
5 https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/sites/fcp/files/2017/Sep/Nicaragua%20TAP%20Expert%20Review%20092117 .pdf 10
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
interested in supporting the design and implementation of ENDE-REDD+ in the territories. • There is a need to continue to develop a robust benefit sharing mechanism that will inform the benefit sharing plan for the sub-national emission reductions program. • The Program should continue deepening the analysis of the applicable legal framework and policies to identify opportunities to improve policies and management.
Based on these evaluations, the Program identified the following Readiness needs and activities (Table 2). These activities will also contribute directly or indirectly to the preparation for the implementation of the ERPD. These activities will be financed by the $5 million of additional funds requested from the FCPF.
Table 2 Proposed use of the additional Readiness funds requested by the government of Nicaragua.
Component Principal Activities Amount ($) Strengthen management, communication, and 1,889,174 information management and use of MARENA, the regional governments, and the Secretary for 1. Organization and Development of the Caribbean Coast (SDCC). consultation at the national Carry out further consultations with the and regional levels Caribbean, Pacific- Central-North Region and with the private sector. Hold consultations on the feedback mechanism and benefits sharing. Establish the groundwork and coordination for 754,900 ERPD implementation at the national and regional levels. Carry out legal and econometric studies 2. Further development of regarding barriers and interventions. the national ENDE-REDD+ Consultations by the communications, Strategy safeguards, MRV, and coordination working groups. Establish a climate and natural resource working group and strengthen the capacities of MHCP to coordinate and manage climate finance. Strengthen and deepen existing capacities of 803,800 MRV and improve the reference level, including further analysis of forest degradation, development of Tier 2 emission factors for 3. Emission Reference Levels agriculture and land use change (AFOLU) and wetlands. Acquire software. Develop the Third Climate Change Communication. 4. National Forest Technical and technological strengthening of 1,474,888 Monitoring System INETER and INFOR including: updating of the 11
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
national forest inventory, development of forest traceability, development of an early warning system for deforestation, development of indicators and registries for non-carbon benefits and safeguards, and implementation of the National Forestry Program. Develop the framework and implementation of 77,238 5, Monitoring and Evaluation the REDD+ Supervision and Control System as System well as multi-annual external audits. TOTAL 5,000,000
2.2 Ambition and strategic rationale for the ER Program
The ER Program is the principal component of Nicaragua´s national ENDE-REDD+ framework, which is being implemented in a stepwise fashion. The overall goal of the ENDE-REDD+ Strategy is to reduce emissions due to deforestation and degradation by 50% by the year 2040; conserve and improve forest carbon stocks; and contribute to the protection of Mother Earth in the face of climate change. At the same time, the Strategy is expected to help improve the quality of life of the Nicaraguan people and the resilience of ecosystems to climate change, and increase the flow of funds into the environmental and forest sector in order to enhance their national as well as international positioning and competitiveness.
Within that context, the ER Program is key to carrying out the Strategy. The overall goal of the ER Program is to reduce forest-based emissions from the accounting area by 18.5 Mt CO2e (14.4 Mt CO2e excluding the uncertainty/buffer) during 5 years while improving food security and the conservation of biodiversity. The ER Program incorporates all six strategic pillars, as well as various of the 37 strategic actions of the Strategy.
Likewise, it focuses on the geographic area of highest priority for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Nicaragua, that is, the Caribbean Coast. The Caribbean Coast includes the Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast, (RACCN) and the Autonomous Region of the South Caribbean Coast (RACCS), being located in the RACCN, the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve, as well as, the Biological Reserve of Indio- Maize in the RACCS, both protected areas are partially outside the political jurisdictions of the two autonomous regions, 90% of the accounting area is in the RACC and 10% is distributed in the municipalities of: San José de Bocay, El Cua, Wiwilí Nueva Segovia, Wiwií Jinotega, El Castillo and San Juan de Nicaragua.
The strategic importance of the Caribbean Coast for reducing deforestation and emissions, and therefore as the focal point of the ER Program, is evident. According to INETER, approximately 80% (3.16 million ha) of Nicaragua´s 3.94 million ha of forest are found in the accounting area (ENDE-REDD+, 2017). The area has also been a major source of deforestation, since it accounts for almost 65% (2.8 million ha) of the 4.32 million ha of forests lost at the national level between 1983 and 2015 (Table 3). 12
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
With time, the importance of the Caribbean as a source of deforestation has increased as the deforestation front has advanced from the Pacific coast to the country’s Central Region and then to the Caribbean Coast. Being that the largest percentage of Nicaragua's forests are in the Caribbean, Deforestation in the Caribbean region represented half of the national deforestation between 1983 and 2000, but grew to 70% in 2000-2005, 85% between 2005 and 2010, and almost 100% between 2010 and 2015 (Table 3).
Table 3 Forest cover and changes in forest cover in Nicaragua, 1983-2015
1983 2000 2005 2010 2015 Variable National level Forest cover (ha) 8,255,861 5,449,384 4,545,859 4,049,257 3,938,669 Change in forest cover -2,806,476 -903,525 -496,602 -110,588 (ha) Caribbean Coast Forest cover (ha) 6,013,844 4,552,479 3,913,874 3,491,224 3,188,867 Change in forest cover -1,461,365 -638,605 -422,649 -302,357 (ha)
The ER Program and its accounting area are also important from the perspectives of national goals and policies. The area contains 54% of the national territory and a large share of the national indigenous and Afrodescendant populations and has been singled out within the National Human Development Plan as a high priority area, due to the high poverty levels, vulnerable populations, and natural resource and forest wealth. The high biological value and richness of the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve in the RACCN and the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve in the RACCS have also been recognized internationally.
Apart from its overwhelming importance for reducing the effects of forest degradation, it is also expected to contribute to regional and national objectives. At the regional level, the PRE is aligned with the Strategy and Development Plan of the Caribbean Coast and contributes to the process of updating both strategic instruments, whose main objectives are: i) to increase the socioeconomic wellbeing of the population; ii) achieve an equitable and sustainable transformation, in harmony with nature; and iii) strengthen the capacities of autonomous institutions in the Caribbean Coast to contribute to human development. Likewise, the Nicaraguan model referred to development based on strategic strategies among the actors, inclusion, the restitution of the rights of indigenous peoples and people of African descent, respect for the autonomy of the Caribbean Coast and the protection of the environment.
At the national level, the ER Program is aligned with the country’s overall development strategy - the National Human Development Plan (PNDH) - and its goals related to poverty
13
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve reduction, improved human development, and sustainable natural resources on the Caribbean Coast (PNDH 2012, paragraphs 283 and 284). It also contributes to one of the PNDH´s principal pillars, the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Policy (PAMCC), especially the strategic guidelines related to climate change mitigation, adaptation and risk management, as well as to national policies and plans focusing on the environment and production, including the National Environmental and Climate Change Strategy (ENACC) and the Production, Consumption and Commerce System. In addition, the ER Program will also contribute to Nicaragua´s compliance with its international commitments such as the Bonn Challenge, the 20 x 20 Initiative, and the Central American Regional Climate Change Agreement, as well as a host of international legal instruments and conventions ratified by Nicaragua and incorporated into its legal framework related to forests, biodiversity, climate change, desertification, indigenous people, and protection of the ozone layer.
As the centerpiece and initial implementation of the ENDE-REDD+, the ER Program represents a unique opportunity to strengthen the overall forest, conservation, and agricultural sectors in Nicaragua. It is expected that the enabling of the forest sector and increased sustainability of the agricultural sector will contribute to greater human and economic development, especially that of the indigenous and Afrodescendant inhabitants of these forests. At the same time, the experience gained during the ER Program is expected to have important positive impacts on other jurisdictions targeted by ENDE-REDD+.
In the forestry sector, forests cover about a quarter of the national territory, but contribute to less than 1% of the national economy (Nicaragua Central Bank, 2015). The ER Program is expected to improve forestry management via activities related to the implementation of the National Policy for Sustainable Forest Sector Development (Decree No. 69-2008), the National Forestry Development Fund (FONADEFO), the National Forestry Program (PNF), the National Reforestation Plan, the National Forest Fire Prevention and Control Plan, and the National Firewood and Charcoal Strategy (2011-2021).
In the agricultural sector, the ER Program will contribute to the reduction of deforestation caused by extensive agricultural and livestock productions systems via its alignment with the implementation of the national policy and program on the reconversion of livestock ranching, and the promotion of sustainable and environmentally friendly farming systems that preserve forests, make rational use of water, reduce inputs, fertilizers and pesticides, and protect biodiversity (Plan for Production, Consumption and Commerce 2016-2017, Law of Ecological Agriculture). In addition, it will strengthen the PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe programs aimed at promoting investments dedicated to productive and sustainable use of natural resources of the Caribbean Coast.
2.3 Political commitment
14
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The global orientation of the PRE comes from the National Human Development Plan (PNDH), which is based on consensus, dialogue and partnership. All this is reflected in the system of production, consumption and trade that prevails in the area of accounting. The political commitment to the PRE is aligned with and is derived from the Plan at the highest political level. The Program has the support of the National System of Production, Consumption and Trade, the Private Secretariat for Public Policies of the Presidency (SPPP) and the Development Secretariat of the Caribbean Coast of the Presidency of the Republic (SDCC) that respond directly to the President of the Republic, numerous ministries and various institutions, all of which have been active in setting policies and making high-level decisions in the ENDE-REDD + and the structures of the P-RE (Working Group I) (Figure 1 and Figure 2 Figure 1 Governance structure of ENDE-REDD+.). In this context, the participation of the MHCP, the SPPP and the SDCC is particularly important for the strengthening of vertical and horizontal coordination and collaboration between the participating entities in Working Groups I and II of the ENDE-REDD +.
Figure 1 Governance structure of ENDE-REDD+.
Presidency
NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION, AND COMMERCE MARENA • Ministry of Hacienda and Public Credit (MHCP) • Ministry of Family, Community, Cooperative and Associative General Economy (MEFCCA) Directorate of • National Institute for Agricultural Technology (INTA) Cimate Change • Ministry of Agriculutre and Livestock (MAG) • Institute for Agricultural Protection and Sanitation (IPSA) ENDE-REDD+ • National Forestry Institute (INAFOR) . • Nicaraguan Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INPESCA) Social and Environ. Roundtable (SESA) . MRV Roundtable • Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) . Legal Roundtable . Finance Roundtable
Social, Environment, and Carbon Accounting Unit MRV Unit Indigenous Peoples Unit
GROUP II GROUP III GROUP I Planning and Technical Dialogue and Strategic Policies Support Implementation
• MEFCCA • National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) • MAG • MEFCCA • Departmental Forestry Commission • MARENA • MAG (CODEFOR) • Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies • MARENA • Municipal Forestry Commission (COMUFOR) (INETER) • INETER • ITGs • INAFOR • INAFOR • Mayors´ Offices • National Fund for Forestry Development • FONADEFO • Indigenous and Afrodescendant community (FONADEFO) • Civil Defense members. • Civil Defense • Autonomous Regional Governments of the • Autonomous Regional Governments of the North (GRACCN) and South (GRACCS) Caribbean North (GRACCN) and South (GRACCS) Caribbean Coast and territorial governments (ITGs) Coast and territorial governments (ITGs) • National System for Disaster Prevention, • National System for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Relief Mitigation, and Relief • Indigenous Peoples of the North Pacific
Besides the high level political support and coordination afforded by Working Group I, multi- sectorial and multi-level support at the national and regional levels is also assured by Working Groups II (Planning and Technical Support) and III (Grassroots Dialogue and
15
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Participation) that represent a broad cross-sectorial commitment by both public and private actors to the ER Program and REDD+ in general (Figure 2).
Figure 2 The roles and function of the ENDE-REDD+ Working Groups
Dialogue, consultation and consensus: Institutions of the governmental sector, environmental Organizations and institutions of organizations, producers, rural communities, indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. inter-institutional coordination and social, political and forestry coordination:
•National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), Working Group II Working Group I Working Group III •Office of Production, Tecnical personal of Representatives of Wide variety of local Consumption and Trade Ministries,regional govts., Ministries, regional stakeholders. Active in •Advisory Committee on Forestry indigenous territories. govts., and indigenous dialogue and consultations and Environment (CCF-A) of the Responsible for technical peoples. Responsible related to REDD+ and the RACCN aspects, planning, for policies, strategic ERPD. •Family, Community and Life approaches and provides technical Cabinet political decisions recommendations to Working Group I, and •Regional Council of the South related to REDD+. Caribbean Coast transmits Group I decisions to Group III. •Autonomous Regional Council of the North Caribbean Coast.
16
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
3. ER Program Location
3.1 Accounting Area of the ER Program
The accounting area includes the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (RACCN) and the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (RACCS), the Special Development Regime of the territories located in the upper Wangki and Bocay watershed, the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve in the north and Indio Maiz Biological Reserve in the south. The BOSAWAS Reserve lies within the RACCN and the departments of Jinotega and Nueva Segovia, while the Indio Maiz Reserve is found partly in the Rama y Kriol territory located in the RACCS and partly in the department of Rio San Juan. The two Autonomous Regions and the upper Wangki and Bocay watershed make up 49% of the national territory and 83% of the accounting area, while the two Reserves make up 10% of the national territory and 17% of the accounting areas.
The total carbon accounting area covers 26 municipalities: 12 in the RACCS, 8 in the RACCN, 4 in BOSAWAS (3 in Jinotega and 1 in Nueva Segovia) and 2 in the Indio-Maíz Reserve (Figure 3 and Table 4). It also includes 23 territories of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples: 16 in the RACCN, 4 in the RACCS and 3 in Jinotega (Figure 4), as well as 22 protected areas (AP), including the BOSAWAS and Indian-Maíz Reserves. The carbon accounting areas are 98% titled: 53% is communal property and belongs to indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples (representing 31.4% of the national territory); 45% is private property and 2% is not titled. PAs include both private and communal lands 6.
The total area of carbon accounting consists of 7,023,717 ha, of which 3,188,867 are covered by forests. The RACCN, the special development regime of Alto Wanki and Bocay, as well as BOSAWAS represent an area of 4,008,037 ha, of which, in turn, 2,054,573 ha (51%) are forests and the RACCS and the Indio-Maíz Reserve represent an area of 3,015,680 ha, of which, in turn, 1,134,293 ha (37%) are forests.
Table 4 Characteristics of the accounting area in 2015
Total Area Forests Indigenous Category Municipalities Population (ha) (ha) Territories RACCN + 12 19 About half 4,008,037 2,054,573 BOSAWAS of the total RACCS + 14 4 About half 3,015,680 1,134,293 Indio Maiz of the total 1,107,342 Total 7,023,717 3,188,867 26 23 (2013)
6 See Table 5, figure 27 17
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 3 Political jurisdictions of accounting areas
Figure 4 Map of the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories within the accounting area.
18
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
3.2 Conditions in the Accounting Area
Biophysical Characteristics
The accounting area constitutes about 59% of Nicaragua´s national territory. Most of the accounting area is comprised of hot, humid tropical lowlands that include the coastal plains of the Caribbean and the lower portion of the Rio San Juan basin, but also the eastern spurs of the central highlands and an area of hills on the western edge of the Indio Maiz Reserve in the south. The low plains of the Caribbean Coast are 97 km wide in some areas.
The Caribbean lowlands receive between 2,500 and 5000 mm of rainfall annually. During the rainy season, eastern Nicaragua is subject to heavy flooding along the upper and middle reaches of all the major rivers. Near the coast, where river courses widen and river banks and natural levees are low, floodwaters spill over onto the floodplains until large sections of the lowlands become continuous sheets of water, damaging river bank agricultural plots.
The coast is also subject to destructive tropical storms and hurricanes, particularly from July through October. The high winds and floods, accompanying these storms often cause considerable destruction of property. In addition, heavy rains (called papagayo storms) accompanying the passage of a cold front or a low-pressure area may sweep from the north from November through March.
Soils are generally leached and infertile. Fertile soils are found only along the natural levees and narrow floodplains of the numerous rivers, including the Escondido, the Río Grande de Matagalpa, the Prinzapolka and the Coco rivers, and along the many lesser streams that rise in the central highlands and cross the region en route to the complex of shallow bays, lagoons, and salt marshes of the Caribbean coast. Soils are predominantly silt loams, but are sandier in the area around Prinzapolka.
Pine and palm savannas are found near the Honduran border and along the coast as far south as the Laguna de Perlas. Broadleaved tropical rain forests are characteristic from the Laguna de Perlas to the Río San Juan, in the interior west of the savannas, and along rivers through the savannas. This large rainforest region is irrigated by several large rivers and is sparsely populated. It has been exploited, but much natural diversity remains. This biome contains the greatest biodiversity in the country and is largely protected by the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve in the south (RACCS) and the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve in the north (RACCN).
At approximately 20,000 km² (2 million hectares) in size, the BOSAWAS Reserve (i.e. nucleus plus buffer zone) comprises about 15% of the nation's total land area making it the second largest rainforest in the western hemisphere, after the Amazon. BOSAWAS is largely unexplored, and is extremely rich in biodiversity, although deforestation in the buffer zone is significant. The Indio Maíz Biological Reserve measures about 4,500 square kilometers and is situated on the southeastern corner of Nicaragua bordering the San Juan River. It is 19
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve the second largest expanse of lowland rainforest reserve in Nicaragua and is referred to as "the gem of Central American nature reserves" by UCLA biologists. Indio Maíz is rich in biodiversity, and contains a higher number of tree, bird, and insect species than all of Europe. Taken together, these areas are home to some seventy ecosystems, thirteen of the nation’s 21 most important watersheds, and close to one million inhabitants. The livelihoods of these residents depend upon the forest, and they are highly vulnerable to impacts driven by climate change.
Socioeconomic Characteristics
Nicaragua, developed in two different historical processes in the social-cultural, economic, one related to the Caribbean Coast and another with the Pacific of the country. These two processes shaped the current reality of indigenous peoples. In the Pacific region of Nicaragua, with the conquest and the Spanish colony, the ancestral peoples were almost exterminated and underwent forced processes of culturization and assimilation of the new dominant cultures. On the Caribbean Coast, indigenous peoples showed permanent resistance to the advance of Spanish colonization. To this region of the country, at the time of the colony, came groups of Afro-descendants that today are part of the multiethnic and multicultural reality of the coastal population.
The population of Nicaragua exceeds 6 million (2012), is young (more than half is under 24), and urban (58%). The population growth is approximately 1% per year (2016). The area of carbon accounting the population was estimated at 1,107,342 inhabitants (INIDE, 2013), with approximately 400,000 inhabitants in each of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast. The rest is distributed in those parts of the BOSAWAS and Indio-Maíz Reserves that are found in 6 municipalities in the departments of Río San Juan, Jinotega and Nueva Segovia.
The Caribbean Coast is characterized by its multi-ethnic population represented by the original and Afro-descendant peoples: Miskitos (120,817), Branches (4,1845), Mayangnas (9,756) and Ulwas. Other peoples include Afro-descendants Garifunas and Creoles. The population of the RACCS is mostly mestizo (81%), and Creole (8.5%); The population of the RACCN, on the other hand, is predominantly Miskito (72%) (72%) and mestizo (22%). The Caribbean Coast is therefore multicultural and multilingual, with Miskito, Creole and Spanish being the most widely used languages, while the Mayangna, Ulwa, Garífuna and Rama languages are used in smaller geographical areas.
Politically, in 1987 and in 2002, laws were passed regulating the autonomy of the Caribbean Coast, the communal property and the administration of natural resources through the law 28 Statute of Autonomy of the Caribbean Coast and Law 445, Law of the Regime of Communal Property of the native peoples and ethnic communities of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua and of the Bocay, Coco, Indio and Maíz rivers. Law 445 deepens the regional system of the Caribbean, where the State assumed responsibility for the titling and demarcation of indigenous and Afro-descendent 20
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve communities, which deepened the exercise of rights of use, enjoyment and enjoyment of natural resources included in the territories of the original peoples and deepens the traditional forms of self-government.
In 2003, the regulations of the Statute of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast were approved, which deepened the process of regionalization by enabling the autonomy of the public administration and established the rights of the Caribbean peoples. Between 2007 and 2016 the GRUN has demarcated and titled the 23 territories of the indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, which together comprise 31.4% of the national territory.
Within this framework, the territorial administration in the accounting area of the ERPD is divided into two Autonomous Regions and a Special Development Zone, divided into municipalities, territories and communities of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. These last two divisions - municipal and territorial governments - present physical- geographic and administrative overlap.
Nicaragua's economy is characterized by employment growth, price stability, fiscal sustainability and a healthy financial system with a good credit rating. In 2016, it was the sixth consecutive year of robust economic growth, based on the service sectors, mainly commerce, financial intermediation, public administration and defense, followed by agriculture and the manufacturing industry. Between 2011 and 2015 GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.2% as a result of a good business climate combined with constant growth of exports and foreign direct investment, thanks to an opening to the private sector, as well as alliances between the government and the businessmen and workers who have been decisive in maintaining social and national stability and fighting poverty.
While it is true that both poverty and extreme poverty have been shined in half since 2005, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and RACCS, RACCN and Río San Juan have the lowest human development indices (0.50-0.55) of Nicaragua.
In the area of carbon accounting, the main economic activities are subsistence agriculture, livestock, coffee, cocoa, African palm, bamboo and fishing (including shrimp and lobster), logging, tourism and mining. Bluefields is the main economic center and port of the RACCS, while Siuna, Rosita and Bonanza, known as "the mining triangle", as well as Bilwi (Puerto Cabezas), are important cities of the RAACN. Bonanza still has an active gold mine, but those of Siuna and Rosita no longer operate. However, gold washing is still very common in the region. In relative terms, logging is more important in the RACCN than in the RACCS, and the extraction of resin and other products is important in the northern pine forests of the RACCN.
21
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
4. Description of Actions and interventions to be implemented under the proposed ER Program
4.1 Analysis of drivers and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation, and existing activities that can lead to conservation or enhancement of forest carbon stocks
This section discusses deforestation tendencies and the direct and indirect drivers of deforestation and is largely based on recent information and analyses performed subsequent to the submission of the ER-PIN.
Deforestation Tendencies
Since 1983, the forest cover of the Caribbean Coast has been reduced by half, to the almost 3 million ha existing in 2015, as the agricultural frontier has advanced in an eastward direction from central Nicaragua towards the Caribbean coast (Figure 5, Annex 2). The annual deforestation rate between 2005 and 2015 is 74,656 ha/yr, equivalent to relative annual rate of deforestation of 1.8% (see also section 8).
Figure 5 Changes in the agricultural frontier and forest cover, 1983-2010.
22
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Within the accounting area, forest loss between 2005 and 2015 was on average about 40,000 ha/yr in the RACCN and 33,000 ha/yr in the RACCS (Figure 6)7. An annual average deforestation rate of 16,667 ha/yr in the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve contributed to about 40% of the deforestation in the north and 7,640 ha deforested yearly in the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve contributed to about a quarter of the deforestation in the south. In both Reserves, the majority of the deforestation occurred in buffer zones.
In Indio Maiz, the deforestation rate in the buffer zone was about 7,100 ha/yr (a relative annual rate of 5.99%), compared to about 500 ha/yr (a relative rate of 0.17%) in the nucleus of the Reserve. In the case of BOSAWAS, deforestation in the nucleus of the Reserve averaged about 4,671 ha/yr (0.87% annually), but was much greater in the buffer zone, about 11,990 ha/yr (2.88% annually). In 2015, standing forests covered 2.05 million ha in the RACCN and 1.13 million ha in the RACCS (Table 5).
Figure 6 Change in forest cover in the Autonomous Regions, 1983 - 2015.
1600000 1200000 800000 400000 0 1983-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 2010-2015 Intervals (years )
Change in Forest cover (ha) RACCN RACCS Total
Table 5 Forest cover and loss in the accounting area, 2005 – 2015.
Average Average Estimated annual Forest cover annual forest emissions Use deforestation in 2015 (ha) loss (ha/yr) (Mt rate (%) 8 2005 - 2015 CO2e/yr) 2005 - 2015 Land tenure I&A territories within PAs 1 056 235 1.07 12 729 3.4 I&A territories outside 1 260 892 1.61 24 300 6.4 PAs
7 This discussion is based on non-adjusted estimates derived from land cover maps. The numbers thus differ slightly from the adjusted estimates for deforestation for the period 2005-2015 based on the sampling of 1309 points (see Sections 7-9).
8 The quantity of forests in 2005 was 3,421,985 ha, based on maps of forest cover. 23
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Private property within 353 304 2.26 10 345 2.7 PAs Private property outside 518 435 3.26 25 126 6.6 PAs Total 3,188,866 2.11 72,500 19.1 Forest type Conifers 175,604 0.40 1,126 0.1 Broadleaf 1,989,098 2.24 71,419 19.0 Total 3,158,868 72,545 19.1 Fate of forests lost Principal fates of cleared Forest loss, Average Average Estimated forests (in communal and 2005-2015 annual annual net emissions private property) (ha) deforestation loss (ha/yr) (Mt rate (%) 2005 - 2015 CO2e/yr) 2005 - 2015 Pastures 522,133 1.52 52,213 13.8 Annual crops 86,825 0.25 8,682 2.3 Perennial crops 20,847 0.06 2,085 0.6
Most forest loss is associated with broadleaf forests rather than coniferous forests (Table 5). Figure 7 suggests that forests historically found in private property outside protected areas (PAs) have been more deforested (solid blue line in Figure 7), than forests found in indigenous and Afrodescendant communal territory (IT) inside (dashed grey line) or outside (dashed blue line) the PAs, or on private property (PP) within the PAs (solid grey line). During 2005 – 2015, annual deforestation rates in private and communal property were similar within PAs as well as outside of PAs, but rates within PAs were about half of those found outside of PAs (Table 5).
Table 5 also underscores the importance of indigenous and Afrodescendant territories and PAs as forest reservoirs, since they contain about 85% of the forests (2.67 million ha compared to 0.52 million ha found on private property outside of PAs) still found on the Caribbean Coast.
24
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 7 Forest cover by land tenure category, 1983 al 2015. 2500000
2000000
1500000 Hectares 1000000
500000
0 1983 2000 2005 2010 2015 Years IT in PAs PP in PAs IT outside PAs PP outside PAs
At a more local level, recent deforestation is located on 6 areas or fronts where the combination of the recent loss of forests, very close to the areas of high carbon density with road access, represents a particularly great risk in terms of Carbon losses in the future and, consequently, merit greater attention and concern (Figure 8). These areas include: 4 in the RACCN and 2 in the RACCS and are located on the margins of the territories of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples and AP. In the RACCS, deforestation advances towards the Indio-Maíz Reserve, especially towards the northern and western limits of the Reserve, between the municipalities of La Cruz de Río Grande and Laguna de Perlas (Wawashan and Karawala). In the RACCN, the south-west (Jinotega) and south-east (Mining Triangle area) boundaries of the BOSAWAS Reserve, the road to Bilwi, and the forest ring in the Prinzapolka sector, are the most affected.
Figure 8 Carbon density in 2015 and changes in carbon density 2005-2015 (arrows indicate access routes).
25
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Forest Degradation
In general, forest degradation is poorly quantified. Estimates based on decreases of forest cover in stable forests suggest that about 22% of the forest area is affected by degradation. However, losses of forest biomass associated with forest degradation within 1 km of roads suggest that degradation accounts for about 20.7% (an average of 0.98 Mt t C/yr) of total annual emissions (see Section 7.1).
The principal candidate causes of degradation are firewood harvests, legal and illegal logging, and fires. In relation to logging, limited data from INAFOR suggests that the amount of legal timber transported to sawmills in 2013 was 77,000 m3. Assuming that actual legal extraction levels are four times greater (the Production, Consumption, and Commerce cabinet plans about 278,000 m3 of timber production in 2017-20189) and that illegal logging is similar to legal extraction10, implies that legal and illegal logging are responsible for the extraction of about 0.6 million m3 of wood/yr, equivalent to about 0.17 Mt C annually (less than 20% of estimated degradation).
Historically, firewood and charcoal produced from biomass have been the principal energy sources used in Nicaragua, but in recent years their importance has declined. According to the 2006-2007 National Firewood Survey, average firewood consumption is 1.81 kg/person/day (ENI, 2006-2007). If the population of the Caribbean Coast is 1,107,342 inhabitants (INIDE, http://www.unfpa.org.ni/wp-ontent/uploads/2013/02/Proyeccion- cPoblacion-Nic-2007.pdf), firewood consumption is estimated to produce about 0.34 Mt C emissions annually. However, it should be noted that 70% of the firewood come from branches, dead wood, or fallows, whereas only 9% comes from tree felling or pruning.
The extent of fires is very variable from year to year. The median value is about 20,000 ha/yr (MARENA, 2016), of which it is estimated that about 20% occurs in the Caribbean region, due to moist conditions in the region, and that fires consume 50% of the biomass. Therefore, fires are estimated to contribute about 0.13 Mt C/yr, which may be an overestimate, due to the difficulty in distinguishing between fires in forests and fires used to clear forest for agriculture (which is deforestation, not degradation).
The sum of these potential contributions to forest degradation only account for about two- thirds of the estimated emissions based on biomass estimations. Clearly, more work is needed in order to estimate forest degradation more accurately.
9 http://www.inta.gob.ni/index.php/noticias/485-presentan-plan-de-produccion-consumo-y-comercio-2017-2018 10 Studies carried out in 2000 and 2003 indicate that illegal logging is equivalent to 60% of the timber volumes authorized and registered by INAFOR. However, other, more recent studies by the World Bank indicate that illegal logging is in the range of 150,000 – 200,000 m3/yr). 26
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Carbon Enhancement
Increases of carbon stocks are estimated to occur on 39,132 ha/yr, resulting in removals by new forests of 133,440 t C annually. The large majority of these carbon removals are associated with the transition of fallows (tacotales) to new secondary forests.
Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation
The causes of deforestation can be divided into direct and underlying causes, as shown by the problem tree in Figure 9.
Figure 9 Problem tree for deforestation and forest degradation
Direct Causes
The main direct cause of deforestation is the extensive livestock and agricultural production associated with the expansion of the agricultural frontier. In general, the expansion of extensive livestock and agriculture on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua reflects the loss of forest cover (Figure 10) - between 1983 and 2015, 2.2 million ha of forest were lost while 1.6 million ha of pastures were established and approximately 200,000 ha of crops. However, in the period between 2010 and 2015, this relationship weakened: the total net area of pastures decreased by 147,000 ha (Figure 10), due to the creation of approximately 275,000 ha of new pastures from forests, but the conversion concomitant of some 420,000 ha of pastures to other uses, mainly secondary vegetation ("tacotales") (about 345,000 ha) 27
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve and perennial crops (about 35,000 ha), suggests an intensification of livestock or a shift towards more productive land uses.
Figure 10 Area of pastures, crops and forest in the Caribbean Coast, 1983-2015.
8,000,000
6,000,000
4,000,000
Hectares 2,000,000
0 1983 2000 2005 2010 2015 Years Pastures Forests Crops
Underlying Causes
Extensive land use associated with the expansion of the agricultural frontier is underlain by various factors including migrations to the Caribbean from the Pacific and North-Central regions of Nicaragua and within the Caribbean region itself resulting from demographic pressure stemming from annual population growth of 1.4%, poverty, the availability of relatively cheap land in the Caribbean Coast, and road connections to and within the Caribbean Coast. It has also been promoted by favorable internal and external markets for milk, meat, and perennial crop commodities such as oil palm, cacao, and coffee (BNC, 2015; TechnoServe, 2017)11.
In effect, high land prices and decreases in land availability in the Pacific and North-Central regions of Nicaragua, driven by increases in population and high value export oriented agriculture, provide incentives to poor farmers there to sell their land at high prices and to migrate to the Caribbean coast, where land is cheaper (Polvorosa, 2015). Once there, favorable markets for livestock products provide incentives for the establishment of livestock or mixed agricultural (livestock and crops) operations or land speculation based on pastures.
Within this context, seven public investment projects aimed at road construction or improvement in the Caribbean coast can affect future emissions. These projects are aimed at the construction of all-weather roads in order to connect the Caribbean coast with the country´s principal political and commercial centers and involve the i) Laguna de Perlas, ii) Kukrahill, iii) Siuna, iv) Mulukuku, v) El Cua, vi) Bluefields, vii) Rosita, and viii) Nueva Guinea municipalities. Greater inter-institutional coordination will be needed in order to potentiate the economic impact of these projects while minimizing those on forests.
11 TechnoServe (2016). Building a Competitive and Inclusive Livestock Sector in Nicaragua USDA. Managua. 28
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Within the Caribbean, deforestation driven by these macro socio-economic factors is the result of a) the low value or opportunity cost of forests, stemming from inefficient forest production systems, the low profitability of forest products, and the lack of national or international markets for forest ecosystem services, which provide incentives for forest conversion to other, more profitable uses, b) underlying economic/productive conditions that encourage extensive land use and create a comparative advantage for Nicaraguan farmers who produce low cost meat, milk, and other crops based on deforestation, c) limited institutional capacity to monitor and control land and forest use, which is necessary to prevent forest degradation or the conversion of forests to agriculture in the face of land use pressure, and d) limited employment opportunities off-farm that could absorb marginal farmers and reduce the need for deforestation. These factors interact to cause deforestation and forest degradation. How these factor play out in the context of livestock and crops is further explained below. Extensive Pasture and Livestock Management
During recent decades, the Caribbean coast has become the most important livestock producing region in the country. In 2010, the livestock sector in the accounting area at that time accounted for about a quarter of the livestock producers, 30% of the livestock farms, and 40-50% of the total pasture area, as well as livestock populations, at the national level (CENAGRO, 2011). At present, these proportions may be even higher, since livestock production has tended to shift towards the Caribbean coast in recent years (CONAGAN, personal communication; survey of BCN, 2015).
Within the accounting area, the RACCS has more than twice the pasture area and head of cattle and about 50% more livestock farms than the RACCN (CENAGRO, 2011). Average farm size in the RACCS is 60 ha compared to 35 ha in the RACCN. The greatest proportion (21%) of livestock are found on farms 35 – 70 ha in size (Table 6). Only 7% of the farms are larger than 70 ha in size, but the latter account for 62% of the pasture land and half of the cattle population. Figure 11 Bovine herd map (# of heads)
29
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 6 Characterization of the livestock sector in the accounting area (CENAGRO, 2011)
% of # Farms # Total Departament/Region # of Farms with # Head Head/Farm Herd Cattle Size Alto Wangki (Jinotega 16256 7578 126721 16.72 7.22% and Nueva Segovia) RACCN 20541 13740 466263 33.93 26.55% RACCS 22704 19183 1128028 58.80 64.23% Río San Juan 2233 1719 35268 20.52 2.01% Total 61734 42220 1756280 41.60 100.00%
In 2010, the RACCS had about 1.1 million head of cattle, located principally in the municipality of Paiwas (23% of the herd), followed by El Rama (19%), Nueva Guinea (18%), and Muelle Los Bueyes (13%) (Figure 11). The RACCN had about 460,000 head of cattle distributed mainly in the municipality of Prinzapolka (30%), 15% in each of the Puerto Cabezas, Waslala and Waspan municipalities and 13% in Siuna. In the zone of Bosawas, the municipality of San José de Bocay has 94,763 head, Wiwilí of Jinotega 63,536 head, and El Cuá had 22,436 head. Finally, in the zone of the Indio-Maíz Reserve, there were 47,239 head of cattle in the municipality of El Castillo and 91,537 head in de San Juan de Nicaragua municipality (CENAGRO, 2011).
Most of the pastures (1,734,636 ha or 82% of the total) in the carbon accounting area are found on private properties (Figure 12) and are managed mainly by individual mestizo producers. In contrast, Figure 12 Importancia de las exportaciones the area of pastures in the territories of indigenous ganaderas de Nicaragua and Afro-descendant peoples (see polygons numbered in Figure 12) is much smaller (365,739 ha of pasture equivalent to 18% of the total pasture area in the carbon accounting area). ). These pastures are mainly found near places of great influence of outside colonists (eg the Mining Triangle found near polygons # 1, 6, 8, and 16 in Figure 11) and in some cases contribute to stresses on land use among community groups and settlers.
There is evidence that suggests that pasture areas in some territories of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples are being managed mainly for the development of agricultural activities, which coincide with the advance of the agricultural frontier. In some communal lands the establishment or use of pastures by members outside the community has been allowed in order to obtain land rents, just as the indigenous peoples themselves also
30
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve establish pastures in response to the growing demographic and economic pressure. (Figure 12).
Figure 13 Pastures (green) in the accounting area, 2015. Numbered polygons represent indigenous and Afrodescendant territories.
Favorable market conditions created by free trade agreements with Central American countries, Venezuela, and the US have stimulated livestock expansion. Between 2000 - 2009, the national livestock sector grew at a 5% annual rate, and between 2006 and 2015 the export value of livestock products increased 176% (Figure 13, TechnoServe, 2017). Presently, beef and dairy products are among the top four exports in terms of value. In 2015, Nicaragua exported over 222,000 metric tons of livestock and dairy products, valued at nearly US$700 million, which represents almost 10% of GNP and contributes more than 25% of the total value of exports.
The value of livestock exports is contributed mainly by beef, 76% of which is exported. Dairy products contribute about 30% to livestock sector exports (principally to Central America,
31
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve especially El Salvador), but it should be noted that most (85%)12 milk is consumed domestically, since milk and cheese comprise 27% of the shopping basket of Nicaraguan families.
The majority of livestock production occurs via double purpose systems (beef and milk production). Small producers tend to favor milk production which accounts for about 55% of their livestock-related income. The importance of beef as a source of income increases with farm size to a maximum of about 60%.
Livestock production gives rise to three parallel value chains, one based on beef and two based on milk (TechnoServe, 2017):
Informal Dairy Value Chain: The highly competitive market for locally processed cheeses comprises about 75% of Nicaragua’s total dairy market and has low profit margins and low quality standards. In this chain, small farmers either process the milk they produce directly on farm or sell it to small-scale local processors, who mainly produce simple, un-aged cheeses. This is a risk management strategy (rather than a value adding activity) because producing cheese preserves unrefrigerated milk. The final product is consumed locally and about half is exported by intermediaries to other Central American countries.
Formal Dairy Value Chain: Approximately 25% of Nicaragua’s dairy production passes through the formal value chain. In this chain, farmers sell milk to a cooperative or individual business collection centers that aggregate dairy products to either make cheese or yogurt or to collect and chill milk for sale to large industry. Cooperatives that aggregate chilled milk pay higher prices than those that make cheese, although they also enforce higher quality standards. The milk, cheese, and yogurt in the formal cold chain are sold to national and regional consumers through formal marketing channels.
Beef Value Chain: Farmers typically sell weaned calves either to another farmer that develops or fattens the calf or to an intermediary who aggregates and sells cattle to other farmers or to industrial feedlots and slaughterhouses. After slaughter, beef and other byproducts are sold into national and international markets. In 2015, Nicaragua sacrificed more than 677,000 head of cattle, of which 83% were processed principally for export by the 5 principal slaughterhouses. Seven slaughterhouses are projected - 5 in Managua, 1 in Boaco, and 1 in El Rama in the RACCS. In recent year, the beef value chain has begun to incorporate more intensive on-farm cattle development and the use of feedlots. According to CANICARNE, the five principal feedlots are processing 180,000 head/yr.
Sector participants include: i) public sector institutions such as MAG, MIFIC, MINSA, MARENA, MEFCCA, DGPSA, INTA, MHCP and BFP; (ii) private sector organizations such as CANICARNE, CONAGAN, FAGANIC, UNAG, and UPANIC; industrial slaughterhouses such as
12 Fuente: MIFIC, FMI, Trade Nosis, CETREX, AO; citados por PROGRESA, CRS USDA, 2014. Riesgos y oportunidades del sector de ganadería del doble propósito en Nicaragua. 32
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
NUEVO CARNIC, SAN MARTIN, NOVATERRA, CONDEGA y MACESA; and municipal and rural meat processors.
According to TechnoServe (2017) and IICA (2014), the Nicaraguan livestock production chains supplying these markets is characterized by low investment, low input use, low cost, and low quality production model based on the substitution of natural capital for inputs (Figure 14). Although the model requires little capital, it is characterized by practices such as the use of low quality pastures, inadequate pasture rotation, low stocking rates (the production density of about 1 head of cattle per hectare in the accounting area is the lowest in the region), and low use of technology, that produce low yields and relatively stable, but low incomes, with low levels of risk (Lopez, 2012;IICA, 2014; TechnoServe 2016). Figure 14 The process of deforestation on the agricultural frontier of Nicaragua (Polvorosa y Bastiaensen, 2016) .
Migration to forested areas, Scarce economic opportunities Logging and firewood forests cleared to establish and free access to forests harvested, crops planted productions systems
Cycle repeated in new Land converted to pastures Soil fertility and crop forested areas and are sold to large livestock yields decline producers
This model is a response to low capitalization and investment capacity of farmers, difficult access to credit, low technological capacity of farmers, and low-priced local and international markets (e.g. markets for dairy products in El Salvador and Honduras) that place little value on product quality or production methods (Lopez, 2012; IICA, 2014)13, 14 (Also see Annex 3 for more detailed information on the livestock sector). Small farmers are reluctant to invest in inputs (such as forage and mineral salts) and infrastructure (such as fencing and water systems) to intensify production because they lack knowledge of these technologies and are able to achieve substantial output by using the natural capital of their relatively large land holdings (Figure 14).
Large livestock producers are less limited by capital, but also prefer to expand production through increases in farm size instead of farm intensification.
Apart from production objectives, forest conversion to pasture is also used by the poorest settlers to increase their capitalization. These settlers, unable to even invest in animals, clear forest and establish pasture for direct lease or under shared production arrangements with larger and better capitalized cattle-ranchers. Others engage in land speculation, clearing forests in order to charge higher sales prices for lands that have been “improved”
13 Lopez, M. (2012). Análisis de las causas de la deforestación y avance de la Frontera Agrícola en las zonas de Amortiguamiento y Zona Núcleo de la Reserva de Biósfera de BOSAWAS-RAAN. GIZ- OSFAM Managua. 14 IICA (2014). Estudio de Factibilidad, Programa de Reconversión Competitiva de la Ganadería Bovina (PRCGB). Managua 33
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve by forest clearing. Once the lands are sold and profits taken, these settlers then continue the cycle in new areas of the agricultural frontier (Lezama, 200715; Bermúdez et al., 2015)16.
This context is an impediment to more intensive and productive land use. The SPPP (2016)17 states that “the abundance and low price of land, in combination with low labor costs, has never motivated large farmers to increase their productivity through technological improvements, mechanization and irrigation, because the demand for agricultural products can be satisfied by expanding the agricultural frontier, based on purchasing cheap land….” as shown in the model illustrated in Figure 14. Thus, in the face of unprotected forest areas with free access at attractive prices, efforts destined to promote changes in farming are hindered and will fail to halt the advance of the agricultural frontier, as long as the agricultural system based on the purchase and increase of relatively cheap farmland persists (Tomich et al., 199818). It is only as land becomes more expensive or restricted that farmers will choose to increase production by using intensive farming techniques (Kaimowitz & Angelsen, 200819; Polvorosa and Bastiansen, 2016; White et al., 200120).
Extensive Crop Production
Crops, alone or in sequence with cattle raising, also contribute directly to deforestation. Principal annual crops include corn and beans, while important perennial crops include oil palm, cocoa, coffee, and coconut. While annual crops are widely scattered throughout the accounting area, the majority of the perennial crops are found in the RACCS (Figure 15).
Since 2000, cropped areas have about doubled every five years, from 37,433 ha in 2000 to 216,234 ha in 2015. The cropped area in 2015 included 147,885 ha of annual crops and 66,909 ha of perennials (Figure 16). A large proportion of this area was planted between 2010 and 2015, since net increases of about 66,000 ha of annual crops (the majority rice and beans) and 57,000 ha of perennial crops were noted during this period.
15 Lezama, M. (2007). El Índice de Capital Natural como instrumento de análisis de pérdida de biodiversidad en Nicaragua. 16 Bermúdez, M, S. Flores, M. Romero, J. Bastiaensen, P. Merlet, F. Huybrechs, G. Van Hecken, y J. Ramirez (2015). POLICY BRIEF: ¿Es posible financiar la ganadería en la frontera agrícola de Nicaragua de manera sostenible? Nitlapan, UCA, Managua. 17 SPPP (2016). Mejorando la Resiliencia y la Adaptación al Cambio Climático en Nicaragua Mediante el Desarrollo Masivo de Sistemas Agroforestales y plantaciones forestales. Managua. 18 Tomich T.P., M. Van Noordwijk M., S. Vosti S. y J. Witcover (1998). Agricultural development with rainforest conservation: Methods for seeking best bet alternatives to slash-and-burn, with applications to Brazil and Indonesia. Agricultural Economics, 19, 159–174. 19 Kaimowitz D. y A. Angelsen (2008).... no lo hacen hasta que ya no hay más bosques para talar. CIFOR. Bogor, Indonesia. 20 White, D., F. Holmann, S. Fijusaka, K. Reategui, y C. Lascano (2001). Will intensifying pasture management in Latin America protect forests—or is it the other way round? In: A. Angelsen & D. Kaimowitz (eds.). Agricultural Technologies and Tropical Deforestation, pp. 91-111. Wallingford : CABI Publishing. 34
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 15 Location of annual and perennial crops in Nicaragua.
Figure 16 Annual and perennial crop cover in the Caribbean Coast, 1983-2015.
Annuals
300,000 s
e Perennials r a 200,000
Hect 100,000
0 1983 2000 2005 2010 2015 Years
Most (61,000 ha) of the increase of annual crops during the latter period was associated with forest conversion, mainly by small producers. Most annual crops are presumably planted for cash and subsistence purposes, as a stage prior to the establishment of pastures or perennial crops. In contrast, only a third of the new area of perennial crops originated from forest, while more than half of the ne perennial crop area originated from pasture (Annex 7).
35
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
As in the cases of livestock, crop production and cultivated areas have grown at a faster pace than per hectare yields, suggesting that increased demand for crop products has been satisfied largely by increasing the area under production instead of increasing productivity per hectare.
Principal actors related to perennial crop production vary: coffee is dominated by individual or associated producers; coconut, oil palm, and commercial forest plantations are dominatedby agribusinesses; and cocoa includes businesses as well as individual producers. Most (96%) of the business are small, having less than 50 employees (CODEXCA - PRONicaragua, 201521).
A brief characterization of the principal perennial crops, based on limited available information from a variety of sources, is shown in Table 7. The largest areas of perennial crops, and those with the greatest recent expansion in area, are cocoa and oil palm; the latter has attracted interest from medium-to-large businesses. The area of coffee and coconuts is relatively small, since these crops have been promoted only recently. Coconut has attracted interest from medium-to-large businesses, including Coca Cola, and are projected to cover 15,000 – 20,000 ha in the near future, but most of the coconut crop is in the development stage. The situation of commercial forest plantations is unclear, since approximately 17,500 have been reported in the Caribbean region as of December 201522, but only 2,892 ha are registered in the RACCN (Cabrera and Terrero, 2016). Adicionally, 54,678 ha of forestry plantations have been established by small and medium farmers, assisted in part by the social Reforestation Cruzade Program of INAFOR, but the location and status of these plantations is unknown.
It should be noted that government plans aim for an increase in agricultural production of 4% annually and PRONicargua projects an additional $120 million in investments in teak, cocoa, oil palm, coconuts, and tourism for the 2017-2019 period. The potential deforestation associated with this growth can be largely avoided by intensifying production and making use of already cleared lands, a tendency currently evident in the livestock sector in the Caribbean23, and the promotion of reduced-deforestation sustainable production systems. Public sector productive investment ($58 million) during 2014-2017 in the Caribbean coast, mainly via agricultural projects, suggest that efforts are being made to intensify the production of perennial crops (mainly cocoa and coffee).
21 CODEXCA, PRONicaragua, 2015. Estudio de potencialidades, barreras, estrategia de promoción de inversiones y conceptualización de proyectos de inversión en la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. 22 Presentation of Dr. P. Oquist, Minister, Private Secretariat for National Policies, Presidency of the Republic, Cali, Colombia, March 1, 2017. 23 Evidence includes increased use of improved pasture seed, fertilizer purchases, establishment of specialized cattle development operations and feedlots, and increased use of credit. 36
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 7 Characterization of principal perennial crops in the Caribbean coast.
Crop Area (ha) Production Location Principal Markets Investment24,25 Actors Approx. 11,000 families, 62 RACCN: producer Waslala, orgs., 65 Rancho collection Grande, centers Mining
Triangle International Germany, Approx. 0.4-0.5 Buyers: Ritter RACCS: El France, 30,000 t/ha; Sport (80%), Rama, Holland, total; 6,525 t in Etiquable, Muelle Los Italy, $23.7 M (2014 Cocoa aprox. 2016; ECOM, Bueyes, Denmark, – 2016) 17,000 ha Ingemann, Nueva US, El in Value: $7.1 Cacao Guinea, La Salvador, production. M en 2015 Bisiesto Cruz, Kukra Guatemala
Hill, National Bluefields buyers:
Momotombo, Rio San Castillo del Juan Cacao,
wholesale and retail outlets 300 SAM producers Approx. RACCS: (20% prodn.), 30,000 70,000 t Boca de 4000 Mexico $375 M to (22,000 ha crude oil Sabalo, El employees, 8 (70%), date, $150-200 Oil palm in Rama large national M additional production) Value: $33 businesses: market in next 5 yr M (2016) Rio San Palcasa, Juan Nicavista, Extraceite, Kukra
24 BID (2015) estimates a combined value of $427 – 822 million for cocoa, coconuts, robusta coffee, oil palm, and bamboo. 25 PRONicaragua projects an additional $120 million in investments in teak, cocoa, oil palm, coconuts, and tourism for the period 2017-2019. 37
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Development Corp., Oleo Caribe, CANSA, San Jose, Caribbean Dream World RACCS: Coconut Approx. Nueva Corp., Coconut 15,000 ha n.d Guinea, Export n.d. XAGRO, Coco planned Laguna de Vida Perlas RACCS: n.d. Nueva Most Guinea, plantations National Robusta Muello Los Cooprodecar, 1700 ha are in the markets, n.d. coffee Bueyes, Digranisa, early stage export Paiwas of
production RACCN RACCS: El $40 million/5 18 t EcoPlanet Bamboo 3600 ha Rama y y; 350+ fiber/ha/y Bamboo Kukra Hill employees 2,000 small producers, RACCN: loggers, 77,000 m3 Puerto forestry 91,768 ha transported Cabezas, technicians 2000-2015 to sawmills Waspam, and regents, $13.2 M (2013- Natural under all in 2013 Mining truckers, 21 2015) in the Export, forest types of Trainagle, primary RACCN and local logging forestry 278,000 m3 Prinzapolka processosrs, $7.2 M (2013- processors and resin mgmt. planned in and 300 2014) in the plans and 2017-2018 RACCS secondary RACCS permits processors in Rio San the RACCN; Juan Vida Group Internacional (pine resin)
38
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Approx. 17,500 commercial RACCN: plantations Bonanza, in the MRL Forestal, US, $110 M total 4000 m3 Prinzapolka Forest Caribbean NORTEAK, European to 2016; nationwide plantations (2015); Nica Forestal, Union, $9.9 M for teak in 2013 RACCS: 54,678 ha New Forestry Costa Rica (2014-2016) Nueva planted by Guinea, SAM producers nationwide n.d. no data. In this context, the relation of the expansion of the cover of pastures and perennial crops and deforestation is complex. Limited data suggest that the increase in cover of perennial crops during 2010 – 2015 has come mainly at the expense of pasture (56%), but also forest (33%) and other land uses (11%) (see Annex 7). At the same time, pasture area exhibited a net decreased by 147,000 ha (Figure 10), due to the creation of about 275,000 ha of new pastures from forests (a decrease in pasture associated deforestation relative to earlier periods), but the concomitant conversion of about 420,000 ha of pastures to other uses, mainly secondary vegetation (“tacotales”) (about 345,000 ha) and perennial crops (about 35,000 ha). These data suggest livestock intensification and a change from pastures towards other, more productive land uses, rather than the displacement of pastures into forest by perennial crops. Extensive land use by both livestock and cropping systems is fomented by the limited access and use of credit associated with: the high transaction costs of loans, lack of formal loan guarantees, poor technology adaptation resulting in low agricultural productivity and high risk, limited availability of long-term credit funds or financial products adapted to farming conditions, and the lack of a credit or agribusiness culture (IICA, 2014).
According to the SPPP (2016), the percentage of the combined portfolio of all private banks dedicated to agriculture at the national level is only 9%, an amount of approximately US$ 316 million. The CENAGRO (2011) survey indicates that only 7% of farmers access credit. Generally, these credits are aimed at large agricultural enterprises and farmers who can present the corresponding guarantees and have good farm organization (IICA, 2014). In the case of cattle ranching, the percentage of the bank credit portfolio is only 2%, equivalent to approximately US$ 72 million, and only about 3% of livestock farmers access credit.
However, analysis of outstanding credit portfolios of banks and financial institutions in the accounting area indicates that credit for livestock grew from $10 million in 2012 to $35 million in 2016 (an increase of 326%), even though pasture area decreased, suggesting
39
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve increasing use of financial instead of natural capital, which suggests increasing intensification of livestock production.
The low level of technical knowledge and capacities of farmers is related to the limited coverage and minimal effectiveness of technical assistance programs. According to the IV CENAGRO26 agricultural survey, only 11.4% of farmers receive technical assistance and/or training, a good proportion of which is provided by input suppliers, industrial plants, universities, international development projects, livestock or farmer associations, or NGOs. As a result, in many cases farming systems have changed little in 60 years. In the cattle sector, production indicators continue to be low despite a large number of projects focused on sector improvement over the last decades (IICA, 2014).
Local and international markets undemanding of quality and production methods, also contribute to extensive land use of low productivity. Local agricultural markets provide constant demand but mainly value low prices, instead of product origin, legality and quality. Even important regional markets for Nicaraguan agricultural products, principally El Salvador and Honduras, are undemanding as to the quality of agricultural products originating from Nicaragua´s agricultural frontier (Lopez, 2012). Moreover, the relative lack of capital and access to loans prevents farmers from investing in the infrastructure and inputs necessary to comply with the quality standards of more demanding markets that pay higher prices. As a result, the profitability of livestock systems is low, but relatively stable, due to the constant flow of income produced by domestic demand and the growth of export demand.
Logging Logging is relatively unimportant as a cause of deforestation, but is implicated in forest degradation. Projected timber production of approximately 280,000 m3 for 2017 by the System for Production, Consumption, and Commerce is equivalent to the selective exploitation of less than 47,000 ha (less than 2% of the actual forest area), assuming a harvest yield of 6 m3/ha. General forest management plans between 2000 and 2017 only covered 90,000 ha and were likely sub-expolited, since imited data from 2014(INAFOR, 2014), the first year after a 7 year logging ban, indicate that only 76,873 m3 of timber of the 103,711 m3 of timber authorized from the were transported to sawmills, an apparent utilization rate of 76%.
Despite the low use and sub-utilization of forestry plans and permits (General Forestry Management Plans, Agroforestry System Permits, or Salvage Permits), they have an beneficial effect of being associated with low rates of deforestation (Figure 17). Annual deforestation rates of areas under General Forestry Management Plans during 2000 – 2015 were estimated to be 1.13% in the RACCN and 0.70% in the RACCS, which are similar to or lower than the low rates of deforestation observed in protected areas within indigenous
26 CENAGRO (2011). Informe Final IV. Managua 40
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve territories (1.07%, see Table 5). Moreover, deforestation associated with the other types of permits was minimal. This suggests that clearly defined rights and economic interests in forest management can help reduce deforestation through the assertion of greater control of forested areas by permit holders.
Figure 17 Deforestation associated with forestry management plans and permits, 2000- 2015.
The potential causes of apparent sub-utilization of forests are many and complex. The majority of forests are located in indigenous territories where available capital, equipment, technical knowledge, and commercial contacts are limited. This situation create major challenges for developing forest management plans as well as successfully undertaking timber logging and processing activities which are capital intensive and logistically challenging. Moreover, the knowledge, norms, and procedures of indigenous communities and territorial governments are oftentimes inadequate in order to attract investments and/or are inadequate to effectively partner with investors interested in forest use and management or to oversee investor activities (PRONicaragua, personal communication).
In relation to degradation, the lack of legal oportunites for forest management may thus be creating conditions conducive to small-scale but widespread illegal forest extraction activities, such as logging, firewood harvests and charcoal production, leading to forest degradation. Processes for obtaining the four types of forestry permits, (forestry management plans, domestic use permits, salvage permits, and resin permits27), shown in
27 Forestry management plans are aimed principally at the planning, execution, supervision, and evaluation of activities that assure sustainable commercial timber production and involve relatively large areas of forest. Domestic permits are designed to facilitate the use of forests by community dwellers for subsistence and improvement of dwellings that entail 41
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve the Figure below, can also act as disincentives for forest management, and thus provide incentives for the illegal extraction of forest products.
While not overly expensive with regards to those of other Latin American countries28, the procedures for obtained approvals for these permits are time-consuming and bureaucratic (especially for the volumes permitted such as in the case of the domestic permits), requiring multiple steps and levels of oversight and approval (Figure 18). In addition, fees charged by forestry regents to formulate general forest management or annual operating plans appear to be very expensive, about $16/ha for General Forestry Management Plans (PGMF) and about $20/ha for Annual Operating Plans (POAs), which is suprising given the relatively large estimated number of foresters (3000) and forestry mid-level forestry technicians (500)29 in the RACCN.
Figure 18 Flow diagram for the authorization of general forestry management plans, and domestic, salvage, and resin extraction permits
Forestry audits, MARENA, Monitoring and Control INAFOR
Resolution Domestic Permits Inspection Mayor´s office in Committee Regional Government municipalities and INAFOR receives the composed of: Committee emits a Verification of Natural Communal Assemblies in request and convokes the INAFOR, MARENA, resolution of Field Inspection Resources Comission environmental and Inter-institucional SERENA - indigenous territories Inspection Committee mayors´office, approval Commission/ proceedings Commission CCF-A / CTR social impacts CARENA emit an opinión SERENA
Territorial Government Verifies, calculates Causes of non- ITG and mayor´s Solicitud contains: a description of Communal timber volumen (up approval: office offer Proponent ITG Mayor Community the resource, its location, quantity Council to 10 m3 - Resource is not opinions and member solicits a and common names of the trees, permitted), obtains present protect the rights Domestic Permit copy of the land title, no objection Backing geographic - Illegal land of communities of the mayor´s office, objective Regent No Objection Backing coordinates tenures Authorization Resin Extraction Plans Salvage Plans Inspection Committee formed Committee made Proponent submits a ITG, Municipality, and/or by: INAFOR, Committee emits ITGs, mayorality, and/or MARENA receives Salvage up of INAFOR, Committee emits a general management plan Communal Assembly give MARENA, mayor´s resolution of for resin extraction to Communal Assembly give Plan and convokes the MARENA, mayor´s resolution their OK office, SERENA, approval INAFOR and SERENA their OK Commitee office, SERENAs. approving the Plan Sindigo, forestry regent
The resin extraction plan contains: Salvage plan contains: Geographic In situ verification. Description of the agreement and In situ verification INAFOR emits the Proponent requests location, polygon of the area, Timber volumen INAFOR emits the responsibiities, summary, management of the plan permit permission by the justification, objectives, volumen to be calculated, data and permit plan, general description and location, Proponent solicits a community for resin Salvage Plan permit harvested, species, description of the goegraphic coordinates extraction land tenure, technical description of resin extraction conditions, description If the plan excedes 500 ha, an environmental impact impact, destination and use of the gathered of the forest by block study is required. volumen harvested.
volumes less than 10 m3. Additionally, these permits should follow forestry management guidelines, including planting 10 trees for every one harvested. Salvage plans are aimed at ensuring adequate forest phytosanitary conditions following events, such as hurricanes, that affect large areas of forests. Prerequisites include a study of the magnitude of the damage and the feasibility of salvage by competent authorities. Finally, the objective of resin extraction permits is to produce resin from conifer forests for commercialization, based on silvicultural criteria. If the area is larger than 500 ha an environmental impact study also needs to be carried out.
28 See Cabera, C. and Terrero, O. (2016). Diseño de un esquema de incentivos forestales para la Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte, UICN. 29 Cabrera, C. and O. Terrero (2016). Diseño de un esquema de incentivos forestales para la Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte, UICN. 42
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Moreover, once approved there is little supervision of these forestry plans and permits due to underfunding and understaffing of INAFOR, limited capacity of SERENA at the regional government level, low local monitoring capacity of indigenous territories and communities, and little legal enforcement on the part of the environmental inspectors of MARENA and the national Attorney General´s office. Another element that contributes to the illegal extraction and degradation of forests is related to the limited entrepreneurial capacities of the communities, which hinder the consolidation of new formal forestry companies that could increase the value of the concessions, through a production of high added value.
Institutional/Legal Causes
In recent years, the consolidation of Nicaragua’s institutions has increased significantly. A robust legal framework and policies have been formulated in relation to land rights and natural resources, environmental protection and sustainable development, and the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories of the Caribbean Coast, which represent 31.4% of the country’s total area, have been titled. Autonomy for the Caribbean regions has also been established, at the same time that efforts have been made to better integrate these regions into the national economy and political life.
Given the pressure of migration and the actual or potential use of land due to demography, poverty and markets, it is necessary to reinforce and extend these positive trends. In this sense, consultation with stakeholders from the public and private sectors of the Caribbean and national levels identified institutional needs related to the management and control of land use and natural resources. Among these is the need to increase monitoring, control and regulation of land use and natural resources at the local (territorial and communal) and regional levels through better coordination and institutional capacities, as mentioned in the previous sections. Additionally, in other higher hierarchical levels the needs include:
• Better harmonization and coordination of sectorial policies, based on a shared vision of the need to avoid deforestation, • Increased use of environmental information in coordination and decision making horizontally (across sectors) and vertically (at multiple government levels) in order to develop better plans and policies and to better respond to the impacts they produce. • Greater institutional resources, especially for information, monitoring, and control, in order to implement these changes (see problem tree in Figure 9).
Consideration of these issues should take into account the structure of governance in the Caribbean region which is characterized by two administrative systems (national and territorial) and five levels of government (Figure 19), and the roles of the natural resource institutions involved (Table 8). This system is the result of the historical and political
43
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve evolution of this region, the process of autonomy, and the traditional uses and customs of the indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples.
Within the “formal” or public administration governance structure for natural resources there are three levels of government arranged hierarchically: the national government, the autonomous region governments (RACCN and RACCS), and the municipal governments (Figure 19). However, within each of the indigenous territories, there are two autonomous traditional governance structures: the territorial governments and communal governments. Within the territories, where the traditional and public administrations overlap, the territorial governments are responsible for actual decision making (although most of their budget is controlled by the central government), whereas the function of the public administration governments is more consultative or to provide opinions or oversight. Figure 19 Levels of government in the Caribbean region.
National Government (MARENA, INAFOR)
Autonomous Region North Caribbean Coast / Autonomous Region South Caribbean Coast Regional Governments (CARENA-SERENA, CFFA, CTR
Indigenous and Afro- Municipal Governments descendant Territorial (Environmental Mgmt. Units) Governments
Indigenous and Afro- descendant Communal Governments Local councils – Family councils
Community Assemblies - Territorial Assemblies Traditional Authorities, (Whita, Sindigo, Coordinator) (303 communities and 25 Territories)
The national government is responsible for establishing the regulatory framework for land use and the forestry sector via laws, decrees, resolutions, and obligatory technical norms applied by the ministries and the regional and municipal governments. The autonomous regional governments of the Caribbean Coast articulate national land and forestry policies with specific proposals and actions of the indigenous peoples and ethnic communities, and are assisted in this task by the Secretary for the Development of the Caribbean Coast. At the local level, they are aided in this process by the municipal governments. However, in the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories, the territorial and communal governments are responsible for decision making related to land and natural resource use and 44
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve management, in line with the autonomy of the RACCS and RACCN. The roles of these governments in natural resource decision making in communal lands is shown in Figure 20.
Figure 20 Process of approval for natural resource use in communal lands
GRACC - Regional Councils Accompany comunal and territorial govts.
Communal / Territorial Assemblies Natural resource decisions and admin.
Municipal Govts. National Govt. Emits opinions re: Recognizes and natural resource protects rights of decisions comunal govts.
Sectorial policies and budgets determined at the national level are implemented at the local level via branch offices of the ministries in selected population centers or through the public administration system via the regional and municipal governments. As a result, the degree of integration of environmental or deforestation considerations in non- environmental sectors and policies is dependent on high level coordination via the Secretary for the Development of the Atlantic Coast and the Production, Consumption, and Commerce Cabinet that groups the agricultural, forestry, family economy, and industry sectors. It also depends on the availability and use of adequate and relevant information.
Under this system, different governmental levels have different critical functions and roles related to critical aspects of land and forestry management (planning, authorization, monitoring, and control and enforcement (Table 8).
Table 8 Critical functions and roles of different levels of goverments in forest and natural resource management.
Level of Asign. Rights Admin. Monitor Enforcement govt. National INAFOR: regulates INAFOR: Forest INAFOR: Forest INAFOR: forests, emits lands and lands and sanctions permits. permits. permits. forestry infractions. MARENA: MARENA: MARENA: regulates use of Natural Natural MARENA: natural resources, resources, resources, sanctions natural approves changes forests in PAs. forests in PAs. resource of use. infractions.
INETER: 45
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
MAG: formulates monitors PGR: Prosecutes policies. resources. natural resource or forestry INETER: land use MAG: crimes. classification. Supervises and informs re: forestry sector.
Regional Article with SERENA SERENA. govts. national, (includes Monitors (mainly municipal, environmental environmental through territorial and evaluation of and forestry CARENA and communal permits). plans, projects, SERENA) government and use. CCFA and CTR Approves projects coordination and plans, instance and formulates provide environmental technical regulations. advice.
OKs use of natural resources, approves forestry mgmt. plans.
Territorial They must Coordinates They must Provides govts. monitor and and assists monitor and support. administer decisions of administer communal community formal and property and assemblies verbal administer contracts communal property
Emits OK for natural resource use. Communal Forest owners and Administers Sindigo and Provides govts. starting point for natural Commission support. natural resource resources in the monitor use community contracts of authorizations. natural resource use. 46
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Authorizes domestic forestry permits. Municipal Emits opinions on Participates in Participates in Provides govts. natural resource environmental inter- support. use, contracts or impact studies. institutional concessions in its Coordinates monitoring jurisdiction, use and mgmt. commissions. outside of of natural indigenous resources. territories.
Analysis and consultation of this scheme with regional and territorial representatives suggest that a number of institutional weaknesses exist with regards to the management of land and natural resource in the accounting area, which compromise the abilities of those governments to plan, monitor, and control land and natural resource use.
These limitations, hierarchically arranged, include:
• Application of laws and management instruments. Nicaragua´s legal and policy framework for natural resource management and forestry is robust, but its inconsistent or partial application leads to gaps in coverage, red tape, and personalized interpretation, thus posing barriers to sustainable land use, hindering sustainable natural resource management, and contributing to land use conflicts, the use of unsustainable practices, and the conversion of forests to inappropriate or illegal land uses.
Control and enforcement of land and natural resource is largely administered by national level institutions and their regional offices (MARENA, INAFOR, PGR), but is compromised by staff and other resource shortages, which effectively result in partial application of management instruments and sporadic enforcement. In some cases, outdated information (see below), and limited social control of decisions and administration of communal leaders may also lead to the misapplication of regulations and norms.
• The accessibility, dissemination, and use of information. The availability, quality, exchange and use of information about land and natural resources at a national level and in particular about the Caribbean, is often dispersed among institutions, which hinders strategic planning, timely decision making of decisions, and a more effective daily management of land and natural resources.
With respect to the autonomous regions, information on soil and natural resources is reported from the community, territorial and communal bases to regional links through established communication channels. The SINIA information nodes in the 47
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
regions have been technologically strengthened with computer equipment that facilitates the management and processing of the reports sent by the local teams of local monitoring
• Monitoring of land use and natural resources. Monitoring is a vital source of information for management. At present, the monitoring of natural resources is carried out in two consolidated ways: 1) through the analysis of satellite images prepared by INETER, MARENA and INAFOR; 2) local monitoring carried out by regional teams of the GRACCs, community and territorial. Currently, it is necessary to strengthen the consolidation and articulation of the reports generated by the national monitoring committee. In addition, the need to provide technical support to the monitoring brigades of the communal governments has been identified to optimize efforts in the management, control and monitoring of the resources of each territory.
Partially overlapping institutional responsibilities for monitoring, the lack of use of shared indicators and criteria, and the low institutional capacities contribute to monitoring deficiencies and subsequent informational weaknesses, especially at the territorial and communal levels where deficient monitoring. The lack of up-to-date or real-time information at both the regional and local scales inhibits timely responses to deforestation and potential land conflicts, as well as management decisions and longer-term planning based on solid information.
• Harmonization and coordination of policies and levels of government. This multi- level governance structure and the partial overlap of responsibilities engenders the need for a large degree of inter-level consultation and coordination based on reliable information and feedback, which is only partially achieved. Within this system of shared institutional responsibilities, effective coordination of policies, programs, and projects is a challenge, especially given resource, capacity, and information limitations and the remoteness of some areas. Moreover, there is little institutional prioritization given to environmental problems, since the environment is not a high priority in the national budget. As a result, sectorial integration of measures to reduce deforestation related to infrastructure development (roads, energy, and water which consume more than 75% of the public budget in the accounting area), or to the promotion of agricultural production based on land- extensive models is low, and represents a threat to remaining forests, as evidenced by recent deforestation along the newly constructed road to Bluefields.
• Financial resources and institutional capacities. Insufficient budgets, equipment, and trained personnel, especially at the territorial and communal levels, contributes to all of the limitations listed above and affects the good governance of natural resources and land use in the Caribbean region, especially at the regional and local levels.
48
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
It is fair to recognize that the scheme of government areas has helped to conserve 82% of the forests and ensure social peace. It also accurately reflects Nicaragua's governance model based on Christian, socialist and solidarity values that includes shared responsibilities and prioritizes articulated actions between the different levels of government, the inhabitants of the forests and the population in general, on the basis of citizen participation.
Within the context of the ERPD, the model promotes the following significant benefits:
Assistance and mutual cooperation among governments, communities, and the private sector. Multiple checks for improved control and transparency in the process of letting permits and authorizing forestry management plans which, in turn, improves the climate and security of forestry-based investments and businesses. Ample opportunities for consultation with interested parties and facilitation of inputs into the policy and regulatory processes. Strengthening traditional forms of government of indigenous peoples and people of African descent.
4.2 Assessment of the major barriers to REDD+
Recent tendencies suggest that government policies and programs related to the titling of indigenous territories, investment promotion, regional autonomy, large-scale land use monitoring, the intensification of livestock, and the reforestation and regeneration of degraded lands are beginning to slow deforestation. However, these measures can be rendered even more effective through the reduction of the following inter-related barriers.
1) Low environmental profile. The profile of environmental / forestry protection in sectoral strategies and plans and in government operating budgets is low. Environmental sustainability needs to be better integrated and visualized with indicators that can show the contributions and progress in the plans, programs and projects of economic development, preferably through the general incorporation of coherent environmental indicators and a shared "vision of success" as part of the institutional planning and monitoring processes.
2) Non-integrated sectoral approaches. Policies often demonstrate a reference for agricultural development, even in areas with a vocation for forestry. This results in a lack of integration of forestry and agriculture in a conservation-production approach. Resistance of productive economic actors to the application of environmental/forestry instruments and regulations is also present. As a result, greater efforts should be made to include environmental indicators in sectoral planning and to more closely integrate agricultural, forestry, and infrastructure sector development
3) Limited institutional presence. There is limited institutional presence in extensive areas of the forested regions of the Caribbean and travel costs are high due to limited means 49
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
of transport and the long distances involved. This limited presence negatively impacts information flows and communication, monitoring, and the response to problems as well as the application of laws, policies, and regulations.
4) Cultural barriers. Although Nicaragua has been successful at promoting public campaigns for fire prevention and control and reforestation for environmental protection, cultural values among some segments of the population undervalue the country’s forests and promote deforestation.
5) Economic and knowledge barriers by lenders and lendees limit access to credit and TA and hinder the widespread adoption of more sustainable production practices, especially on the part of small and medium-sized producers.
6) Local or regional markets for agricultural/livestock/forest products do not recognize quality or sustainable production techniques and hence do not compensate increased investments in these areas. Furthermore, the absence of national markets for ecosystem services reinforces the sub-valuation of forests.
7) High costs and limited economic returns of conservation discourage government investment, and hence the adequate protection of protected areas. On the other hand, ecotourism, as a potentially important source of private investment in support of conservation, is incipient and of a relatively small scale.
8) High transaction costs of environmental/forestry compliance and bureaucratic red tape for small and medium owners are disincentives for sustainable forest use and management.
4.3 Description and justification of the planned actions and interventions under the ER Program that will lead to emission reductions and/or removals
Overall Context
In recent years, Nicaragua has made important strides in growing its economy, reducing poverty and extreme poverty, establishing a robust legal framework for natural resources and the environment, forging productive alliances among businesses, rural people and the government, and achieving a solid credit rated for the national financial system. In the Caribbean region, the autonomy of the Caribbean Autonomous Regions has been consolidated, indigenous and Afrodescendant lands have been titled; private sector investment has been promoted, with the result that the Caribbean captures the second highest amount of foreign investment after Managua, the capital; productive infrastructure such as roads and electricity has been improved; and the regional credit portfolio has increased. These processes provide a solid base for transitioning from an economic
50
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve development model based largely on extensive land use to one that is more intensive, more sustainable, more equitable, and less carbon-dependent.
It is expected that the ER Program will enhance and further the evolution of this transition by focusing on a territorial-based production-protection model whereby forest conservation and sustainable forestry and agricultural production, made possible by improvements in underlying economic/productive and institutional/legal enabling conditions, contribute to climate change mitigation and, more sustainable land use, employment and the conservation of biodiversity.
Overall Goal and Strategy
The overall goal of the program is to reduce forest emissions by 18.5Mt CO2e for 5 years, while improving the intensive production systems, employment and conservation of biodiversity. The strategy of the program will be based to a large extent on the existing national policies and legal framework and the aforementioned strengths of the country and the Caribbean region. In doing so, the strategy takes advantage of and improves the ongoing transition to economic development less dependent on deforestation, while promoting inclusion, sustainability, dialogue, partnerships and alliances, and the more intensive use of the resources described. in the National Human Development Plan of Nicaragua.
In order to keep costs low, the Strategy also takes into account the positive business climate and existing or latent opportunities to increase private investment in activities resulting in emissions reductions, the alignment of existing programs and projects that can contribute to emissions reductions, or by identifying synergies whereby interventions can respond to multiple goals or objectives (Figure 21).
Figure 21 Elements of the intervention strategy
Good business climate • Credit rating • Low land and labor costs • Economic growth and stability Guidelines of the PNDH • Openness toward the private sector • Alliances among the govt., private • Social peace National programs and projects sector, and workers • Reforestation • Focus on income, employment, • Natural regeneration and environmental protection • Livestock reconversión • Continue positive evolution of • Fire control rights and well-being of indigenous peoples Intervention Strategy
Natural advantages • Geographic location Causes of deforestation • 3.2 M ha de forests and • Expansion of extensive 400,000 ha apt for crops and production systems reforestation • Low value of the forests • Diverse microclimates • Inadequate enabling conditions
Intervention Approach 51
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The Emissions Reduction Program will achieve the overall goal of reducing emissions by focusing on:
1. conserving forests by increasing their value and improving their governance, 2. reducing the need for deforestation by intensifying and decarbonizing production systems and making them more sustainable, 3. improving the institutional enabling conditions underlying improved forest conservation, more sustainable production, and greater institutional capacities to monitor and control undesired land and natural resource use (Figure 22).
It is expected that interventions related to the intensification of agricultural and livestock production systems, making them more productive and sustainable, will contribute both to the increase in the carbon stock and to the avoided deforestation; Forest conservation, reforestation and natural regeneration will contribute to increases in carbon stocks; It is hoped that these interventions, together, will contribute to biodiversity and to the employment of small producers, businesses and indigenous and afro-descendant peoples.
Among the facilitating conditions, the promotion of investment in agro-industrial agroforestry systems is a double mechanism to reduce emissions as these systems increase carbon stocks while increasing off-farm employment opportunities for marginal producers so that they can depend less extensive production systems associated with deforestation.
Figure 22 Outline of overall approach of the ERPD.
Interventions Conservation Production PROBLEM Undervaluation of forests promotes their Extensive agricultural use promotes deforestation conversion to other uses • Weak forest and land use monitoring, control, • Extensive livestock and crops and enforcement, especially in ITGs • Little access to credit, TA, investment capital; • Sub-utilization and unsustainable use of low paying markets forests due to financial and institutional • Few off-farm opportunities for marginal disincentives farmers • Few incentives for conservation • Improved foest governane in ITGs, including • Improved productivity & forest conservation of silvopastoral and agroforestry systems via credit, SOLUCIONES incentives for avoided deforestation • Improved capacity and incentives for CFM TA, & market likages provided by trusts • Improved monitoring and control of forest • Incentives for reforestación and land use • Promotion of natural regeneration Enabling Conditions • Investment promotion to increase green investments and off-farm jobs • Control and enforcement of land and natl. resource policies and norms • Regional forest and land use monitoring/early warning systems • Better institutional access, use, and dissemination of information and public education, promotion, awareness • Harmonization and coordination of policies and institutions • Greater institutonal resources and capacities
52
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Interventions
MARENA will be responsible for carrying out the required coordination at the national level, for its part the regional governments will lead in their respective regions the implementation of the program, being responsible for coordination and regional execution. The CCFA will provide the supervision and regional technical advice in the RACCN and CTR in the RACCS.
It should be noted that the SDCC plays an important role in the technical coordination between the national government and the regional and communal authorities of the indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples of the Caribbean, and in organizing and ensuring the coherent functioning of government actions as a factor in the development of autonomous regions and their peoples.
The interventions start from the production-conservation strategy.
The sustainable production package is aimed at stimulating sustainable agroindustries and smallholder production systems that increase carbon enhancement, conserve forests, and create off-farm employment that can absorb marginal farmers. It includes: a) strengthening of PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe in order to increase promotion of green agroindustrial and forestry investments in indigenous territories and private property that in turn will increase off-farm employment, enhance carbon stocks, and reduce deforestation. b) the establishment of agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts among small and medium farmers, anchor businesses, producer groups, and government and financial institutions (trustee) aimed at increasing intensified production and commercialization of coffee, cacao, and livestock products, carbon enhancement, and greater on-farm forest conservation. c) commercial reforestation in order to create off-farm employment and enhance carbon stocks, and d) social reforestation and natural regeneration in order to enhance carbon stocks and biodiversity.
The enabling conditions package is aimed at overcoming institutional and other barriers to forest conservation and sustainable production. Although most enabling conditions may not directly produce emissions reductions, their presence is essential for the long-term success of the conservation or sustainable production measures and to ensure that economic development does not ultimately cause more deforestation.
Sustainable Agricultural Production
53
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The interventions of the sustainable production package occur principally outside the forests (although CFM can be considered a productive intervention even though it is classified under conservation) and will be implemented in the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories as well as private property, mainly with small and medium-sized farmers, anchor businesses, and government agencies via PPPs.
The interventions include strengthening PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe in order to increase the promotion of agro-industrial agroforestry investments (principally in coffee, cocoa, and forestry plantations) in deforested areas, the intensification and expansion of agroforestry and silvopastoral systems in deforested areas managed by small and medium farmers within a trust system, the promotion of commercial reforestation, and expansion of the social reforestation crusade and natural regeneration national programs, especially in buffer zones of protected areas.
The principal impact of this package is reduced-emissions economic development that increases carbon stocks, avoided deforestation, and employment. The emissions reduction contributions will be achieved through: more intensive land use that lessens pressure on forests and results in avoided deforestation; carbon sequestration by agroforestry, reforestation, and natural regeneration; and enhanced on-farm forest conservation, included as a condition within investor-community partnerships brokered by the investment promotion program, as well as a requisite for participation in silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts. Increases in employment in agro-industrial agroforestry and reforestation initiatives are also expected to increase off-farm employment for marginal farmers and will thus help reduce deforestation. Increasing Green Agroindustrial and Forestry Investments. This intervention is aimed at increasing the areas and investments in industrial-scale sustainable agroforestry and forestry (including CFM, see above) in indigenous territories and private property as a result of greater promotion by PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe. PRONicaragua will promote investments targeted towards the establishment of sustainably managed agro-industrial perennial crops or forest plantations on already deforested land found within or outside of indigenous territories, although the indigenous territories may have a comparative advantage due to the availability of large blocks of land under a sole “owner” or authority. These efforts will build upon the notable success of PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe in attracting investments in the Caribbean region. They are expected to create considerable employment and income, through stimuli to economic development while at the same time offering viable off-farm alternatives to extensive production based on deforestation by poor farmers. They will also reduce emissions as as result of carbon sequestration by agroforestry and forestry systems. However, the types, scale, and location of these investments is unknown at present, since these factors are under the control of the investors. Projection of PRONicaragua´s track record in the Caribbean, combined with the dynamic nature of the 54
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Caribbean economy and on-going improvements in infrastructure, suggest that additional investments on the order of $100 million - $150 million are possible during the accounting period. The Emissions Reduction Program will strengthen PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe capacities in the following areas: a. the promotion of branding of the Caribbean region, based on ethnic diversity, conservations, sustainable production systems, and recognition of indigenous peoples, as well as green production systems and markets (e.g. sustainable beef and cocoa); b. facilitation of business contacts, joint ventures, and PPPPs, including real estate assistance, formulation of model contracts, assistance with bureaucratic procedures, planning support, identification of potential associates, and facilitation of relocation of investors and their families; c. collection and dissemination of information on markets and commercial opportunities, including special studies; and d. strengthening of PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe as well as orientation of public functionaries regarding green production and markets. The budget for this intervention is approximately $4.8 million, of which $4.7 million will be funded from grants and $100,000 by MEFCCA.
Agroforestry and silvopastoral system trusts will be aimed at increasing intensified production and commercialization of coffee, cacao, and livestock products, organized under a trust arrangement involving the government, anchor businesses, and producer groups. Carbon enhancement by the agroforestry systems and reduced on-farm deforestation by the silvopastoral and agroforestry systems is expected to reduce emissions by 3.5 Mt CO2e.
Government participation will include partial financing and credit guarantees, or administration of the trust funds30 via, for example, PRODUZCAMOS, Nicaragua´s development bank. Anchor businesses can also provide funding as well as markets for products. Finally, groups of small and medium-sized farmers will receive credit, technical assistance, and participation in profits in return for agreeing to conserve forests found on their farms, the application of specific technological packages for production, and using their farms as credit guarantees (Figure 23, see also Annex 4 for more details).
The identification and mix of specific actors and the design of these trusts will be further specified during the coming year, however, the design and financing of the CONAGAN- FOMIN scheme are well-advanced. Similarly, follow-up is needed of potential credit providers identified (among them, the World Bank and the line of credit for production
30 The administrative and funding functions within a trust cannot be assumed by the same entity. 55
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve facilitated by IADB to PRODUZCAMOS). The time required for this process will thus demand a phase-in approach, especially for the agroforestry trusts.
Figure 23 General characteristics of the silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts.
Law of Trusts
• Land Technical Assistence Producers • Productive Base (crops) and other services • Labor Trust conditions 1. Conserve on-farm forests 2. Implement technological Associativity • Administration package 3. Distribute benefits among Trust • Financial mgmt. Better markets participants Administration • Technical mgmt. and prices 4. Ensure supply of inputs 5. Participated in comercial contracts Access to financing •
Funds BENEFITS Trustee Business Plan Joint investments
The trust arrangements will produce greater farmer associativity, greater access to credit, via the establishment of lines of credit, and credit guarantees, increased access to productive, organizational, and commercial technical assistance, improved crop management, product quality, product traceability, and greater access to markets based on quantity and quality, as well as reduced emissions.
The trust will start in year 3 of the ERPD, foreseeing the funds coming from the first payment of the emission reduction program, this trust will be based on contracts between producers, with their respective continuous monitoring, contingency plans for non-compliance on the part of the producers, the use of farm-based guarantees, and the conditioning of the indirect incentives mentioned above to increase forest conservation on the farm (See Annex 8 and Table 26).
In order to reduce costs and take advantage of existing programs, this intervention will be layered upon on-going national programs or projects related to livestock, coffee, and cocoa production and assistance, including the Bovinos, PROCACAO, and NICADAPTA projects managed by MEFCCA, as well as the silvopastoral project being initiated by CONAGAN- FOMIN/IADB (see Figure 24 for a schematic description of the silvopastoral trust).
Collaboration of these projects with the Emissions Reduction Program will aim at aligning project technical and other assistance and monitoring with intervention objectives and approaches used by the Emissions Reduction Program. The trust arrangement proposed here has been developed collaboratively with CONAGAN, which will facilitate alignment of the silvopastoral initiatives. In the case of the MEFCCA projects, the Emissions Reduction Program will offer the opportunity to MEFCCA producers, as well as non-project affiliated farmers in the same geographic area, to participate in the agroforestry trusts.
56
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Target areas and farmers will be based on areas of intervention of the MEFCCA and CONAGAN project and will include principally private landholders, with lesser emphasis on indigenous and Afrodescendant territories (Table 8). The coffee and cocoa agroforestry interventions include approximately 10,000 coffee and cocoa farmers in the following: Rosita, Siuna, Bonanza, and Pto Cabezas municipalities and the Wanki Tri, Tasba Raya, Tasbaika Kun and Mayagna Sauni Bu territories in the RACCN; Kukra Hill, Nueva Guinea, El Rama, Muelle de los Bueyes, and Bluefields municipalities and the Rama Kriol territory in the RACCS, and El Castillo in the Rio San Juan. The universe of participating farmers will begin with these participants and will expand as the project advances in order to order to reach the goal of 25,000 new ha.
Figure 24 Schematiac description of the silvopastoral trust.
Silvopastoral Trust FARM
360 kg 8 months 160 kg 7 months 10 Calves 160 kg
FARMER: DEVELOPMENT FARMS: MARKET: FEED LOT -Up-front payment at 3 months= US$ 120 -Payment on delivery to farmers= $ 240 -Weight = 320 - 360 kg -Delivery at 8 months -Receive calves of 150-160 kg -Avg. purchase price = $ 625 -Sells/consumes milk - Development plan of 7 months - Final weight = de 320-360 kg DUTIES BENEFITS: CANICARNE, has forward - Income from pasture use contracts with development - Deliver x % of calves Technical Assistence - Technical Assistance farms to "development" - Improvee pastures - Results-based incentives -Garantees international farms. - Improved genetics - Can invest in trust price for cattle - Apply TA - Farm capitalized by trees,forages, and - Participates in financing via up-front payments recommendations and/or investing in trust - Conserve on-farm forests
15 months MARKET pubñicpublic
NITLAPAN . El Fiduciario ( como FDL) estructurará los contratos con los respectivos agentes participantes: - Contratará al factor fiduciario (gerente del fideicomiso, persona natural o jurídica). - Implementará el plan de negocios
PUBLIC TRUSTEES: SECTOR “Originator” of the business -Investors (CANICARNE, suppliers) Monitoring -Formulates technical proposal for and lenders trust -Institutions (Produzcamos) -Identifies a trust administrator -Possibly development farms and trustees (investors)
Table 9 On-going projects that will contribute to the ER Program in the accounting area.
Project/Program Participants Thematic focus Geographic concentration Cattle Program 9,000 Silvopastoral systems: El Ayote, Muelle de los Bueyes, (Bovinos) producers TA, traceability, Nueva Guinea, and El Rama Focus on improved with 0.5-50 strengthening of 12 municipalities in the RACCS beef and milk producer organizations. 57
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve production and ha, 60 Assists with equipment, processing communities inputs, TA Budget = 8 million euros CONAGAN – 7 Silvopastoral systems: Mulukuku, Paiwas, Siuna, Rosita FOMIN/BID municipalities. TA, credit, traceability, and Bonanza in the RACCN and Focuses on To be defined strengthening of Nueva Guinea, El Rama and El increased livestock further. producer organizations, Ayote in the RACCS. production via improved value chain silvopastoral integration systems and improved linkages and coordination along the value chain Budget = $ Programa 4,319 Cocoa, coffee Waspam, Bonanza, Rosita, Siuna, NICADAPTA producers, agroforestry: TA, Mulukuku y Waslala Wiwilí J, Focuses on 382 organizational Wiwilí NS and San José de Bocay in improved communities strengthening of 16 the RACCN, Bluefields, El Rama, production and producer groups Muelle de los Bueyes, Nueva organization of Guinea, El Ayote and Kukra Hill in coffee and cocoa the RACCS, and El Castillo in Rio producers San Juan Budget = $7.9 million PROCACAO 650 Cocoa agroforestry The Mining Triangle (Rosita, Focues on improved producers, 50 Bonanza, and Siuna municipalities) production and communities in the RACCN organization of cocoa Budget = $4.8 million
The silvopastoral interventions in the CONAGAN and Bovinos project areas which include: Mulukuku, Paiwas, Siuna, Rosita and Bonanza municipalities in the RACCN; the El Ayote, Muelle de los Bueyes, Nueva Guinea, and El Rama municipalities in the RACCS, and the Rio San Juan. Activities will concentrate initially on 800 farms, principally from the CONAGAN project, but will ramp up to 5000 farms starting in year 3. Farms are estimated to average 56 ha in size, including 14 ha of forests.
An estimated total of $52 million in funding for these trusts is needed, of which approximately $44 million in loans from multi-lateral banks will be used to establish credit 58
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve lines and credit guarantees, which are anticipated to be self-sustaining. Approximately $3.75 million from the MEFFCA and CONAGAN projects and approximately $4 million from results-based payments from the FCPF will be used for technical assistance and expansion of coverage. Start-up activities and institutional coordination and alignment will require approximately $100,000 from the MARENA budget and additional REDD+ Readiness funds.
Commercial reforestation will be undertaken primarily by agribusinesses or large private investors, with little input from the Emission Reduction Program, with the exception of investment promotion services provided by the PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe and fiscal incentives enabled by the Forestry Law. The location of the intervention will depend on investor criteria, but will be facilitated by PRONicaragua. Investments, operational implementation, technical assistance, and markets are expected to be provided or financed by the investors. This “low profile” approach is justified by the relatively low estimated emission reductions of 0.6 Mt CO2e associated with 2000 ha/yr of new forestry plantations, the large investments entailed by commercial forest plantations (which reduces the potential impact of direct incentives), and public budget restrictions on direct incentive payments.
The conservation package combines elements that increase the economic value of forests, foments conservation, and improves monitoring and control. It includes: a) promotion of increased community forestry management in order to increase employment, provide the stimulus to increase forest protection, and create greater value of forests; b) the use of incentives for avoided deforestation in order to increase forest value and forest-based income while promoting conservation; c) improved monitoring and control of land and forest use in the indigenous territories; d) strengthened forest and natural resource use and governance by territorial and communal governments.
Conservation
The conservation package is implemented within the forest, focuses on avoiding deforestation, and is directed principally towards the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories, due to their strategic importance as large reservoirs of forests and the fact that they wholly contain or partially overlap with a number of protected areas. In effect, improving forest governance, protection, and sustainable forest management in the indigenous territories will increase the perceived value of forests for local indigenous populations, provide incentives and income derived from their conservation, serve as a bulwark against externally driven increases in deforestation, and will help consolidate protected areas.
59
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Other advantages of the interventions within the forest include: their large impact on emissions due to avoided deforestation31; their contribution to forest and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services; and the fact that they affect principally indigenous and Afrodescendant groups that have been assigned a high priority in the National Human Development Policy. The contribution of these interventions to employment, however, is limited to that related to community forest management or to agro-industrial activities promoted by the sustainable production package in indigenous territories.
Community Forest Management (CFM). Community forestry management is aimed at increasing employment, stimulating increased forest protection, and creating greater value of forests, principally in indigenous territories, via enhanced production of forest products. It is expected that this intervention will reduce deforestation in CFM areas by 50%, thus generating 1.5 Mt CO2e in emissions reductions. This intervention will be implemented principally in large compact blocks of well-stock forests comprising approximately 200,000 ha in the Waspan (pine forests), Prinzapolka (broadleaf forests), and Desembocadura del Rio Grande (broadleaf forests) municipalities. These areas include 7 indigenous and Afrodescendant territories (see section on location of interventions), and contain approximately 31 communities or groups with CFM experience. Nevertheless, other communities outside these blocks are also eligible to participate in CFM if forest blocks exceed 1000 ha.
The components of CFM include: a. Promotion of CFM investments and employment in indigenous territories by PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe via public-private-producer partnerships (PPPPs). Investors will help overcome capital, technology, and logistical constraints to logging and forest management experienced by indigenous communities and reduce the need for deforestation. b. Direct incentives aimed at reducing the costs of PGMF and initial (first two years) POAs (approximately $2 million) in order to lower entrance barriers to forestry management and stimulate such investments. These incentives represent an investment with a 20 year life span (one complete rotation of the PGMF and initial costs represented by two POAs, which are assumed to become self-financing after 2 years). It is expected that this investment in the direct incentive will be recovered via increased future fiscal revenues. In order to reduce costs of the PGMFs through economies of scale, INAFOR will attempt to negotiate the formulation of the PGMFs for the 3 large blocks, which can be later concessioned to investors. An additional incentive is the use of credit guarantees via multi-lateral banks, for investors using credit, whose effect should be to reduce the cost of credit for these investors.
31 One hectare of avoided deforestation “saves” an average, weighted by the different types of forest, of 65 t C/ha, while interventions that increase carbon stocks do so at a rate of about 3.4 t C/ha/yr (see section 8.2) 60
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve c. Reduction of barriers related to bureaucratic procedures for obtaining and supervising forestry permits, via a review of current procedures and their effectiveness, and the redesign of the system focused on simplification of permitting and improving permit supervision. d. Legal, technical, and administrative training, technical assistance and accompaniment of territories and communities so that they are better able to enter into and manage relations with investors and businesses (see also Strengthening of Forest Management by ITGs, below). e. Periodic forestry audits by INAFOR and regional and territorial governments of the forestry plans in the three priority blocks of forests in order to improve compliance with forestry regulations.
This intervention will be funded by ($2.52 million from the MARENA and INAFOR budgets (including), $908,000 from results-based payments from the FCPF beginning in year 3, $3,542,000 (includes $2 million for the direct incentive and part of PRONicaragua´s budget) in grants, and $60,000 from additional Readiness funds.
Direct Incentives for Avoided Deforestation in Indigenous Territories.
This intervention is aimed at increasing forest conservation as well as resources available to ITGs to improve land and territorial management. The incentive will be offered to all indigenous territory governments, but it is anticipated that 14 territories will receive most of the benefits due to their high forest cover.
Payments will be based on ex-post reductions of deforestation measured by annual monitoring. The total amount of the incentive is estimated to be approximately $ 10 million (approximately $200/ha) during 5 years and will be funded by grants in years 1-3 and by early payments for results-based emissions reductions from the FCPF in years 4 and 5. In order to increase the sustainability of these actions to reduce deforestation, a portion of the payments will be used to finance activities (including potentially CFM) of territorial and community development plans that provide sustainable income while reducing deforestation, while the other portion will be used to strengthen forest management, especially local monitoring of forests and forestry permits or the formation of partnerships with investors
Improved Forest and Land Use Management by Indigenous Territory Governments (ITGs). This intervention is complementary to the other two conservation interventions, since it strengthens capacities to manage 2.3 million ha of forest, land use, investor relations, and the direct incentive funds. It is expected that this intervention, in combination with the incentive for avoided deforestation, will reduce deforestation in the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories by 30%, thus generating 10.0 Mt CO2e in emissions reductions.
61
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The intervention includes: • updating territorial development and land use zoning plans, • improving territorial and communal legal statutes, internal norms and regulations, and administrative and contractual procedures for forest and land use by community members or outsiders, • improving natural resource decision making and social control of those decisions at the communal level, and • improving local monitoring and control of forests and land use and forestry permits (whose procedures should be improved by the activity found under CFM) by community groups, including information capacities, equipment and human resources, and local forest rangers and monitors.
This intervention will be funded partly from the $1.27 million from the additional Readiness funds and by the direct incentive funds derived from results-based payments by the FCPF described above.
Natural regeneration and small-scale reforestation will be promoted through expansion of the activities of the national social reforestation crusade and natural regeneration programs, especially in ecologically sensitive or important areas, such as buffer zones of protected areas, and are expected to produce 2.8 Mt CO2e in emission reductions as a result of the establishment of 40,000 new ha of reforestation, and 50,000 ha of natural regeneration (tacotales) in high priority areas, including the buffer zones of the Bosawas and Indio Maiz Reserves.
Expansion of these activities will build upon existing program structures, procedures, and activities. The social reforestation crusade includes in-kind incentives (planting material) and technical assistance, while natural regeneration will be promoted by public education and publicity campaigns. Attainment of the natural regeneration goal will also be aided directly through the creation of an incentive fund managed by FONADEFO, whose details are in the process of definition, and indirectly by the creation of off-farm employment opportunities and the intensification of livestock, coffee, and cocoa production created by the other interventions of the sustainable production package, which should result in the abandonment of low productivity, extensively managed pastures or crops.
The enabling conditions package combines a series of measures aimed at improving government actions related to: a) investment and market promotion, b) institutional coordination and policy harmonization, c) information use and dissemination and public education and awareness, d) land use and forestry monitoring, e) improved application of laws, policies, regulations, and norms, and f) institutional resources and capacities in order to better control land and natural resource use and promote sustainable land use.
62
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The majority of the enabling conditions apply across the regions and activities within the accounting area. Among these conditions, investment and market promotion is important due to its relation with the creation of off-farm employment that can absorb marginal farmers and thus reduce deforestation. Improving monitoring, control, and enforcement of norms governing land and natural resources are also considered to be fundamental for reducing deforestation via better control of land and forests, but depend on greater coordination and harmonization of policies and institutions, information availability and use, and institutional resources.
Enabling Conditions
The enabling conditions package combines a series of measures aimed at improving government actions related to investment and market promotion, institutional coordination, policy harmonization, information use and dissemination, land use and forestry monitoring, improved application of laws, policies, regulations, and norms, and institutional resources and capacities in order to better control land and natural resource use and promote sustainable land use. The principal elements of the enabling conditions package are shown in Table 10.
Table 10 Relationship between underlying causes and barriers of deforestation and enabling conditions.
Causes and Barriers Institutional Enabling Conditions Investment and market promotion Limited investment in intensified and Strengthening of PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe more productive production systems. in the following areas: Promotion of private Little off-farm employment. Market investments or PPPPs and job creation by limitations as disincentives to investment. sustainable production systems in private High investment transaction costs. Little property or communal lands; facilitate and focus on green production and establish linkages between communities and development. businesses; disseminate information to businesses and communities; promote market intelligence and contacts with markets, especially those for “green” products (e.g. Consumer Goods Forum for beef, various systems for coffee and cocoa). Application and enforcement of policies, laws, and regulations Control and enforcement of land and Expand number and capacities of natural resource of national level environmental inspectors of MARENA, institutions (MARENA, INAFOR, PGR), is forestry supervisors of INAFOR, and compromised by staff and other resource prosecutors of the PGR. shortages, which effectively result in partial application of management Monitor the application and compliance of instruments and sporadic enforcement. In the laws, policies, and norms. some cases, outdated information (see 63
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve below), and limited social control of Promote the environmental training of decisions and administration of communal regional, territorial, and communal leaders may also lead to the governments. misapplication of regulations and norms. Train local forest rangers in communal governments.
Improve territorial and communal procedures and norms for land and natural resource use decision making.
Improve social control of local resource use decisions by communal governments. Accessibility, dissemination, and use of information Information is partial, frequently Increase and improve information generation dispersed among institutions, and often and dissemination capacities of SINIA and does not make its way to users or information nodes at the regional level via interested parties, thus hindering strategic upgrading of equipment and personnel planning, opportune decision making, and increases and capacity building. more effective day-to-day management and control of land and natural resources. Work with Production, Consumption, and At the national level this hinders sectorial Commerce Cabinet and the Secretary of coordination and integration. Development for the Caribbean Coast to At the regional, territorial, and communal incorporate environmental and natural levels, information contained in resource information in strategic planning. development and land use zoning plans, guidelines for the internal functioning of Increase public access to information via the ITGs and communal governments, greater publication on institutional web sites. and environmental technical norms is outdated and thus affects negatively the Update and disseminate territorial and planning and access to forestry resources, communal development plans, land use rights to their use or extraction, decisions zoning, resource maps, environmental governing natural resource and land use guidelines, and technical norms. or the relationship of communities with outsiders, and the application of Increase public information and educational management instruments or campaigns to raise awareness of enforcement of laws and regulations. deforestation and how it can be avoided or Awareness, education, and promotion of mitigated, as well as specific information environmental values and information packets related to the proposed related with the protection of nature is interventions. limited and cultural barriers to more sustainable practices exist. Monitoring 64
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Resource deficiencies related to Improve the capacities of the MRV system at monitoring exist at all levels of the national level and its linkages at the government, but are accentuated at lower regional level via SERENA, SINIA and the levels, hindering the management of regional information nodes (also see resources by rights holders (communal Information section above). governments) or local administrative authorities (municipal governments) who Strengthen the equipment, financing, and should presumably have the most interest institutional coordination of SERENA and in managing and controlling these SINIA. resources. Create a satellite imagery-based early Partially overlapping institutional warning system for deforestation. responsibilities for monitoring, the lack of use of shared indicators and criteria, and Improve local monitoring via formation of the low institutional capacities contribute forest rangers and community monitors in to monitoring deficiencies and subsequent communal territories. informational weaknesses, especially at the regional, territorial, and communal Align local, regional, and national monitoring levels where deficient monitoring. The systems as well as indicators to be monitored lack of up-to-date or real-time information among all levels of government. at both the regional and local scales inhibits timely responses to deforestation and potential land conflicts, as well as management decisions and longer-term planning based on solid information. Harmonization of policies and institutional coordination Deforestation is non-integrated in Harmonize environmental criteria in sectorial sectorial plans and policies. Lack of shared policies and levels of government via vision of deforestation among institutions improved coordination by Production, and levels of government. Institutional Consumption, and Commerce cabinet and overlaps or gaps in land use and forestry regional governments, including SERENA. management exist. Create shared environmental/deforestation indicators among levels of government (see Monitoring).
Update, implement, and monitor the Strategy and Plan for the Development of the Caribbean Coast and its incorporation in regional and territorial development plans.
Fortalecer a SERENA y las SEPROD (Secretarías de Producción = en las regiones autónomas. 65
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Resources and capacities Limited resources and capacities exist at Cuts across all interventions and enabling all levels of government. Limited conditions. institutional presence, especially in remote areas. Compliance of institutional Leverage national credit rating to generate mandates is hindered by budget loans that create greater income and fiscal limitations. Low environmental profile in revenues in the future. public budget. Expand private sector investment via investment promotion (see above).
Apply for grants to multi-lateral climate change and sustainable land use programs.
Incorporate private-public partnerships in environmental activities.
Include environmental compensation mechanisms in budgets of sectoral projects and programs (e.g. road construction) with significant environmental/forestry impacts (see Harmonization).
Strengthen knowledge of public functionaries in regards to deforestation and green production.
A more detailed description of the interventions, goals, and assumptions is found in Annex 5. Emissions calculations are found in Annex 6.
Intervention Locations
Multiple criteria were used to determine priority geographic areas for the interventions. For both conservation and sustainable production interventions, a principal criterion was the high risk of substantial carbon losses, determined by comparing carbon density with active deforestation fronts (Figure 8).
An additional screening factor for conservation interventions was the presence of indigenous and Afrodescendant territories and PAs within the territories. Although all indigenous and Afrodescendant territories will be targeted for the strengthening of forest 66
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve and land use management, it is likely that the results-based incentive program for avoided deforestation will be most beneficial to 14 indigenous and Afrodescendant territories with high risk of carbon loss and the presence of PAs. The other 9 territories that are largely deforested, have low carbon stocks, and where PAs are absent, however, are good candidates for sustainable production systems directed towards small and medium producers or large agro-industrial investments promoted by PRONicaribe.
In the case of community forestry, 3 areas of compact, well-stocked forests are priority areas and include in the Waspam, Prinzapolka, and Desembocadura del Bio Grande municipalities. Actual areas for activities will be determined by individual investors, facilitated by PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe.
With regards to sustainable production system interventions, the Program is constrained to either working in geographical areas targeted by on-going projects related to agroforestry or silvopastoral systems (NICADAPTA, Bovinos, CONAGAN-FOMIN, PROCACAO – see Table 9 and Table 10) or in areas selected by investors.
Siting of the interventions based on these criteria results in almost complete geographic coverage of the accounting area and lessens the possibility that unattended areas will continue to contribute to forest-based emissions ( Figure 25 and Annex 7). The agroforestry and silvopastoral projects and natural regeneration interventions are principally located in areas of private property in the western half of the accounting area, although some (PROCACAO and NICADAPTA) are active in indigenous and Afrodescendant territories in the RACCN or around the Mining Triangle. Reforestation is located mainly in the RACCS, near Bluefields, Laguna de Perlas, and Nueva Guinea, and the Mining Triangle in the RACCN. Community forestry and improved forestry governance is concentrated in the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories, most of which are found in the RACCN.
Table 11 Priority geographical areas for interventions.
Intervention Potential Location Forest governance in ITs All 23 I&A territories will be targeted for territorial government strengthening, including the formulation of territorial development plans based on land use classification and zoning. 14 I&A territories at high risk for carbon loss and presence of PAs are likely candidates for results-based incentives for avoided deforestation and local monitoring brigades. Community forestry 3 geographic regions with compact blocks of forest located in Waspan (northern pine forests), Desembocadura de Rio Grande, and Prinzapolka municipalities. Indigenous and Afrodescendant territories include: Wangki Twi Tasba Paya, Wangki Maya Tasbaya, Tawica, Awaltara Luphia Nani 67
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Tasbaya, Prinzu Auhya Uh, Prinzu Awala, and Laguna de Perlas. Ultimately, siting will depend on investor and community interest.
Perennial crop agro- Depends on investor and landholder interest. 9 largely industries deforested I&A territories with low carbon stocks are potential candidates within the communal property regime. Selection of sites in private property will depend on investor, community, or current property owners. Silvopastoral trusts Proximity to on-going Bovinos and CONAGAN-FOMIN silvopastoral projects. Includes: Mulukuku, Paiwas, Siuna, Rosita and Bonanza municipalities in the RACCN and Nueva Guinea, Rama and El Ayote municipalities in the RACCN. Agroforestry trusts PROCACAO and NICADAPTA projects´area or close proximity (see Table 9). Commercial reforestation Siting will depend on investor interest. Natural regeneration/social Priority areas are buffer zones of protected areas and reforestation crusades upper reaches of watersheds as well as areas with significant natural regeneration. Candidates include the southern border of BOSAWAS, and the area between Rama and Bluefields. Forest governance in IT The strengthening of the territorial governments is an objective in the 23 territories of the indigenous and Afro- descendant peoples, which includes the formulation of territorial development plans based on the classification and zoning of land use.
14 territories of indigenous and afro-descendant peoples with high risk of carbon loss and the presence of PA and are likely candidates to receive incentives based on results for avoided deforestation and the establishment of local monitoring brigades.
68
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 25 Map of the geographic location of the proposed interventions
Intervention Road Map
The 12 year duration of the ER Program will include a 2 - 3 year preparation period, 5 years of implementation under the aegis of the FCPF, and 5 additional years oriented towards a different source of emissions reduction funding.
Activities during the preparation period will focus on obtaining feedback regarding the ER Program proposal, implementing Readiness activities that are critical for ER Program implementation, consolidating institutional arrangements, beginning work on improving enabling conditions, and identifying and securing sources of funding. These activities include the following:
• Further consultation on the details of the ERPD with regional and territorial governments and stakeholders, as mentioned in section 5.2. • Definition more grounded on the selection of potential areas based on the selection criteria. • Further definition of the agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts, including the identification of sources of lines of credit, investors, participating farmers, internal structure of the trusts, and their relationship with on-going projects. • Alignment of the ER Program with MEFCCA and CONAGAN agroforestry and silvopastoral projects in the accounting area. Relevant themes include the use of environmental/deforestation indicators, orientation of technical assistance programs to producers and communities, project monitoring, information sharing and reporting, cross-project fertilization and events, inclusion of project producers in trusts, and linking producers with credit. 69
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• More extensive consultation related to the incentive program based on results for avoided deforestation in the GTIs, including the identification of prioritized territories based on indicator maps for dialogue and consensus with the governments concerned, the detailed formulation of basic rules for participation and distribution of benefits, financial agreements, coordination with the Forest Monitoring Program and the design of a training program for territorial governments and park rangers. • In conjunction with the above, the definition of training needs of ITGs and indigenous communities in order to improve forest governance and management and attract investments. • Reformulation of the National Forestry Plan including analysis and design of improved forest permitting and supervision procedures, a program on secondary forests, and the formulation of regulations and procedures of the National Fund for Forestry Development (FONADEFO), the entity responsible for administration of forestry incentive funds. • Coordination with PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe related to investment promotion strategies for community forestry management and agroindustrial agroforestry systems, the incorporation of green criteria in the program, and the capacity building needs of territorial governments in order to attract and form successful alliances with private investors. • The preparation and submission of funding proposals to close financial gaps of the ER Program, as well as to establish credit lines for the trusts. • The preparation of an operative structure and operational plans for the ER Program.
REDD+ Readiness will complement the activities mentioned above. They include:
• The execution of special studies and the improvement plan for the Reference Level, including more precise determination of forest degradation, the formulation of baselines for carbon enhancement by agroforestry systems and existing secondary forests. • Design and testing of an early warning system for deforestation in near real time. • Further progress on the plan for the distribution of benefits (see section 15), refinement of the mechanism for feedback and redress of grievances (Strengthening of the Communication with ENDE-REDD+, see section 14.3), and the methodologies for data gathering and analysis related to non-carbon benefits. • More detailed design and testing of the various registries, including safeguards and non-carbon benefits, and the mechanisms for reporting.
The tentative chronogram for these activities in shown in Table 12.
Implementation will begin in 2020 (although work on some enabling conditions will begin prior to that date and the natural regeneration and the social reforestation crusade are on-
70
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
going programs) some for a period of 10 years. However, the majority of enabling conditions and direct interventions will begin in year 1 of implementation.
Table 12 Chronogram of tentative activities for preliminary activities and ER Program roll-out.
2026- Activity 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2030 Preliminary Activities Consultation of the ER Program at the sub-national level Further definition of the agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts Alignment of on-going MEFCCA and CONAGAN projects with the ER Program Preparation and submission of funding proposals to close financial gaps of the ER Program Coordination with PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe Consultation and final design of incentives for avoided deforestation in ITGs Identify GTI training priorities and communities of indigenous peoples and people of African descent Reformulation of the National Forestry Plan, including components on forestry permitting and supervision, secondary forests, and FONADEFO Preparation of operational structure and operational plans of the ER Program Further advances on REDD+ Readiness Implementation Enabling Conditions Institutional coordination/policy harmonization • Work with Production, Consumption, and Commerce Cabinet and regional governments to incorporate environmental and 71
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
natural resource information in strategic planning • Formulation of goals and Indicators • Develop compensation mechanisms for environmental impacts of sectorial projects (e.g. road construction) • Strengthening environmental coordination at the national and regional levels - SERENA and SEPROD • Strategy and Development Plan for the Caribbean Coast and Alt Wangki and Bocay • Alignment of regional, municipal and territorial development plans with the Strategy and Development Plan of the Caribbean Coast and Alto Wangki and Bocay Establishment and implementation of local monitoring • Improve the capacities of the MRV system at the national level and its linkages at the regional level via SINIA and the regional information nodes. • Strengthen the equipment, financing, and institutional coordination of SINIA. • Create a satellite imagery-based early warning system for deforestation. • Improve local monitoring via formation of forest rangers and community monitors in communal territories. • Align local, regional, and national monitoring systems as well as indicators to be monitored among all levels of government. Improve gathering, use and dissemination of information
72
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Increase and improve information generation and dissemination capacities of SINIA and information nodes at the regional level via upgrading of equipment and personnel increases and capacity building. • Increase public access to information via greater publication on institutional web sites • Update and disseminate territorial and communal development plans, land use zoning, resource maps, environmental guidelines, and technical norms. • Public education and awareness campaigns Improved application of policies, laws, regulations and norms • Expand number and capacities of environmental inspectors of MARENA, forestry supervisors of INAFOR, and prosecutors of the PGR. • Monitor the application and compliance of the laws, policies, and norms. • Promote the environmental training of regional, territorial, and communal governments. • Train local forest rangers in communal governments. • Improve territorial and communal procedures and norms for land and natural resource use decision making. • Improve social control of local resource use decisions by communal governments. Investment promotion • Promote private investments or PPPPs and job creation by sustainable production systems in 73
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
private property or communal lands • Facilitate and establish linkages between communities and businesses • Disseminate information to businesses and communities • Promote market intelligence and contacts with markets, especially those for “green” products (e.g. Consumer Goods Forum for beef, various systems for coffee and cocoa). Direct Interventions - Conservation Promotion of CFM • Promotion of investments in CFM via PPPPs • Direct incentives for CFM • Reform of forestry permit process • Training and improvement of ITG procedures and structures related to contracts and investments • Forestry audits Improved forest management and governance in ITGs • Updating territorial development and land use zoning plans
• Improving territorial and communal legal statutes, internal norms and regulations, and administrative and contractual procedures for forest and land use by community members or outsiders
• Improving natural resource decision making and social control of those decisions at the communal level • Improving local monitoring and control of forests and land use and forestry permits by community groups, including 74
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
information capacities, equipment and human resources, and local forest rangers and monitors Direct incentives for avoided deforestation Direct Interventions – Sustainable Production Investment promotion for agroindustrial agroforestry systems • Promote the brand of the Caribbean region, based on its ethnic diversity, conservation, sustainable production systems and the recognition of peoples of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, as well as green production systems and markets (e.g. sustainable beef and cocoa)
• Facilitate business contacts, joint ventures, and PPPPs, including real estate assistance, formulation of model contracts, assistance with bureaucratic procedures, planning support, identification of potential associates, and facilitation of relocation of investors and their families
• Collect and disseminate information on markets and commercial opportunities, including special studies
• Strengthen RONicaragua/PRONicaribe as well as public functionaries regarding green production and markets Silvopastoral trusts • Align with CONAGAN project • Obtain credit line and credit guarantees • Organize trust structure, procedures, and participants • Tailor TA system to needs
75
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Monitor on-farm forest conservation Agroforestry trusts • Align with MEFCCA projects • Obtain credit line and credit guarantees • Organize trust structure, procedures, and participants • Tailor TA system to needs • Monitor on-farm forest conservation Natural regeneration/social reforestation crusade • Provide in-kind incentives and TA for social reforestation • Direct incentives for natural regeneration • Public promotion
4.4 Assessment of land and resource tenure in the Accounting Area
The following assessment of land and resource tenure is based on an evaluation of the same in the Caribbean Coast, the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve and the Indio y Maiz Biological Reserve that complements assessments carried out during Readiness. The evaluation deepens the analysis of the relation of norms and public polices with i) tenure regimes and their legal status in the accounting area, ii) land use and management, iii) the administration of protected areas, iv) progress related with the titling of communal lands, and v) the use of natural resources32.
The evaluation was carried out during various phases: 1) the search for information, 2) sessions with Working Groups II and III in the Caribbean region, 3) sessions with the legal working group that includes representatives of MARENA, the SDCC, and authorities from the Autonomous Regions, 4) the formulation of maps, and 5) review of the findings by the SDCC, MARENA, and government authorities from the Autonomous Regions.
Land tenure and property rights
Nicaragua is a pioneer and regional leader in the development of a robust institutional and legal framework as regards the restoration and protection of the rights of originary and afrodescendant peoples. Land tenure is legally guaranteed and there are no barriers or conflicts as concerns legal property rights.
32 http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/Docs/Doc_PaqueteR/20.%20Analisis_de_la_Tenencia_de_la_Tierra(040717).pdf 76
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The national Constitution (Articles 5, 44, 89, 99, and 103) recognizes and guarantees:
Different forms of property (communal, public, private, etc.). The use and enjoyment of the forests and lands and communal forms of property by indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples. The right to private property. Land tenure, without discrimination, with the objective of producing wealth while complying with the social functions of land in order to benefit the country and its inhabitants. The responsibility of the State to protect, develop, and promote, together with its inhabitants, land-based activities and the protection of its natural resources. The respect for the legal dominion and possession of property rights, except in cases determined by the law.
Types of land tenure and its uses
A full 98% of the carbon accounting area is either communal or private property, while the remaining 2% has yet to be titled. Fifty-three (53%) of the area is privately owned, while the rest is communal property. The use and usufruct of these zones affect land management, natural resources, protected areas and the territories of originary and afrodescendant peoples.
According to Law 445 (Communal Property Regime of the Native Peoples and Ethnic Communities of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast and the Bocay, Coco, and Maiz Rivers), and the civil code of Nicaragua, communal property is collective property, comprised of the lands, water, forests and other natural resources contained in them, including traditional knowledge, cultural and intellectual property, and biodiversity, that have traditionally belonged to indigenous or ethnic communities. Communal property is found both in the RACCN and the RACCS, but is predominant in the former.
Communal property is defined as collective and is made up of land, water, forests and other natural resources that have traditionally belonged to the community, traditional knowledge, intellectual and cultural property, biodiversity and other goods, rights and actions that belong to one or more indigenous or ethnic communities.
Private property is the legal regimen that contemplates the rights held by owners, as individuals, associates, or collectives, for the dominion, use, enjoyment, and transmission of property. Under this regimen, property is considered the right to have and enjoy a thing without any other obligation apart from those established by the law. With regards to private property, most private property (60%) is found in the RACCS, 23.8% is found in the RACCN, 13.6% in the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve, and 2.6% in the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve (Table 13 and Figure 19).
77
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
There is a substantial difference between communal and private property, namely that the former cannot be transferred, attached, taxed or sold. Thus there can be no legal trade and can rights be acquired by alleging possession, use or usufruct.
A summary table of the differences between communal and private property regimes is shown in Table 14, their presence in the accounting area is presented in Table 14, and a map of communal and private property in the accounting area is shown in Figure 26.
Table 13 Differences among private and communal property regimes.
Private and Communal Property Regimes Private Communal Individual and Associative Collective Communal Rights Rights Individual or group decisions Collective decisions made by communal or territorial assemblies Property can be sold, Property cannot be sold, transferred, donated, transferred or taxed embargoed, taxed, or prescribed. Property can be conceded for a determined period of time, upon prior approval of its use by communal or territorial assemblies Rights can be acquired by: Rights are acquired by: historical presence or assigned by inheritance, possession, and laws or the constitution (Law 28, Law 445). agrarian reform titles Rights cannot be acquired by possession, use and usufruct of the property. Ownership of the land cannot become the subject of legal controversy. The only type of litigation possible is in the sphere of administration when under lease or traditional use conceded by the community. Use and Usufruct: regulated Use y Usufruct: Traditional and formal contracts, rental, by contracts under the Civil associative and joint ventures are the types of contracts Code. most frequently used. Contractual clauses are established by the communities and territories via internal mechanisms and policies (statutes and norms). Concessions have to be approved by communal and territorial assemblies, regional councils, and the Nicaraguan government The administration of Inhabitants can use and enjoy natural resources according Protected Areas is to their customs and the law. The administration of responsibility of the State, Protected Areas is performed by joint management under and can be shared with local a joint management agreement signed by MARENA and inhabitants via a the community. Protected area management plans have collaborative management to be approved by communal and territorial assemblies. 78
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Private and Communal Property Regimes Private Communal Individual and Associative Collective Communal Rights Rights signed by MARENA and the inhabitants.
Table 14 Property regimes in the accounting area.
Accounting Area Titled Private as % of Property Communal Geographic Location Accountin Property g Area % of Private Accounting Property Area Titled Autonomous Regions of the 87.8% 47.9% 39.9% 91.1% Caribbean Coast
Geographic proportion of the 12.2% 5.3% 6.9% 6.9% Alto Wangki and Bocay indigenous territory special regime and the BOSAWAS and Indio- Maíz Reserves located in other departments (Río San Juan, Nueva Segovia, Jinotega). Total 100% 53.2% 46.8% 98% By Political Jurisdiction Communal Private (ha) Total (ha) Department (ha) Jinotega 223,301 483,809 707,110 Nueva Segovia 0 40,635 40,635 RACCN 2,401,236 840,616 3,241,852 RACCS 921,581 1,759,814 2,681,396 Río San Juan 115,922 210,936 326,858 Total 3,662,040 3,335,810 6,997,850
79
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 26 Map of communal and private property in the accounting area.
Tenure in Protected Areas
Protected Areas represent a special case of land tenure, since they contain both communal and private property. There are 22 Protected Areas within the accounting area, containing 1.83 million ha of communal lands and 1.50 million ha of private lands, in which the State recognizes communal and private property rights. Of the 22 Protected Areas in the accounting area, 18 are found in indigenous and Afrodescendant territories.
The administration and management of the Protected Areas is the responsibility of MARENA, which acts through the National System for the Administration of Protected Areas (SINIAP). SINIAP implements planning, organization, direction, and control of the Protected Areas in accordance with their categorization and management plans. Of the 22 Protected Areas, 9 need to update their management plans while 13 lack this management instrument.
In some cases, MARENA can cede the management of protected areas to other actors via:
i collaborative management, which is an institutional arrangement based on a shared agreement between MARENA and other actors for the implementation of actions in a specific territory of the Protected Area with the objective of conservation and sustainable use of the area. ii joint management, meaning the collaborative administration exercised by the state and communities of originary and afrodescendant peoples in a protected area that 80
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
is located in communal land. In the carbon accounting area only the Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve has a joint management agreement with the Rama-Kriol territorial government.
The Bosawas and Indio Maiz Reserves are the largest Protected Areas in the accounting area and account for the large majority of the land in protected areas. Indio Maiz contains 94,687 ha of private land and 221,924 ha of communal land (Table 15). Bosawas includes 187,029 ha of private land and 493,316 ha of communal lands within its nucleus; in the buffer zone there are another 885,592 ha of private land and 294,462 ha of communal lands (Table 15). Bosawas´ buffer zone includes 6 protected areas within its buffer zone: Banacruz Natural Reserve, Cola Blanca Natural Reserve, Pis Pis Natural Reserve, Kilambe Natural Reserve, Peñas Blancas Natural Reserve, and Saslaya National Park that together account for 129,410 ha (104,159 ha of private lands and 25,006 ha of communal lands).
Table 15 Private and communal lands in the BOSAWAS and Indio Maiz Reserves.
Protected Area Private lands (ha) Communal lands Total (ha) (ha) BOSAWAS nucleus 187,029 493,316 680,345 BOSAWAS buffer 885,592 294,462 1,180,054 zone BOSAWAS total 1,072,621 787,778 1,860,399 Indio Maiz 94,687 221,924 316,611 Total 1,167,308 1,009,702 2,177,010
Land use and usufruct of natural resources
The theme of land and natural resource use in the accounting area takes into account: i. attributes and communal property rights of originary and afrodescendant peoples. ii. the diverse forms of private property used for agricultural production models by other groups of inhabitants that interact with the Autonomous Regions, municipalities, and communities.
Land cover and use in the accounting area
Land cover and use in the accounting area is characterized by the following:
(i) Forests have the greatest area, 3.19 million ha, equivalent to 82% of the national forests. These forests are mainly composed of broadleaf (2,852,392 ha) forest and pine (185,618 ha) forests, with small areas of palm or mangrove forests. A total of 2,054,573 ha of forest are found in the RACCN while the RACCS has 1,134,293 ha of forests (Table 16). In the nucleus of the Bosawas Reserve there are 487,769 ha of forest and 292,570 ha in the buffer zone. The Indio Maíz
81
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Reserve still conserves 280,689 ha of forest in its nucleus and 49,368 ha of forest in its buffer zone33. (ii) Pastures are the second most extensive land use. In 2015, they covered an area of 2,100,375 ha (30% of the accounting area), of which 365,739 ha were within indigenous territories and 1,734,636 ha (82% of the total pasture area) were outside these territories on private property. (iii) Other important uses include crops which cover an area of 214,795 ha (3% of the accounting area). Of the crop area, 69% are covered by annuals and 31% by perennial crops. Approximately 73,907 ha (35% of the total crop area) are found in indigenous territories; of this area, 94% is covered by annual crops. (iv) With respect to fallows (tacotales), their presence is significant (613,478 ha). Tacotales are not considered as forests, but rather as secondary vegetation.
Forests are mainly associated with communal property, both within and outside of protected areas (Table 16). Private property contains only about one-third the area of forest as communal lands. Similar amounts of forest within or outside of protected areas.
According to existing norms, lands defined as forests or having a forest vocation ought to be exploited sustainably and should not suffer changes of use. Forest lands and their management are classified as: production forests dedicated to the sustainable development of forest resources, and conservation areas that should be permanently conserved with their forest cover in order to protect and conserve their biodiversity, soils, and water.
Table 16 Forest cover by region and type of property in the accounting area.
Kind of property Forest cover (ha), 2015 Norte Sur Total Protected areas 771,168 638,372 1,409,539 Community property 586,061 470,175 1,056,235 Private property 185,107 168,197 353,304 Outside protected areas 1,283,406 495,922 1,779,327 Community property 995,128 265,765 1,260,892 Private property 288,278 230,157 518,435 Total 2,054,573 1,134,293 3,188,867
Farm characteristics are shown in the Table below. Farms are about 68% large in the RACCS, where livestock predominate, than in the RACCN. On the other hand, farms with the smallest average size are found in municipalities with larger indigenous populations: Waspan and Puerto Cabezas in the RACCN and Desembocadura de Río Grande in the RACCS. In general, livestock and perennial crops are more associated with private property,
33 The Bosawas and Indio Maiz Reserves are found partially in the RACCN and RACCS, but also in other departments. 82
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve whereas annual cropping is found in both communal and private property (see Figure 12 and 15). Table 17 Number and area of farms in the RACCN and RACCS (CENAGRO, 2011).
Average farm size Municipality # Farmss Area (ha) (ha) RACCN Waspan 3,013 75,540 25.1 Puerto Cabezas 2,416 54,117 22.4 Prinzapolka 711 31,486 44.3 Bonanza 634 30,021 47.5 Rosita 1,152 62,919 54.6 Siuna 6,201 244,207 39.4 Waslala 4,596 101,777 22.1 Mulukuku 1,818 131,923 72.6 Total 20,541 731,993 35.6 RACCS La Cruz de Río Grande 2,179 124,887 57.3 Desembocadura de 231 4,574 19.8 Río Grande El Tortuguero 1,990 104,811 52.7 Laguna de Perlas 871 37,130 45.5 Kukra Hill 943 47,725 50.6 Bluefields 1,897 71,793 37.8 Corn Island 10 132 13.2 El Rama 3,933 169,537 43.1 Muelle de los Bueyes 1,910 74,614 39.1 Nueva Guinea 5,893 152,618 25.9 Paiwas 1,910 124,887 65.4 El Ayote 947 48,525 51.2 Total 22,714 959,361 42.2
Resource rights
According to the Constitution and the Caribbean Coast autonomous legal system, property owners are entitled to the use and usufruct of natural resources en Nicaragua, limited only by the national interest, whenever pertinent.
Resource rights are clearly described by law and forestry regulations, although rights to forest carbon are not specifically mentioned (see section 4.5). However, application of the laws and regulations is inconsistent due to shortages of financial, physical, and human resources on the part of responsible institutions, as mentioned in Sections 4.1 and 4.2. Perhaps the clearest example of inadequate supervision is the conversion of forests to other 83
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve uses, contrary to the General Law of the Environment and Natural Resources. Supervision and control of management plans for protected areas, forests, or natural resources are also inadequate, as are the harmonization of community norms and regulations with national laws or regulations.
Challenges for land use and land rights in the accounting area
There is no evidence of any significant dispute or conflict over land in the carbon accounting area due to difficulties regarding land use rights that might in any way endanger the ERPD program. Land titling is clearly defined and communal property receives special protection, as it may not be attached, prescribed, transferred or sold. Nor may rights over possession, use and usufruct be acquired. Any controversy arising from the use and usufruct of communal land can be resolved by resorting to jurisdictional bodies, renegotiating the terms of leasing contracts / agreements or improving the administration of communal property.
Clear land titles is the result of significant efforts of the government of Nicaragua, through the National Commission for Demarcation and Titling (CONADETI), to demarcate and title 23 indigenous and Afrodescendant territories, corresponding to 31.4% of the national territory, during a period of 12 years. Of the 23 titled territories, 16 are found in the RACCN, 4 in the RACCS, and 3 are in the Special Regimen Zone of Alto Wangki and Bocay. They contain 304 communities and 3,819,340 ha.
Given the existence of clear land titles, any potential conflicts or claims based on possession or improvement of communal property by non-community members do not have a legal basis. Nevertheless, land use tensions associated with the expansion of the agricultural frontier and changes of use exist due to the following factors:
(i) Exogenous factor or structural economic problems that are related with the pressure of poor migrants in search of better economic opportunities that entail the development of agricultural systems based on extensive land use, and (ii) Endogenous factors that put into relief weaknesses in territorial land use classification and zoning, contract administration, weak monitoring and control, as well as the harmonization of community and territorial norms and regulations, despite the existence of an adequate legal framework
These factors are associated with the presence of third parties in some indigenous territories and protected areas where they convert forests to pastures or other crops.
The situation described in the foregoing can be dealt with by resorting to jurisdictional bodies, renegotiating the terms of leasing contracts / agreements or improving the administration of communal property. Among the territories in which there is most conflict regarding land use are Awastigni, Sikilta, Tuahka, Mayanga Sauni and Tasba Pri (Nitlapan, 84
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
2014). In general, these territories are located in RACCN, near the agricultural frontier, are accessible by land and have already been partially deforested. Awastinghi, Tuahka and Tasba Pri are near the so-called “mining triangle.” .
The degree of deforestation in these territories is variable, which suggests that deforestation per se is not wholly responsible for land use conflicts (Figure 27). In the Figure below, Mayanga Sauni and Sikilta have a relatively low degree of deforestation, while in Awastinghi and Tuahka, at the right, deforestation is considerable, but lower than in neighboring areas. This suggests that other factors, such as a lack of clarity of land use contracts with third parties, transfers of land by third parties to others, or organized incursions of third parties to communal lands may be causes of conflicts. Unfortunately, there is a lack of data regarding the presence of third parties in communal lands and the types of land use practiced by them. Nevertheless, the weak control of migration and land use by the State and the communal and territorial governments is evident and contributes to conflicts.
Figure 27 Deforestation in indigenous territories with a high degree of land use conflicts (red shading indicates deforestation).
Mechanisms for resolving land use tensions
Law 445 includes procedures for protecting the rights of communal lands and resolving land titling conflicts. The latter is the responsibility of the Attorney General of the Republic and CONADETI. This process consists of the following steps: (i) a diagnosis of the situation based on documents and titles; (ii) updating of the legal status of third parties; (iii) research and verification of the registration history of the property; (iv) updating of the land registry; (v) approval of the changes by the Communal or Territorial Assemblies; and (vi) mediation and compliance of third parties with the resolutions.
85
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
In other words, this process strengthens the titling of communal property and the governance of the same by indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples. It is considered as the fifth stage of the process of demarcating and titling indigenous lands. As such, it forms part of gradual legal and social process that facilitates the full exercise of indigenous property rights with respect to other groups of inhabitants.
In addition, Executive Decree No. 15-2013 creates the Inter-institutional Commission for the Defense of Mother Earth in Indigenous and Afrodescendant Territories of the Caribbean and the Alto Wangki-Bocay. The Committee is integrated by the Attorney General of the Republic, the Supreme Court of Justice, the Secretary of the Caribbean Coast, the Commission of Ethnic Affairs of the National Assembly, MARENA, the Family, Adolescence, and Childhood Ministry, the national police, and the army.
The responsibilities of this Commission are:
• Articulate the actions necessary to consolidate the ancestral rights of property in the indigenous territories with the operative territorial entities. • Adopt the measures jointly agreed upon with the communal and territorial authorities. • Assist the territorial governments with the execution of recommendations contained in the Committee´s resolutions aimed at confronting the threats to Mother Nature. • Exercise mediation and attempt to find alternative solutions to conflicts that involve third party occupants of indigenous territories, while maintaining the territorial governments permanently informed of all Committee resolutions.
In parallel, the country is attempting to apply specific regulations and procedures to these conflicts. This process includes:
• Actions to reorder or regularize the public property registries in order to assure the full exercise of the rights of communal property, including the potential indemnification of third parties. • The recognition of agrarian reform titles emitted before 1987, but under the communal property regimen, i.e. land use by third parties is recognized, but land sales are prohibited except to the community. • Accelerating the judicial processes involving the demands by third parties to communal properties. • Mediation and conflict resolution involving groups without legal documents or titles, based on dialogue and consensus.
Recently, various territories have also developed more agile instruments and procedures that establish norms for co-habitation of use of land by third parties. These include:
86
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The formulation of norms for co-existence and use of natural resources by third parties, Land rental contracts for third parties The classification and zoning of land use Conditioning of land use by third parties on the sustainable use of natural resources and respect for the customs and traditions of the indigenous communities.
However, these measures need to harmonized and aligned with the national legal framework.
In the RACCS, some territories have their own instruments of land and natural use administration. For example:
Tawira has norms for fisheries, Wangki Twi Tasba Raya has a norm for the control and use of natural resources, Sauni Arunka has a consultation protocol, AMASAU has un regulation for communal property governance and a plan for land use classification and zoning, within the autonomous community framework, The Rama y Kriol and Karatá territories have approved norms que regulate the co-habitation and use of property with other ethnic groups.
It should be noted that since many of the third parties present in indigenous territories have rental contracts or other instruments for permitting the use of certain areas, the strengthening of the capacities of the territories and communities to administer these relations plays an important part of the strategy for promoting sustainable land use in the face of land use pressure.
Contribution of the ERPD interventions to tenure
The interventions described in Section 4.3 are expected to respond to contribute to the consolidation of land and resource tenure (see also Section 4.5). These include:
• Strengthening of forestry governance by the ITGs and communal governments, including the up-dating of the regional development strategy for the Caribbean Coast by the SDCC, the formulation of territorial zoning and development plans, and strengthening of the capacities of these government to deal with third parties. • Improvements in the enabling condition related to the application of laws, regulations, and management instruments are aimed at providing financial, physical, and human resources to regional and local governments so that they can more effectively carry out their mandates related to controlling land and natural resource use. • In this, they will be assisted by improvements in enabling conditions related to the gathering, use, and dissemination of information, monitoring and control of land 87
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
and resource use, as well as improved institutional coordination, all at the regional, territorial, and communal levels. This includes, early warning systems that combine satellite and local monitoring, the formation and increase of local monitors, and the strengthening of SERENA at the regional level. • Harmonization of development and environmental priorities in the context of projects and programs executed at the regional level in order to reduce pressure on forests and reduce potential conflicts.
4.5 Analysis of laws, statutes and other regulatory frameworks
The national Constitution of Nicaragua recognizes the important role of the State for the protection of the environment, forests, and forest ecosystem services, which forms the legal basis of the Emission Reduction Program.
Land tenure and resource use in Nicaragua has for its legal foundation the Nicaraguan Constitution, which recognizes different types of property and guarantees land tenure with no discrimination of any type, for the purpose of producing wealth and complying with social functions that benefit the country and its inhabitants. The state and the country’s citizens are responsible for the protection, development and promotion of activities related to property and the care of natural resources, while simultaneously showing respect for the rights of the inhabitants in a particular dominion and their legal possession thereof, except in specific cases as determined by law.
The legal and regulatory framework of the interventions of the ER Program are based on the following articles of the national Constitution:
• Art. 2: Direct participation of the people in national affairs. • Art. 5: Recognition of indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples, their forms of social organization, administration of local affairs, communal forms of property, and the use and enjoyment of natural resources. • Art. 8: The people of Nicaragua are multiethnic. • Art. 44: Recognition of different types of property that ought to comply with social functions. • Art. 60: Right to a healthy environment and the duties of the State and the citizens to protect it. • Art. 89: Rights of the peoples of the Caribbean coast to preserve and develop their cultural identity forms of social organization, and natural resource use. • Art. 102: Natural resources are part of the national patrimony; concessionary contracts can be entered into when in the national interest. • Art. 103: The State guarantees the different forms of property and will not change legal dominion or possession except when required by law. • Art. 180: The use and enjoyment of natural resources is an inalienable right of the communities of the Caribbean Coast. 88
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Art. 181: Autonomy regimen; concessions and contracts granted by the State require approval of the Regional Council.
The principal public policies and their relationship with the ER Program are shown in Table 17. All of the proposed interventions are aligned and permitted under laws and national policies derived from the National Plan for Human Development (PNDH).
Table 18 Principal public policies and their relationship with the ER Program
Policy Description Relation to the ER Program
National Plan for Human Development (PNDH)
The PNDH provides the guiding axis of The PNDH provides a general base for the ER national policies, including environment Program interventions and all the policies. interventions are supported by the PNDH framework. The PNDH is based on a Cristian, socialist, citizen solidarity model. Its strategic The ER Program will contribute to the increase lines, policies, and programs are oriented and protection of forests via the promotion of: towards: 1) economic growth and Reforestation and natural regeneration, the macroeconomic stability with increased conservation of forests and protected areas, employment and reduction of poverty and the sustainable use and recuperation of and inequality; 2) the strengthening of degraded soils and ecosystems. the alliance among workers, producers, and the government; 3) integrated development of the Caribbean Coast; 4) participatory public management and direct democracy; 5) the common good and social equity of Nicaraguan families; and 6) the protection of nature and adaptation to climate change. National Policy for the Sustainable Development of the Forestry Sector
This policy established that Nicaraguan The proposed interventions, within (e.g. families can improve their well-being via community forest management) and outside sustainable forest, agroforestry, and the forests (e.g. forestry plantations, and agroindustrial management based on an silvopastoral and agroforestry systems) are associative model articulated with other framed within this policy. actors along national and international value chains. Management should incorporate environmental conservation and sustainable production that contributes to food security and
89
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve sovereignty and should be based on territorial land use capacity and zoning. General Policy for Territorial Land Use Classification and Zoning
This policy promotes actions aimed at The enabling conditions proposed in the ER converting the territory into the motor of Program consider territorial land use programs and projects oriented towards classification and zoning as an essential the sustainable use of natural resources, element for effective land use management including prevention or protection from and governance and for the implementation of natural phenomena. the interventions. The orientation of the law towards improving land use and maintaining a It strengthens inter-institutional balance between conservation and production coordination along the lines described by is a principal guiding principal of the Law 290, with the goal of avoiding interventions proposed. duplication of efforts, the use of financial resources, and functions. More specifically, the intervention aimed at strengthening land use and forestry It is oriented towards improving land use governance in the 23 indigenous territories and maintaining the balance between includes actions specifically designed to conservation and production. update land use classification and zoning in these territories as well as the use of this information in territorial development plans. General Framework for Land Policy, Presidential Decree No.70-2006
The government of Nicaragua considers Based on this policy, the ordering of land secure land tenure as an essential tenure, the consolidation of property rights, element for economic stability, and the integration of public policies in the governability, and social harmony in the territories can be considered as axes that country. support social and economic development.
This policy promotes the productive and The proposed interventions were selected and sustainable use of the land and its structured based on criteria related to components in order to recuperate its sustainable rural development based on true value as an economic, social, and sustainable and productive land use, including cultural factor. conservation. Moreover, land tenure was used to screen potential interventions and intervention areas.
On the other hand, the promotion of secure land tenure and sustainable productive land use by the Program will contribute to the compliance and execution of the policy. National Environmental and Climate Change Strategy
90
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Among its strategic lines, this policy All the interventions, especially those related includes sustainable land management to agroforestry and silvopastoral systems and based on the land use classification and the intensification of sustainable production, zoning of watersheds as a basis for land will contribute to the execution of the use planning. strategy. All the interventions also focus directly or indirectly on reducing greenhouse Sustainable land management focusses gas emissions and/or the adaptation to climate especially on good agricultural practices change and hence are aligned with this in order to reduce wind and water Strategy. erosion and the emission of greenhouse gases. It also promotes agroforestry and silvopastoral systems. Strategy for the Development of the Caribbean Coast and Alto Wangki and Bocay
The Strategy for the Development of the The interventions will provide important Caribbean Coast to the year 2020 aims to inputs for achieving the objectives of the “develop within a programmatic focus an Strategy, since they aim at producing economic reality that restores the rights sustainable growth integrated with of the inhabitants of the Caribbean to conservation, coordination and harmonization quality basic human services and just and among different levels of government, the equitable productive opportunities, strengthening of territorial and communal supported by autonomous and dynamic governments and their structures, forestry empowerment of the citizenry. management, territorial administration, and the monitoring and control of natural The Strategy proposes to continue resources. The Program will also provide applying the model of integrated human assistance for the updating of the Strategy. development to achieve further progress in equitable economic development in At the same time, all the activities proposed order to consolidate the development of are compatible with the framework of the the Caribbean and its insertion into the Strategy, especially the interventions related national economy, with social, to enabling conditions. environmental, cultural sustainability and the exercise of self-government, as well as to contribute to community and direct democracy. Production, Consumption, and Commerce Plan, 2016-2017
The Plan promotes sustainable and The majority of the proposed interventions environmentally friendly production, coincide with the Plan by aiming at while conserving forests, rationally using sustainable production by small and medium- water, reducing the damage caused by sized producers. chemical input use, and protecting biodiversity. The Program also supports the Plan´s overall goal of environmentally production by 91
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
promoting the integration of environmental goals and indicators in other sectors and the possible compensation of negative environmental impacts caused by these sectors. National Forestry Program The objective of the Program is to orient The Program has a number of interventions the forestry and agroforestry sector aimed at improving the performance and towards sustainable and equitable sustainability of the forestry sector that at the development based on consensus, that same time will aid with the execution and uses articulation to efficiently and compliance with the Plan. These include an effectively provide forest goods and increase in community forestry management, services, with the participation and investment promotion for forest and alliances of the public and private sectors, agroforestry activities, promotion of ethnic communities, and indigenous and reforestation and natural regeneration, Afrodescendant peoples in a model based improved forestry permitting and permit on sustainable forestry, agroforestry, or supervision, improved forest monitoring at agroindustries that also contributes to the local level, strengthened institutional increased food security and sovereignty. coordination, and improved dissemination and use of information. 20 X 20 Initiative The objective of the 20 x 20 Initiative is The ERPD will contribute to the Initiative´s the reforestation of 20 million ha in Latin goals via promotion of: reforestation, natural America and Caribbean by the year 2020. regeneration, agroforestry, and silvopastoral systems.
Legal framework applicable to Autonomy and land and resource rights
Besides national policies, the ER Program also is founded on a broad legislative base related with forest management and protection, autonomy of the Caribbean Coast, the mandate of the Executive branch of government with regards to environmental matters, agroecological production, protected areas and the system of environmental evaluation.
Law 28, Law of Autonomy of the Caribbean Coast and its regulation, Decree 3584. • Regulates the administrative governance of the Caribbean Coast and corresponding rights and duties enabled by the national Constitution. • Establishes faculties of the different levels of government. • Orients the land use classification and zoning of the Autonomous Regions with respect to the use of natural resources, in coordination with INETER. • Permits the Regional Councils to emit endorsements for commercial forest extraction.
92
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Determines and defines, together with competent State entities, quotas for the extraction of natural resources and a system of regulation, control, and evaluation, with the object of guaranteeing their sustained use. Law 445, Law of the Regimen of Communal Property of the Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Communities of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua and the Bocay, Coco, Indio, and Maiz Rivers.
• Regulates the communal property regime of the indigenous and ethnic communities of the Caribbean Coast and the watersheds of the Coco, Bocy, and Indio Maiz Rivers. • Determines the legal procedures for the management of natural resources and forest extraction in the indigenous territories and Afrodescendant territories and the relation between the State and communities in protected areas that are superimposed on communal lands.
Law 805, Law of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity
• Regulates the conservations and sustainable use of the country´s biodiversity. Guarantees the equitable participation and just distribution of benefits derived from the use of biodiversity, with special attention to indigenous and Afrodescendant communities as well as the respect and recognition of the intellectual property rights, and traditional uses and customs of local communities.
Legislation applicable to forests, land, and protected areas
Law 217, General Law of the Environment and Natural Resources and its regulation, Decree 9-96
• Establishes the general regulations and instruments for environmental management, including protected areas, the system for environmental evaluation, land use classification and zoning, environmental education, and genetic resources in indigenous territories. • Establishes the norms for the conservation, protection, improvement, and restoration of the environment and natural resources found therein in order to ensure their rational and sustainable use, as stipulated in the national Constitution.
Law 462, Law of the Conservation, Promotion, and Sustainable Management of the Forestry Sector and its reforms, Law 947.
• Establishes norms and promotes the conversation, foment, and sustainable development of the forestry sector, including the management of natural forests, the foment of forest plantations, and the protection, conservation, and restoration of forest areas.
93
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Emphasizes the importance of improving the well-being of inhabitants via forest management and the participation of the regional and municipal governments and civil society in forest conservation in order to assure multiple benefits and goods and services produced by forests. • In relation to land titles and diverse forms of land tenure, the Law defines that the dominion of the existing forest cover and its derived benefits belong to the landowner, who is responsible for its management under the Law and its regulations. • Creates incentives for forest owners or legal entities that develop activities related to forest conservation, restoration, or sustainable management.
Decree 01-2007, Regulation of Protected Areas of Nicaragua and its regulations
• Regulates protected areas, their norms and administrative directives. Established procedures for the declaration of protected areas, management with stakeholders, and sustainable planning based on management plans. • Regulates the administration of protected areas via collaborative or joint management. • Establishes the administrative procedures for applying sanctions.
Decree 20-2017, System for the Environmental Evaluation of Permits and Authorizations par the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
• Establishes the System of Environmental Evaluation, with the administrative procedures that regulate permits and authorizations for the sustainable use of natural resources. • Includes 18 activities as potential subjects of environmental evaluations, including projects subject to Environmental Impact Assessments. • Establishes the procedure for management plans and timber salvage plans in protected areas. • Establishes the procedure for the environmental authorization for the use and management of soils and terrestrial ecosystems.
Law 641, Penal Code of Nicaragua
• Regulates crimes against natural resources. • Illegal natural resource use is punishable under the law under the following circumstances: o The exploitation, concealment, commerce, transport, trafficking, or benefiting from forest resources in the absence or of authorization or in excess of the quantities authorized. o The unauthorized partial or total removal of trees or plants from State, communal, or abandoned lands. 94
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
o The unauthorized clear-cutting of trees on forest lands. Sanctions include jail, but will increase if the infractions occur in protected or prohibited areas. Law 765, Law of Promotion of Agro-ecological and Organic Production and its regulation
• Foments the development of agroecological o organic production systems through the regulation, promotion, and stimulation of activities, practices, and processes of production that are environmental, economically, socially, and culturally sustainable and that contribute to the restoration and conservations of natural ecosystems, agroecosystems as well as sustainable land management.
Rights and uses of forestry resources
According to the Constitution the autonomy statutes governing the Caribbean Coast and sectoral laws, as well as rights to natural resources and benefits derived from the land or that which is found on it belong to the owner, as recognized by the following laws:
• Article 9 of Law 28 (Autonomy of the Caribbean Coast) establishes as communal property the lands, water, and forests that have traditionally belonged to the communities of the Caribbean Coast. • Law 462 (Conservation, Foment, and Sustainable Development of the Forestry Sector) establishes that the forest use rights, as well as obligation to conserve the forest, accrue to the forest land owner. • Law 462 also creates incentive mechanisms and a fund destined to the owners of forested lands in order to foment forest protection and conservation with the purpose of capturing carbon. The Law contemplates two types of mechanisms for a) persons or legal entities that invest in natural forests or forest plantations, and b) land owners with forest resources that opt to preserver forests and manage them in order to produce oxygen. • Article 5 of the Constitution describes the different types of property recognized in Nicaragua, among which is communal property. The recognition of the existence of indigenous peoples is stated expressly, in particular as regards their right to property over their lands. Law 445 regulates communal property rights, as well as the use and administration of natural resources in the traditional communal land of indigenous peoples and ethnic communities. Communal property is defined as collective and is made up of land, water, forests and other natural resources that have traditionally belonged to the community, traditional knowledge, intellectual and cultural property, biodiversity and other goods, rights and actions that belong to one or more indigenous or ethnic communities. • With respect to the rights to forest carbon, Law 28 states that communal property is constituted by lands, water, and forests that have traditionally belonged to the communities of the Caribbean Coast, while Law 462 established that forest cover and the benefits that it produces belong to the land owner. Based on these Laws, it
95
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
is concluded that forest carbon belongs to the land owner or community where forests are found. • With respect to payments for environmental services or carbon, Law 217 (General Law of the Environment and Natural Resources) established payments for environmental services. • Law 462 also creates the National Fund for Forestry Development (FONADEFO) as part of INAFOR whose function is to “capture and administer financial resources for the development and financing of forestry programs and projects that favor the sustainable management of forestry resources with the objective of increasing the economic development of the country, the conservation of natural resources, the establishment of payments for environmental services, and improvement of the environment”.
ER Program Implementation
Nicaragua has abundant legislation and policies aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources which provides solid backing for the ER Program. However, there is a lack of knowledge of this legal framework which makes the interpretation and application of the laws difficult. This is compounded by institutional weaknesses and scarce resources that limit the monitoring and control of forest and land use.
The ER Program will attempt to overcome weak monitoring and control of forest and land use and the application of relevant laws and regulations via the following activities:
• Dissemination of information related to laws and procedures for sustainable land and forestry. • Strengthening of land use management and governance by the territorial and communal governments, including internal norms and procedures, decision making, capacities for dealing with third parties, and the updating of land use classification and development plans at the territorial and communal levels. • Greater control and enforcement via increases in local monitors, forest rangers, environmental inspectors, and prosecutors. • Improvements in forestry permitting and permit supervision including the use of local monitoring. • The establishment of a mechanism and the resources necessary in order to monitor the application and compliance of the laws and regulations. • Strengthening of institutional planning and coordination via the updating of the Development Strategy of the Caribbean Coast, the strengthening of SERENA at the regional level, and better coordination between MARENA, SERENA, and communal governments especially in protected areas.
96
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
4.6 Expected lifetime of the proposed ER Program
The ENDE-REDD+ program is programed to 2030. However, the actions contained in the ERPD, and the offer to the Carbon Fund are expected to cover a period of seven years starting in 2018 and ending in 2025. Preliminary activities will begin in 2018 and end in 2020 when formal implementation begins (see Intervention Road Map in Section 4.3).
For the period between 2025 and 2030, Nicaragua anticipates obtaining funding from international donors or climate change institutions that will permit continuance and further progress in reducing forest-based emissions.
97
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
5. Stakeholder consultation, and participation
5.1 Description of stakeholder consultation process
This section details the participatory process being carried out in Nicaragua, as per the design of the Program to reduce emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation on the Caribbean Coast and in particular in the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve. This process was made possible by the dialogue undertaken and consensus reached to prepare a national emissions reduction strategy (ENDE REDD+). In the national preparedness process this area was prioritized, as 82% of natural forests are to be found there, including primary forestland. In addition, this is where the agricultural frontier is causing severe damage to forests. Deforestation and degradation is at its worst in this part of Nicaragua.34
Strategy, methodology and consultations regarding ENDE-REDD+
The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity (GRUN) promotes a governance model based on dialogue, alliances and consensus-reaching. Its legal foundation can be found in the Constitution, as well as specific laws such as Law 28 and Law 445, in addition to international conventions such as ILO 169, to which Nicaragua is signatory since 2010. It is with this participatory model in mind that the ERPD was designed. Three working groups were set up as defined in ENDE-REDD+ for the purpose of organizing the participation of the actors or stakeholders (Table 19).
As concerns ERPD, actions took place in accordance with programmatic element 4 of the FCPF’s Carbon Fund Methodological Framework, as follows: “The design and implementation of the ER programs are based on and use transparent consultation and information exchange mechanisms between the actors involved that ensure broad-based community support and the full and effective participation by said actors, in particular the affected local communities and indigenous peoples.”35.
Table 19 ENDE-REDD+ Dialogue and Consultation Platform
Working Group I is made up of the heads of those institutions that work on issues related to forest and climate change, the coordinators of the Regional Autonomous Governments and ITG representatives. This group defines the strategic orientations and must approve all proposals, including ERPD, before these are brought before the President of Nicaragua for final approval.
34 This approach has been explained in detail in the ENDE-REDD+ preparedness package: http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/docpreparacion 35 FCPF Carbon Fund Methodological Framework, 2013. 98
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Working Group II is the technical entity charged with drawing up proposals. Members include technicians of the Program Implementing Unit, technical entities at the regional governments (such as the Secretariat of Natural Resources (SERENA), The Planning Secretariat (SEPLAN), the Regional Nodes, the Forestry Consultative Committee in RACCN, the Natural Resources Commission and ITGs. These coordinate with central government institutions working on this matter. In addition, and taking into account how important the Program is for the autonomous regions, ENDE-REDD+ and the regional governments established a liaison team made up of regional government representatives.
Together with territorial technicians of the ENDE-REDD+ program (4 in RACCN and 2 in RACCS), the liaison teams have been the guarantors of ongoing communication with leaders of the territorial governments, the communities, mayor’s offices as well as women, youth and social organizations working on forest protection. To that end, visits took place and work sessions were held on the issues required for the design of the two aforementioned proposals. The planning for the ENDE-REDD+ Program has taken place each year by drafting an APO and the training schedule contained therein. These APOs were also prepared through a participatory process.
Working Group III is a consultative space. Once proposals have been prepared by Group II they are submitted for validation and consultation to community leaders, women, young adults, farmers, cattle-ranchers and environmental organizations that have influence in the autonomous regions.
The approach to the different issues was designed methodologically so they became gradually more complex, based on the knowledge acquired and confirming approval or consensus concerning the analyses made. It is worth mentioning the engagement of territorial technicians, who were proposed and approved by the indigenous territorial governments and the autonomous regional governments. Their work has allowed for fluid, ongoing communication in the originary languages.
2014-2015: Dialogue was taken up with the various actors identified and general aspects of the REDD+ mechanism were covered, including an analysis of the causes of deforestation. In brief, favorable conditions were prepared for the consultations on ENDE-REDD+.
2016-2017: Consultations took place regarding matters such as safeguards, mechanisms by which to strengthen communication and an analysis of proposals for strategic lines linked to causes. Training was included on the issue of reference levels for the reduction of emissions, the monitoring of forests and specific ERPD analyses got underway.
Issues discussed and actors consulted for ENDE-REDD+
99
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The path leading to dialogue and effective participation has ensured compliance with the right to free, prior and informed consent on the part of originary and afrodescendant peoples who form part of the multiethnic reality on the Caribbean Coast. These ethnic groups are the Miskito, Mayangna, Ulwa, Rama, Creole and Garifunas, as well as the mestizos (mixed Spanish-indigenous heritage), who have a significant presence in the zone. Most of them are small farmers (campesinos) that make use of forest resources.
The effective participation of these actors took place through dialogue held at workshops, congresses, forums and work sessions, during which the different aspects related to emissions reductions due to deforestation and forest degradation were discussed. During the workshops and working sessions it proved possible to incorporate all protagonists identified in the ENDE-REDD+ map of actors,36 which coincides fully with ERPD actors. Table Table 20 below displays a summary of the map of actors.
Table 20 Summary of the Map of Actors
ACTORS INTERESTS/MANDATES Central government institutions MARENA, MAG, INTA, INAFOR, Harmonization of government policy regarding private, INETER, MEFCCA, MHCP; public, mixed and community investments in the reduction Presidential Secretariat for of carbon emissions due to deforestation and forest Public Policy; Secretariat for the degradation. Development of the Nicaraguan Promote sustainable, inclusive and competitive Caribbean Coast; ProNicaragua. investments, including the incorporation of good practices leading to a reduction of forest carbon emissions. Regional, territorial and municipal governments Formal and ancestral owners of their territories and its Indigenous territorial goods and services (including ecosystemic services). governments / originary and Regional socio-economic growth, institutional afrodescendant peoples; strengthening, taking ownership of and deepening autonomous regional autonomy and citizen participation, based on territorial governments (GRACCN y planning. GRACCS); municipal Promote municipal development. governments. Municipal investment projects and environmental plans. Private sector associations and organizations Improvement of family economies and adoption of Associations of farmers and agroecological technologies. cattle-ranchers; UNAG, Financial resources and relations with sources of financing. CONAGAN; private investors; Align investments to good practices in order to reduce associations of reforesters. forest carbon emissions.
36 The map of actors is annexed to the document titled “EESA Report” in the Preparedness Package: http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/docpreparacion 100
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Articulate the generation of their investments and public sector business promotion entities (PRONICARAGUA). Represent a workforce. Have organized representation in the municipalities. Small farmer families (mestizos). Participate in technical assistance programs, training and technological innovation events. Social, youth and women’s Promote values such as love and care for Mother Earth. organizations interested in Manage funds for the protection of biodiversity. environmental protection. Promote environment-friendly technologies. Academe and social communications Offer an academic education. URACCAN and BICU universities. Contribute knowledge and experience in applied research. Influence public opinion on a variety of matters. Local communications media. Promote informal environmental education. Financial sector and foreign cooperation Make available financial resources for productive Banks, microfinance institutions, investments. Incorporate green protocols to their loan foreign cooperation agencies. policies. Tutelary institutions and the judicial branch Exercise the legal representation and defense of the state’s Office of the State Prosecutor; interests. National Police; Make available personnel trained to investigate complaints Army of Nicaragua (Ecological regarding environmental crimes. Battalions). Accompaniment to oversight and control processes in the territories.
The participatory process undertaken by ENDE-REDD+ has been ongoing in nature. A total of 94 workshops were held, of which 79 took place on the Caribbean Coast (Table 21). In addition, the actors participated in 68 EESA table working and coordination sessions. Each of the themes covered has undergone a participatory process and the analyses and proposals put forth were prepared by Working Group II, which as mentioned consists of technical teams. Once the proposal had been structured it was taken to Working Group III for validation. The ensuing workshops were attended by leaders of indigenous groups, women, young adults, communities, universities, local government authorities and members of the Nicaraguan Army and National Police.
Table 21 Timetable of ENDE-REDD issues applicable to ERPD on which consultations took place
Workshops held (by year) Group Issues consulted Attendance 2014 2015 2016 2017 consulted Participation in the REDD+ 1 mechanism and causes of 1 20 8 1 1444 II y III deforestation.
101
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Analysis of public policy and 2 0 6 1 0 221 II y III the legal framework. Mechanisms by which to 3 0 0 13 1 819 II y III strengthen communication. Strategic environmental evaluation (risk identification) • Involuntary resettlement 4 0 3 6 1 369 II y III planning framework and safeguards • Planning framework for indigenous peoples Design of a monitoring 5 0 3 8 0 323 II y III system and reference levels Strategic ENDE-REDD+ 6 0 2 1 4 388 II y III guidelines Total = 79 1 34 37 7 3,564
The workshops held on the Caribbean Coast reflect total participation figures of 3,564 persons, of which 35% were women and 54% were of indigenous ethnic origin (Table 22).
Table 22 Percentage of participation by women, youth and ethnic groups
Percentages Percentages for participation by ethnic groups Mestizo Mayangn Afrodescendant Women Youth Miskitu Rama Ulwas s a s 35 18 46 29 14 1 1 9 Percentage of participation by sectors identified in the map of actors Mayor’ Central Regiona Organization National Police and ITGs s Academe govmt. l govmt. s Army offices 14 16 39 5 2 22 1
The workshops were prepared using a plan or terms of reference (TDRs) which in turn were prepared by consensus with the regional governments (Working Group II). The materials to be used during the workshops and the proceedings therefrom were prepared or approved by the regional governments and are available on the ENDE-REDD+ web page: http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/2015-06-04-16-17-46/2015-06-04-16-22-24/2015- 12-21-20-52-28#
Each of the workshops began with a summary on ENDE-REDD+, followed by a discussion on context, specifically the main causes of deforestation in the area immediate to where the 102
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
workshop was taking place. A strength of these dialogues and consultations has been the translation from Spanish to the mother tongues of all ethnic groups as required by those attending and in order to ensure the issues touched upon are clear to everyone.
5.2 Summary of the comments received and how these points of view were taken into account in the design of the ER Program
As mentioned earlier the ERPD proposal originated from the dialogues held in the course of the ENDE-REDD+ process. Table 23 below displays a synthesis of the proposals put forth by the actors in attendance. Reference is made to their opinions regarding the design of the ERPD. The proceedings of the workshops can be found at: http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/2015-06-04-16-17-46/2015-06-04-16-22-24/2015- 12-21-20-52-28#
Table 23 Summary of the comments made by Caribbean Coast actors participating in the ERPD.
Proposals for interventions Place and suggested in the ERPD for type of Comments Participants discussion and event commentary. Dialogue on REDD+ mechanisms and causes of deforestation • The Coco River’s diminished flow and • Increase communal forest fires are some of the problems forest management. caused by climate change. Lack of • Monitoring by coordination between community community forest authorities, INAFOR and the army means rangers (enforcement trucks laden with logs continue to drive of laws and out of the area and there is little or no regulations). control regarding permits to live there. ITGs, Waspam • It is important to raise awareness on the National • Public education and 21 April need to stop deforestation. Police, mayor’s awareness-raising. 2015 offices, • Update the Caribbean INAFOR. Coast Development Strategy as well as • It is necessary to prepare a national territorial development strategy that includes proposals to protect plans. the forest and deal with the causes of • Strengthen deforestation. government control points and similar actions. • It is necessary to raise awareness so ITGs, Prinzapolk people cease using slash-and-burn mayor’s • Public education and a agricultural methods and take better care offices, awareness-raising. of natural resources. INAFOR, 103
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Proposals for interventions Place and suggested in the ERPD for type of Comments Participants discussion and event commentary. 18 university • Improved coordination • It is necessary to strengthen coordination December regents and harmonization between all institutions involved. Actors 2015 among institutions and request a stronger institutional presence. policies. • The agricultural frontier is advancing due GRACCS, to cattle-ranching or single-cropping (i.e. SERENA, • Improved enforcement Bluefields palm oil). Companies bring development, Universities, of laws, regulations 23 July but must be regulated. Guardabarran and management 2015 co Movement instruments. • It is necessary to strengthen SERENA. (environment a-lists). • The extraction of timber for domestic use needs to be regulated. Mayor’s Nueva • Among the most serious problems in the offices, Guinea • Public education and forests of Nueva Guinea is the lack of municipal 18 June awareness-raising. awareness among the population, the councilors, 2015 felling of trees for firewood, poverty and farmers. failure to comply with the law. • Support to alternatives proposed by organized women in the communities as concerns forest conservation. • Women can use timber residues produced at the companies as raw material for Organized • Increase communal making handicrafts as part of community women’s Bilwi forest management. forestry enterprises. This would increase groups and 12 May • Public education and family incomes. indigenous 2015 awareness-raising. • Women are interested in participating, peoples.
being included and being taken into account throughout the process of formulating a strategy as they take ownership of each of the actions and/or activities. • We are at a critical point in the cattle- • Technical assistance ranching history of our country, and are for farmers and cattle- Waslala Organized already experiencing the effects of climate ranchers. 28 April farmers and change. • Access to loans for 2017 cattle- • The diversification of our farms is an farmers and cattle- ranchers interesting option by which to improve ranchers. incomes. Possibilities (among others) are • Promote investments. 104
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Proposals for interventions Place and suggested in the ERPD for type of Comments Participants discussion and event commentary. growing cocoa, carbon sequestration, producing timber, growing different types of fruit and raising calves with a better weight/age ratio. All these can contribute so cattle-ranching becomes more environment-friendly. We are aware we cannot continue deforesting nor degrading our forests. Forest incentives will help us to overcome the current situation. • Communicators (the media) can • Public education contribute to raising awareness as and awareness- concerns environmental protection and raising. care. SERENA, Rosita • Regarding autonomy, it was pointed out it • Improved coordination social 21 and 22 is necessary to deepen the process in the and harmonization communicato July 2016 territories and vis-à-vis the indigenous among institutions and rs, mayor’s communities. Their syndics policies. offices (representatives) or whitas (judges) are • Improved enforcement the highest authority, sometimes taking of laws, regulations the place of the community assembly. and management instruments. Dialogues held regarding the legal framework • In the territories we are doing our part. • Improved coordination SERENA must improve communication and and harmonization join the efforts made by the ITGs and among institutions and mayor’s offices. policies. • It is important to hold consultation • Strengthening Bilwi assemblies in the territories. The different SERENA, government control 27 levels of government need to ensure ITGs, points and similar November coordination in order to join efforts in the GRACCN actions. 2015 struggle for environmental conservation
and preservation. • The national legal framework must • Improved enforcement continue to be disseminated, but always of laws, regulations with an emphasis on issues that are of and management interest to the autonomous regions, such instruments. as laws 28, 445 and ILO Convention 169.
105
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Proposals for interventions Place and suggested in the ERPD for type of Comments Participants discussion and event commentary. • Law 445 has served to organize land tenure, clarify who owns what land and natural resources. In the North Caribbean Autonomous Region there are 17 indigenous territories which have been titled, as well as another three (3) on the Upper Coco River. Prinzapolk • Much as in other municipalities, the lack of a an institutional presence is a negative 9 June factor regarding oversight and control of 2015 the use and management of natural resources. • Improved enforcement • Community members resent the scarce of laws, regulations accompaniment they get from the ITGs, and management institutions. This has led to apathy on their mayor’s instruments. part and out of ignorance or convenience offices,
they may prefer to undersell what little is INAFOR.
left of their forests.
• Ignorance of the regulatory framework regarding forest use. There are certain species that cannot be used because season is closed. Muelle de • In this municipality the Program was • Strengthening of los Bueyes shown to SERENA authorities for the first government control 13 May time. SERENA is the regulatory body for points and similar 2015 the management and use of natural activities. resources. • The problems of environmental pollution in the rivers and the lack of forested areas Mayor’s in their territories have negative offices consequences for the pastures upon Councilors • Technical assistance to which livestock depends, which in turn Cattle- agricultural producers. decreases milk production. The ranchers • Access to credits with participating cattle-ranchers stated that interest for agricultural technified farms are already being producers. implemented, and that these are more environment-friendly. However, this is still a constant struggle due to cost. 106
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Proposals for interventions Place and suggested in the ERPD for type of Comments Participants discussion and event commentary. Dialogue on the mechanism for strengthening communication There is weakness because the communities Pearl SERENA, are unaware of the law. Lagoon CRACCS, • Regarding the mechanism, it was pointed • ENDE-REDD + must be 6 May ITGs out that when people know they can stay transparent. 2016- Mayor’s office and are being listened to, they are more
motivated and feel supported. • The conservation of the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve is due to the spirit of conservation and community decision- • Increase community making practices, where actions are forest management. proposed by consensus. • Monitoring community Sauni Bu • The Bocay River is a natural treasure that ITGs and forest rangers 25 May facilitates navigation, among other things, community (enforcement of laws 2016 so the communities are committed to its members and regulations).
protection.
• That environmental education efforts must be maximized and propose dialogue actions for the problem with mestizo • Public education and families who have settled in the awareness-raising. territories. Support forest rangers. • The forest we have today has a cost. It has been preserved since the time of our • Increase community Musawas ancestors. When we talk about the forest ITGs and forest management. 2 June we are talking about ancient history. communit • Monitoring community 2016 • The area of Sauni As is very extensive, I y forest rangers suppose that with this project they will members (enforcement of laws organize promoters to ensure compliance and regulations). with the avoidance deforestation and forest degradation. EESA Workshops: Causes of deforestation, strategic guidelines, safeguards, forest management
• Technical assistance to Bonanza The importance of technical assistance and agricultural producers. 20 May micro financing to small farmers was Universities • Access to credits with 2015 analyzed. It was proposed to: ITGs interest for agricultural • Promote agricultural fairs with agro- producers. ecological products that do not use
chemicals to avoid soil contamination.
107
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Proposals for interventions Place and suggested in the ERPD for type of Comments Participants discussion and event commentary. • Encourage and strengthen women’s groups who work with handicrafts. • Training in environmental issues / reforestation. • We must raise awareness regarding soil management and sustainable use. There is a risk there will not be enough money to make payments. • The consultations should be in the Mayor’s territories with emphasis on the sixteen office, Bluefields communities. After this process, submit SERENA, • Considered during the 25 May results to a Territorial Assembly to collect INAFOR consultation with 2016 the opinions of community members and GRACCS participation by achieve a solid foundation of inputs from Guardabarran stakeholders. the communities towards the leaders. co Movement ITGs Bilwi Universities • It has been taken up • Involuntary resettlement is not an issue in 26 July ITGs again in the risk analysis our region. 2016- SERENA – MGAS. • Increase community forest management. • Monitoring by • Establish control and surveillance systems community forest in the territories. rangers (enforcement Mayor’s of laws and office, regulations). Kukra Hill SERENA, • Incentives must be created for rural 9 June INAFOR populations that plant trees. Governments 2016 GRACCS at all levels must be technically, legally and Guardabarran • Technical assistance to administratively strengthened so they can co Movement agricultural producers. deal with conflicts regarding governance. ITG • Access to credits with There must be decentralization of the interest for agricultural administration of protected areas. producers. Promote forest incentives. Stop the expansion of areas used for single- cropping.
ERPD strategy, methodology and consultations
108
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
To make the ERPD proposal a reality, it has had the support of international consultants. Together with the teams of specialists at the ENDE-REDD + executing unit, the regional governments, the Caribbean Coast Development Secretariat and INETER, carried out specific studies on:
Causes of deforestation, including the tendency toward deforestation. A work session was held in each Autonomous Region with actors from the ITG, universities and autonomous regional governments in order to gather information. In addition, the preliminary results of the study were presented to Working Group II (made up of technical teams from MARENA, INAFOR, MEFCCA, SDCC, MAG and the autonomous regional governments. (Summary: 2 regional sessions and 2 sessions at central level)
Analysis of land tenure and use of land and forest resources: the responsibility for the study rested with the ENDE-REDD +, SDCC, CONADETI and regional autonomous governments technical teams of. (Summary: 6 work sessions)
Mapping of public and private investments, as well as incentives and disincentives to deforestation on the Caribbean Coast: To carry out this mapping, several work sessions were held with specialists from PROnicaragua and executives from CONAGAN, MEFCCA and MHCP. (Summary: 4 work sessions)
Reference level, monitoring system: The study and proposal were carried out with the participation of the MRV team, made up of specialists from INETER, MARENA, INAFOR and the regional governments. In addition, capacity on the subject was strengthened by holding a workshop . (Summary: 4 work sessions and a workshop)
Proposal of lines of intervention and an environmental and social management framework to achieve a reduction of 11 M / ton CO2 in the accountability area. These two issues were prepared with the participation of the ENDE-REDD + and autonomous regional government specialists.
The proposal as a whole was presented and sent in writing to the authorities of MARENA, INAFOR, SDCC and the autonomous regional governments. Comments were received and incorporated to the document.
This process was associated with the performance of 7 World Bank technical support missions in which the Autonomous Regional Governments participated, as did the Caribbean Coast Development Secretariat, representatives of the ITGs, MEFCCA, INAFOR, MHCP, SPPP , INETER, MAG, Pro-Nicaribe, agricultural producers and the Chamber of Forestry. Table 5.1.3 displays a summary of the issues addressed during the missions. (Table 24)
109
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 24 Summary of ERPD topics
Date Media download link Participants Topics No Mission (2016 - Agenda of the addressed Proceedings 2017) mission Preparation of Group II: the work plan Mission to https://drive. MARENA, and TDR for the https://drive.go support the google.com/ GRACCN and international ogle.com/open? launch of the open?id=0B2 9 to 20 GRACCS, consultancies for id=0B2NI1SOSCI 1 Emissions NI1SOSCISuN May SDCC, SPPN, ERPD SuSEpkc08xZFp5 Reduction GI2aFBLMTFI 2016 MHCP Work sessions cEk Preparedness UW8 were held in the Program autonomous regions.
Start of the Group II and development of Group III: the ERPD. MARENA, Work sessions INAFOR, were held in the https://drive MEFCCA, autonomous https://drive.go Technical support 23 .google.com/ MAG, SDCC, regions. ogle.com/open? mission for the January open?id=0B2 SPPN, Working id=0B2NI1SOSCI 2 Emissions to 1 NI1SOSCISuS MHCP, sessions with SuLUgxejFua3Nn Reduction Februar kJuY1VxT0ph GRACCS, agricultural Vm8 Preparedness y 2017 Tjg GRACCN, producers, Program CONAGAN, reforesters, Reforesters ITGs, PRO- universities, Nicaragua. foreign cooperation agencies.
Mission to Group II: Presentation of continue MARENA, advances in https://drive https://drive.go supporting the 20 INAFOR, international .google.com/ ogle.com/open? development of Februar MEFCCA, consultancies on open?id=0B2 id=0B2NI1SOSCI 3 the REDD + y to 3 MAG, SDCC, Causes of NI1SOSCISua SubF9fcEF4Qlpu Package and the March INAFOR, deforestation, 3Bic0ZzbldEV MWs emission 2017 SPPN,BM, interventions Xc
reduction RACCS, and proposed program RACCN interventions. document (ERPD) 110
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Work sessions were held in the autonomous regions.
Group II: Analysis of the Due diligence MARENA, causes of mission. INAFOR, deforestation on Additional funds CONAGAN, the Caribbean
and technical SDCC, SPPN, Coast and the March 4 support to the MHCP, proposed 15-30, emissions GRACCN, conceptual 2017 reduction GRACCS, framework for preparedness Foreign the required program. cooperation investments. agencies.
With the technical support of the WB, legal aspects were worked on, Mission to Group II: progress was continue MARENA, made in the supporting the https://driv https://drive.go INAFOR, analysis of development of e.google.com ogle.com/open? April 24 MEFCCA, abatement the REDD + /open?id=0B id=0B2NI1SOSCI 5 to May MAG, SDCC, curves, levels of Package and the 2NI1SOSCISu SuclAtdkk5aElEU 22, SPPN, deforestation, emissions X1NjU3pFYXZ lU 2017 MHCP, and induction reduction YNm8 GRACCS, training in program GRACCN carbon document (ERPD). accounting was carried out, with the participation of technicians from the Autonomous Regions. Technical mission August Group II: Progress was https://drive.go to prepare the 28 to MARENA, made in the ogle.com/open? 6 emission Septem INFAFOR, studies required id=0B2NI1SOSCI reduction -ber 2, INETER, by the ERPD. SuV2dRV3loMW program to "fight 2017. MAG, Teams were xVelE 111
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
climate change RACCN, formed to and poverty” on RACCS, incorporate the Caribbean MHCP, BM observations to Coast, the the documents. BOSAWAS A work session Biosphere was held at Reserve and the MEFCCA. Indio Maíz Biological Reserve. Group I y The summary of Group II: ERPD proposals Novem MARENA, was presented ber 20 Technical mission INFAFOR, and to 7 to support the INETER, interinstitutional Decem preparation of the MAG, teams worked ber 1, ERPD. RACCN, on their 2017 RACCS, incorporation. MHCP, BM
The main result of the consultation workshops held in the autonomous regions was the granting of approval of the strategic lines proposed for ENDE-REDD +.
In brief, the comments received are included in the proposals for the interventions: • Increase community forest management. • Monitoring community forest rangers (enforcement of laws and regulations). • Update the Caribbean Coast development strategy and territorial development plans. • Strengthening of national government control posts and other actions. • Technical assistance to agricultural producers. • Access to credits with interests for agricultural producers.
Thus, the proposals have also been considered when indicating propitious or enabling conditions, among which the following stand out: • Public education and awareness-raising. • Improved coordination and harmonization of institutions and policies. • Improved application and compliance with laws, regulations and management instruments. • Promotion of investments.
Pending issues to submit for consultation
From the list of topics that should be consulted for the ERPD with Working Group III, two issues are still pending, namely the distribution of benefits and intervention actions by proposed area. 112
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The reason why progress has not been made with the distribution of benefits and lines of intervention is that the government of Nicaragua has been identifying the sources of financing to cover the investment costs of the activities that will be prioritized to generate the 11 million tons of C02e agreed to in its Letter of Intent with the World Bank (January 2016).
a) There follow elements of the consultation plan for ERPD the intervention proposals with relevant Group III actors.
Selection of places of consultation: In compliance with Free, Prior and Informed Consent, the broad consultations with Working Group III during the second semester of 2018 will be carried out in sites that facilitate the assistance of community actors, ITGs and members of municipal governments. There will be seven consultation workshops, as follows: 3 in RACCS, 3 in RACCN, and one in the Upper Wangki. (Table 25)
Table 25 Distribution of Municipalities and ITGs for Consultations on
Municipality ITG RACCS Bluefields, Nueva Guinea, Paiwas, Muelle de los Bluefields GTRK and Creole, Bluefields Bueyes, Corn Island, El Rama, El Ayote. Pearl Lagoon Kukra Hill, Pearl Lagoon . Pearl Lagoon and Tasba Pauni El Tortuguero, La Cruz de Rio Karawala Grande, La Desembocadura Awaltara de Rio Grande RACCN Wangki Maya, Wangki Li Aubra Tasbaya, Li Lamni Tasbaika Kum, Kipla Sait Tasbaika Waspan Waspan Kum, Awas Tingni, Wangki Twi-Tasba Raya, Wanki Kupia Awala. Prinzu Auhya Un, Tasba Pri, Twi Waupasa, Puerto Cabezas Puerto Cabezas, Waslala, Twi Yahbra, Twi Karatá, TAWIRA Tasbaika Mayangna Sauni Bas, Mayangna Sauni As, Mulukuku, Siuna, Bonanza, Siuna Mayangna Sauni Arungka, Mayangna Rosita, Prinzapolka Sauni Tuahka Takalni Balna, Prinzu Awala Wiwilí de Nueva Segovia, El Miskitu Indian Tasbaika Kum, Mayangna Jinotega Cua, Bocay y Wiwilí Sauni Bu, Kipla Sait Tasbaika Jinotega.
Leadership at the consultation workshops will be provided by the territorial and regional governments. MARENA will offer methodological support for the preparation of the 113
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve presentations and materials to be used during the consultations, which will be culturally appropriate and translated into native languages (Miskito, Mayangna, Rama and English). The minutes of the assemblies will be approved in the same assemblies and published on the ENDE-REDD+ web page. The assemblies will be held in the different ethnic group’s mother tongues. In figure 1.2.1, the route to be followed for carrying out the consultations is described.
Consultation agenda: The agenda of the consultation workshops will describe the context leading to causes of deforestation, the actions and intervention by which to address these, the environmental management framework, reference levels, the monitoring-reporting- verification system and the proposal for sharing benefits. b) Consultation Plan for Distribution of Benefits
The consultations will be carried out in different phases: • Presentation of the objectives of the ERPD and a dialogue on the design elements of the options for the distribution of benefits with three representatives of the 23 indigenous territories in the accountability area. • Work sessions will look at the details of the different options to discuss the pros and cons of each in the context of the territories. • Participatory workshops for the definition of local agreements for the distribution of benefits in the different territories and to discuss forms of validation, implementation and oversight of the agreements reached.
Working Group 3 will present its comments and contributions to the benefit-sharing plan at the consultation workshops that are planned for the ERPD. On the other hand, the proposed benefit-sharing plan is still at the design stage. There need to be more technical discussions and contributions from the entities and actors involved. These are in the process of being organized.
Route for consultations:
Below is the work route and tentative calendar of consultations on benefit-sharing. Figure 28: Route for the holding of consultations on ERPD interventions
114
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve Figure 28 Road map for the implementation of future consultations.
Prepare methodology, Hold consultations Hold consultations TdR ref. on ERPD on the benefits responsibilities interventions distribution plan
February - March 2018 May - June 2018 June - August 2018
115
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Operational and Financial Planning 6. 6.1 Institutional and implementation arrangements
Implementation of the ER Program contemplates actions at the national, regional, and local levels. MARENA will assume overall coordination of the ER Program, with assistance at the national level from the institutional steering committee composed of MARENA, MHCP, MAG, MEFFCA, SPPN, SDCC, INETER, INAFOR, and the regional governments. The institutions participating in the steering committee have complementary institutional mandates that are necessary for the successful execution of the ER Program, including finance (MHCP), monitoring (INETER; MARENA, INAFOR), policies (SPPN, SDCC, MAG, MARENA), the implementation of rural development projects (MEFCCA), and coordination (regional governments, MARENA, SDCC). They are considered key to overall Program governance and coordination, since they balance national and regional interests as well as the capacities needed for Program planning, coordination, and implementation. These institutions have also been strategically involved in REDD+.
The regional governments will lead the implementation of the program in their respective regions, and are responsible for regional coordination and execution through the regional councils and the natural resources secretariat, SERENA and the SEPROD. The CCFA will provide the supervision and regional technical advice in the RACCN and CTR in the RACCS.
It should be noted that the SDCC has important role in technical coordination between the national government and the regional and indigenous communal authorities of the Caribbean and in organizing and ensuring the coherent functioning of government actions in factor of the development of the autonomous regions and their peoples.
The GTI and the communal governments (GC) will coordinate the execution at the communal and territorial levels. The regional governments will lead in their respective spheres the implementation, coordination, monitoring and follow-up in coordination with the delegations of the ministries, the territorial and communal and municipal governments. Likewise, the MRV system will carry out national monitoring, regional nodes at the regional level, and territorial and community monitors at the local level.
MARENA: MARENA will be the lead organization for technical and administrative oversight. It is presently the national focal point for REDD+ and has led the Readiness and national REDDD+ Strategy preparation processes as well as the formulation of the ERPD. MARENA´s leadership and intimate involvement in the preparation and implementation of national REDD+ as well as the FCPF programs, will result in close integration of the implementation of REDD+ in the accounting area and at the national level.
MARENA currently has a core team consists of 14 specialists and technicians and regional technicians and coordinators dedicated to REDD+, who are located in the General Office of 113
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Climate Change. MARENA has also established an effective hierarchy of working groups composed of a broad spectrum of stakeholders and decision makers at the ministerial, technical and grassroots levels who provide political direction, technical assistance, expert advice, and participate in dialogue, consultation, feedback, and consensus building with interested parties. Additionally, personnel of SINIA, the Secretaries of the BIOWAS and Indio Maiz Reserves, as well as territorial delegations of the RACCN, RACCS, Jinotega, and Rio San Juan will participate in the execution of the Program.
Besides overall administrative oversight of the ER Program as well as its planning, coordination, and implementation, MARENA will also be directly involved in the areas of forest conservation and avoided deforestation, the monitoring of forest cover and emissions, safeguards, and non- carbon benefits, communication of this information to stakeholders, in line with its institutional mandate.
Figure 29 Overall coordination of the ER Program
MHCP: The Ministry of Hacienda and Public Credit has been responsible for assigning and overseeing public expenditures and financial policies related to the execution of REDD+ and the ER Program and has participated in the design and supervision of development-related incentives. In the context of the ER Program, MHCP will be responsible for identifying potential sources of financing and developing the corresponding proposals. It will also be involved in incorporating environmental criteria and indicators related to the reduction of deforestation and emissions within the methodological guidelines for public pre-investments. Together with 114
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
MARENA, MHCP will also oversee financial management of the ER Program. The MHCP and the Office of the Comptroller General oversee a well-established legal framework for procurement and financial management, the Integrated Financial, Administrative and Audit Management System.
MEFFCA: The Ministry of Family, Community, Cooperative, and Associative Economy is involved in rural development, agricultural and agro-industrial technical assistance, and the development of family enterprises as well as the promotion of cooperatives and other forms of group associations, and works also with the SDCC in the development of the Caribbean Coast. It is also the lead institution of the agroforestry and agricultural development projects that will contribute to ER Program objectives on the Caribbean Coast. It is expected that MEFCCA will be involved in the delivery of productive, organizational, and commercial technical assistance to farmers, public education and awareness campaigns related to various of the interventions, as well as the association of groups of farmers.
SDCC: The Secretary for Development of the Caribbean Coast is the technical arm of the Caribbean Coast Council, whose function is to organize and coordinate communications and interactions between the national government, the regional governments and indigenous and Afrodescendant communities; assure the coherent functioning of the various branches of government with respect to the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast; strengthen regional institutions; coordinate the Executive branch institutions involved in the process of land titling of indigenous territories; and act as the link between the Presidency and other state institutions with regards to themes related to the Caribbean Coast.
In alignment with this coordination role, it is expected that the SDCC will facilitate the processes of articulation and institutional coordination between the national and regional (region, territory, and community) levels and assist with the generation, supervision and feedback of strategic results in the accounting area. It will also assist with strengthening the forest governance of the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories as well as the regional governments and their environmental and natural resource agencies; incorporate approaches and indicators related to reduced deforestation and sustainable production in the regional development strategy and plans; assist with information gathering and the use and dissemination of information among sub-national governments; and the more effective application of regulations and management instruments by sub-national governments.
INETER: The Nicaragua Institute for Territorial Studies is a member of the inter-institutional platform for forest and land use monitoring consisting of the following institutions: INAFOR, MARENA, INTA, MAG, INETER, municipal mayor, regional and territorial governments, and indigenous and Afrodescendant communities (see section 9.2). INETER has been responsible for the System of Monitoring of Land Use, Forest Cover and Production and will provide data and geospatial information on Activity data. It is also responsible for reporting on Forest Cover and Changes in Land Use/Estimation of Emissions from the LULUCF sector.
115
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
INAFOR: The National Forestry Institute is a member of the inter-institutional platform for forest and land use monitoring. The Institute has been responsible for carrying out the national forest inventory, as well as the implementation of forestry regulations as well as the administration of FONADEFO (see section 6.2).
Regional governments of the RACCN and RACCS (GRACC): The regional governments are responsible for the formulation and execution of development plans and program in the region, administration of communal services in coordination with the national ministries, promote intra- and inter-regional market linkages, and environmental management, land use classification and zoning, and the rational use and conservation of natural resources with the Caribbean region, via their specialized Secretaries of Planning (SEPLAN), Production (SEPROD), and the Environment and Natural Resources (SERENA). The regional governments have been involved in the design of the ERPD and will participate in local monitoring, information gathering and analysis, coordination with municipal and territorial governments, the application of laws, regulations, and forest management instruments, and investment promotion via PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe.
Territorial governments (ITGs): The governments of the territories of the indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples is made up of a number of entities that participate in collective territorial administration and decision making. The territorial governments are responsible for the zoning and use of natural resources, territorial development plans, and the administration of financial resources.
Institutional leadership the Program actions and interventions are shown in Table 26. The Table illustrates the important roles of MARENA, MEFCCA, and the regional governments in Program implementation.
Table 26 Institutional involvement in the activities and interventions of the ER Program.
Intervention Activities Institution Participating responsible institutions Within the Forest: Increase conservation and forest value Update development plans in the indigenous ITGs MARENA/INETER/ and Afrodescendant territories based on land GRACC classification and zoning Results-based incentives for avoided MARENA GRACC/MHCP Forest mgmt. deforestation in ITGs and Local monitoring and control of deforestation ITGs INETER/INAFOR/ overnance in via local monitors and early warning systems GRACC/MARENA/ ITGs SERENA Territorial and communal government MEFCCA GRACC/ITGs training Promotion/public education campaigns MEFCCA ITGs Community Public education campaigns MEFCCA INAFOR/ITGs/GRA forestry in ITs CC 116
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Facilitation of community alliances with PRONicaribe investors/Commercial advisor Technical assistance (TA) MEFFCA Direct incentives to reduce costs of PGMF and FONADEFO- Municipal govts. AOPs INAFOR Forestry audits and supervision INAFOR Outside the Forests: Promote profitable and sustainable productive systems Sillvopastoral Public education campaigns MEFFCA IPSA systems TA/Training MEFCCA IPSA/INTA managed by Commercial/organizational strengthening MEFCAA small and Market linkages MEFFCA medium- Lines of credit for silvopastoral trust, risk PRODUZCAMOS sized guarantees) or multi-lateral livestock development ranchers banks Alternatives Public education campaigns MEFFCA IPSA to extensive TA/Training MEFCCA IPSA/INTA cattle raising Commercial/organizational strengthening MEFCAA and farming: Market linkages MEFFCA Perennial Lines of credit for agroforestry trust, risk PRODUZCAMOS crops, guarantees or multi-lateral agroforestry development systems, banks forest plantations37 Agroindustri Investment promotion PRONicaragua/ al PRONicaribe agroforestry, silvopastoral, or forestry plantations Natural Public education campaigns MEFCCA INAFOR forest Incentives INAFOR regeneration TA/Group training MEFCCA / reforestation crusade Transverse Activities: Improved economic enabling conditions Promotion of the Caribbean brand (based on PRONicaribe/ GRACC ethnic diversity, conservation, sustainable PRONicaragua
37 See Annex 5 for details of commercial and conservation reforestation. 117
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Promotion of production systems, and recognition of private indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples) investments Promotion of “green” enterprises (e.g. certification of coffee, cocoa, oil palm, or beef) Facilitation of commercial contacts, PPPs, and joint ventures Information gathering and dissemination, special studies Strengthening of “green” production MEFCCA concepts among public functionaries Incorporate “green” protocols in national and PRODUZCAMOS regional financial institutions Incorporate or modify criteria and indicators MHCP related to the reduction of deforestation and emissions in public pre-investment guidelines Transversal activities: Improve institutional enabling conditions Align and Include and monitor uniform environmental Production, MARENA/INAFOR harmonize indicators in the programs/projects in the Consumption, / ITGs policies and region. and Commerce improve Cabinet coordination Update, implement, and monitor the SDCC among the Development Strategy and Plan for the different Caribbean Coast to 2021 and align regional levels of and territorial development plans with the government Strategy. Strengthen the mechanisms for dialogue SDCC among Autonomous Region entities and the national government in order to promote the reduction of deforestation and the increase of green investments. Increase the capacities for the definition, SDCC, GRACCs monitoring, and evaluation of human development indicators related to the reduction of deforestation and “green” public and private investments Monitoring, Establish and implement an early warning INETER GRACC/MARENA control, and system for deforestation enforcement Monitor incentives for avoided deforestation MARENA GRACC/INETER of land use and adoption of interventions Improve supervision of forest permits INAFOR ITGs, Communal govts., GRACCs 118
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Improve the follow-up of environmental MARENA Min. of Justice/ complaints via an increase in environmental GRACC/National inspectors Police/Army Public Environmental public education/ MEFCCA MARENA education awareness/promotion and Institutionalize the updating and use of land GRACC, SDCC/Municipal awareness, use and natural resource information by MARENA govts./INETER/ and SINIA, SINAP, and regional information nodes INAFOR/ ITGs information Promote the joint institutional analysis of gathering, information at the regional level under the access and leadership of the regional governments disseminatio (GRACC) n Promote and monitor the use of information for strategic objectives by regional, municipal, and territorial governments Institutionalize the access to information produced by sectorial institutions (e.g. MARENA, INETER, INAFOR and MAG) Provide advanced technological equipment for the functioning of the regional nodes which will allow the updating, use, and systematization of information Strengthen SICOR in the RACCN and SIMEAR in the RACCS to facilitate communication and access to information related to the environment and land use Assure the assignment of budgetary funds to the regional governments for the operation of the SERENAs, SIGC, and the nodes Strengthen Harmonize and improve the application and INAFOR. SDCC/GRACC/ITG the compliance of existing environmental and MARENA s application forestry norms at the national, regional, of laws, municipal, and territorial levels, especially the regulations, supervision of domicile permits on the part of and the ITGs and the monitoring and evaluation of management forest harvest plans. instruments Strengthen the Forestry and Environmental related to Consultative Council in the RACCN and create natural a Forestry and Environmental Consultative resources Council in the RACCS Strengthen the forestry, environmental, and productive institutionalization of the regional governments 119
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
FONADEFO (the National Fund for Forestry Development) was created by Law 462 and is part of INAFOR. Its function is to “capture and administer financial resources for the development and financing of forestry programs and projects that favor the sustainable management of forestry resources with the objective of increasing the economic development of the country, the conservation of natural resources, the establishment of payments for environmental services, and improvement of the environment”.
The funds of direct incentives for deforestation avoided in the GTI will be channeled according to previously agreed investment plans and will follow the route of the investment projects according to each subject, as well as the incentives for natural regeneration. The detailed procedures for both are still under study. In order to assume these responsibilities, it is necessary to strengthen and harmonize internal procedures and capacities, and coordination with the MRV system, regional and territorial governments, and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit.
6.2 ER Program budget
The proposed budget for the ER Program is $78,411,048 for 7 years (Table 27). The majority of the costs are associated with the enabling conditions ($11,110,000), direct incentives ($13,304,000) and credit lines and guarantees for the agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts ($40,790,400).
Revenues include $9,172,461 from public funds (including $765,200 from the additional funds for Readiness), $39,178,600 in loans, $18,309,900 in REDD+ results-based payments from the Carbon Fund, $1,911,800 from the CONAGAN trust, and $8,919,486 from grants from the Green Climate Fund, which will be used to cover the financial gap. The loans will be used to establish the agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts and are expected to produce positive returns.
Table 27 Principal costs and sources of funding of the ERPD
Cost Amount ($) Preparation (years 1 and 2) Institutional alignment and preparation 90,000 Consultations and communication 100,000 Registers 40,000 Reference level 24,000 Proposal preparation 50,000 Special studies, (trust design, land tenure) 80,000 Operative plans 16,000 Sub-total 400,000 Implementation (years 3-7) Enabling Conditions MRV and reference level 3,477,385
120
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Institutional alignment and coordination 355,000 Public education, awareness, and intervention promotion 750,000 Strengthening of PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe, investment 4,807,000 promotion Application of laws, regulations, and forestry permit process 2,500,000 Increased dissemination and use of information 196,000 Grievance and feedback mechanism 97,233 Safeguards and benefits distribution 102,157 Sub-total 12,284,775 Other Interventions Improved land and forest mgmt. and governance in ITGs, including 10,175,000 incentives for avoided deforestation, training, AT, Community forest mgmt., including incentives for PGMF and AOPs, 2,634,500 training, AT, forestry audits, and guarantees Silvopastoral anad agroforestry trusts: AT 8,777,500 Silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts: Credit lines and guarantees 41,090,400 Natural regeneration/social reforestation, AT, in-kind incentives 2,900,000 Sub-total 65,577,400 Total 78,262,175
With respect to the chronology of the costs, approximately $400,000 are budgeted for pre- investments in years 1 and 2. Implementation costs are estimated to be $12,219,447 in year 3, $18,559,225 in year 4, $17,249,957 in year 5, $14,989,569.00 in year 6, and $14,992,849 ib year 7.
REDD+ Readiness funds will be used to finance preparatory activities. During implementation, revenues from public funds, loans, and grants will be used to finance the majority of the activities during the first two years, after which FCPF results-based payments based on the projected emissions reductions for years 1 and 2, will assume an important role.
Public funds are used mainly for: monitoring; improvement of the reference level; technical assistance within the framework of existing agroforestry and silvopastoral projects; publicity and public education campaigns; information collection, use, and dissemination; improved application of laws, regulations, and management instruments; and training.
Loans originating from the national or multi-lateral development banks will be used to finance the agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts. The credit line and loan guarantees are initiated in year 1 for the silvopastoral trust, but year 2 for the agroforestry trust, due to the advanced state of negotiations of the silvopastoral trust.
A proposal will be prepared for a grant from the Green Climate Fund to finance approximately $8,919,486 in order to update the Caribbean Coast Develop Strategy and Plan of the SDCC, strengthen PRONicaragua and PRONicaribe, technical assistance, and forest governance in the 121
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
ITGs. It is expected that the Division of Mitigation and Adaptation of the Green Climate Fund will be used as a source of grants (see Annex 8 for the ER Program budget).
Finally, $16,505,000 in expected payments from the Carbon Fund for a reduction of 4.36 Mt CO2e emissions (see Section 13) achieved during the first two years will be used to finance the expansion of silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts, and activities related to forest management and governance strengthening in the ITGs and the improvement of institutional enabling conditions, including investment promotion activities, during the latter 3 years of Program implementation.
122
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
7. Carbon pools, sources and sinks
7.1 Description of Sources and Sinks selected
Deforestation and enhancement of carbon stocks in new forests are the two activities included in this version of the reference level, since they are considered to be the principal sources of emissions and removals, respectively, in the accounting area and for which reliable information is available (Table 28). An analysis of forest degradation based on direct methods has been included in this version of the ERPD. Degradation has been assessed as a significant source of emissions, and therefore, a reference level for this activity will be estimated during the following weeks. Sinks or sources of emissions related to conservation and forest management have been excluded.
Table 28 Activities included in the reference level
Sources/Sinks Included? Justification / Explanation Emissions from Yes Deforestation is the principal source of emissions in the deforestation accounting area due to the magnitude of the carbon stocks involved. The average annual emissions due to this source are 13.81 Mt CO2e/yr, as is detailed in the section 8 on the Reference Level. Emissions from Yes The importance of forest degradation in “forest remaining forest forest” during the reference period has been analyzed using a degradation set of random reference points over forest remaining forest during the period. The analysis has taken into account anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic forest degradation by estimating degradation in areas where forest degradation is considered non-anthropogenic: - Areas farther than 1 km from roads and pathways - Areas farther than 1 km from villages - Areas farther than 1 km from the agricultural frontier and deforestation sites. Degradation from points situated in these areas was considered non-anthropogenic and has been omitted from the analysis. The results suggest that emissions from forest degradation are significant (about 20%) with respect to total emissions. Therefore, Nicaragua is planning to construct a forest reference level for emissions from forest degradation during the following weeks to meet the requirements of the Methodological Framework
122
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Enhancement Yes This sink is included in the reference level and comprises the of carbon stocks conversion from non-forest land to forest land, but does not include the accumulation of carbon stocks in existing secondary forests and primary forest, due to the lack of data for the generation of a reference level for this activity.
The Program will contribute to the establishment of forests via two interventions: reforestation and the establishment of secondary forests on land previously under livestock and agriculture. In the accounting area, more than 39,000 ha of young regenerating forests are assumed to exist during the reference period (2005-2015) which corresponds to 2.3 Mt CO2e/yr of annual removals due to this activity. Interventions related to agricultural and livestock intensification are expected to significantly increase the conversion to new forests in large areas of the project area. Conservation of No These GHG sinks are excluded due to the lack of reliable local carbon stocks data. Sustainable No These GHG sinks are excluded due to the lack of reliable local forest data. Sustainable community forestry is included as an management intervention, but its principal impact is on avoided deforestation.
Indirect methods for estimation of forest degradation in Nicaragua have suggested the significance of this activity relative to total emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Therefore, an analysis through direct methods to analyze the significance was performed in the accounting area.
The analysis is based on the information contained in the reference points interpreted in areas of stable forest, which were part of the random sample used for the accuracy assessment of the activity data (see section 8.3).
Activity data was estimated with a multi-temporal visual assessment of medium and high resolution imagery to detect forest canopy cover change. Following Olofsson, the area and accuracy of degraded and enhanced forest areas were estimated by visual interpretation of sample areas using available high resolution imagery. A total of 595 reference points in the forest remaining forest category were interpreted during 2005 and 2015. Those points were interpreted as one of the forest categories (broadleaf or conifer forests) and afterwards, the forest cover in each point was evaluated through a spatial assessment unit of 9 pixel grid with a pixel size of 30 m x 30 m. Forest areas with decreases in canopy cover during the assessment period (2005 - 2015) were considered to be degraded and forest areas showing an increase in canopy coverage were identified as forest enhancement areas.
123
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The analysis took into account the anthropogenic and non- anthropogenic forest degradation by identifying where forest degradation is considered non-anthropogenic:
- Areas farther than 1 km from roads and pathways. - Areas farther than 1 km from villages. - Areas farther than 1 km from the agricultural frontier and deforestation sites.
Taking into account that the main drivers of degradation (firewood collection and illegal logging38) are related to accessibility to forest, MARENA, in coordination with INETER, has produced a map of roads based on the interpretation of 2015 RapidEye imagery. This map has been used to delimit areas based on road accessibility (accessible and inaccessible). Degradation in accessible forest areas will be assumed to be anthropogenic, whereas degradation in inaccessible forest areas will be considered to be non-anthropogenic. Degradation from points situated in these areas was considered non-anthropogenic and therefore has been been subtracted from the total degradation estimated in the accessible areas.
Emissions from forest degradation have been assessed by relating forest cover loss to the loss of biomass (hence emissions) at these reference points. INF forest plots were stratified into 3 categories based on forest cover: open forest, dense forest, and very dense forest (Table 29). In each category, biomass was estimated using the equation of Chave et al (2014). Biomass was then related to forest cover using a linear regression shown in Table 29. This regression was subsequently applied at each reference point in order to estimate the loss of biomass.
Table 29 Forest cover and biomass relation based on the Nicaragua forest inventory information.
Biomasa Forest cover (%) t C/ha 85 75.68 55 59.14 25 37.56
38 For further details on degradation drivers see section 4. 124
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 30 Forest Cover and Biomass Relation
90.00 y = 0.6353x + 22.521 80.00 70.00 60.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 Biomass t C/ha t Biomass 20.00 10.00 0.00 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Forest cover %
Considering only the points with an anthropogenic influence (531 of 595) there is an average biomass loss of 3.75 t C/ha and 0.39 t C/ha in broadleaf and conifer forest respectively. Taking into account the area of forest remaining forest evaluated (permanent forest), this biomass loss accounts for more than 20% of the total emissions of the reference period39.
Table 30 Anthropogenic forest degradation estimation
Number of sample plots over Broadleaf forest 352 Number of sample plots over Conifer forest 179
Permanent Broadleaf forest susceptible of forest degradation 2,600,470 ha Permanent Conifer forest susceptible of forest degradation 166,496 ha Average biomass loss in Broadleaf forest 3.75 t C/ha Average biomass loss in Conifer forest 0.39 t C/ha
Emissions from Degradation in Broadleaf 9,751,854 t C Emissions from Degradation in Conifer forest 65,658 t C Total Emissions due to anthropogenic forest degradation 9,817,513 t C
Emissions due to anthropogenic forest degradation 35,997,546 t CO2 Emissions due to forest deforestation 138,072,356 t CO2 Total emissions 174,069,902 t CO2 % Emissions due to degradation 20.68%
This study of the importanace of degradation is only a preliminary approach to assess the inclusion of this activity in the ERPD. The construction of the reference level for forest degradation will be
39 The estimations are detailed in the Excel file: Degradation.xlsx 125
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve prepared during the following weeks and the methodological design is currently being discussed in the MRV working group.
7.2 Description of Carbon Pools and greenhouse gases selected
The carbon pools and GHG used in the construction of the reference level and that will be accounted for in the ER Program are shown in the following Tables.
Table 31 Compartments included in the reference level.
Carbon Pools Selected? Justification / Explanation Aboveground biomass is the principal sink included in the reference level accounting for approximately 80% of forest Aboveground Yes emissions. The values are based on the National Forest biomass Inventory performed by INAFOR and IPCC default values.
Below ground biomass of forests and young secondary vegetation (“tacotales”) were calculated using the equation of Belowground Yes Cairns, which is detailed in Section 8. In the case of the other biomass vegetation categories, default values of the IPCC were used.
The national forest inventory did not include data on litter. It was not possible to identify, in the scientific literature, data from direct measurements made in the country for relevant Litter No categories of land cover, disaggregated by carbon stocks and with uncertainties related to C stock estimates. This component is not included in the reference level.
With regards to the activities considered by the ER Program (deforestation and enhancement of carbon stocks), the exclusion of dead wood is considered to be conservative. In the case of deforestation, dead wood stocks are higher in forest than in non- forest so conversion from one to another would result in emissions. This is confirmed by the 2006 IPCC that recommends that in the forestland to non-forestland Dead wood No category it should be assumed that the DOM pools in non-forest land categories after the conversion are zero. On the other hand, in the case of enhancement of carbon stocks, it is expected that dead wood would increase, since forestlands have higher carbon stocks than non-forestlands. Additionally, the Nicaragua National Forest Inventory did not include data on dead wood which could be used consistently for all land cover categories considered in the ERPD. 126
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Soil organic No The national forest inventory did not include data on soil organic matter matter. It was also not possible to identify in the scientific literature data from direct measurements made in the country for relevant categories of land cover, disaggregated by carbon stocks and with uncertainties related to C stock estimates. This component is not included in the reference level.
Table 32 Greenhouse gases included in the reference level
Greenhouse Selected Justification / Explanation gases In all cases, the ER Program will account for CO2 emissions and CO2 Yes removals.
The Reference Level does not include emissions of non-CO2 CH4 No gases resulting from forest fires, since the historical data available is not spatially explicit. The information available is representative at the national level, but not for the Accounting Area. On the other hand, given that historical data on forest fires are not spatially explicit, it is not possible to estimate separately N2O No the effect of fires on forest lands converted to other lands nor on forests that remain as forests.
127
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
8. Reference level
The Forest Emissions Reference Level (REL/FRL) for the accounting area considers the CO2 emissions caused by deforestation of tropical forest and GHG removals due to enhancement of carbon stocks in non-forest land converted to forest (new forests). The definitions and methodologies used in this process were reviewed and validated through participatory processes of dialogue and consensus with inter-institutional technicians that form part of the MRV platform comprised of MARENA, INAFOR, INETER, MAG, INTA, and the North and South Caribbean Autonomous Regional governments (GRACCN and GRACCS).
In addition to considering the decisions of the UNFCCC, the FRL follows the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as indicated in Annex 10/CP17. The information presented in this section includes:
i. Transparent, complete, consistent and accurate information used as inputs for the reference level (REL) ii. Data and methods applied during the construction of the FRL iii. Sinks, gases and activities referred to in decision 1/CP. 16, paragraph 70 iv. Forest definition used in the construction of the FRL.
The reference level focuses on the accounting area and it is considered dynamic, since it will allow updates and improvements to the data and methodologies used to produce the estimates. The national database used for the construction of the national RL is the same database used for the construction of the FRL of the accounting area of the ER Program and is the basis, as well, for estimating the impact of specific interventions in the accounting area.
8.1 Reference Period
Based on the FCPF Methodological Framework, the period 2005 – 2015 has been selected as the reference period for the Emissions Reduction Program. This period complies with Methodological Framework requirements related to the ending date of the period selected, which should be within two years of the first mission of the Technical Advisory Committee, in this case, 2017.
Since 2015, the government of Nicaragua has made an inter-institutional effort to generate the required inputs for the estimation of the reference level. As a result, official land use maps for the years 2005, 2010, and 2015 have been produced based on Landsat images with a resolution of 30 m x 30 m.
Besides the availability of maps, the choice of the 2005 – 2015 period is also appropriate because rates of land use change are more stable during this time frame than in earlier periods.
128
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
8.2 Forest definition used in the construction of the Reference Level
The definition of forest used by Nicaragua in the context of the ERPD is: a continuous area, equal to or greater than 1 hectare in area, with tree cover equal to or greater than 30%, and an average tree height of 4 m or greater. This definition includes ecosystems of bamboo, mangroves, natural palms, dry forests, scrub riparian vegetation and permanent crops with shade trees.
This definition of “forest” was approved by the working groups of the ENDE-REDD+ Program40, which serve as a space for the construction and review of technical proposals based on national and international standards, and includes the participation of a wide variety of stakeholders, including decision makers, technical specialists, and regional technicians. This definition is in line with the current National Greenhouse Gas inventory, which is still in a preparatory stage.
This definition of forest does not include land cover class “tacotal”, which refers to non-forest areas, covered with natural secondary vegetation including trees but which does not comply with the forest definition detailed above.
Land cover categories together with forest types were identified using manual/visual interpretation of available high resolution imagery, RapidEye 2015, and Google Earth images. Categories were created based on national expert knowledge and key factors including color, shape, roughness and other spatial and physical features commonly used in manual photointerpretation. High resolution imagery with a minimum resolution of 10 m enabled interpretation of the minimum mapping unit of 1 hectare used in the definition of forest. A canopy threshold of 30% was interpreted through colors, the presence of shadows, roughness and other landscape information available. Auxiliary information such as INF plots and MAG field databases of land cover types were used to support the interpretation of average tree height in the imagery.
In order to assure the comparability of historic activity data, remote sensing satellite images and especially tree canopy cover were analyzed in detail in order to reduce classification uncertainty and error. In this way, the consistency and transparency of the data were guaranteed for all ecological zones and will eventually enable the estimation of deforestation at the national and regional levels as well as other characteristics of interest to the forestry sector (e.g. the analysis of natural regeneration, the inventory of greenhouse gases).
8.3 Average annual historical emissions over the Reference Period
Considerations
Construction of the REL/FRL is based on the guidelines established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Carbon Fund Methodological Framework. Nicaragua is working to reach
40 MRV Board working session act of 1st December, 2017. 129
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
consistency between the current REL/FRL and the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which is being updated, since both are based on the guidelines from the 2006 IPCC for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. At the same time, care is been taken to use the same land-use categories and methodologies to calculate CO2e emissions.
According to the Carbon Fund Methodological Framework, the emissions reduced by an Emission Reduction Program (ERP) should be reported in relation to the Reference Emissions Level (REL) and Forest Reference Level (FRL). For the Conference of the Parties, the REL/FRL are “reference points to assess the performance of each country in the execution of REDD+ activities.” These should be expressed in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year and must be established in a transparent manner, providing complete information and explanations about its development.
The REL/FRL that the country is presenting to the Carbon Fund through the ER Program is based on regional coverage and will have a lifespan of 10 years, which is in line with the Reference Period that begins in 2005 and ends in 2015, as well as corresponding to the duration proposed for the Program. It is important to point out that the REL/FRL incorporates a gradual approach, enabling it to evolve according to adjustments made in response to improvement in data and methodologies.
While it is true that the REL/FRL of ENDE-REDD+ is still in a preparation phase, it is believed that the REL/FRL of the Emissions Reduction Program will eventually be consistent with the former, since the same technical and methodological guidelines, as well as the information sources, are being used (input data, causes of deforestation and scope) by both. Variants and inconsistencies between the regional and national levels and the steps proposed for their alignment are documented in section 8.6.
Estimation of emissions and removals approach
Annual historical emissions for the reference period have been calculated for deforestation and enhancement of carbon stock in new forests as indicated in section 7.1. Greenhouse gas emissions have been estimated by the “stock difference approach” as proposed in Chapter 2, Vol. 4 of the IPCC Guidelines (2006)41 and adapted to the REDD+ context. Changes in carbon stocks in the accounting area are calculated as the sum of the annual changes in the different pools (aboveground and belowground biomass, AGB and BGB, respectively).
Following good practices proposed in the IPCC Guidelines (2006), deforestation has been broken down into 3 strata corresponding to different types of forest and non-forest cover identified in the National Forest Inventory (INF) carried out by INAFOR. This will enable more accurate accounting of emissions and better matching of interventions in the field. Deforestation has been assessed on broadleaf and coniferous forests separately, since they represent the two most important forest formations in the program area. However, the conversion of broadleaf forests
41 IPCC, 2006. IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Volume 4 Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use.
130
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
was further sub-divided into two other categories: their conversion to secondary vegetation or tacotales, and forest conversion to “other” types of cover. A single emissions factor has been calculated for “other” types of cover even though this category includes different land use covers such as shrubland, grassland, permanent crops, annual crops and bare soil. This was done using a weighted average based on the areas of the different land use covers included in this category.
The following equation has been used to assess CO2 emissions:
= + [ ] + [ ]
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 where, 𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴 ∗ �𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 � 𝐴𝐴 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 E are total CO2 emissions per year of the reference period in t CO2/yr ADBC is the deforested area from conifer forest to non-forest classes (ha/yr) EFbc is the emission factor of conifer forest calculated from the INF (t CO2/ha) EFnf is the emission factor of non-forest classes (t CO2/ha) ADBT is the deforested area from broadleaf forest to tacotales (ha/yr) EFbL Is the emission factor of broadleaf forest (t CO2/ha) EFtac is the emission factor of tacotales (t CO2/ha) ADBL is the deforested area from broadleaf forest to non-forest classes (ha/yr)
Forest enhancement includes the conversion of non-forest land to forest land, subdivided as well into three strata. According to the information available for the reference sample control points of the land cover maps, this process includes: regeneration of new broadleaf forests from tacotales, regeneration of new broadleaf forests from other non-forest and regeneration of new conifer forests from non-forest areas. Increases of carbon stocks in pre-existing secondary and primary forest have not been included, due to the lack of data for the generation of a reference level for this activity.
The removal of carbon due to enhancement in new forests has been calculated following the equation:
= + 10 ( + 𝑘𝑘 ) 2 2 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅 𝑎𝑎1 ∗ � 𝑎𝑎𝑘𝑘 ∗ � 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖−1 ∗ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑘𝑘=2 𝑖𝑖=2 where, R is the removal of carbon in the reference period in t CO2 a is the annually area converted from non-forest land to new forests in the period 2005-2015 (ha/yr) RF is the removal factor (t CO2/ha yr).
This equation is implemented through the reference period as detailed in the Table 33.
131
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 33 Formulation of the calculation of the enhancement of carbon stocks in new forests.
Year of the Reference Area of growing new forests R (t CO2/ha) period
1 a1 a1*FR/2
2 a1 +a2 a1*FR +a2*FR/2
3 a1+a2+a3 a1*FR +a2*FR + a3*FR/2
4 a1+a2+a3+a4 …
5 a1+a2+a3+a4+a5 … … … … …. … …
(a1+ a2+…+a9)*FR + 10 a1+a2+a3+a4+a5+a6+a7+a8+a9+a10 a10*FR/2
The parameters and information for setting these reference levels for emissions and removals of carbon stocks and the stratification used in both cases are detailed in Table 34 and will be explained in detail in the following section.
Table 34 Summary of the stratification of each activity and the parameters used for the calculation.
ACTIVITY STRATA PARAMETERS
Broadleaf forests to Deforested area from Broadleaf tacotales forests to tacotales Emission Factor of Broadleaf forest Emission Factor of tacotales
Broadleaf forests to other Deforested area from Broadleaf non-forest land covers forests to other non-forest land covers Emission Factor of Broadleaf forest Deforestation Weighted Emission Factor of other non-forest land covers
Conifer forest to non-forest Deforested area from Conifer forests land covers to other non-forest land covers Emission Factor of Conifer forest Weighted Emission Factor of non- forest land covers
132
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Tacotales to new Broadleaf Area of new Broadleaf forests over forest former tacotales Removal factor of new Broadleaf forests
Other non-forest land covers Area of new Broadleaf forests over Enhancement of to new Broadleaf forest other non-forest land covers Carbon stocks Removal factor of new Broadleaf forests
Non-forest land covers to Area of new Conifer forests over non- new Conifer forest forest land covers Removal factor of new Conifer forests
Activity data and emission factors
Activity data
Activity data are estimated following good practices and methods of GFOI (2016)42. This was done by first generating primary maps of land use cover and then using them to stratify a sampling scheme for visually assessing change in land use cover using a set of control points on high resolution images (Figure 31).
Figure 31 Flow diagram for the accuracy assessment of the activity data and as estimators of the activity areas.
42 GFOI, 2016. Integration of remote-sensing and ground-based observations for estimation of emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in forests. Methods and Guidance from the Global Forest Observations Initiative, Edition 2.0. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome Available at: https://www.reddcompass.org/download-the-mgd. 133
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Activity data were generated for the years 2005, 2010, and 2015, based on maps of vegetation cover with 30 m resolution originating from Landsat images. Maps for 2005 and 2010 were based on the product developed by GIZ (2013) in the framework of a regional project, while the 2015 land cover map was developed entirely by INETER at a national scale. Maps for 2005 and 2010 were generated based on an ISODATA classification whereas the 2015 map was classified with the minimum likelihood algorithm. INETER homogenized legends and the post processing of all the maps taking into account reference information available in the country from MAG, INETER and INAFOR inventories. The methods, auxiliary information and adjustments for homogenization of the products are described in detail in a separate technical report .
The land use cover maps were reclassified in accordance with available emission factors and activities used in the context of the ER Program (Table 35). Based on these reclassified maps, a land use change matrix was generated that represents REDD+ activities in the accounting area (Table 36) for the reference period. Land use change matrices for 2005-2010 and 2010-2015 were used to check the quality of changes during 2005-2015 and for understanding deforestation cycles and tendencies within the reference period.
Within the change matrix of 2005 - 2015, deforestation is considered as the change from a given forest category to a non-forest category, while forest enhancement was defined as the change from a non-forest category to a forest category (Table 36). The average annual deforestation and forest enhancement for the reference period was obtained by calculating the total change during the period divided by the number of years (10) of the reference period.
Table 35 Reclassification of the land use cover maps produced by INETER in order to obtain a 2005-2015 land cover change map.
COVER CATEGORY RECLASSIFICATION Forest/Non-forest
Water Non-vegetated Non-forest
Palm forest Broadleaf forest Forest
Open pine forest Conifer forest Forest
Dense pine forest Conifer forest Forest
Dense broadleaf forest Broadleaf forest Forest
Open broadleaf forest Broadleaf forest Forest
Population centers Non-vegetated Non-forest
Annual crops Non-woody vegetation Non-forest
Perennial crops Non-woody vegetation Non-forest
134
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Mangroves Broadleaf forest Forest
Pasture Non-woody vegetation Non-forest
Natural savanna Non-woody vegetation Non-forest
Non-vegetated land Non-vegetated Non-forest
Tacotal/young secondary Young secondary vegetation Non-forest forest
Flooded lands Non-woody vegetation Non-forest
Small woody vegetation Non-woody vegetation Non-forest
Herbaceous vegetation Non-woody vegetation Non-forest
Table 36 Categories of REDD+ activities in the accounting area obtained from land use change matrices based on the available land use maps.
2015
Non-woody Broadleaf forest Conifer forest Tacotal vegetation Deforestation due to Stable Broadleaf conversion of Deforestation of Broadleaf forest forest broadleaf Broadleaf forest forest to tacotal
Stable Conifer Deforestation of Conifer forest forest Conifer forest 2005 Enhancement due to development of Tacotal tacotales into new broadleaf Stable non-forest vegetation forest Enhancement Enhancement Non-woody due to new due to new vegetation broadleaf confiner forest
135
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Response Design
This land cover change map obtained from the 2005 and 2015 land cover maps is the activity data map for the 2005 – 2015 period, using the cover change categories shown in Table 33. Areas obtained from the land cover change map for each activity category are included in Table 34. The activity data map was used to stratify the response design following the good practices and procedures of Olofsson et al (2014)43;
1309 control points obtained from a stratified random sampling procedure were used to assess adjustments of areas and accuracy of activities (Figure 31). The activities evaluated and the number of control points used for each activity are shown in Table 37. These points have been obtained from the SEPAL tool developed by FAO (https://sepal.io/) which can be used to automatically design the sample as well as to subsequently analyze the reference data44. For each of the reference points, two national experts visually interpreted land cover using high resolution imagery available in the country from RapidEye, Google Earth, Bing, and others. INETER was responsible of the quality control of the process.
Table 37 Reference points used for each of the REDD+ activities.
Activities Acronym Area (ha) # Control Points
Stable broadleaf forest SBL 2788677 290
Deforestation due to conversion of DBT 104828 100 broadleaf forest to tacotal
Deforestation of broadleaf forest DBL 800589 101
Stable conifer forest SCN 114202 101
Deforestation of conifer forest DCF 59900 101
Additions due to new Broadleaf ABT 138745 103 forest from tacotales
Additions due to new Broadleaf ABL 47068 109 forest over other non-forest areas
Additions due to new Conifer forest ACN 70175 104 over non-forest areas
Stable non-forest SNF 2892220 300
43 Olofsson, Pontus, et al. "Good practices for estimating area and assessing accuracy of land change." Remote Sensing of Environment 148 (2014): 42-57. 44 These reference points are available in the following url:
136
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 32 Distribution of reference points in the accounting area.
The three major features of the response design were:
1. Spatial unit. The spatial unit used corresponds to the Landsat pixel (30 m x 30 m). 2. Sources of reference information. According to Olofsson et al (2014), baseline information can be improved compared to that of the classified maps if the sources of baseline or reference information are of better quality and resolution, or, if the source of information of both is the same, the process of obtaining the reference information is more accurate than that used for the classified maps. In this case, the visual interpretation of the reference points by national experts with extensive experience using Landsat, RapidEye and other high resolution images available on Google Earth is considered to be more accurate than the automatic classification performed only on Landsat images. 3. The interpretation protocol, which refers to the steps used to obtain information from the available data and convert it into reference information. a. For each of the points evaluated, the activity classes shown in Table 36 were interpreted in 2005 in a window of 30 m x 30 m (one pixel) taking into account the forest definition. b. For each of the points evaluated, the activity classes shown in Table 36 were interpreted in 2015 in a window of 30 m x 30 m (one pixel) taking into account the forest definition. c. For each point interpreted as FOREST, a pixel count over a 9 pixel grid was done in 2005 in order to estimate forest cover in the point. d. For each point interpreted as FOREST, a pixel count over a 9 pixel grid was done in 2015 in order to estimate forest cover in the point. e. The quality of the interpretation at each point has been evaluated f. The source of information used for interpretation has also been noted. 137
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Quality Assessment/Quality Control procedures used by the two national experts during interpretation included the following:
- Data collection: the two national experts together with INETER defined the information to be collected, the table format, and the labels or codification for each attribute. - Interpretation: a working session was held in MARENA for the definition of consistent and homogeneous criteria for the interpretation of the land use cover. Since the two national experts have experience working together and with INETER in remote sensing and land cover classification, their consistency of interpretation of land cover types was adequate. - Data verification: after the finalization of the data gathering process, a session was held in MARENA for the verification of the data and the detection of any anomalies before beginning the final analysis of the reference information.
Based on the control points, an analysis of the uncertainty of the activity data map was performed and the areas of each of the categories were adjusted to a 90% significance level, based on the methodology proposed by Oloffson et al. (2014)45. The precision of each of the categories are shown in Table 38 and Table 39. The confusion matrix obtained reflects a global accuracy of 0.61.
The control points were also used to estimate the adjusted areas and their errors for each of the REDD+ activities (Table 40). These adjusted areas have been used in the calculation of the historic average emissions46 and their errors incorporated in the Monte Carlo simulations.
Table 38 Confusion matrix for REDD+ activities, 2005 – 2015
User’s User Activity DB SC DC AC Tota SBL DBL ABT ABL SFN Accurac /Commissi Category T N F N l y on Error SBL 271 7 6 2 4 290 0.93 0.07 DBT 43 43 6 5 3 100 0.43 0.57 DBL 34 14 45 4 4 101 0.45 0.55 SCN 4 1 87 2 1 6 101 0.86 0.14 DCF 3 2 41 20 35 101 0.20 0.80 ABT 20 3 2 1 1 46 30 103 0.45 0.55 ABL 28 2 1 49 3 26 109 0.03 0.97 ACN 2 48 27 27 104 0.26 0.74 SNF 11 3 5 1 24 256 300 0.85 0.15 Total 416 72 67 179 23 131 3 27 391 416 72 67
45 The uncertainty assessment is included in the worksheet: Accuracy_assessment_v3.xlsx
46 As estimated in the worksheet: Accuracy_assessment_v3.xlsx
138
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Produce 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.3 1.0 1.0 0.6 r 0.65 0.60 0.67 5 0 7 9 7 5 0 0 5 Accuracy Produce r 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.35 0.40 0.33 /Omissio 5 0 3 1 3 5 0 0 5 n Error Overall Accuracy 0.61
Table 39 Precision and confidence intervals for REDD+ activities.
Activity Confidence Interval Producer Confidence Interval User’s Accuracy Category 90% Accuracy 90% SBL 0.93 0.91 - 0.96 0.85 0.83 - 0.86 DBT 0.43 0.35 - 0.51 0.18 0.12 - 0.23 DBL 0.45 0.36 - 0.53 0.75 0.66 - 0.85 SCN 0.86 0.8 - 0.92 0.59 0.53 - 0.65 DCF 0.20 0.13 - 0.26 0.77 0.55 - 0.99 ABT 0.45 0.36 - 0.53 0.17 0.12 - 0.21 ABL 0.03 0 - 0.05 1.00 1 - 1 ACN 0.26 0.19 - 0.33 1.00 1 - 1 SNF 0.85 0.82 - 0.89 0.94 0.92 - 0.95
Table 40 Adjusted areas for each of the activities during the 10 years reference period.
Activity Estimated area Adjusted area Standard error Confidence Interval Category (ha) (ha) (ha) (90%) SBL 2788677 3,073,283 64300 2967277 - 3179290 DBT 104828 257,189 41340 188207 - 326170 DBL 800589 473,899 50979 388708 - 559091 SCN 114202 166,496 11448 147564 - 185428 DCF 59900 15,470 3169 9990 - 20950 ABT 138745 371,811 50452 288195 - 455427 ABL 47068 1,295 741 -3383 - 5974 ACN 70175 18,218 3031 13040 - 23397 SNF 2892220 2,638,742 64666 2532116 - 2745368
A summary of the procedures and values obtained are shown in Table 42.
139
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 41 Summary of Activity data for deforestation.
Parameter description, Average annual deforested area of broadleaf and conifer including the time period forests, 2005 - 2015. covered: Explanation for which Deforestation sources or sinks the parameter is used: Data unit: ha/yr Value for the parameter: Activity Adjusted area (ha/yr) Category DBT 25,719 DBL 47,390 DCF 1,547 where, DBT is the conversion of broadleaf forest to young secondary vegetation (tacotal) DBL is the conversion of broadleaf forests to other non-forest categories DCF is deforestation of conifer forests Source of data (e.g. official Reference points obtained from visual interpretation of high statistics) or description of resolution images were used to adjust the areas of each of the the method for developing REDD+ activities. The reference points are a stratified random the data, including sample obtained using the map of land use change for 2005- (pre-)processing methods for 2015. This map was obtained from land cover maps produced by data derived from remote INETER from Landsat satellite images. The methodology for sensing images (including the processing and classifying the images is found in the protocol for type of sensors and the the generation of activity data (Annex 10). details of the images used): Spatial level: National Discussion of key The uncertainties associated with these parameters are related uncertainties for this to the visual interpretation of the national expert technicians parameter: and to the quality and resolution of the images available for the years 2005 and 2015.
140
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Estimation of accuracy, The precision of the activity data has been evaluated using the precision, and/or confidence methodology of Oloffson et al 2014 and are presented in the level, as applicable and an Table below. explanation of Activity Standard error (ha) Confidence Interval (90%) assumptions/methodology in Category the estimation: DBT 41340 188207 - 326170 DBL 50979 388708 - 559091 DCF 3169 9990 - 20950
Table 42 Summary of Activity data for enhancement of carbon stocks.
Parameter description, Average annual area of new broadleaf and conifer forests including the time period covered: Explanation for which Carbon stock enhancement sources or sinks the parameter is used: Data unit: ha/yr Activity Value for the parameter: Adjusted area (ha/yr) Category ABT 37,181 ABL 130 ACN 1,822
Source of data (e.g. official Reference points obtained from visual interpretation of high statistics) or description of resolution images were used to adjust the areas of new forest the method for developing class in the historical reference period. the data, including The reference points are a stratified random sample obtained (pre-)processing methods for using the map of land use change for 2005-2015. This map was data derived from remote obtained from land cover maps produced by INETER from sensing images (including the Landsat satellite images. The methodology for processing and type of sensors and the classifying the images is found in Annex 9. details of the images used): This reference dataset was created over the areas changing from non-forest classes to forest classes. After visual interpretation of the points, the class area was assigned entirely to broadleaf new forests, since all the points were interpreted in that class. Changes from non-forest to conifer forests were not identified.
Spatial level: National
141
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Discussion of key The uncertainties associated with these parameters are related uncertainties for this to the visual interpretation of the national expert technicians parameter: and to the quality and resolution of the images available for the years 2005 and 2015. Estimation of accuracy, The precision of the activity data for new forest class has been precision, and/or confidence evaluated using the methodology of Oloffson et al., 2014 and level, as applicable and an are presented below: explanation of assumptions/methodology in Activity Standard error (ha) Confidence Interval (90%) the estimation: Category ABT 50,452 288195 - 455427 ABL 741 -3383 - 5974 ACN 3,031 13040 - 23397
Emission factors
Data from the National Forest Inventory (INF), carried out by INAFOR in 200747, were used to calculate the emission factors for various categories of forest, young secondary vegetation (tacotales) and non-forest class. The INF contains information from 371 sample units situated over a systematic grid over inland Nicaragua (Figure 32). The grid is the world 10´x10´ (18 km x 18 Km approximately) grid proposed by FAO.
Figure 33 Distribution of the INF sample units in Nicaragua following the systematic design of a world 10´x10´ grid.
47 INAFOR, 2009. Resultados del Inventario Nacional Forestal de Nicaragua 2007-2008. 142
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
INF sample units were formed by 4 plots (of 0.5 ha), 12 rectangular nested subplots (of 0.02 ha) and 12 circular nested subplots arranged according Figure 33, following the land use/land cover inventory design proposed by FAO48.
Calculations of the emission factors were performed over the tree database, taking into account the area of the plot or subplot (PAN1) were the tree was measured. Land cover types of the INF were aggregated as detailed in Table 43. Detailed information regarding INF classes and about information contained in the INF data base can be found in the Field Guidebook for the Nicaragua Forest inventory49.
National forest inventory forest classes are categorized based on forest cover (Broadleaf forests) and basal area (Conifer forests). Based on these parameters, open Broadleaf forests (BL_R) and open Conifer forests (BC_R) were disaggregated from the Broadleaf (BL) and conifer (BC) forests respectively. Since BL_R and BR_R is defined in the INF with a forest cover between 10-39%, most of these classes do not meet the forest definition; consequently they have not been used for the computation of the emission factor. Although coffee and cacao with shade trees are included in the forest definition, INF plots of these two land cover classes are not included in the BL REDD class. Since the INF defines these classes with a forest cover over 10%, for the purpose of estimating the emission factor, these plots have been excluded from the BL REDD class (as in the case of open forests), and are included in the permanent crops REDD class.
Figure 34 Sample unit design of the INF of Nicaragua (INAFOR, 2007).
Rectangular nested plot PAN1
sample unit
Circular nested plot PAN2
48 Detailed description of the INF design can be found in the Field Guidebook for the Nicaragua Forest Inventory published by FAO in 2007 available at http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/etapas/fondo-de-carbono 49 INF classes are described in detail in the Field Guidebook for the Nicaragua Forest Inventory published by FAO in 2007 available at http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/etapas/fondo-de-carbono 143
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 43 Aggregation of INF classes corresponding with REDD classes. A full description of INF classes can be found in FAO, 2007.
REDD class INF class REDD class INF class BNCDD CA BNCDR CULT_AN CAA BC BNCJR HUE BNCMD BNCMR CP CC BNCDMR CULT_PER CAFESA BNCJD Cafesn BC_R BNCJMR FR BNCMMR BNCRR AH BPCJR AI NO_VEG CAM BNLID MIMET BNLIMD SD BNLPD BNLPMD GEA BL BNLSD GPCM BNLSMD GPSM BNMgPD H BNMxD PAST Pn BPLE PNA S BNLIR SA BNLPR SILVO BL_R BNLSR BNMgIR ARB Ar BNMxR TAC Ta
The tacotal emission factor was computed from tacotal plots of the INF. The other Non-forest classes were processed separately as shown in Table 43 in order to afterwards compute a weighted emission factor for all based on the deforested area percentage of each of them in 2015:
EF A + EF A + EF A + EF A + EF A = ac ac pc pc grass grass 𝑠𝑠ℎ𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 shrub 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 nveg ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸nf 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 144
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
EFnf is the Non-forest Emission Factor EFac is the EF obtained for annual crops from the INF database Aac is the area covered with annual crops in 2015 of the deforested area of 2005-2015 period EFpc is the EF obtained for perennial crops from the INF database Apc is the area covered with perennial crops in 2015 of the deforested area of 2005-2015 period EFgrass is the EF obtained for grasslands from the INF database Agrass is the area covered with grasslands in 2015 of the deforested area of 2005-2015 period EFshrub is the EF obtained for shrubland from the INF database Ashrub is the area covered with shrubland in 2015 of the deforested area of 2005-2015 period EFnveg is the EF obtained for non-vegetated areas from the INF database Anveg is the non-vegetated area in 2015 of the deforested area of 2005-2015 period Atotal is the total deforested area in the period 2005-2015 equivalent to:
A = Aac + Apc + Agrass + Ashrub + Anveg
total At present, Nicaragua does not have official allometric equations for tree biomass that are calibrated with national data. In addition, there have been few field studies of forest volume and biomass carried out in Nicaragua which can be used as references. Given this situation, the general allometric equations of Chave et al. 201450, were used to calculate tree aboveground biomass.
The emission factors include aboveground (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB). It is assumed that emissions from the latter occur at the moment of conversion, following IPCC Tier 1 methodology. Determination of the emission factors for the deforestation activity used the “stock-difference” method proposed by the IPCC (IPCC, 2006) based on the differences in stocks of carbon before and after deforestation. As explained previously, the non-forest emission factor is the weighted average of the emission factors for crops, herbaceous vegetation, and small, woody vegetation.
AGB for each land use category has been calculated based on the INF information, calculating the AGB per tree using the abovementioned allometric equations and finally calculating mean ABG (t d.m./ha) following classical statistic calculations based on the forest inventory plot areas51. BGB per tree has been calculated using the equation of Cairns et al 1997 based on ABG of each tree.
The accounting area is situated in the wet and moist climatic regions. Emissions factors used in this ERPD has been calculated taking into account both wet and moist plots. The emission factor of Broadleaf forests (EFBL ) has been calculated based on 107 sample units and the emission factor of Conifer forests (EFCF) has been calculated based on 15 sample units (Table 44).
50 Chave, J., Réjou‐Méchain, M., Búrquez, A., Chidumayo, E., Colgan, M. S., Delitti, W. B., and Henry, M. (2014). Improved allometric models to estimate the aboveground biomass of tropical trees. Global change biology, 20(10), 3177-3190. 51 Calculations of emission factors based on the national forest inventory are included in the worksheet EF_estimation.xlsx 145
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 44 Emission factors calculated from the INF database.
REDD EF: Mean #sampl t- Standard StDesv Error EF class AGB+BGB e units Student error (t d.m./ha) (t d.m./ha)2 % (t C/ha) (t C/ha) BL 134.07 107 97.7 1.65 12 63.01 4.44 GRASS 12.95 228 25.0 1.65 21 6.09 0.78 TAC 45.14 144 53.8 1.65 16 21.22 2.11 PC 47.50 37 52.4 1.68 31 22.32 4.05 NVEG 28.23 116 65.1 1.65 35 13.27 2.84 AC 11.11 125 13.0 1.65 17 5.22 0.55 SHRUB 19.58 27 26.6 1.70 45 9.20 2.41 BC 52.33 15 34.8 1.75 30 24.59 4.22
The emission factors of BL, BC and TAC are the mean AGB+BGB of the REDD classes in Table 44. The estimated standard error of these factors, which will be used in the error propagation scheme, is also shown in the same Table.
The mean AGB+BGB of the other non-forest classes of Table 44 was used to compute the non- forest emission factor (EFNF), estimated as a weighted average based on the areas of each land cover in 2015 (Table 45). The weighted emission factor for the non-forest class is 6.81 t C/ha52.
Table 45 2015 land cover map areas for the non-forest classes in the deforested areas in the period 2005-2015.
2015 land cover map Deforested Area (ha) Annual crops 94,208 Perennial crops 22,040 Grassland 638,307 Shrubland 100,480 Non-vegetation 5,044 TOTAL DEFORESTED AREA (EXCEPT TACOTAL) 860,080
These emission factors calculated on the basis of the inventory information from 2007 are susceptible to bias because the emission factor of forests in deforested areas may differ from the average emission factor of forests in the accounting area. In order to analyze this possible bias, sample units were labelled as deforested or non-deforested based on a zonal analysis. A circular buffer of 300 m around the sample unit centroid was used to estimate the percentage of deforested area in the sample unit during the reference period.
Based on this estimation, when deforestation was higher than 10% inside the buffer, the sample unit was assigned to the deforested label. The Broadleaf forest emission factor based on
52 Calculations of the weighted non-forest emission factor is included in the worksheet: EF_estimation.xlsx 146
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
deforested sample units is 155.9 t d.m./ha whereas the Broadleaf forest emission factor estimated with non-deforested sample units is 121.2 t d.m./ha. Although there is a difference between both factors, the confidence intervals of both estimates overlap (Table 46). Since the emission factor of the deforested areas is slightly higher than the non-forested emissions factor, it can be considered conservative to use the emission factors shown in Table 44.
Table 46 Emission factor bias assessment based on deforested areas around INF sample units
# sample t- Class FE SD Error 90 % CI units Student (t (t % (t (t d.m./ha) d.m./ha) d.m./ha) d.m./ha) BL_non-def 121.2 78 83.2 1.66 13 105.7 136.7 BL_def 155.9 33 122.2 1.69 23 120.9 190.8 BC_def 58.3 7 47.4 1.89 58 28.9 87.8 BC_non-def 47.1 8 20.7 1.85 29 35.0 59.2
Removal factors
Removal factors in the framework of this removal estimation approach, expresses the annual growth rate of new forests in t CO2/ha yr. INF database does not account for incremental biomass rates for forest in Nicaragua.
The broadleaf forest growth rate has been obtained from literature references of forest regeneration and biomass accumulation in Nicaragua. The mean annual increment of forest biomass has been estimated based on the study developed by Mascaro et al 200553 of regeneration of new forests in the Bluefields region on the Atlantic coast of southern Nicaragua. This study estimated growth rates at 4 sample sites and a total of 12 plots. Only the 10 plots with reported standard errors were used for estimating the removal factor (Table 47), using the average biomass mean annual increment of the plots (3.41 t C/ha ± 1.02 SE).
53 Mascaro, J., Perfecto, I., Barros, O., Boucher, D. H., La Cerda, D., Granzow, I., and Vandermeer, J. (2005). Aboveground biomass accumulation in a tropical wet forest in Nicaragua following a catastrophic hurricane disturbance. Biotropica, 37(4), 600-608. 147
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 47 Mean AGB annual increment and standard error reported by Mascaro et al 2005 in 10 forest plots in Nicaragua. (Adapted from Mascaro et al 2005).
Mean AGB Total Biomass BGB increment Standard Error increment increment Mascaro et al Mascaro et al # plot Cairns equation 2005 2005 (t d.m. /ha yr) (t d.m. /ha yr) (t C /ha yr) (t C /ha yr) 1 5.19 1.49 3.14 0.18 2 6.02 1.69 3.63 0.59 3 4.5 1.31 2.73 1.41 4 6.1 1.71 3.67 0.67 5 4.88 1.41 2.96 0.75 6 7.01 1.94 4.21 0.76 7 2.86 0.88 1.76 0.79 8 6.85 1.90 4.11 2.62 9 4.85 1.40 2.94 0.47 10 8.38 2.27 5.01 1.95 Mean 3.41 1.02
Concerning the mean annual increment in biomass of Conifer forests of Nicaragua, there is no published information available at the moment. Therefore, a growth rate was calculated based on the emission factor derived from the INF database for steady state 33 years-old Conifer forests54. With this information the removal factor in Conifer forest has been calculated as follows:
RFbc= EFbc/33
Since EFbc is 24.59 t C /ha (¡Error! No se encuentra el origen de la referencia.), the removal factor RFbc is 0.75 t C /ha. Although considerable uncertainty exists over the age selected, the removal factor obtained is considered conservative and consistent with the available INF information.
A summary of the methodology applied for the calculation of these emission and removal factors is included in the following Tables.
54 Calderón and Solís,2012. Bachelor Thesis: Cuantificación del carbono almacenado en tres fincas en tres estados de desarrollo del bosque de Pino (Pinus oocarpa, L.) Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Universidad Nacional Agraria 148
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 48 Emission factors for forest categories and tacotals (secondary vegetation).
Description of the Emission factors (EF) for the following categories including parameter including aboveground and belowground biomass: the forest class if - Broadleaf forest (EFbl) applicable: - Conifer forest (EFbc) - Tacotal (EFtac) - Other non-forest covers (EFnf) Data unit t C/ha Value for the parameter: CATEGORY VALUE STANDARD ERROR
EFbl 63.01 4.44
EFbc 24.59 4.22
EFtac 21.22 2.11
EFnf 6.81 1.04
Source of data (e.g. National forest inventory carried out by INAFOR in 2007, following the official statistics, IPCC, procedures detailed in INAFOR, 200955. The following allometric scientific literature) or equations of Chave et al 2014 were used to calculate aboveground description of the biomass: assumptions, methods and results of any underlying studies that Equation Forest type have been used to determine the AGB= 0.0673*(ρ*D2*H)0.976 All types parameter: where ρ is the wood density D is the diameter at breast height (cm) H is tree height (m)
As abovementioned EFnf has been calculated as a weighted average of the different emission factors of the non-forest classes.
Belowground biomass was calculated based on aboveground biomass using the equation of Cairns et al 199756:
55 INAFOR, 2009. Resultados del Inventario Nacional Forestal de Nicaragua 2007-2008. 56 Cairns, Michael A., et al. "Root biomass allocation in the world's upland forests." Oecologia 111.1 (1997): 1-11. 149
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Equation R2/sample size Y = exp(-1.0850+0.9256*ln(ABG)) 0.83/151 Where: Y= belowground dry matter, Mg/ha AGB = aboveground dry matter, Mg/ha ln = natural logarithm exp = “e raised to the power of” Spatial level: National Discussion of key The equations used to calculate above and belowground biomass are uncertainties for this not calibrated specifically for Nicaragua and there is only one study parameter: that validates their suitability for the estimation of forest biomass there. Estimation of accuracy, The estimation of errors and uncertainties was based on classical precision, and/or statistic calculations based on the sampling units of the forest confidence level, as inventory. The results are shown in the following Table: applicable and an Catego # of Studen Erro Standar explanation of FE S.D. FE ry samples tt r d error assumptions/methodol ogy in the estimation: t tC/h t d.m./ha d.m./ha % a t C/ha
EFbl 134.0 63.0 107 97.7 1.65 12 4.44 7 1 EFbc 24.5 52.33 15 34.8 1.75 30 4.22 9 EFtac 21.2 45.14 144 53.8 1.65 16 2.11 2 EFnf 14.50 6.81 1.04
Table 49 Removal Factor estimation for new broadleaf forests.
Description of the Removal factors for Broadleaf forest (RFbl) including parameter including the aboveground and belowground biomass: forest class if applicable: Data unit t C/ha Value for the parameter: RF VALUE (t C/ha) STANDARD ERROR
150
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Broadleaf (RFbl) 3.41 1.02
Source of data (e.g. official The Removal factor represents the annual net growth in carbon statistics, IPCC, scientific stocks per hectare of forest in the accounting area. It has been literature) or description of calculated based on Mascaro et al 200557 data from plots sited in the assumptions, methods new forests areas of southern Nicaragua. The Removal factor has and results of any been estimated as an average of the mean annual biomass underlying studies that have increment in 10 plots. been used to determine the parameter: Spatial level: National Discussion of key The Mascaro study measured regeneration of forest stands in 10 uncertainties for this plots in only one region of Nicaragua in areas affected by parameter: Hurricane Joanne. Broadleaf forests of the program area could develop differently depending the prior use of the land, and this variability may not be represented in Mascaro´s data. Estimation of accuracy, Although some uncertainties for the parameter exist, the precision, and/or removal factor is consistent with the emission factor obtained confidence level, as through the INF information. Considering broadleaf forests applicable and an growing 3.41 t C /ha yr, in approximately 20 years, forests would explanation of account for similar carbon content as the one obtained from the assumptions/methodology INF plots. in the estimation:
Table 50 Removal Factor estimation for new conifer forests.
Description of the Removal factors for conifer forest (RFbc) including aboveground parameter including the and belowground biomass: forest class if applicable: Data unit t C/ha Value for the parameter: RF VALUE (t C/ha) STANDARD ERROR
Conifer(RFbc) 0.75 0.13
Source of data (e.g. official Removal factors represent the annual net growth in carbon statistics, IPCC, scientific stocks per hectare of forest in the accounting area. The emission literature) or description of factor for conifer forests has been used to define its removal the assumptions, methods factor. and results of any underlying studies that have
57 Mascaro, J., Perfecto, I., Barros, O., Boucher, D. H., La Cerda, D., Granzow, I., and Vandermeer, J. (2005). Aboveground biomass accumulation in a tropical wet forest in Nicaragua following a catastrophic hurricane disturbance. Biotropica, 37(4), 600-608. 151
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve been used to determine Concerning the mean annual increment in biomass of Conifer the parameter: forests of Nicaragua, there is no published information available at the moment. Therefore, a growth rate was calculated based on the emission factor derived from the INF database for steady state 33 years-old Conifer forests58. With this information the removal factor in Conifer forest has been calculated as follows:
RFbc= EFbc/33
Since EFbc is 24.59 t C /ha (¡Error! No se encuentra el origen de la referencia.), the removal factor RFbc is 0.75 t C /ha. Although considerable uncertainty exists over the age selected, the removal factor obtained is considered conservative and consistent with the available INF information. Spatial level: National Discussion of key Although considerable uncertainty exists over the age selected, uncertainties for this the removal factor obtained is considered conservative and parameter: consistent with the available INF information. Estimation of accuracy, An assumption of steady state age for Conifer forest has been precision, and/or made based on literature information available for Nicaragua. confidence level, as The accuracy of the parameter is assumed to be related with the applicable and an accuracy of the emission factor : explanation of assumptions/methodology in the estimation: Category RF Standard error t C/ha yr t C/ha yr
RFbc 0.75 0.13
Calculation of average annual historical emissions during the Reference Period
Average historical emissions are defined as the sum of the emissions due to deforestation of each of the various forest categories during the reference period; the latter are calculated from the adjusted areas of the activities and the emissions factors described in the section above. Table 51 summarizes these calculations. The average annual emissions from deforestation for the 10 year reference period is 13.81 Mt CO2e/yr and are mainly due to the deforestation of broadleaf forests.
58 Calderón and Solís,2012. Bachelor Thesis: Cuantificación del carbono almacenado en tres fincas en tres estados de desarrollo del bosque de Pino (Pinus oocarpa, L.) Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Universidad Nacional Agraria 152
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 51 Carbon emissions from deforestation in the accounting area, 2005 – 2015.
Annual EF class EF class Net EF Annual Forest Activity area prior post Emissions / type converted conversion conversion Removals
t C/ha t C/ha t t (Mt (ha/yr) C/ha CO2/ha CO2/yr)
Conversion BL 25,718.85 63.01 21.22 41.79 153.23 3.94 to tacotal
Conversion to other BL 47,389.92 63.01 6.81 56.2 206.07 9.77 land use categories
Conversion to other BC 1,546.98 24.59 6.81 17.78 65.19 0.10 land use categories
Average historical removals from enhancement of carbon stocks in new forests have been calculated as the sum of the removals due to new forests of each of the two forest categories during the reference period following the same procedures described above. Removals of carbon stocks in the accounting area are 2.36 Mt CO2e/yr during the reference period (Table 52).
Table 52 Carbon removals from enhancement of carbon stocks in new forests in the accounting area, during the reference period 2005 – 2015.
Year of the Growing Growing Growing Average Average Total reference new new new annual annual Average period Broadleaf Broadleaf Conifer historical historical annual forest over forest over forest removals by removals historical tacotal other non- Broadleaf by Conifer removals forest areas forests a forests b by all sinks yr ha/yr ha/yr ha/yr t C/yr t C/yr t CO2/yr
1 37,181 130 1,822 63,690 679 236,020 2 74,362 259 3,644 191,071 2,036 708,059 3 111,543 389 5,466 318,451 3,394 1,180,098 4 148,725 518 7,287 445,831 4,751 1,652,137 5 185,906 648 9,109 573,212 6,109 2,124,176 6 223,087 777 10,931 700,592 7,467 2,596,215
153
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
7 260,268 907 12,753 827,973 8,824 3,068,254 8 297,449 1,036 14,575 955,353 10,182 3,540,293 9 334,630 1,166 16,397 1,082,733 11,539 4,012,333 10 371,811 1,295 18,218 1,210,114 12,897 4,484,372 a Biomass mean annual increment for broadleaf forest is the removal factor RFbl= 3.41 t C/ha yr b Biomass mean annual increment for Conifer forest is the removal factor RFbc= 0.75 t C/ha yr
8.4 Upward or downward adjustments to the average annual historical emissions over the Reference Period (if applicable)
Not applicable. No adjustments to the average annual historical emissions are necessary.
8.5 Estimated Reference Level
Table 53 Estimated reference level for the ER Program
Year of the Average annual historical Average annual historical Reference reference emissions from deforestation removals by sinks over level period over the Reference Period the Reference Period yr (t CO2e/yr) (t CO2e/yr) (t CO2e/yr) 1 13,807,236 -236,020 13,571,216 2 13,807,236 -708,059 13,099,177 3 13,807,236 -1,180,098 12,627,138 4 13,807,236 -1,652,137 12,155,099 5 13,807,236 -2,124,176 11,683,060 6 13,807,236 -2,596,215 11,211,020 7 13,807,236 -3,068,254 10,738,981 8 13,807,236 -3,540,293 10,266,942 9 13,807,236 -4,012,333 9,794,903 10 13,807,236 -4,484,372 9,322,864
8.6 Relation between the Reference Level, the development of a FREL/FRL for the UNFCCC, and the country’s existing or emerging greenhouse gas inventory
Nicaragua is working on the alignment of the national reference level, the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and the reference level of the ERPD. Nicaragua will update its national level and the reports to the INGEI, taking into account the methodological improvements implemented for the construction of the Program's reference level. This updating process will ensure the consistency of national reports and those submitted to the UNFCCC. Harmonization of the different levels will include a review of the significance of forest degradation, emission factors, removal factors and gases.
154
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 54 shows the correspondence among the national and ERPD reference levels and the INGEI. The national and ERPD reference levels and the INGEI use the same Activity data and emissions factors, but they differ in removal factors. The INGEI also used the same allometric equations to estimate, aboveground and belowground biomass.
Roadmap of harmonization of reference levels and INGEI During 2018 Nicaragua will update the national reference level using the new emission factors and data generated in the framework of the ERPD. Based on the results obtained from the analysis of the significance of forest degradation in the ER accounting area, this activity will be considered for inclusion in the national REL, if necessary. In addition, during the fourth GHG inventory, to be formulated in 2018, estimates of the AFOLU sector will also be updated with the new DA, EF and RL produced by MARENA and INAFOR. Milestones in this roadmap are included in Table 55.
Table 54 Correspondence among the national and ERPD reference levels and the INGEI. DATA NATIONAL REL ERPD REL INGEI ENDE-REDD ENDE-REDD Forest definition ENDE-REDD definition definition definition Broadleaf and Broadleaf and Forest categories Broadleaf and conifer conifer conifer Deforestation Deforestation Deforestation Enhancement REDD+ activities Enhancement Enhancement Conservation of carbon stocks
AGB AGB AGB Pools BGB BGB BGB
CO2, NH4, N2Oand Gases CO2 CO2 precursors Emission Factors - Chave Chave Chave allometric equation Emission Factors non- Estimated from IPCC IPCC forest classes INF Scientific Removal Factors IPCC IPCC literature Activity Data Not Adjusted Adjusted Not Adjusted Reference period 2005-2015 2005-2015 2000-2005-2010
155
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Tier method 3 3 3 Uncertainty Analysis Error propagation Monte Carlo Error Propagation Table 55 Roadmap of harmonization of reference levels and INGEI.
Task Objective Responsible Date Adjustment of Activity • Create grid of points for the Data Pacific, Central and North of Nicaragua. MARENA e February • Validate land use change for the INETER 2018 periods of the national FREL and INGEI Recalculation of National • Update estimates of emissions FREL and removals based on adjusted April Activity Data and national EFs MARENA 2018 for forest, tacotal and non- forest class Estimation of uncertainty • Quantify the uncertainty of the with Monte Carlo FREL considering errors of DA April MARENA method and FE by the Monte Carlo 2018 method Presentation of National • Conduct three regional FREL and AFOLU results workshops with technicians and MARENA, in the regions (RACCS, authorities to present the INETER, June RACCN and PCN)59 national NREF updated. INAFOR, 2018 • Conduct a national workshop GRACCs for the presentation of INGEI (AFOLU sector).
59 Update of the third GHG inventory for Nicaragua 156
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
9. Approach for Measurement, Monitoring and reporting
9.1 Measurement, monitoring and reporting approach for estimating emissions occurring under the ER Program within the Accounting Area
Nicaragua is implementing the National System of Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (SNM-MRV) for the collection and processing of forest cover and biomass information, obtained from remote sensing and field measurements of forest inventories, for the periodic estimation of forest emissions and reduction of forest emissions, and for the periodic evaluation of the safeguards compliance indicators (see section 14.2) and the monitoring of the co-benefits. The SNM-MRV will establish a platform where national institutions, regional governments, indigenous and territorial communities will make available to the general public the results of monitoring, estimation protocols, and geographic information. The System is composed of 3 sub-modules:
• The Carbon Module will measure, monitor, report, and verify (M-MRV) the state and condition of Nicaragua´s forests, as well as deforestation and forest recovery. It will report avoided emissions as well as those that occur due to changes in carbon stocks at the national level. • The Multiple Benefits Module will monitor indicators related to biodiversity and food security (SNMbe). • The Safeguards Module will provide and manage information related to the application of safeguards (Safeguards).
Figure 35 Sub-modules of the National System of Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification for the Emission Reduction Program.
SNM-MRV
M-MRV SNMbe Safeguards
Deforestation Biodiversity Natural habitat
Degradation Employment generation Forest
Enhancement Involuntary resettlement
Cultural and physical resources
Indigenous policies 157
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system for the ER Program will be based on the Carbon Module, which has a national monitoring plan approved by the national inter- institutional MRV roundtable. This plan will enable the management of coherent, transparent, and consistent information needed for biennial reports related to emissions, removals, and emissions reductions due to avoided deforestation. The proposed chronogram of monitoring events includes the following: • Monitoring event prior to signing of the ERPA: 2016-2018 • First monitoring event: 2019-2020 • Second monitoring event: 2021-2022 • Third monitoring event: 2023-2024
In accordance with criterion 5 of the Carbon Fund Methodological Framework, the National Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Systems (NMRVS) will be congruent with the methodologies and protocols used for the estimation with the Reference Level, which is based on IPCC (2006) guidelines. In this way, it will guarantee comparable and consistent measurements of performance during the periods evaluated.
Estimates of forest emissions will be calculated based on activity data derived from the analysis of Landsat satellite images as well as those of higher resolution, via the application of national protocols for classification and quality control. Although spatial monitoring will be performed annually, national reports of forest cover, deforestation, and carbon emissions and removals will be prepared on a biannual basis.
Emission factors used to estimate the Reference Level and report carbon emissions and removals during the ER Program were estimated based on official information from the 2007 National Forest Inventory. The National Forestry Inventory System (INF) has been in place since 2007. The INF contains information from 371 sample units situated over a systematic grid (18 km x 18 km) over inland Nicaragua (see Section 8.2-Emission Factors). The INF is in the process of being updated, but until now it has not been possible to complete a new measurement of the total network of forest inventory plots. In 2015 with the ENDE-REDD+ program, it was possible to update the measurement of 37 plots in the accounting area. With the additional funds of the FCPF, 50 new plots will be added to the NFI network in order to update the EF and RF (See Table 57). Furthermore, the development of allometric equations calibrated with national data, prior to the first monitoring event during the ERPA, is also anticipated.
Therefore, emission factors may change as a result of future updates of NFI that will be made by INAFOR. Should changes be required during the reference period, these changes will be incorporated in the Reference Level as well as the reports generated.
Finally, the protocols for determining the key information used to determine the reference level, as well as the spreadsheets with the activity data, emission factors, removal factors and error propagation, necessary to reconstruct the reference level, are available to the public on SINIA website (http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/). 158
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 56 Summary of the procedures for the generation of activity data during the M-MRV.
Characteristic Description Parameter Activity data Description Activity data for the categories represented in the land cover change matrix used to estimate the Reference Level: i. Average annual deforested area of broadleaf and conifer forests (DBT, DBL and DCF) ii. Average annual area of new broadleaf and conifer forests (ABT, ABL and ACN) Data unit ha/yr Source of data or Activity data are estimated following good practices and methods measurement/calculation of GFOI (2016). For each monitoring period, annual deforestation methods and procedures and forest enhancement is obtained by calculating the land cover change during the monitoring period divided by the number of to be applied (e.g. field years. Total change areas are calculated from a reference sample measurements, remote stratified based on land cover maps developed for the accounting sensing data, national area (see Figure 31), for the beginning and end of monitoring data, official statistics, IPCC period, using two types of remote sensing images: Guidelines, commercial o Landsat (30 m resolution), used to produce annual cover maps. The images are available for free for the entire planet at the and scientific literature), following site: http://glovis.usgs.gov/. A supervised including the spatial level classification method described by Valerio (2001)60 and of the data (local, regional, included in Annex 9 is used for the preparation of land cover national, international) and maps for each monitoring event. Areas obtained from the land if and how the data or cover change map for each activity category are used to stratify the response design following the good practices and methods will be approved procedures of Olofsson et al (2014)61; during the Term of the o Images with a minimum resolution of 10 m. These images are ERPA used to obtain a training kit for supervised classification of Landsat images. The 10 m resolution images are also used to validate the final maps, via visual interpretation of a sample of reference points, adjust the estimated areas of activity, and calculate the uncertainties related to these estimates, following the guide to good practices of Olofsson (2014).
60 Valerio, L, 2001. Elaboración del Mapa Forestal de Nicaragua, Informe Final. Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal. Abril, 2001. 21 pág. 61 Olofsson, Pontus, et al. "Good practices for estimating area and assessing accuracy of land change." Remote Sensing of Environment 148 (2014): 42-57.
159
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The total change of REDD+ activities in the accounting area are obtained from the following land cover categories: i. Broadleaf forest, ii. Coniferous forest, iii. Tacotal and iv. Non-woody vegetation, and are used to estimate the following activity data: a) Deforestation due to conversion of broadleaf forest to tacotal (DBT) , b) Deforestation of broadleaf forest (DBL), c) Deforestation of conifer forest (DCF), d) Additions due to new Broadleaf forest from tacotales (ABT), e) Additions due to new Broadleaf forest from other non-forest areas (ABL), f) Additions due to new Conifer forest from non-forest areas (ACN), g) Stable broadleaf forest (SBL), h) Stable conifer forest (SCN), and i) Stable non-forest (SNF). Frequency of Biannual (every 2 years) monitoring/recording Monitoring equipment At present, MARENA (SINIA), INETER and INAFOR possess a robust and modern technological platform, which is able to analyze and store the information necessary in order to produce emission reduction reports every two years, as well as to make available to the general public the information generated during the process of estimation of emission reductions. Nevertheless, a new evaluation of technological needs is foreseen in the medium-term in order to identify new needs and make the adjustments needed in order to ensure the continual good performance of the monitoring system. Local communities will be involved in the field validation of the land cover map. Community-based monitoring involves the recruitment of local monitoring teams, the establishment of collaborative agreements with local organizations involved in this activity, and the preparation of simple monitoring protocols that will be validated by INETER or INAFOR. Finally, the data and information collected by the local teams will be registered in an electronic platform that will enable the subsequent evaluation of the accuracy of the land cover maps. Quality Assurance/Quality The land cover maps are used for the construction of an activity Control procedures to be data map for the monitoring period, using the cover change of applied each of the REDD+ activities (DBT, DBL, DCF, ABT, ABL and ACN). Quality assurance and control procedures are applied to the activity data map, similar to procedures used for the Reference Level62. The activity data map is used to stratify a random sample of reference points (e.g. 1309 points), for the evaluation of the
62 described in the Protocol for the Estimation of the Reference Level Activity Data (Annex 10) 160
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
accuracy of the classification and the adjustments of REDD+ activity data, via photointerpretation of high resolution imagery available in the country (from Google Earth, Bing, and others), following the good practices and procedures of Olofsson et al (2014)63. An independent validation of 10% of the sample of reference points will be used in quality assurance. These reference points are interpreted by two independent national experts, and subsequently validated by experts from INETER. The three major features of the response design are: 1. Spatial unit. The spatial unit used corresponds to the Landsat pixel (30 m x 30 m). 2. Sources of reference information. According to Olofsson et al (2014), baseline information can be improved compared to that of the classified maps if the sources of baseline or reference information are of better quality and resolution, or, if the source of information of both is the same, the process of obtaining the reference information is more accurate than that used for the classified maps. In this case, the visual interpretation of the reference points by national experts with extensive experience using Landsat, RapidEye and other high-resolution images available on Google Earth is considered to be more accurate than the automatic classification performed only on Landsat images. 3. The interpretation protocol. For each of the pixels evaluated, the activity data classes are interpreted for the beginning and end of the monitoring period. The quality of the interpretation at each point is evaluated and the source of information used for interpretation is also noted. Finally, based on the control points, an analysis of the uncertainty of the activity data map is performed and the areas of each of the REDD activity data is adjusted to a 90% significance level, based on the methodology proposed by Oloffson et al. (2014)64. Quality Assessment/Quality Control procedures to be used by national experts during interpretation include the following: - Data collection: the national experts together with INETER review the information to be collected, the table format, and the labels or codification for each attribute.
63 Olofsson, Pontus, et al. "Good practices for estimating area and assessing accuracy of land change." Remote Sensing of Environment 148 (2014): 42-57.
64 The uncertainty assessment procedure is included in the worksheet Analisis_incertidumbres.xlsx 161
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
- Interpretation: a working session is held for the definition of consistent and homogeneous criteria for the interpretation of the land use cover. - Data verification: after the finalization of the data gathering process, a session is held for the verification of the data and the detection of any anomalies before beginning the final analysis of the reference information. Based on the control points, an analysis of the uncertainty of the activity data map is performed and the areas of each of the categories are adjusted to a 90% significance level, based on the methodology proposed by Oloffson et al. (2014)65. The control points are also used to estimate the adjusted areas and their errors for each of the REDD+ activities. These adjusted areas are used in the calculation of emissions66 and their errors incorporated in the Monte Carlo simulations. Identification of sources of The uncertainty of activity data is associated with: uncertainty for this 1. Uncertainties related to the production of the land cover parameter maps used for the stratification of the control points that are used to calculate and adjust the activity data estimations, especially the error associated with the classification of land cover in the first and final years of the monitoring period. The uncertainty of the land cover change map affects the calculation of the sample size and therefore indirectly affects the accuracy of the activity data. The worse the accuracy of the map, the greater sample size we need to obtain a certain level of error in the activity data. Factors influencing this error include the quality of the spatial images, their processing and the post-processing of the maps. 2. Uncertainty related to the visual interpretation of control points, performed by the national expert technicians and to the quality and resolution of the images available. The classification of the reference points is the key task in the areas estimation flow diagram. Small errors in the reference data set can lead to large biases of the estimators of both classification accuracy and class area (Foody, 2010, 2013). Two potential sources of uncertainty in the reference classification are the uncertainty associated with spatial co- registration of the map (Pontius, 2000) and uncertainty associated with the interpretation of the reference data
65 The uncertainty assessment is included in the worksheet Analisis_incertidumbres.xlsx 66 As estimated in the worksheet Analisis_incertidumbres.xlsx
162
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
(Pontius & Lippitt, 2006). The uncertainty associated with activity data is estimated directly using the control or reference points obtained based on the methodology mentioned above (Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures to be applied) in this Table. Process for managing and Uncertainty of activity data is minimized by taking into account reducing uncertainty the following best practices: associated with this o Uncertainties related to the production of the land cover maps . The incidence of clouds and shadows are minimized by parameter using various Landsat images in order to produce the land cover map for each of the years of the monitoring period. . All maps were co-registered to a baseline date in order to eliminate inconsistencies in limits of the accounting area. o Uncertainty related to the visual interpretation of control points . In the medium-term, Nicaragua will obtain higher resolution images in order to reduce the uncertainty of the activity data used. The satellite images used in the process (Landsat and RapidEye) have enough spatial location quality (less than one pixel of co-registration errors) to perform a good assignment of the class to the reference points. . The national experts responsible for Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures are the same as those who were involved in the work related to the Reference Level. . The national experts, together with INETER, define consistent and homogeneous criteria for the interpretation of the land use cover, the information to be collected, the table format, and the labels or codification for each attribute. Furthermore, disagreements among the interpreters evaluating the same sampling unit is minimized by a constant communication among experts. The independent validation of the reference classification made by INETER ensures a higher quality results . Before beginning the final analysis of the reference information, the data is reviewed to detect any anomalies. Comments INETER will be responsible for the processing of the cover maps in order to generate the stratification of activities and will also be responsible for QA/QC of the reference points.
163
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 57 Summary of the procedures for the generation of Emission Factors for forest categories and tacotal (secondary vegetation) during the M-MRV.
Characteristic Description Parameter Emission factors Description Emission factors (EF) for forest categories and tacotal, including aboveground and belowground biomass:
i. Broadleaf forest (EFbl)
ii. Conifer forest (EFbc)
iii. Tacotal (EFtac)
iv. Other non-forest covers (EFnf) Data unit t C/ha Source of data or For future monitoring events, the country will implement the measurement/calculation same procedures for the construction of the reference level; methods and procedures emission factors employed will be identical to the ones used in the reference level (See Section 8.3 – Emission Factors). to be applied (e.g. field Data from the National Forest Inventory (INF), carried out by measurements, remote INAFOR in 200767, were used to calculate the emission and sensing data, national removal factors for categories of forest and young secondary data, official statistics, IPCC vegetation (tacotales) and non-forest class. The INF contains Guidelines, commercial information from 371 sample units situated over a systematic grid over inland Nicaragua (Figure 32). The grid is the world and scientific literature), 10´x10´ (18 km x 18 km approximately) proposed by FAO. This including the spatial level data base was adjusted based on activity data classes. Detailed of the data (local, regional, information regarding this data base and the methods used in national, international) and calculating the factors is found in the Emission and Removal if and how the data or Factors construction protocol (Annex 10). methods will be approved At present, Nicaragua does not have official allometric equations, calibrated with national data, for tree biomass. In addition, there during the Term of the have been few field studies of tree volume and biomass carried ERPA out in Nicaragua which can be used as references. Furthermore, both the National FREL and National Greenhaouse gases inventory (INGEI) used general allometric equation of Chave et al. (2014) to estimate biomass (see Table 54). Given this situation and to be consistent with the National FREL and INGEI, the general allometric equations of Chave et al. 2014 are used to calculate aboveground biomass:
67 INAFOR, 2009. Resultados del Inventario Nacional Forestal de Nicaragua 2007-2008. 164
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Equation Forest type AGB= 0.0673*(ρ*D2*H)0.976 All types where ρ is the wood density Dis the diameter at breast height (cm) H is tree height (m)
Belowground biomass was calculated based on aboveground biomass using the equation of Cairns et al 199768: Equation R2/sample size Y = exp(-1.0850+0.9256*ln(ABG)) 0.83/151 Where: Y= belowground dry matter, Mg/ha AGB = aboveground dry matter, Mg/ha ln = natural logarithm exp = “e raised to the power of”
The emission factors include aboveground (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB). It is assumed that emissions from the latter occur at the moment of conversion, following IPCC Tier 1 methodology. Determination of the emission factors for the deforestation activity used the “stock-difference” method proposed by the IPCC (IPCC, 2006) based on the differences in stocks of carbon before and after deforestation. The non-forest emission factor is the weighted average of the emission factors for crops, herbaceous vegetation, and small, woody vegetation. AGB for each land use category has been calculated based on the INF information, calculating the AGB per tree using the abovementioned allometric equations and finally calculating mean ABG (t d.m./ha) following classical statistic calculations based on the forest inventory plot areas69. BGB per tree has been calculated using the equation of Cairns et al 1997 based on ABG of each tree. Frequency of Nicaragua has a National Forestry Inventory System (INF) in place monitoring/recording since 2007. The INF is in the process of being updated, but until now it has not been possible to complete a new measurement of
68 Cairns, Michael A., et al. "Root biomass allocation in the world's upland forests." Oecologia 111.1 (1997): 1-11. 69 Calculations of emission factors based on the national forest inventory are included in the worksheet calculo_FE.xlsx
165
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
the total network of forest inventory plots. With additional funds of the FCPF, 50 new plots will be added to the NFI network in the accounting area distributed in the categories of use: i. Dense coniferous forest, ii. Open coniferous forests, iii. Secondary coniferous forests and iv. Secondary broad-leaved forests. It is necessary to increase the number of plots in these categories to improve the estimates of the emission and removal factors, as well as reduce the estimation error prior to the first monitoring event of the ERPD. These new parcels were distributed through a spatial analysis of land use maps 2010 and 2015, as follows:
Plots Forest type 16 Dense coniferous forest 16 Open coniferous forest 9 Secondary coniferous forest 9 Secondary broadleved forest 50
The design of the monitoring proposal considers the following aspects: Location of plots Intensified grid of NFI (INF 2007-2008) Forest inventory The sampling methodology implemented protocol in the NFI and validated by FAO will be applied Additional Dominat Tree high in meters (Site quality variables indicator) in secondary forest Sample units NFI sample units Estimation of For the calculation of AGB / BGB, the above and below Protocol for determine EF and RF ground Biomass developed for the estimation of the Reference Level will be followed.
INAFOR proposes the following tentative schedule to add 50 new plots to the NFI network in the accounting area:
Activities Dates Training: Monitoring Teams trained by March – April 2018 INAFOR on the NFI methodology for the measurement and establishment of forest inventory plots.
166
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Field work: INAFOR determine the May – August 2018 location of the inventory plots and distributes them among the monitoring equipment. INAFOR and MARENA technical staff will supervise the field work. Reporting and information processing: Sep - Oct 2018 Quality control and data storage is carried out according to previously defined categories of use. The field information is digitized in the official NFI database. NR update: INAFOR in coordination with Nov 2018 MARENA, updates the EF and RF. MARENA updates the NR on deforestation, degradation and carbon enhancement.
Finally, the development of allometric equations calibrated with national data, prior to the first monitoring event during the ERPA, is also anticipated.
Monitoring equipment INAFOR is responsible for updating the National Forestry Inventory (INF), as well as carrying out specific inventories to assess the state of forests nationwide. INAFOR has a decentralized structure for the monitoring of natural forests through the forest districts. The country is divided into ten forest districts, each with a district delegate. Quality Assurance/Quality Since the emission factors for the estimation of forest emissions Control procedures to be during the monitoring events will be identical to those used in applied the construction of the reference level, it is not necessary to apply a QA/QC procedure. Identification of sources of Since emissions are calculated as the difference between two uncertainty for this estimates of average carbon stocks per hectare, the uncertainty parameter of emissions is determined essentially by the errors associated with estimates of the carbon stocks in each compartment in each year of the reference period. These errors are associated with (Cunia, 1987): i. Measurement errors (for example, tree diameter at breast height (DBH) measurements on field) ii. Prediction errors of the allometric equations used to 167
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
estimate biomass due to uncertainty related to model residuals and model parameters iii. Sampling error. iv. Errors associated with the different parameters used in the estimation of emissions, such as the carbon fraction of the material in question. Process for managing and Since the emission factors for the estimation of forest emissions reducing uncertainty during the monitoring events will be identical to those used in associated with this the construction of the reference level, it is not necessary to apply a process for managing and reducing uncertainty. parameter
Table 58 Summary of the procedures for the generation of Removal Factor for new forests, during the M-MRV.
Characteristic Description
Parameter Removal factors for Broadleaf forest (RFbl) including aboveground and belowground biomass.
Removal factors for conifer forest (RFbc) including aboveground and belowground biomass. Description The removal of carbon due to enhancement in new forests has been calculated following the equation:
= + 10 + 2 2 1 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑖𝑖−1 𝑖𝑖 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 where, 𝑅𝑅 𝑎𝑎 ∗ � 𝑎𝑎 ∗ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑎𝑎 ∗ 𝑖𝑖=2 R is the removal of carbon in t CO2/yr a is the annually area converted from non-forest land to new forests in the period 2005-2015 (ha/yr)
RF is the removal factor (t CO2/ha yr). Data unit t C/ha Source of data or Removal factors in the framework of this removal estimation measurement/calculation approach, expresses the annual growth rate of new forests in t CO2/ha-yr. The INF database does not account for rates of biomass methods and procedures increment in forests in Nicaragua. The broadleaf forest growth rate to be applied (e.g. field has been obtained from literature references of forest regeneration measurements, remote and biomass accumulation in Nicaragua. The mean annual increment sensing data, national of forest biomass has been estimated based on the study developed 70 data, official statistics, IPCC by Mascaro et al 2005 of regeneration of new forests in the
70 Mascaro, J., Perfecto, I., Barros, O., Boucher, D. H., La Cerda, D., Granzow, I., ... & Vandermeer, J. (2005). Aboveground biomass accumulation in a tropical wet forest in Nicaragua following a catastrophic hurricane disturbance. Biotropica, 37(4), 600-608. 168
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Guidelines, commercial Bluefields region on the Atlantic coast of southern Nicaragua. This and scientific literature), study reports growth rates from 4 sample sites and a total of 12 including the spatial level plots. Only 10 plots with reported standard errors were used for estimating the removal factor as the average of the biomass mean of the data (local, regional, annual increment of the plots (3.41 t C/ha ± 1.02 SE) national, international) and Concerning the mean annual increment in biomass of Conifer forests if and how the data or of Nicaragua, there is no published information available at the methods will be approved moment. Therefore, a growth rate was calculated based on the during the Term of the emission factor derived from the INF database for steady state 33 years-old Conifer forests71. With this information the removal factor ERPA in Conifer forest has been calculated as follows:
RFbc= EFbc/33
Since EFbc is 24.59 t C /ha (¡Error! No se encuentra el origen de la referencia.), the removal factor RFbc is 0.75 t C /ha. Although considerable uncertainty exists over the age selected, the removal factor obtained is considered conservative and consistent with the available INF information. Frequency of Same as Emission factors (EF) for forest categories (Broadleaf forest). monitoring/recording See Table 37. Monitoring equipment Same as Emission factors (EF) for forest categories (Broadleaf forest). See Table 37. Quality Assurance/Quality Same as Emission factors (EF) for forest categories (Broadleaf forest). Control procedures to be See Table 37. applied Identification of sources of Removal factor uncertainty is the emission factor uncertainty divided uncertainty for this by 2. parameter Process for managing and Same as Emission factors (EF) for forest categories (Broadleaf forest). reducing uncertainty See Table 37. associated with this parameter 9.2 Organizational structure for measurement, monitoring and reporting
71 Calderón and Solís,2012. Bachelor Thesis: Cuantificación del carbono almacenado en tres fincas en tres estados de desarrollo del bosque de Pino (Pinus oocarpa, L.) Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Universidad Nacional Agraria 169
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Nicaragua has established an inter-institutional platform for forest and land use monitoring consisting of the following institutions: INAFOR, MARENA, INTA, MAG, INETER, municipal mayor, regional and territorial governments, and indigenous communities.
Each of the participating entities in the MRV inter-institutional platform is responsible for monitoring variables associated with emission reductions (see Figure 34), based on their institutional mandate and competencies as described in Law 290 ”the Law of Organization, Competency, and Procedures of the Executive Power”. In Table 58 a general description of institutional roles and responsibilities, and the internal entities with direct or indirect responsibilities for MRV, monitoring events, or the generation of emission reduction reports are shown.
Figure 36 Inter-institutional platform responsible for monitoring variables associated with emission reductions in Nicaragua
National National National Forest Statistics of Forest GHG monitoring agriculture Inventory Inventories system and livestock
INAFOR MARENA INETER MAG/BC
Table 59 Institutional functions and internal entities related directly or indirectly to MRV, monitoring, and the generation of emission reductions reports to the ER Program.
Institution Internal Entity Responsibilities and Function Final Product: Official Report of Emission Reductions by the ER Program • Highest level institution within the system and the only one authorized to emit official annual and biannual reports on emissions from deforestation • Climate Change and the recuperation of forests. MARENA Directorate • Formulates the protocols used by the system, in
coordination with other institutions. • Quality control of emission/removal calculations due to the addition or loss of forest cover. • Emits official estimates of forest emissions and removals. 170
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Institution Internal Entity Responsibilities and Function • Receives feedback from the regions and other information users. • Makes public information, maps, and protocols employed by the MRV system in the estimation of forest emissions and removals in the accounting area. Final Product: With INETER, make available to the public, the information generated by the SNM-MRV, including maps, data, and protocols used in the estimation of emission reductions. • Administers all information generated by the institutions that form part of the SNM-MRV. • National System • Presents, via web pages, the results of monitoring of Environmental carried out by INETER, MAG, INTA and local Information monitors. (SINIA) • Guarantees the fluid and transparent exchange of information between SINIA and the regional nodes. • Technical strengthening of regional nodes related to information administration and management. • Develops a plan to disseminate information and results. Final Product: Official Report on Emission Factors of the ER Program • Selects the sampling design and permanent plots. • Establishes protocols for data gathering by local communities. • Forest Protection, • Organizes the acquisition of equipment and Promotion, and instruments for data gathering. Development • Carries out the forest inventory. Directorate • Processes and analyzes data. • Forest Control • Calculates biomass and carbon stocks. INAFOR and Monitoring • Calculates changes in stocks over time. Directorate • Monitors forest fires and non-anthropogenic land • Forest Registry use changes Office • Generates the report on uncertainty. • Departmental • Emits official emission factors. Delegations • Coordinates with the land cover mapping team. • Coordinates with the regions and other users of the results of the forestry inventory. • Organizes and trains field teams. • Controls quality of data gathered by field teams. 171
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Institution Internal Entity Responsibilities and Function • Transmits data to the national central office. Final Product: Report on Monitoring of Forest Cover and Changes in Land Use/Estimation of Emissions from the LULUCF sector. • Determines which satellite data are most appropriate for monitoring land use categories. • Determines methods for validation, including the sources of data and sampling procedures. • Documents all analytical processes related to satellite imagery. • Territorial • Makes available the processed images to all SNM- INETER Classification and MRV users. Zoning • Generates annual information on forest cover and Directorate changes in land use. • Quantifies annually the quantity of emissions and/or removals due to forest additions or losses, following the guidelines of the IPCC. • Calculates rates of change. • Evaluates the accuracy and uncertainty of data. • Emits reports on the state of forest cover, in coordination with INAFOR. • Receives feedback from the regions and other information users. Final Product: Measurement, mapping, and administration of agricultural information • Formulation and measurement of indicators and the agricultural census. • Produces annual reports on agricultural • Agricultural monitoring, in coordination with INETER. Monitoring MAG • Administers national livestock statistics. General • Maps, via satellite imagery, the areas of annual and Directorate perennial crops. • Emits statistical reports on the increase or decrease of agricultural areas. • Receives feedback from the regions and information users. • Municipal Final Product: Assist field validation of the cover map Mayor Offices Environmental and the measurement of National Forest Inventory Units plots. Regional • Coordinates inter-institutional efforts on the • SERENAs Governments monitoring of local variables and indicators. 172
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Institution Internal Entity Responsibilities and Function • Defines local forestry monitoring teams. • Obtains financing for monitoring. • Trains and raises awareness of volunteers. • Collaborates with organizations with experience in monitoring. • Uses simple methodologies validated by INETER or • ITG Commission Indigenous INAFOR. for MRV/SESA (in Territorial • Incorporates training related to monitoring the process of Governments protocols, on-the-ground supervision, and data being (ITG) verification in the design of community monitoring established) systems. • Creates a program for the recognition of volunteers. • Focuses on producing results that are useful for society via the generation of relevant information for the formulation of policies.
Figure 37 presents the proposed organizational structure, designed by the MRV technical roundtable of the ENDE-REDD+ Program during 2016-2017, based on the actual systems involved in the monitoring of the variables and indicators of interest for ENDE-REDD+. The articulation of monitoring within the context of the ER Program with the national monitoring system (SNM- MRV) is shown in Figure 38. The SNM-MRV will include community monitoring in support of the generation of activity data, resampling of the national forest inventory, and an early warning system for deforestation. The national systems and institutions that form part of the national system of measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification are described below.
173
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 37 Proposed organizational structure of MRV for the ER Program. AC - MAG/INTA QA AC - QA AC - INETER QA MARENA/SINIA , Local, and Regional Monitoring and Regional , Local, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AC - QA Community REGIONAL AND TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS AND GOVERNMENTS TERRITORIAL AND REGIONAL INAFOR Assurance Control Control Quality Quality MRV QA: QC : : Collaborators SINAPRED, MHCP SINAPRED, BCN, MEFCCA, INIDE,
174
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 38 Articulation of ER Program monitoring with the National Monitoring System (SNM-MRV).
173
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• System of Monitoring of Land Use, Forest Cover and Production: administered by INETER; will provide data and geospatial information on Activity data. • National Forest Inventory: administered by INAFOR through the office of national forest inventories. Responsible for information regarding the state of the forests and forest biomass. Data provided by the Inventory will be used to calculate and update national emission factors. • National Inventories of Greenhouse Gases: administered by MARENA through the Climate Change Directorate. Compiles inputs and data generated by other institutions in order to control the quality of the estimates and reports generated. • National Agricultural Census: administered by MAG and INTA. Provides information related to annual and perennial crops and livestock. • National Statistics and Census: administered by INIDE. Monitors social variables and indicators such as: poverty, access to health services, education, etc. • National System of Environmental Indicators: administered by MARENA. Analyzes and systematizes socioeconomic-environmental information and national indicators originating from the monitoring, vigilance, and control of environmental management, natural resources, and the economic valuation of natural assets. Works in coordination with different information systems and statistical directorates at the national, regional, and territorial levels, in line with the policies and strategic guidelines of the National Plan for Human Development. • ENDEREDD information website: administered by MARENA. The ENDE-REDD+ information website (http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/) includes a spatial data infrastructure web tool (SDI); based on Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) methodologies and protocols for the exchange and interoperability of inter-institutional data and processes, and will also serve as a viewer, at different scales, of processed land cover maps and any spatially explicit variable mapped for estimation of forest emissions.
This GeoPortal also includes layers of national information on historical and current land uses, in vector format, allowing visual analysis by overlay layers of different subjects in the same geographical area of interest. It works as a data exchange mechanism at the regional and community level. Metadata catalogs with methodological details are included for each layer. Protocols and data used for the estimation of Reference level and monitoring events are also available in the ENDE-REDD+ Information website: Activity Data, Emission Factors, Forest emissions and Forest Reference Level.
Community, local and regional monitoring
The implementation of the SNM-MRV will strengthen the regional capacities to monitor and report the state of forests and non-carbon benefits in the accounting area during the ERPD. In addition, it will generate on-site information and enhance the technical and ancestral knowledge of the local forest rangers and monitors. The ITGs have monitoring teams of 15 to 20 people, including leaders and community technicians. The function of these teams is to protect, monitor and provide alerts of deforestation and forest degradation. These teams 174
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve will work in coordination with the technicians of SERENA, INAFOR, MAG and mayors´offices; the teams are distributed throughout the territory and collect information on land uses, annual and perennial crop areas, and support the updating of the national forest inventory, among other things. Forest ranger teams currently monitor their territory in periods of 2-3 months; recording the information in notebooks that are administered by the community leaders of the ITGs.
Data capture with an Android platform for the SNM-MRV: During 2017, the ENDE- REDD + program carried out tests with the ODK collect application for the collection of field information. ODK is a tool for the collection of forest and non-forest data based on the Android mobile operating system. ODK makes it possible to build, at low cost, simple forms and register the information in a central server where the forest ranger reports are stored and processed. In 2018, intensive training will be carried out with the forestry brigades of each ITG in order to strengthen technical knowledge, improve information management and start with the implementation of the monitoring and early warning system developed in coordination with MARENA, INETER, INAFOR and GRACCs. The strengthening process will be supported by the inter-institutional monitoring team of the ENDE-REDD + Program and will have the following phases:
Table 60 Data capture with an Android platform for the SNM-MRV.
Phase Description I. Establishment of the Based on the structure and working modality of monitoring committee the ITG, the official monitoring teams will be formed. II. Monitoring work plan. The analysis of deforestation hot spots from satellite images will define the areas with the highest intensity of monitoring and the work schedule for ITG forestry teams. III. Training to collect field data ITG forestry teams will receive training in with android application managing and recording information with the Android application IV. Testing and validation of During the testing phase, the ITG forestry teams tools will report the results of the monitoring through the Android application. Subsequently, the central and regional monitoring team will review, adjust and validate the data collection forms and the information received from the field teams. V. Adjustment of the collection The national monitoring team will establish a tool for its incorporation into commission to validate the field data collection the early warning system. tool and approve its incorporation into the early warning system of the ERPD.
175
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Early Warning System for Deforestation (EWSD)
The early warning system for deforestation is part of the National Forest Monitoring System. EWSD is based on an early detection tool based on images from remote sensors. From satellite images of high temporal resolution and low spatial resolution (LandSat), temporary mosaics will be generated for digital processing through automated algorithms, for the identification of deforestation zones with greater intensity. This tool is currently an adequate alternative for the frequent monitoring of changes in forest cover at the national and regional levels. INETER is currently preparing for the implementation of the fast processing of satellite images required by the EWSD. Downloading, pre-processing and processing of LandSat images will be automated, which will improve the time needed to produce information, increase the accuracy and reliability, and deliver results to environmental authorities and decision makers. The information generated by the EWSD is key to taking quick and timely actions on activities that threaten the conservation of natural forests in the country, such as illegal logging, conversion to agricultural areas, and forest fires, among others.
9.3 Relation and consistency with the National Forest Monitoring System
The data used to estimate emissions are generated following the good practices and guidelines established by the IPCC for forest monitoring and are applied at the national level in a consistent fashion. As a result, the data reported by the ER Program form part of the National Forest Monitoring System and will be used in national emissions reporting.
The functioning of the National Monitoring-MRV System is based on the establishment of homologous protocols for the generation of information, pre-treatment and processing of data, as well as conventional and standard systems of classification. These protocols envision the continual up-dating of variables and indicators used in the institutional information systems for the interchange of data in the timeframes established by the National System of Environmental Information (SINIA).
176
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
10. Displacement
10.1 Identification of risk of Displacement
The factors that drive deforestation in Nicaragua are most accentuated in the Caribbean coast. These include the large proportion of national forests (80%), migration of poor farmers to the region attracted by cheap land, suitable conditions for year-round pasture and crop production, relatively flat topography, and a weak institutional presence. Moreover, the accounting area includes more than half of the land area of the country. The rest of the land elsewhere is largely deforested, settled, much more expensive, and has drier climatic conditions.
In essence, the combination of these factors suggests that significant displacement of deforestation outside of the accounting area is unlikely. As a result, a low72 risk of displacement could be assigned to the majority of the drivers of deforestation, but there are two cases where a moderate risk has been assigned, as is explained below.
In general, if displacement should occur, it is more likely in areas characterized by: • Low rates of deforestation or recovering forests, • Easy accessibility from roads or near to population centers, • Weak institutional control of land use, • Low-priced land available for rent, purchase, or forcible occupation73.
The drivers and their associated risk of displacement are evaluated in the following Table.
Table 61 Risk of displacement in the accounting area associated with different factors or agents of deforestation.
Driver of Risk of deforestation or Explanation / justification of risk assessment Displacement degradation Extensive cattle Low As mentioned in section 4, non-sustainable, production and extensive pasture management and livestock commercial and production is the main driver of deforestation of subsistence the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. These farming based on processes ares intimately associated with the extensive land expansion of the agricultural frontier related with use. extensive land use, especially that of extensive livestock grazing, but also with annual and
72 FCPF: Carbon Fund Methodological Framework, December 20,2013 73 MARENA 2017. Análisis de desplazamientos debido a la reducción de emisiones originadas por el Programa de Reducción de emisiones de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Proyecto Apoyo a la Preparación de la Estrategia para la Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación Forestal (ENDE-REDD+) -TF099264. Dirección General de Cambio Climático, Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA). 2017. 33 p 177
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Driver of Risk of deforestation or Explanation / justification of risk assessment Displacement degradation perennial crops. However, they are underlain by various factors including migrations to the Caribbean from the Pacific and North-Central regions of Nicaragua, and within the Caribbean region itself, resulting from demographic pressure stemming from annual population growth of 1.4%, poverty, the availability of relatively cheap land in the Caribbean Coast, and road connections to and within the Caribbean Coast. These conditions are less likely to be found in other parts of the country, so the risk of displacement could be considered as inexistent or categorized as low. Moreover, the project´s economic/productive interventions are aimed at generating more sustainable and profitable alternative for local farmers, and increased jobs for those who are unable to participate in ER Program productive programs or who are forced to abandon their lands due to increased enforcement and control of land use. In the latter cases, off-farm agricultural employment, created by agro-industries or large farms, is apt to reduce the risk of displacement. With regards to displacement due to commercial crops, to date the increase of agro-industrial areas of perennial crops (such as oil palm and coconut) is still relatively low, but is likely to increase due to investment promotion and “copycat” effects. Interventions that promote greater monitoring, control, and enforcement of land use regulations, may diminish the attractiveness of the Caribbean Coast for these investments, which may then subsequently go elsewhere. This risk is considered to be inexistent or low due to the still incipient levels of agro-industrial production on the Caribbean coast, the promotion of economically favorable conditions for sustainable production by PRONicaragua, and the low availability of ecologically suitable conditions for these crops in other areas of the country.
178
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Driver of Risk of deforestation or Explanation / justification of risk assessment Displacement degradation Population growth Medium Deforestation in indigenous and Afrodescendant and migration. territories is relatively low, but it has been increasing, presumably due to increasing pressure from population growth and migration and the desire for better livelihoods by indigenous and non-indigenous inhabitants. This pressure may displace some individuals, especially if land use in indigenous and Afrodescendant territories is more tightly controlled. However, increased local employment with forestry or agroindustrial businesses targeted by the investment promotion component, or as local monitors, combined with results-based incentives for avoided deforestation, will decrease the risk that these individuals are displaced. Nevertheless, due to the possibility that displacement may occur, this risk is categorized as medium. Forest Medium Legal logging levels are low, but data for degradation due degradation suggest that illegal logging may be to logging and significant, especially in the RACCN. Greater forest firewood monitoring and enforcement of forestry extraction regulations may displace loggers to other parts of the country, such as the Central-North region, but the relatively small quantity of commercial forests in other parts of the country reduces this possibility. Firewood and charcoal extraction may also be displaced as a consequence of establishing an improved regulatory and enforcement framework. This risk, since it could occur but the probability is low, is rated as medium. Undervalued Low The low value of forest land is due to the forest lands. undervaluation of goods and services produced by forests, which do not allow forest production to compete with other alternative land uses. Increasing the value of forests may force poor farmers to look for cheaper land elsewhere, but the risk of displacement is low, since cheaper land is less likely to be found elsewhere. Moreover, outside the accounting area, forests are less availability and forest carbon stocks are lower.
179
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Driver of Risk of deforestation or Explanation / justification of risk assessment Displacement degradation Hence, the risk of displacement of emissions is low. Low-priced local Low It is unlikely that improved market conditions for and regional producers in the accounting area will cause markets displacement, since farmers will still seek areas, undemanding of such as the Caribbean Coast, with low production product quality. costs. Institutional Medium Increased monitoring, control, and enforcement weakness in lands of forest and resource use may provoke monitoring, and displacement among certain social sectors. On the control. other hand, the promotion of improved agricultural technologies, improved credit availability, technical assistance, conservation payments, and investments that create off-farm employment may result in greater economic opportunities that offset the increased risk of displacement caused by tighter control. Therefore, this risk is considered to be medium. Forest fires Low Nicaragua´s fire prevention and control program is active throughout the country, which will reduce the risk of displacement of forest fires. Therefore, this risk is considered to be low.
10.2 ER Program design features to prevent and minimize potential displacement
The proposed interventions are aimed at reducing the principal direct causes of deforestation (extensive cattle raising or crop production) and their underlying causative factors of low valuation of forest products and services (low opportunity cost of forests), low land prices, an agricultural sector with low productivity associated with low levels of capital and difficult access to credit and investments, low-priced local and regional markets undemanding of product quality, and weak institutional capacity to coordinate and apply laws, policies, and regulations, access needed information, and to monitor and control land and natural resource use.
Generally, the risk of displacement may occur as a consequence of: i. The reduction of levels of production, income, or means of subsistence of the participants; ii. The rejection of the proposed mitigation measures or difficulties in adopting them on the part of farmers; and/or
180
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
iii. Increased restrictions on land use that can affect the above and subsequently cause migration to other areas.
Clearly, the interventions incorporating positive incentives are apt to diminish, not increase, displacement, but decreased access to forests and greater enforcement (disincentives or control measures) may tend to displace farmers unable to participate, for whatever reason, in the economic benefits associated with more sustainable production systems. In the latter case, the potential for increased off-farm agricultural employment with agro-industrial projects established in already deforested areas, promoted by the ER Program, may alleviate the risk of displacement.
Table 62 ER Program activities aimed at mitigating the risk of displacement.
Driver of deforestation or Activities degradation Extensive cattle The overall intervention strategy is based on a combination of production and positive incentives (production-oriented, or enabling conditions commercial and packages) and disincentives or control measures (conservation subsistence packages and improved land use monitoring and control). It aims at farming based on achieving more sustainable and productive farming systems via extensive land use greater access to technical assistance, credit (both of which will be conditioned to on-farm forest conservation), and outside investment that creates income and employment. At the same time it makes it harder to access and convert forest land via greater local land use monitoring, control, and law enforcement, early warning systems for deforestation, financial incentives for forest conservation and sustainable use, and improved forest governance, especially in indigenous and Afrodescendant territories and protected areas.
Increased employment, income, and better land governance are apt to act as disincentives for the migration of people to other regions. This will be achieved through:
1) the sustainable production package, which is aimed at stimulating sustainable agroindustries and smallholder production systems that increase production and carbon enhancement, conserve forests, and create off-farm employment that can absorb marginal farmers. It includes:
181
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Driver of deforestation or Activities degradation a) strengthening of PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe in order to increase promotion of green agroindustrial and forestry investments in indigenous territories and private property that in turn will increase off-farm employment, enhance carbon stocks, and reduce deforestation. b) the establishment of agroforestry and silvopastoral trusts among small and medium farmers, anchor businesses, producer groups, and government and financial institutions (trustee) aimed at increasing intensified production and commercialization of coffee, cacao, and livestock products, carbon enhancement, and greater on-farm forest conservation. c) commercial reforestation in order to create off-farm employment and enhance carbon stocks, and d) social reforestation and natural regeneration in order to enhance carbon stocks and biodiversity.
2) The conservation package which will facilitate better land governance by the ITGs and communal governments, use direct incentives in order to promote forest conservation, as well as income and employment via the improvement of community forest management or other community-based economic opportunities.
As a result of these two packages, farmers will have less need to migrate to new forest areas. Population growth The sustainable production package aimed at increasing local and migration. employment with forestry or agroindustrial businesses or as local monitors, increasing the productivity of livestock and agroforestry crop production, and the use of incentives for natural regeneration will create more economic opportunities and jobs that that are able to absorb increases in population. Forest degradation The proposed actions aim at strengthening the technical and due to logging and commercial framework (direct incentives, technological firewood improvement and increased marketing and product diversification) extraction for community forestry and investment promotion of commercial forest plantations. Both of these measures which will create forest- based economic opportunities for local inhabitants that can serve as alternatives to illegal logging and firewood extraction. Undervalued forest Increasing the value of forest lands through activities such as 182
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Driver of deforestation or Activities degradation lands community forest management, the promotion of investments in forested zones, direct incentives for avoided deforestation or for natural regeneration will increase income and employment opportunities in the communities.
The intervention of Improved Forest and Land Use Management by Indigenous Territory Governments (ITGs) includes: • updating territorial development and land use zoning plans, • improving territorial and communal legal statutes, internal norms and regulations, and administrative and contractual procedures for forest and land use by community members or outsiders, • improving natural resource decision making and social control of those decisions at the communal level, and • improving local monitoring and control of forests and land use and forestry permits (whose procedures should be improved by the activity found under CFM) by community groups, including information capacities, equipment and human resources, and local forest rangers and monitors.
These measures are expected to improve living conditions via better land use and fewer conflicts over land. These improved conditions are apt to mitigate or prevent displacement.
Low-priced local Actions will be aimed at developing linkages with markets for higher and regional quality, “green” products, while at the same time developing markets farmers´ technical, organizational, and commercial capacity to undemanding of participate in these markets. Higher selling prices associated with product quality. better quality products will increase income and provide incentives to intensify production instead of migrating to new areas of forest. Institutional Nicaragua has developed a robust legal and policy framework for weakness in land land and natural resource rights, environmental protection and use monitoring and sustainable development. However, the country needs to more control. fully integrate and harmonize environmental concerns in development plans at all governmental levels and across sectors. It also needs to better enforce existing policies related to deforestation and land use. Thus, the ER Program envisages strengthening institutional forest governance capacities and structures at the national, regional, and
183
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Driver of deforestation or Activities degradation territory levels in order to promote actions for the monitoring, protection and sustainable management of forests within and outside of protected areas, and the enforcement of forestry regulations. The enabling conditions aimed at improving institutional coordination, policy harmonization, information use and dissemination, land use and forestry monitoring, improved application of laws, policies, regulations, and norms, and institutional resources and capacities will improve land use monitoring and control this, in turn, will decrease opportunities for displacement.
In addition to the above-mentioned measures, cross-cutting activities that will reduce the risk of displacement of deforestation include:
• Promotion of a forestry and environmental education and awareness. • The generation of information and the monitoring of the risks of displacement associated with new or recurring factors in the accounting area. • Documentation of lessons learned from measures to mitigate possible displacement under the ER Program. • Mapping of the sites with the highest risk of displacement from the accounting area.
184
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
11. Reversals
11.1 Identification of risk of Reversals
Reversals of emissions are the product of changes in the conditions that underlie previously achieved emissions reductions. These changes can be anthropic or natural and can come from inside or outside the accounting area.
Natural changes are most often caused by natural disasters. In the Caribbean context, likely agents of change include hurricanes, outbreaks of forest pests, droughts, floods, and fires. Due to their origin these changes have a medium level of predictability, may be locally or regionally very important, and are difficult to avoid and very difficult to control once present. However, post-event responses can be important for their mitigation.
Anthropic change agents can be exogenous or endogenous to the accounting area. In the latter case, changes may be directly or indirectly related to Program activities. Exogenous agents often reflect broad socioeconomic changes or forces that are difficult to predict, avoid, or mitigate on short time scales. For example, in the problem tree for deforestation and degradation presented in Section 4, these agents can include changes in international markets and demand for agricultural or forestry goods or services. Given their international origin in large-scale consumer patterns and technologies, these conditions are difficult to control at the national level. At the domestic level, demographics, migration patterns and pressure, and poverty levels are also difficult to control in the short- and medium terms, since they are the product of underlying biological and socioeconomic factors, structures, and conditions. In the long-term, these causes of reversals can be changed by laws, policies, institution-building, or changes in underlying economic structures or conditions.
The Program will place a high priority on causes of reversals that operate on the short- or medium-terms, but will also address the threat of reversals beyond the term of the ERPA. Short- and medium term threats are affected by participation in and support of the Program, institutional capacities and coordination, internal project organization and implementation, finances, and regional or local policies and politics. These factors are more under the control of the Program and therefore are more predictable and easier to prevent, control, or mitigate.
Beyond the term of the ERPA, the Program will attempt to assure the long-term sustainability of the emissions reductions achieved during the Program by promoting new economic models (intensified production through trust arrangements), economic structural changes via the investment promotion credit, and new market linkages, further consolidation of land rights and autonomy in the indigenous and Afrodescendant territories, increased knowledge and capacities of producers, and improved institutional capacities to better monitor and control of land use.
185
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
In order to evaluate the risk of these reversals (non-permanence), the Carbon Fund74 tool for evaluating the risk of reversals has been used.
The risk factors analyzed include the following:
Risk Factor A: Lack of comprehensive and sustained support of the relevant stakeholders
Participation of the relevant stakeholders in the design of the Emissions Reduction Program
A large number of key stakeholders at multiple levels has been involved in the design of REDD+ and the ER Program (see section 5). These include participants within the three Working Groups described in sections 2.1 and 5.1 and those involved in the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment. Due to this widespread participation, this risk considered to be low.
Existence of effective legal instruments and frameworks for the resolution of disputes related to land ownership
Nicaragua has a robust legal framework for land and resource rights and 31.4% of the country, corresponding to indigenous and Afrodescendant territories in the accounting area, has been titled, leaving little doubt regarding legal rights. Ninety-eight percent of private property in the accounting area is also titled.
In some territories, tensions exist between indigenous communities and third party settlers due, in part, to weaknesses in enforcement of rights. Moreover, while legal procedures for settling these disputes are clear, and some territorial governments have developed innovative solutions for the resolution of these disputes, the resolution of these conflicts is often slow.
Even though the existence of legal instruments and frameworks for land ownership disputes will contribute to the permanence of the emission reduction during and beyond the term of the ERPA, the risk associated with this indicator is considered medium, due to the existence of deficiencies in enforcement or the agile resolution of conflicts.
74 FCPF, 2015. Directrices de amortiguación del Fondo de Carbono. http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/Docs/DocENDE/4.%20Reversiones%20Nacionales.pdf. The main bibliographic source for identifyig reversals has been the document “Reversiones nacionales debido a la reducción de emisiones originadas por el Programa de Reducción de emisiones de la Costa Caribe, Reserva BOSAWAS, Reserva Biológica Indio Maíz de Nicaragua, del paquete ENDE-REDD con fecha de julio de 2017”.
186
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Maintenance or improvement of the income and/or production levels of the participants over the long term.
The ER Program contains a number of economic development interventions to be implemented during and beyond the term of the ERPA, aimed at increasing productivity, income, or off-farm employment as well as the generation of new opportunities for private investments. Therefore this risk is considered to be low.
Existence of adequate benefit sharing mechanisms.
The design of a benefit sharing mechanism is at a very preliminary stage. The goal is for this mechanism to integrate economic and non-monetary benefits, (including cultural, social, and environmental benefits) under a fair, equitable and transparent approach. It should be noted that a scheme for the distribution of funds originating from natural resource use is legally established and that the country has had experience with benefit distribution and payments for ecosystem services in the context of various projects. There the risk associated with this factor is considered to be medium, since the benefit sharing is not yet fully designed and consultations with stakeholders are pending.
In summary, since the components of risk factor A are evenly divided between low and medium risk ratings, the overall score for risk factor A is medium low.
Risk Factor B: Lack of institutional capacities and/or ineffective vertical/inter-sectoral coordination, which has been evaluated by the following indicators:
Existence of institutional capacities for the long-term development of the ER Program.
The diagnosis of the underlying causes of deforestation identified a number of institutional causes related to coordination, information, application of regulations, and resources. The ER Program has targeted these areas for improvement. In general, MARENA has shown good vertical and horizontal coordination during Readiness, preparation of the REDD+ Strategy, and the design of the ERPD. Likewise, the progress achieved in the coordination between institutions during the Program, will contribute to the permanence of the emission reduction beyond the term of the ERPA. Nevertheless, the capacities of governments at various levels need to be improved. As a result, this risk is considered to be medium.
187
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Experience in collaboration between different government levels.
Nicaragua's institutionality has made significant progress in recent years. A robust legal and policy framework has been developed for land and natural resource rights, environmental protection and sustainable development. Additionally, during the REDD+ process MARENA has gained valuable experience in collaboration between different levels of government. Moreover, a principal institution included in overall ER Program coordination is the SDCC whose mandate is to coordinate the implementation of policies and plans between the national government and other levels of governments of the Caribbean Coast (see section 6.1).
On the other hand, there are a number of road construction projects that will be implemented in the accounting area in the near future and beyond the term of the ERPA. Unless inter-sectorial coordination improves and the environmental impacts of these roads are avoided, reduced, or compensated, the region runs the risk of repeating the high level of deforestation encountered along the new Bluefields road. As a result, this risk is considered to be medium.
In summary, the overall rating for risk factor B is considered to be medium. To assure the permanence of the emission reduction during and beyond the term of ERPA, there are a number of interventions aimed at improving institutional enabling conditions, especially the incorporation and use of uniform criteria and indicators related to deforestation in programs and projects; the strengthening of the regional and territorial governments and the SDCC; improved access, use and dissemination of strategic information related to natural resource planning, decision making and monitoring; and the enhancement of safeguards. The institutional arrangements for overall Program management have also been designed with the aim of improving institutional coordination during Program implementation. On the other, the multiple levels of government and the need for better coordination of institutions and policies as well as capacity strengthening represent challenges to achieving effective coordination.
Risk Factor C: Lack of long-term effectiveness in addressing the underlying causes of deforestation75.
Experiences of decoupling deforestation and forest degradation from economic activities.
Trends in deforestation, intensification of livestock farming, and economic diversification and development in the Caribbean observed between 2010 and 2015 suggest that a partial decoupling of economic growth and deforestation in
75 This factor refers to the risk that proposed interventions to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation may be able to address the underlying causes only temporarily. 188
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
the Caribbean is underway. Diversification and intensification of production in already deforested areas include new actors, increased private investment, especially direct foreign investment (DFI) and new and more eco-efficient economic activities that require less deforestation for their development. This process is a product of the institutional strengthening in the accounting area, the establishment of land tenure and land titling, the improvement of basic infrastructure, and the government´s efforts to establish a propitious business climate and to promote investments. These positive changes are indicative of the government´s long-term commitment to reduce the risk of reversals beyond the term of ERPA by promoting the economic development of the Caribbean Coast in harmony with environmental protection. As a result, this risk factor is considered to be low.
Existence of a legal and regulatory context which is conducive to REDD+ goals.
Nicaragua has a robust legal framework related to natural resources and land. The establishment of land tenure and land titling is thought to be an important factor behind recent decreases in deforestation. Inconsistent application of the legal framework, however, has been identified as one of the underlying institutional causes of deforestation and is targeted for interventions related to land and natural resource monitoring, improved forestry supervision, and enforcement of laws and regulations at the local level. At the same time, the diagnosis has identified the need to further clarify rights to carbon. As a result of these interventions, the risk associated with this factor is considered to be medium76.
In summary the rating for risk factor C is considered to be low to medium due the present of a robust legal framework, recent experiences at decoupling economic development from deforestation, and interventions aimed specifically at these issues, but weaknesses in law enforcement.
Factor D. Exposure and vulnerability to natural phenomena.
Nicaragua and the accounting area are at medium risk due to natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding, which occur infrequently, but have profound local impacts. These impacts are difficult to predict and prevent, but good planning is essential at reducing their impact when they occur.
76 MARENA 2017. Estudio de las Reversiones nacionales debido a la reducción de emisiones originadas por el Programa de Reducción de emisiones de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Proyecto Apoyo a la Preparación de la Estrategia para la Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación Forestal (ENDE-REDD+) -TF099264. Dirección General de Cambio Climático, Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA). 2017. 37 p 189
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
In summary, the resulting risk of reversal and the corresponding set aside percentages are shown in the Table below.
Table 63 Summary of the assessment of risk factors and the resulting set-aside percentage.
Resulting Reversal Risk Risk Factors Set-Aside Percentage Default risk 10% Lack of broad and sustained stakeholder Low to medium (10%- support 7%): 3% Lack of institutional capacities and/or ineffective vertical/cross sectoral Medium (10%-5%): 5% coordination Lack of long term effectiveness in Low to medium (5%- addressing underlying drivers 3%): 2% Exposure and vulnerability to natural Medium (5%-3%): 2% disturbances Actual Reversal Risk Set-Aside Total= 22% Percentage:
11.2 ER Program design features to prevent and mitigate Reversals
For the most part, natural and exogenous anthropic risks are largely beyond the scope of project avoidance or mitigation capabilities, although measures can be taken to better respond to some natural disasters via the development of contingency plans or to diminish the magnitude or prevent others through better planning. In the case of many exogenous anthropic changes such as changes in markets or laws, these changes may manifest themselves gradually, thus providing time for the Program to develop adaptive responses.
Given this situation, it is advisable that the Program concentrate its reversal efforts on preventing or mitigating risks endogenous to the accounting area. Given the diversity of risks potentially present it is difficult to develop specific recipes for each. Nevertheless, at a general level the Program needs to assure that during and beyond the term of the ERPA, the the economic interventions and the production systems they promote are profitable, environmentally sustainable, and adaptively managed, and that the regional, municipal, and territorial institutions are more capable of planning, monitoring, and controlling land and resource use and evaluating their own activities.
In order to facilitate this, internally the Program needs to assure: access to sources of good information; adequate internal organization and management; good working relationships with local institutions, organizations, and community leaders and other key stakeholders; good communication capabilities; an effective safeguards management system, and adequate funding. 190
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Existing mechanisms that can be marshalled to these tasks include: a participative planning process, the ENDE-REDD+ communications and participation strategies; the various working groups (Groups I, II, and III) already formed, a monitoring system, the social and environmental management framework, mechanisms for institutional and stakeholder coordination, a system for the distribution of benefits and a feedback conflict resolution, and grievance redress mechanism. These elements are contained in the current proposal and will help assure the sustainability of emissions reductions beyond the term of the ERPA.
To reduce the risk beyond the term of the ERPA, the Program incorporates a series of measures to promote new economic models (more intensive production through trust fund agreements), structural economic changes through the promotion of investment and new market linkages , a greater consolidation of land rights through the increase of capacities in the administration of property and the autonomy of the territories of the populations of the indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, greater knowledge and capacities of the producers to strengthen the intensive production models, as well as greater institutional capacities to improve the monitoring and control of land use.
In order to combat and prevent reversals, the following measures are considered for the risk factors mentioned in section 11.1:
Table 64 Mitigation strategies for risk factors potentially affecting the ER Program.
Risk Factors Mitigation strategies 77 Lack of broad and The activities in the program have been carried out with the sustained stakeholder participation of numerous and wide-ranging stakeholder support. and the participation and consultation mechanisms will continue during Program implementation. Communication on the progress of the Program and technical decision-making will be maintained and improved (see section 4.3 and 6.1)
77 MARENA 2017. Estudio de las Reversiones nacionales debido a la reducción de emisiones originadas por el Programa de Reducción de emisiones de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Proyecto Apoyo a la Preparación de la Estrategia para la Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación Forestal (ENDE-REDD+) -TF099264. Dirección General de Cambio Climático, Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA). 2017. 37 p MARENA 2017. Estudio de las causas de la deforestación y la degradación forestal en Nicaragua. “La problemática de las existencias de carbono forestal y el enfoque estratégico del Programa ENDE-REDD+ para atender estas causas a nivel nacional”. Proyecto Apoyo a la Preparación de la Estrategia para la Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación Forestal (ENDE-REDD+) -TF099264. Dirección General de Cambio Climático, Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales. 2017. 125 p. MARENA 2015. Emission Reductions Program Idea Note (ER-PIN). Version 1. August 26, 2015
191
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Risk Factors Mitigation strategies 77 Indigenous and Afrodescendant groups will be maintained as high-priority actors, as established by the National Human Development Plan (PNDH). Lack of institutional There are specific interventions aimed at improving vertical capacities and/or and horizontal institutional and policy coordination (see ineffective enabling conditions in section 4.3.) vertical/inter-sectoral The institutional design of the overall coordination of the ER coordination Program was aimed at improving coordination among key implementing institutions. Lack of long term The Government of Nicaragua has defined the conservation effectiveness in of the country's forests and the recovery of degraded areas addressing underlying in harmony with economic development among its priorities drivers of and has incorporated these goals in a number of policies, deforestation. strategies, and plans: the National Human Development Plan (PNDH), the General Territorial Planning Policy, the General Land Policy Framework, the National Policy for Sustainable Development of the Forestry Sector, the National Strategy for Climate Change, the Agro-ecological Strategy, the Development Strategy of the Caribbean Coast and the Alto Wangki and Bocay, the Production, Consumption and Commerce Plan 2016-2017, the National Forestry Program, the National Reforestation Plan, the National Forest Fire Prevention and Control Plan, and the Bovine Livestock Conversion Program78 (see section 4.5 and enabling conditions in section 4.3.) Interventions are designed to redirect the agents of deforestation and forest degradation, through increases in the value of the natural forest, the promotion of “green” investments and sustainable production systems, and improvements in the institutional and economic enabling conditions needed in order to establish a firm base for forest conservation and sustainable economic development while increasing income and employment. Intensified and more productive farming systems based on self-sustaining structural changes (access to credit and AT) and that include on-farm conservation as a necessary condition will lessen pressure on forests as well as directly avoid deforestation on-farm.
78 MARENA. 2017. La Identificación y Análisis de Intervenciones Para Reducir las Emisiones de Deforestación y Degradación Forestal en la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. 192
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Risk Factors Mitigation strategies 77 The creation of significant off-farm employment opportunities through the investment promotion program is expected to causes long-term economic changes in the Caribbean Coast that will reduce the need for deforestation. Increased institutional capacities to monitor and control land and forest use will also reduce deforestation in the long-term. Exposure and The national fire prevention and control program has vulnerability to natural proven effective in reducing forest fires and will be disturbances continued. Planning for natural disaster will be carried out by the National System for Disaster Prevention, Civil Defense and other relevant entities. Other types of disasters will be monitored to report any reversals due to natural phenomena, and to improve the effectiveness of previous actions during and after the events.
11.3 Reversal management mechanism
Selection of Reversal management mechanism
Selected Reversal management mechanism (Yes/No) Option 1: The ER Program has in place a Reversal management mechanism that is substantially equivalent to the Reversal risk mitigation assurance provided by the ER Program CF Buffer approach Option 2: X ERs from the ER Program are deposited in an ER Program -specific buffer, managed by the Carbon Fund (ER Program Carbon Fund Buffer), based on a Reversal risk assessment.
For option 2, explanation of Reversal management mechanism
In order to deal with the unforeseen risks, 22% of the avoided emissions from deforestation will be used as buffer reserves, equivalent to 4.1 Mt CO2e, assuming net emission reductions of 18.5 Mt CO2e (see section 13). 193
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
11.4 Monitoring and reporting of major emissions that could lead to Reversals of ERs
Vigilance of the occurrence of potential reversals will be carried out through the National Forest Monitoring System, within the framework of ENDE-REDD+. Considering that the risk of reversals is closely related to Institutional capacities to monitor and control deforestation in the Accounting Area, an early warning mechanism will be established with the SERENA, the ITGs, communal governments, and national agencies (MAG, INETER and INAFOR) (see Section 9).
The MRV System is in the process of installing the capacity to detect early deforestation and early significant reversals via an early warning system combined with local monitoring. When reversals are detected, the Carbon Fund will be notified within the time limit described in the Methodological Framework.
With respect to the monitoring of forest fires, MARENA and INAFOR are in charge of registering the incidence of forest fires nationwide. This forest fire monitoring system provides the government with the information necessary for the operation of an early warning system, which allows immediate implementation of mitigation measures for forest fire reversals.
194
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
12. Uncertainties of the calculation of emission reductions
12.1 Identification and assessment of sources of uncertainty
The methodology used to quantify emissions in the accounting area includes a global analysis of uncertainty based on the guidelines of the IPCC (2006). According to the Carbon Fund´s Methodological Framework, the Program should quantify the uncertainty associated with the reference level and attempt to minimize it whenever possible.
A Monte Carlo simulation was used to quantify the uncertainty associated with the emissions reductions and removals. The underlying sources of error in the data and measurements of deforestation and Enhancement in carbon stocks were combined in estimations of uncertainty based on a 90% two-sided confidence interval.
The two principal sources of uncertainty are the errors related with activity data and emission or removal factors. The combination of these two sources of error generates the uncertainty associated with the emissions calculations reported.
Activity Data
A probability sampling design was the basis of the estimation of the activity data and its uncertainties. The 2005-2015 land cover change map was used to create a stratified random sampling of reference points for assessing the accuracy of the land cover change map,as well to measure activity. Therefore, it is important to note that the areas of the land cover change map have not been directly used for the estimation of the activity data.
The uncertainty of the land cover change map affects the calculation of the sample size and therefore indirectly affects the accuracy of the activity data. The worse the accuracy of the map, the greater sample size needed in order to achieve a certain level of error in the activity data.
Post-classification methods were applied to generate the 2005-2015 change map based on the individual land cover maps of 2005 and 2015. Therefore, errors of the individual maps are propagated to the land cover change map. Factors influencing these errors include the quality of the remote sensing imagery, their processing, the co-registration of older images with newer ones, and the post-processing of the maps. These factors were minimized by taking into account the following best practices:
• The incidence of clouds, shadows, and erroneous scanning lines were minimized by using various Landsat images in order to produce the land cover map for each of the years of the reference period. 195
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• All maps were co-registered to a baseline date in order to eliminate inconsistencies in limits of the accounting area.
The uncertainty associated with activity data was estimated following Olofsson et al. (2014) good practices for estimating area and assessing accuracy of land change. The detailed methodology is described in section 8.3. The reference points of the probability sampling were interpreted by two independent national experts and subsequently validated by experts from INETER. The classification of the reference points is the key task in the flow procedures used to estimate areas, since small errors in the reference data set can lead to large biases of the estimators of both classification accuracy and class area (Foody, 2010, 2013).
Two potential sources of uncertainty in the reference classification are the uncertainty associated with spatial co-registration of the map (Pontius, 2000) and uncertainty associated with the interpretation of the reference data (Pontius & Lippitt, 2006). Satellite images used in the process (Landsat and RapidEye) have enough spatial location quality (less than one pixel of co-registration errors) to perform a good assignment of the class to the reference points. On the other hand, disagreements among the two interpreters evaluating the same sampling unit were minimized by a constant communication among the two experts. The independent validation of the reference classification made by INETER ensures a higher quality results.
The following tables show the confusion matrix of the land cover change map, the user´s and producer´s accuracy for all of the land cover change classes including their confidence intervals and the adjusted areas and uncertainty for the activity data.
Table 65 Confusion matrix for 2005 – 2015 land cover map.
Activity User’s User DB DB SC DC AB AB AC SF Tot Categor SBL Accura /Commissi T L N F T L N N al y cy on Error 27 SBL 7 6 2 4 290 0.93 0.07 1 DBT 43 43 6 5 3 100 0.43 0.57 DBL 34 14 45 4 4 101 0.45 0.55 SCN 4 1 87 2 1 6 101 0.86 0.14 DCF 3 2 41 20 35 101 0.20 0.80 ABT 20 3 2 1 1 46 30 103 0.45 0.55 ABL 28 2 1 49 3 26 109 0.03 0.97 ACN 2 48 27 27 104 0.26 0.74 25 SNF 11 3 5 1 24 300 0.85 0.15 6 41 17 13 39 Total 72 67 23 3 27 416 72 67 6 9 1 1 196
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Produce r 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.3 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.6 0.60 0.67 Accurac 5 0 7 9 7 5 0 0 5 5 y Produce r 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.40 0.33 /Omissi 5 0 3 1 3 5 0 0 5 5 on Error Overall Accuracy 0.61 where: SBL is Stable broadleaf forest, DBT is Deforestation due to conversion of broadleaf forest to tacotales, DBL is Deforestation of broadleaf forest, SCN is Stable conifer forest, DCF is Deforestation of conifer forest, ABT is Additions due to new Broadleaf forest from tacotales, ABL is Additions due to new Broadleaf forest from other non-forest areas, ACN is Additions due to new Conifer forest from non-forest areas, and SNF is Stable non-forest.
Table 66 Precision and confidence intervals for REDD+ activities.
Activity User’s Confidence Producer Confidence Category Accuracy Interval 90% Accuracy Interval 90% SBL 0.93 0.91 - 0.96 0.85 0.83 - 0.86 DBT 0.43 0.35 - 0.51 0.18 0.12 - 0.23 DBL 0.45 0.36 - 0.53 0.75 0.66 - 0.85 SCN 0.86 0.8 - 0.92 0.59 0.53 - 0.65 DCF 0.20 0.13 - 0.26 0.77 0.55 - 0.99 ABT 0.45 0.36 - 0.53 0.17 0.12 - 0.21 ABL 0.03 0 - 0.05 1.00 1 - 1 ACN 0.26 0.19 - 0.33 1.00 1 - 1 SNF 0.85 0.82 - 0.89 0.94 0.92 - 0.95 where SBL is Stable broadleaf forest, DBT is Deforestation due to conversion of broadleaf forest to tacotales, DBL is Deforestation of broadleaf forest, SCN is Stable conifer forest, DCF is Deforestation of conifer forest, ABT is Additions due to new Broadleaf forest from tacotales, ABL is Additions due to new Broadleaf forest from other non-forest areas, ACN is Additions due to new Conifer forest from non-forest areas, and SNF is Stable non-forest.
Table 67 Adjusted areas for each of the activities.
Activity Estimated area Adjusted area Standard error Confidence Interval Category (ha) (ha) (ha) (90%) SBL 2788677 3,073,283 64300 2967277 - 3179290 DBT 104828 257,189 41340 188207 - 326170
197
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
DBL 800589 473,899 50979 388708 - 559091 SCN 114202 166,496 11448 147564 - 185428 DCF 59900 15,470 3169 9990 - 20950 ABT 138745 371,811 50452 288195 - 455427 ABL 47068 1,295 741 -3383 - 5974 ACN 70175 18,218 3031 13040 - 23397 SNF 2892220 2,638,742 64666 2532116 - 2745368
Where SBL is Stable broadleaf forest, DBT is Deforestation due to conversion of broadleaf forest to tacotaesl, DBL is Deforestation of broadleaf forest, SCN is Stable conifer forest, DCF is Deforestation of conifer forest, ABT is Additions due to new broadleaf forest from tacotales, ABL is Additions due to new Broadleaf forest over other non-forest areas, ACN is Additions due to new Conifer forest from non-forest areas, and SNF is Stable non-forest.
A summary of the procedures applied in the generation of the activity data areas and uncertainties are shown in Table 41.
Emissions Factors
Since emissions are calculated as the difference between two estimates of average carbon stocks per hectare, the uncertainty of emissions is determined essentially by the errors associated with estimates of the carbon stocks in each compartment in each year of the reference period. These errors (Cunia, 1987) are associated with the following: i) measurement errors (for example, tree diameter at breast height (DBH) measurements on field), ii) prediction errors of the allometric equations used to estimate biomass; these errors are due to uncertainty related to model residuals and model parameters, and iii) sampling error. In addition, there are errors associated with the different parameters used in the estimation of emissions, such as the carbon fraction of the material in question.
At present, Nicaragua has not developed biomass tree allometric equations at the national or regional levels and therefore a global allometric model has been selected. Global allometric models are unbiased on a global scale (pantropical), but may have bias when working on a local, regional or national scale. The equation of Chave et al. (2014) has been selected instead of other alternatives such as Brown (1997) equation.
The Chave et al. (2014) biomass equations were produced using a global database of destructively harvested trees at 58 sites, spanning a wide range of climatic conditions and vegetation types. The mean bias of this global allometry was +5.31% across all sites (Chave et al., 2014). According to the authors, this model tended to substantially overestimate total site-level AGB at seven sites (bias > 30%) and underestimate it (bias < 30%) at one site. This allometric equation typically achieves 90% accuracy in AGB stock estimation at a 0.25 ha scale in a moist tropical forest (Chave et al., 2014).
198
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
In order to test the performance of the selected global equation in the accounting area, the Chave et al. (2014) equation was compared with the equation calibrated by Moraes 2001 in forest sites of the municipality of San Carlos, Nicaragua. Results of this comparison show that the emission factor based on the Chave equation, 63.01 t C/ha for broadleaf forests, are very similar to the value, 64.33 t C/ha, obtained with Moraes´ equation, with a difference of only 2%.
Only sampling error of the emission factors were considered for the estimation of uncertainty of the reference level; the uncertainty associated with measurements, parameters and the biomass allometric equation were not taken into account in the Monte Carlo error propagation.
The following tables show emission factors and sampling errors for each REDD+ land cover class.
Table 68 Estimates of emission factors and associated sampling errors
REDD EF: Mean #sampl t- Standard StDesv Error EF class AGB+BGB e units Student error (t d.m./ha) (t d.m./ha)2 % (t C/ha) (t C/ha) BL 134.07 107 97.7 1.65 12 63.01 4.44 GRASS 12.95 228 25.0 1.65 21 6.09 0.78 TAC 45.14 144 53.8 1.65 16 21.22 2.11 PC 47.50 37 52.4 1.68 31 22.32 4.05 NVEG 28.23 116 65.1 1.65 35 13.27 2.84 AC 11.11 125 13.0 1.65 17 5.22 0.55 SHRUB 19.58 27 26.6 1.70 45 9.20 2.41 BC 52.33 15 34.8 1.75 30 24.59 4.22 where BL is broadleaf forest, GRASS is grasslands, TAC is tacotales, PC is Permanent crops, NVEG is non-vegetated areas, AC is annual crops, and SHURB is shrublands.
Non-forest emission factors have been grouped into a single non-forest area-weighted emission factor. The weighting has been done considering the area of each non-forest class in areas deforested during the historical reference period. The non-forest weighted emission factor is 6.81 t C/ha with a standard error of 1.04 t C/ha.
Bias of the emission factors due to deforestation risk distribution in the accounting area has been assessed through the estimation of emission factors taking into account the deforested areas during the reference period 2005-2015. In order to analyze this possible bias, sample units where categorized as deforested or non-deforested based on a zonal analysis described in detail in section 8.3.
199
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The Broadleaf forest Emission Factor estimated only with deforested category samples is 155.9 t d.m./ha, whereas the Broadleaf forest Emission Factor estimated with the non- deforested category samples is 121.2 t d.m./ha. Although these factors are different, the confidence interval of both estimates overlaps (Table 46 of section 8.3). Since the emission factor of the deforested areas is slightly higher than the non-forested emissions factor, it can be considered conservative to use the emission factors shown in Table 44.
Removal Factors
The mean annual increment of forest biomass has been estimated based on the study of Mascaro et al. (2005) of regeneration of new forests in the Bluefields region on the Atlantic coast of southern Nicaragua. This study estimated growth rates at 4 sample sites and a total of 12 plots. Only the 10 plots with reported standard errors were used for estimating the removal factor (Table 47), using the average biomass mean annual increment of the plots (3.41 t C/ha ± 1.02 SE). This annual biomass increment was considered the annual removal factor in broadleaf forest for the enhancement reference level.
The mean annual increment of biomass of conifer forests assumed that the average age of coniferous forests is 33 years old. This assumption is based in work carried out in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua (Calderón and Solís, 2012). Both the removal factor and its uncertainty were calculated by dividing the coniferous emission factor and its uncertainty by 33. This annual mean biomass increment was considered the annual removal factor in conifer forest in the reference level for enhancement.
The following table shows the removal factors and their uncertainties:
Table 69 Summary of the removal factors, uncertainties and information sources.
Parameter Value Standard error Source RFbl 3.4 t C/year 1.02 t C/year Mascaro et al. 2005 Calderón and Solís 2012 and RFbc 0.75 t C/year 0.12 t C/year coniferous emission factor from INF where RFbl is the removal factor in the activity additions due to new broadleaf forest, RFbc is the removal factor in the activity additions due to new Conifer forest.
12.2 Quantification of uncertainty of the Reference Level
In order to predict the global uncertainty of the reference level, two different sources of error were considered: 1) the uncertainty of the activity data, and 2) sampling error related to the estimation of the emission factors. The propagation of these two sources of error was performed using Monte Carlo simulation by the propagate procedure of R software (Spiess, 2015). In order to perform the simulation and quantify the total emissions due to 200
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve forest loss from the accounting area as well as the associated uncertainty, the expression that relates both groups of variables (activity data and emission factors) was defined.
In the case of the reference level for deforestation, the following land cover transitions were considered: • The area converted from conifer forests to non-forest (DCF) • The area converted from broadleaf forests to young secondary vegetation (tacotals) (DBT) • The area converted from broadleaf forest to other non-forest cover classes (DBL).
As previously mentioned, best practices of Olofsson et al (2014) were used to calculate the adjusted areas and uncertainties of these land use conversions. The results of the adjusted areas and their associated errors are shown in the following Table.
Table 70 Adjusted areas and standard errors for the forest conversions.
Conversion Adjusted area (ha) Standard error (ha) DCF 15,470 3,169 DBT 257,189 41,340 DBL 473,899 50,979 Where DCF is Deforestation of conifer forest, DBT is Deforestation due to conversion of broadleaf forest to tacotal, DBL is Deforestation of broadleaf forest.
For each of the vegetation categories involved in these conversions (broadleaf forests, conifer forests, tacotaels, and non-forest categories), the average carbon content (including above and below ground biomass) and its associated standard error were estimated (Table 70).
Table 71 Emission factors for land use categories.
Carbon content Standard error Category (t C/ha) (t C/ha) EFbc 24.59 4.22 EFbl 63.01 4.44 EFnf 6.81 1.04 EFta 21.22 2.11 where EFbc is the carbon content or emission factor of conifer forests, EFta is the emission factor for tacotales, EFnf is the emission factor for non-forest categories, and EFbl is the emission factor of broadleaf forest.
The expression used to estimate the emissions due to deforestation and their uncertainty via the Monte Carlo simulation is:
201
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
= + [ ] + [ ]
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 The propagation𝐸𝐸 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 of∗ �errors𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − with𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 Monte� 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 Carlo∗ has𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 be−en𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 carried𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 out ∗on𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 the assumption− 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 that errors in both emission factors and activity data are independent and follow a normal distribution.
The total emissions due to deforestation and their uncertainty are shown in .Table 71 and the Figure below.
.Table 72 Estimated total emissions due to deforestation and their uncertainty
Average SD 5% 95% Error emissions (t C) (t C) (t C) (90%) (t C)
37,656,109 4,731,281 30,136,076 45,698,017 20.6%
In the case of enhancement of carbon stocks in new forests, three classes of additions due to new forest have been considered: i) additions due to new broadleaf forest from tacotales (ABT), ii) additions due to new broadleaf forest from other non-forest areas (ABL) and iii) 202
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve additions due to new Conifer forest from non-forest areas (ACN). Carbon removal is calculated by the following equation:
= + 10 ( + 𝑘𝑘 ) 2 2 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 where, 𝑅𝑅 𝑎𝑎1 ∗ � 𝑎𝑎𝑘𝑘 ∗ � 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖−1 ∗ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑘𝑘=2 𝑖𝑖=2 R is the removal of carbon stocks in 10 years for the class of additions due to new forest. ai is the annual area converted from non-forest land to forest in the year i . RF is the removal factor.
Values and errors associated with these parameters are included in Table 72.
Table 73 Activity data and removal factors for new forests.
Parameter Value Standard error
RFbl 3.4 t C/year 1.02 t C/year RFbc 0.75 t C/year 0.12 t C/year aABT 37,181.1 ha/year 5,045.2 ha/year aABL 129.5 ha/year 74.1 ha/year aACN 1,821.8 ha/year 303.1 ha/year
Total removals by new forests and the associated uncertainty are shown in Table 73 and the Figure below.
Table 74 Total carbon removal by new forests in the accounting, average value and errors.
Average Removal SD 5% 95% Error (t C) (t C) (t C) (t C) 90%
6,429,789 2,469,073 2,761,436 10,839,111 62.8%
203
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Error propagation has also been carried out taking into account emissions from deforestation and removals. For this purpose, the following expression, which includes the calculation of emissions and removals for both reference levels, has been considered:
= [ ] + [ ] +
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑅𝑅 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸3 (− 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 +𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷10 (∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸+ 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 ∗))�𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 � 2 2 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑗𝑗 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑗𝑗 − � 𝑎𝑎1𝑗𝑗 ∗ � 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖−1 ∗ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑗𝑗 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 ∗ 𝑗𝑗=1 𝑖𝑖=2 Where Rnet is the net emissions (in t C) for the 10 years of the historical reference period.
The total net emissions considering both reference levels deforestation and enhancement of carbon stocks are included in the following Table:
Table 75 Total carbon removal by new forests in the accounting, average value and errors.
Average Removal SD 5% 95% Error (t C) (t C) (t C) (t C) 90% 31,226,320 5,338,211 22,609,264 40,139,783 28,07%
204
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The contribution to the final net emission error of the activity data errors and emission factor errors has been estimated separately. For this purpose, two Monte Carlo simulations have been carried out, one assuming that there is no error in the activity data and the other assuming that there are no errors in the emission factors. Both emission factors and activity data contribute equally (around 20%) to the final error of the net emission reference level.
205
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
13. Calculation of emission reductions
12.3 Ex-ante estimation of the Emission Reductions
The ER-P is expected to generate 14.59 Mt CO2e of emission reductions and 3.90 Mt CO2e removals, with a total balance of emission reduction/removals of 18.49 Mt CO2e (see Table below). Excluding the calculated 4%79 uncertainty factor and the 22% buffer (as quantified under sections 11 and 12), the net ex-ante estimated GHG emission reductions amount to 13.68 Mt CO2e during 5 years.
79 Given the 28.07% uncertainty for deforestation and forest carbon stock enhancement, the conservativeness factor, according to the Methodological Framework, is 4%.
206
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 76 Ex-ante estimation of the ERs expected from the ER Program
Expected setaside to Total reflect the Estimation of Estimated net Expected Total level of Estimation of total expected Emission setaside Estimated net uncertainty Reference level Reference expected Estimation of emissions Reductions buffer to Emission Net Reference associated annual GHG level GHG emissions expected (incl. /carbon reflect the Reductions emission level with the emissions removals under the ER removals removals) removal level of /carbon (tCO2e/yr) estimation (tCO2e/yr) (tCO2/yr) Program (tCO2e/yr) under the ER benefit reversal risks removal of ERs during (tCO2e/yr) Program (tCO2e/yr) (22%) benefit the Term of (tCO2e/yr) (without (tCO2e/yr) (tCO2e/yr) the ERPA setaside) (4%) (tCO2e/yr) 13,571,216.05 13,807,235.62 -236,019.57 11,158,261.96 -391,852.90 10,766,409.06 2,804,806.99 112,192.28 592,375.24 2,100,239.47 13,099,176.92 13,807,235.62 -708,058.70 11,180,094.91 -1,175,558.70 10,004,536.21 3,094,640.71 123,785.63 653,588.12 2,317,266.96 12,627,137.79 13,807,235.62 -1,180,097.83 10,681,156.07 -1,959,264.50 8,721,891.57 3,905,246.22 156,209.85 824,788.00 2,924,248.37 12,155,098.65 13,807,235.62 -1,652,136.96 10,702,575.80 -2,742,970.29 7,959,605.51 4,195,493.15 167,819.73 886,088.15 3,141,585.27 11,683,059.52 13,807,235.62 -2,124,176.09 10,723,791.90 -3,526,676.09 7,197,115.81 4,485,943.72 179,437.75 947,431.31 3,359,074.65 63,135,688.93 69,036,178.08 -5,900,489.15 54,445,880.63 -9,796,322.48 44,649,558.15 18,486,130.78 739,445.23 3,904,270.82 13,842,414.73
207
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
14. Safeguards
14.1 Description of how the ER Program meets the World Bank social and environmental safeguards and promotes and supports the safeguards included in UNFCCC guidance related to REDD+
The ER Program has to comply with the World Bank’s social and environmental safeguards as well as the UNFCCC guidance (Decision 1/CP.16 and Appendix I). Therefore, the safeguards have been analyzed and linked to the country’s legal framework, and it was decided that 7 of 10 safeguards of the World Bank shall be activated for the ERPD.
Using the methodology of the Social and Environmental Strategic Evaluation (EESA), which integrates environmental and social considerations into the formulation and implementation of REDD+-related programs, an Environmental and Social Framework was formulated based on the ESMF for ENDE-REDD+80, which was broadly shared and consulted with the indigenous and Afro- descendant communities and peoples of the Caribbean Coast.
An Indigenous Peoples’ Plan81 was also drafted on the basis of the one approved for ENDE- REDD+, with a strong emphasis on the Caribbean Coast; it contains a protocol on how to proceed in consultations and obtain the communities’ approval - a prerequisite for the implementation of any project involving indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. The Indigenous Peoples’ Plan was approved in the consultations on ENDE-REDD+ and the EESA Report82.
Additionally, there is a Policy Framework for Involuntary Resettlement83, whose main policy is to avoid resettling population groups as a consequence of actions driven by the ERPD.
Safeguards and the Emissions Reduction Program
Both the UNFCCC84 and the World Bank have defined social and environmental conditions or criteria which are known as safeguards and that must be taken into account in order to prevent or mitigate direct or indirect negative impacts on ecosystems and communities during the implementation of strategies intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to deforestation or forest degradation related to the international REDD+ initiative in which Nicaragua is participating.
80 El Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social de la ENDE-REDD+ está disponible al público en el siguiente vinculo http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/docpreparacion 81 El Marco de Planificación de Pueblos Indígenas de la ENDE-REDD+ está disponible al público en el siguiente vinculo: http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/docpreparacion 82 Consultar el Paquete de Preparación: http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/docpreparacion 83 El Marco de Política de Reasentamiento Involuntario de la ENDE-REDD+ está disponible al público en el siguiente vinculo: http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/docpreparacion 84 United Nations Framework Agreement on Climate Change 208
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The safeguards decided upon by the UNFCCC are known as REDD+ Safeguards or the Cancun Agreements (Annex I to decision 1/CP.16). They refer to measures which have already been regulated by the various provisions found in in the different international instruments and constitute an international framework of environmental, social and governance-related principles under which any activity related to REDD+ must be implemented. The REDD+ safeguards are as follows:
a) That actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements; b) Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty; c) Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities, by taking into account relevant international obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; d) The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular indigenous peoples and local communities; e) The compatibility of the measures with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, ensuring that they are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but that they serve, instead, to encourage the protection and conservation of these forests and the services derived from their ecosystems and to enhance other social and environmental benefits; f) That actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, ensuring that they are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize the protection and conservation of these forests and their ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits; g) Actions to reduce displacement of emissions.
The World Bank, on the other hand, has 10 safeguards or operational policies, divided into environmental and social themes, and themes linked to legal matters, as well as a cross-cutting policy on disclosure of information, that applies to all policies. The World Bank’s safeguards policies are as follows:
Environmental policies Social Policies OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment OP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples OP 4.04 Natural Habitats OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement OP 4.09 Pest Control Legal Policies OP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources OP 7.50 International Waters OP 4.36 Forests OP 7.60 Disputed Territories OP 4.37 Safety of Dams
209
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Lines of intervention and their relation to activated safeguards
In order to define the framework that will guide good environmental and social management during the implementation of the Emissions Reduction Program, an analysis of the relation between activated safeguards and strategic lines was carried out. The safeguard policies applicable to the ERP accountability area are shown in Table 76. Table 77 indicates which safeguards apply to each of the lines of intervention proposed in the ERP.
Social and environmental risks related to the Emissions Reduction Program interventions and measures of mitigation
The ENDE-REDD+ Implementation Unit used the “National Social and Environmental Strategy”, EESA, established by the FCPF, as an instrument to ensure the integration of environmental and social considerations during the formulation and implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy.
The EESA process is a combination of analytical and participatory approaches with the aim of identifying possible risks and benefits associated with strategic options.
EESA is a methodology for the participatory process during the design of the ENDE-REDD+ strategy, integrating social and environmental considerations, identifying benefits and risks, and proposing actions to enhance the former and reduce the latter, ensure the analysis of and compliance with the Cancun Safeguards, and the World Bank OPs; all this will lead to the definition of an Environmental and Social management Framework (ESMF) which shall be complied with during the ENDE-REDD+ implementation phase85 ,as well as the preparation of the ESMF for the ERPD86 (See Annex 15). This Framework is an instrument to specify the applicable procedures, standards and principles for the implementation of those activities within the ENDE- REDD+ framework financed by the World Bank, with the purpose of handling the risks associated to such activities.
In the analysis of social and environmental impacts, the team of the Executing Unit of the ENDE- REDD + Program took into account the information generated in the broad process of dialogue and consultation with the various stakeholders involved, including farmers, cocoa producers, women , communicators, academies, leaders and community members of indigenous and Afro- descendant peoples. Reports of meetings and workshops conducted (79) were reviewed, plus working sessions with the EESA tables in the Autonomous Regions, the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification meetings, as well as the meetings with the coordination tables (see Section 5) .
The EESA analysis includes social issues linked to the advance of the agricultural frontier, as well as risks related to the stakeholders’ institutional capacity to carry out the planned actions. In general, it is considered that the negative impacts of the ERPD will be low, and the corresponding
85 Plan de Trabajo EESA, 2015-2017. 86 http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/etapas/fondo-de-carbono 210
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
mitigation measures have been planned; positive impacts of these actions have also been identified. Table 79 presents the Matrix of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts of the Emissions Reduction Program and its mitigation measures, presented per each strategic guideline.
According to the study of the causes for deforestation87, the analyses carried out prove migration flows from areas in the center of the country towards the east (Caribbean Coast), and an advance of the agricultural frontier towards the last remaining territories with tropical forests. These movements are encouraged by the low value attributed to forests, mirrored in the low land prices on the agricultural frontier, as well as the good prices on domestic and international markets for milk, meat and perennial crops such as oil palms, cacao and coffee; on the other hand, weak property control and management by the communities and territories facilitates migration and land-use changes.
Part of the solution is the adoption of intensive productive practices; e.g., the change of land-use from natural pasture to areas cultivated with improved pasture and the adoption of silvopasture practices. It has to be pointed out that government plans aim at increasing agricultural production by 4% per year. The study states that the deforestation that could possibly result from this growth can be avoided to a large extent by intensive farming and making use of already cleared land, a current tendency in the cattle-ranching sector of the Caribbean Coast, and additionally by promoting sustainable farming systems with lower deforestation levels. However, more inter-institutional coordination is necessary to boost the economic impact of these initiatives, while minimizing their effects on forests.
In the face of migration and the real or potential use of land due to demographic factors, poverty and market dynamics, institutional needs were identified with regards to the management and control of land-use and natural resources, the intensification of monitoring, control and regulation at the local (territories and communities) and regional levels through better coordination and institutional capacities, as mentioned in previous chapters.
A positive element is the issuing of titles for community property for the benefit of 23 territories of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in the Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions and the Special Regulatory Framework for the Development of Territories in the watershed of the rivers Alto Wangki and Bocay, which finalized in October 2016. The area constitutes 53.44% of the accountancy area and 31.4% at the national level of the national territory. The process of land demarcation and land titling is now in its last phase - sanitation - and it is considered key to speed it up in order to increase the restitution of rights and revitalize the cosmovision of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, which goes beyond land-titling, since it encompasses the protection of each human being’s right to life, protection of natural resources and culture, among others.
87 Ver sección 4.1 de este documento. 211
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
On the other hand, it is important to point out that in accordance with the constitutionally and legally established protection of community property, individual persons and families settling on lands without property rights cannot, under any pretext whatsoever, acquire any rights over the property, and are subject to the land registry data cleansing, in case any property is registered by omission, which means they are exposed to the risk of completely losing their investment.
Therefore, it states that the proposed lines of intervention for the ERPD are based on information and recent analysis of the drivers and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation, as well as the analysis of existing activities that can contribute to the conservation and increase of forest carbon reserves, the effectiveness of the proposal of the interventions will be measured annually and territorially through the SMRV, in which the monitoring of compliance with safeguards has been incorporated and the risk analysis has been complemented with the valuation of reversals and displacement.
National legislation associated with the World Bank’s operational policies
The national and international legislation in force in the country and their link to the Cancun and World Bank safeguards was analyzed.
The analysis leads to the conclusion that the country has a solid legal framework that will allow for addressing the activated safeguards. As regards ENDE-REDD+, Nicaragua’s legal framework is anchored in articles 60 and 102 of the Constitution, which declares the state’s guardianship over a healthy environment and its responsibility to protect natural resources, acknowledge and protect different forms of land ownership, acknowledge communal property among indigenous and afrodescendant communities, promote sustainable economic development in harmony with Mother Earth and acknowledge titles held by forest owners, the right to use and enjoy natural resources and the autonomy of the Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions.
ESMF scope and objectives
The ESMF covers the requirements for each of the safeguard policies applicable to the ERP accountability area (see Table 76) and the procedures to reduce the environmental and social risks during intervention activities. Also included are a Plan for Attention to Safeguards, an Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPM), Procedural Rules for Involuntary Resettlement and the Feedback Mechanism that will allow stakeholders to gather information and register complaints or suggestions.
The ESMF is an instrument for internal use by MARENA and the institutions involved in the Emissions Reduction Program. It is intended to ensure good environmental and social practices, taking into account the existing legal and juridical framework and the commitments made to comply with the pertinent safeguards.
212
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
General objective: To ensure adequate environmental and social management in different programs, projects and actions of the Emissions Reduction Program, including compliance with the national legislation on environmental and social matters and related land-ownership and the World Bank’s and Cancun’s Safeguards Policies, establishing the necessary tools and procedures to these ends.
Specific objectives • Identify positive and adverse risks when implementing actions for the ERPD and establish mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts. • Identify the environmental and social regulations related to the ERPD, which will be the frame of reference to comply with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies applicable to the ERPD
Table 77 World Bank safeguard policies activated for the ER Program.
OP Safeguard Activated 4.01 Environmental evaluation Yes 4.04 Natural habitats Yes 4.09 Pest management Yes 4.10 Indigenous peoples Yes 4.11 Cultural and physical heritage Yes 4.12 Involuntary resettlement Yes 4.36 Forests Yes 4.37 Dam safety No 7.50 Projects along international riverways No 7.60 Projects in conflict zones No
Safeguarding Plan
The general steering of the implementation of the safeguards plan will be assumed by MARENA, in coordination with MHCP, MEFFCA, SDCC, INETER, INAFOR and the regional and territorial governments of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, who will act according to their constitutional mandates and involvement in the ERP; once the ERPD is approved, an inter- institutional agreement defining the responsibilities of each institution in fulfilling the safeguards will be prepared and signed.
Rural development activities will be the responsibility of MEFCCA, activities related to silviculture will be INAFOR’s responsibility. Monitoring will be directed by INETER, forest management activities at the local level will be coordinated between MARENA and the Regional Governments of the Caribbean Coast.
It has to be pointed out that Nicaragua implements a Christian, social and fraternal model, which establishes shared responsibility and prioritizes actions articulated between the different 213
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
institutions and ministries of the State, and among them and the different government levels of the Caribbean Coast (regional, territorial, communal and municipal), with a high level of citizen participation. The instruments serving as basis for this articulation are the National Human Development Plan and the government commitments 2017-2021.
At the operational level, the System of Production, Consumption and Commerce is the instance where the coordination of actions planned for the execution of the ER Program takes place at the level of the state institutions related with natural resources and the environment.
This will allow the implementation of ER Program, especially EEF, actions, including a Planning Framework for Indigenous Peoples, Policy Framework for Resettlement and the Framework for Procedures88.
Table details the Safeguards Plan, which indicates the degree of impact that each one will have on the Emissions Reduction Program and the measures to address their activation. The Safeguards Plan has foreseen different risk situations related to the activation of the safeguards and measures pointed out for the mitigation of possible negative impacts. In addition, it has been foreseen to include a communication plan that will promote and disseminate information on the emissions – reducing measures, which, taken together, will contribute to the stability and judicial security of the rights of the Indigenous and Afro – descendant Peoples, and the administration of the territory. In the tables 78 y 79 is presented in greater detail a risk analysis by each line of intervention.
Environmental Evaluation, OP/BP 4.01 Safeguard This operational policy requires that each project be assigned an environmental category (A, description B, C), as part of environmental research that will also determine if the project triggers other Safeguard Policies, such as, for instance, pest management. It is aimed at those projects in which it is foreseen there may be a temporary or permanent affectation of the natural or social setting, whether rural or urban, direct, indirect or cumulative. The depth of the analysis undertaken will depend upon the level of environmental risk reflected in Environmental Impact Evaluations (EIA), Environmental Assessments (EA), or Municipal Environmental Evaluation Forms (MEEF). Protection The Emissions Reduction Programme will not have a negative effect on the environment. procedure However, precisely due to its preventive nature it is necessary to apply this safeguard to all ERPD programmes and projects. Attention to this safeguard is regulated in the Environmental Law (Law 127) and Decree 20-2017, regarding the Environmental Evaluation System for Permits and Authorizations for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources. This new system ensures that the procedures and requirements for environmental permits and authorizations for the sustainable use of natural resources will be in place for the ERP programme. Activities carried out during the interventions will require environmental permits and authorizations when they involve soil use, soil management or affect land ecosystems; plans, programmes
88 Ver MGAS para ERPD, anexo a este documento 214
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
and projects that it is foreseen will have a high or moderate impact; and protected areas management plans, among others. Natural habitats: OP/BP 4.04 Safeguard The conservation of natural habitats, much like other measures intended to protect or improve description the environment is essential to long-term development. The WB supports the protection, maintenance and rehabilitation of natural habitats and its functions. The Bank favours the application of preventive criteria (and expects its partners to apply these), as concerns natural resources management, for the purpose of ensuring opportunities for sustainable development from an environmental perspective. The Bank does not support projects which, in its opinion, carry implicit a significant degree of conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats. Protection The Emissions Reduction Programme will have a positive influence on natural habitats by procedure contributing to the protection and restoration of the landscape and biodiversity. Law 217 is one of the main instruments to ensure compliance with this safeguard. Its main objective is as follows: “To prevent, regulate and control any of the causes or activities that damage the environment and pollute ecosystems.” Before undertaking any intervention in the protected areas, a multidisciplinary and interinstitutional team made up of delegates from MARENA, INAFOR, SERENA, and indigenous territorial government (ITG) representatives will carry out an inspection for the purpose of evaluating possible affectations as regards the risk this may imply in terms of the natural habitat and the three biodiversity variables established by MARENA, namely type of ecosystems, genetic importance of the area and species of interest for conservation. In addition, they will analyse variables such as the fragility of the ecosystem, location within biological corridor systems and the conservation category of the area to be intervened. In places outside the protected areas, INAFOR invokes its management plans to request the inclusion of a section related to the protection of biodiversity and other ecosystemic services, which establishes measures such as minimum cutting diameter, minimum distance for use outside riparian forests, protection of forest species important to biodiversity and seed trees. Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation 18 001-04 contains provisions for the management of natural broad-leafed and coniferous forests. As regards forest management and use, INAFOR has included the following comment: The forest stratum of the area to be managed must be classified taking into account the type of forest involved and whether the goal is production, protection or conservation of biodiversity. These matters that must be reflected on a map. Pest management OP/BP 4.09 Safeguard This policy is aimed at those projects or activities in which the use and application of chemical description substances intended for pest control is foreseen. Activating this safeguard will help protagonists to control the pests that affect agriculture or public health by promoting and supporting its safe, effective and ecologically rational use. The World Bank supports a strategy that promotes the use of biological or environmental control methods and reduces dependency on synthetic chemical pesticides. Protection This safeguard has been activated taking into account the lines of intervention which are keyed procedure to the implementation of agroforestry, silvopastoral and reforestation systems, as well as particular crops and plantations, and which will require the use of pest control during the 215
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
establishment of forest species nurseries, pastures and perennial crops such as cocoa and coffee under shadow. Upon carrying out the initial evaluation of these activities it will be defined if pest control will in fact be needed. If so, this will be done as set forth in the enabling regulations of Law 274. With this safeguard special attention will be paid to follow-up and support to Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Article 36, clause 2 of the Basic Law on Control and Regulation of Pesticides, Toxic, Hazardous and Other Substances (Law 274) establishes that one of the conditions for the registration of establishments that manufacture, formulate, store, rebottle, repackage, transport, commercialise and apply these substances, as well as the facilities and warehouses and locations at which these are stored, sold or distributed must comply with all legal provisions, including those pertaining to the environment. For its part, article 38 states that their environmental information must be accompanied by the environmental impact ruling issued by MARENA. Indigenous peoples: OP/BP 4.10 Safeguard This policy contributes to compliance with the Bank’s mission of reducing poverty and description achieving sustainable development by ensuring that development processes take place with absolute respect for the dignity, human rights, economies and cultures of indigenous peoples. In all projects proposed for financing which may affect indigenous peoples, the Bank demands there be a process of prior, free and informed consent. Protection This safeguard is key to the design and implementation of the ERPD, as there are five indigenous procedure and afrodescendant peoples living on the Caribbean Coast (Miskitos, Mayangnas, Ulwas, Creoles and Garifunas). For the purpose of safeguarding indigenous and afrodescendant peoples the country has a robust set of regulations that ensure respect for their rights, based on Constitution and laws 28, 445, 40 and 261, the latter being the Law of Municipalities and Reforms Thereunto. Further, Nicaragua is signatory to ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The current ESMF includes an Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP) that indicates the guidelines to be followed when an activity or work is to take place in these areas inhabited by indigenous peoples, regardless of whether there will ultimately be a positive or negative impact. Cultural and physical heritage OP/BP 4.11 Safeguard This policy seeks to ensure that these investments do not negatively affect cultural, description archaeological, physical, historical heritage and paleontological resources during project implementation. Protection The relative importance of this safeguard is considered low. Indigenous and afrodescendant procedure peoples have their sacred sites well defined and these must be respected and protected. In case during the implementation of project activities any sites of archaeological importance are discovered, these will be reported to the Institute of Culture, which is charged with the enforcement of Decree No. 1142 (Law on Protection of the Nation’s Cultural Heritage) and Decree 142 (Law on Ownership of Archaeological Monument or Historical and Artistic Artefacts). Involuntary resettlement OP/BP 4.12 Safeguard This policy is keyed to avoiding or reducing to minimum involuntary resettlements by studying description all viable options when projects are in the design stage. Should such resettlement be 216
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
inevitable, it must be conceived of and implemented as a sustainable development programme, with the participation of those to be affected in the planning and implementation of the resettlement and ensuring they benefit from the project. Further, those affected must be assisted in their efforts to improve their livelihoods or at least restore it to the levels existing before project onset. The analysis carried out foresees that in this case project implementation will not require any involuntary resettlement, taking into account that the activities will take place in areas where the land belongs to indigenous and afrodescendant communities, or are private property. The management of these protected areas will not require they be uninhabited. However, circumstances may arise in which access by families to natural resources they have historically been using will be restricted. Protection It is thought the possibility exists that when implementing four of the six ERP guidelines, some procedure persons or communities may be affected as regards their use of natural resources. The guidelines in question are the following: Guideline 3: Natural regeneration in fragile areas; Guideline 4: Silvopastoral and agroforestry systems trusts in already deforested land, including 5800 producers on farms totalling 325,000 ha (silvopastoral systems) and 25,000 new ha (agroforestry systems); Guideline 5: Commercial reforestation en 10,000 new ha; Guideline 6: Social reforestation of 40,000 new ha for the purpose of restoring ecosystem services and non- timber products, and reforestation on a new area of 40,000 ha to restore ecosystem and non- wood products. Due to the above, and considering that the ERP is of regional and long-term nature, a Framework for Involuntary Resettlement Policy (MPRI) was formulated. Whenever, according to the environmental assessment, the resettlement of population groups is unavoidable, a Resettlement Plan will be set up following the procedures established in the MPRI. Forests: OP/BP 4.36 Safeguard The objective of the current World Bank policy is to help lenders take advantage of the forest’s description potential in order to reduce poverty in a sustainable fashion and effectively integrate them to the process of sustainable development, while protecting their values and environmental services at both local and global level. The Bank can only finance the commercial exploitation of forests when it has determined, based on appropriate environmental evaluations or other pertinent information, that the areas affected by these activities are not critical forests nor critical natural habitats linked to these. Protection The relevance of this safeguard is considered to be very low, given that ERPD has for its goal procedure precisely to end the causes of deforestation and forest degradation. Further, it must be taken into account that forests in Nicaragua represent 25% of the national territory, and that of this amount 98% is natural forest.89 This safeguard is applicable to all intervention that involve making use of forest resources (whether timber or non-timber) and the already existing technical regulations found in the country’s legal framework will be taken into account. This safeguard must also be taken into account when implementing agroforestry and silvopastoral development projects in terms of not changing soil use. This protection will be included in social development projects such as the electrification of communities and road construction, among others, that are linked to the ERDP. Environmental evaluations will take place and an
89 National Inventory 2007-2008 217
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Environmental Management Plan drawn up. Based on the model of dialogue and reaching consensus, actions were designed to prevent, mitigate and compensate for any harm done, in order to keep affectation in the areas of intervention to a minimum. Actions to manage Emission Displacement risks Safeguard In deference to the UNFCCC safeguards for REDD+, an analysis of possible causes for reversal description was carried out. The displacement of emissions takes place outside the Programme’s area of accountability. These are emissions that are transferred from an area located inside the area of accountability to another that is outside of it, as a consequence of soil use activities. Such displacement usually occurs due to changes in activities, for instance the relocation of subsistence farmers in response to the constraints imposed to their practices by ER Programme interventions, or effects caused by the market, meaning cases in which deforestation or degradation causes the production of staple foods to move into other regions, as a market-based response to the low level of supply caused by the implementation of REDD+ activities (i.e. the conservation of agricultural or timber-producing land). Protection The risk of such displacements occurring is of medium and low value, and it is thought they procedure can be mitigated by implementing several measures that must be part of the Plan of Action defined in the ERP area (see Section 10). Actions to avoid the risks of reversal Safeguard In consideration of the UNFCCC Safeguards for REDD +, the analysis of possible reversals has description been incorporated. Reversals are emissions that occur within the Accounting Area of the ER Program.
These are caused by land-use changes that reverse the reduction of emissions achieved by the implementation of interventions, and can be quantified and monitored as follows
i) At the end of a measurement and reporting period, annual emissions above the reference level are reported; ii) When emissions reductions were verified and paid in a previous measurement and reporting period, in this case the emissions reductions paid would be considered reversed.
The losses occur due to two factors: natural and anthropic. Natural factors refer to the factors caused by weather phenomena such as hurricanes, droughts, storms. In contrast, anthropic factors refer to the factors caused by human activities. Protection The risk of such displacements occurring is of medium and low value, and it is thought they procedure can be mitigated by implementing a several measures that must be part of the Plan of Action defined in the ERP area (see Section 11).
Table 78 Lines of intervention and their relation to the activated safeguards.
No. Intervention Safeguards Indigenous peoples OP 4.10 Community Forestry – Increase community forest 1 Forests OP 4.36 management by 200,000 ha, distributed through 3 Natural habitats OP 4.04 218
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
zones in indigenous and Afrodescendant territories Cultural and physical heritage OP 4.11 (IATs). Indigenous peoples OP 4.10 2 Forest management – Improve forest management Forests OP 4.36 in 23 IAT, including 2.3 million ha of forestland. Natural habitats OP 4.04 Cultural and physical heritage OP 4.11 Indigenous peoples OP 4.10 Natural habitats OP 4.04 3 Natural regeneration in fertile areas. Cultural and physical heritage OP 4.11 Forests OP 4.36 Involuntary resettlement OP 4.12 Silvopastoral and agroforestry trust system Environmental evaluation 4.01 established in already deforested land, including Natural habitats OP 4.04 5,800 farmers (total of 325,000 ha of silvopastoril Forests OP 4.36 systems). Pest management OP 4.09 4 Environmental evaluation 4.01 Silvopastoral and agroforestry trust system Natural habitats OP 4.04 established in already deforested land, 25,000 new Forests OP 4.36 ha (agroforestry systems). Involuntary resettlement OP 4.12 Pest management OP 4.09 Environmental evaluation 4.01 Forests OP 4.36 5 Commercial reforestation of 10,000 new ha. Natural habitats OP 4.04
Involuntary resettlement OP 4.12 Pest management OP 4.09 Environmental evaluation 4.01 Natural regeneration on 40,000 new ha, in addition Forests OP 4.36 to maintaining a baseline of 36,548 ha. 6 Natural habitats OP 4.04 Reforestation on 40,000 new ha in order to restore Involuntary resettlement OP 4.12 ecosystem services and non-timber products. Pest management OP 4.09
219
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 79 Environmental and Social Risk and Impacts Matrix of the Emissions Reductions Program and pertinent mitigation measures proposed for each strategic guideline.
Guideline 1: Increase the community forest management by 200,000 ha, distributed in territories I&A. Actions Social Aspects Environmental Aspects Positive Adverse Mitigation Positive Impacts Adverse Impacts Mitigation Measures Impacts Impacts Measures • Protagonists with • Application of Law No. greater 162: Official Use of the • Lack of use of knowledge, Languages of the maternal consciousness and Communities of the indigenous sensitivity on Caribbean Coast of languages can environmental Nicaragua. limit identity and themes and the • Comply with local • Greater love of Mother Agreement 169, and communication protection 1.1 Training, comercial Earth. Laws 28 and 445. • Commercial of the assistance to • Incorporation of • Application of the activities not environme indigenous and Afro- new Sustainable Framework for adjusted to the nt. descendant Forest Planning for the n/a original and afro- • Healthy communities Management Indigenous and Afro- descendant environme 1.2 Formulation of techniques for the descendant Peoples peoples. nt in which development plans production of of the PRE • Ancestral to live. goods and services • Dissemination of knowledge is not and the protection traditional good taken into of Mother Earth. practices, based on account • High levels of the technical • The traditional involvement of knowledge of the roles of women youth in indigenous and afro- are reduced. educational, descendant cultural and communities.
220
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
positive-action • Incorporation of activities. women organized in • Elevated levels of the activities ability of the protagonists. •
Guideline 2: Improve forest governance in 23 I$A territories, including 2.3 million ha of forests. Social Aspects Environmental Aspects Lines of Action Positive Adverse Mitigation Positive Impacts Adverse Impacts Mitigation Measures Impacts Impacts Measures • That Regulation preventi • Deforestati and control • Failure to comply on on is of activities with measure avoided that • Strengthened commitments due s for the • Compliance with the and the deteriorate 2.1. Training and TA for the institutional to lack of budget. departur Agreement 169, conservatio the Territorial Governments system • Training priorities e of Laws 28 and 445. n of environment 2.2. Incentives to avoid • Greater level of and their designs illegal • Application of Law biodiversity , supported deforestation implementation of are not developed wood in No. 162 is improved by the 2.3. Improved local forest the legal and in consensus and the • Widely disseminated • Greater application monitoring. political in accordance opening feedback mechanism protection of Laws. framework. with the CLPI of new of Application roads Protected of Laws 217 and Areas and 462. highway
s
221
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Guideline 3: Natural Regeneration of 40,000 new hectares, in addition to the maintenance of a baseline of 36,548 ha, Social Aspects Environmental Aspects Lines of Action Mitigation Adverse Mitigation Positive Impacts Adverse Impacts Positive Impacts Measures Impacts Measures • Increase in • Proceed in • Greater illegal accordance protection of woodcutting with the the forest, and forest norms in the improvement fires • Improve the • Distribution Planning in the • Opening of quality of life. mechanisms Framework biological roads that • Poverty reduction in Regulation and are not for Indigenous diversity facilitate the indigenous, control of effective, and Afro- index. deforestatio afro-descendant activities that 3.1 Direct incentives, training, which implies descendant • Protection of n and rural harm the and technical assistance the loss of Peoples and the • Because of communities. environment, 3.2 Public education and benefits to the Policy watersheds. the lack of • Contribution to protected in publicity campaigns. the Framework • Actors with control, the food security the application populations in for greater levels natural • Employment of Laws 217 the forests. Involuntary of knowledge forest is cut generation related and 462. Resettlement help to make to establish to forest goods or • Culturally better results perennial services. appropriate in the forest crops and feedback quality and forestry mechanism biological plantations, diversity. affecting biodiversity
222
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Guideline 4: Silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts in lands already deforested, including 5800 producers in farms that sum to 325,000 ha (agroforestry systems). Social Aspects Environmental Aspects Lines of Action Mitigation Positive Adverse Mitigation Positive Impacts Adverse Impacts Measures Impacts Impacts Measures • That the project • Proceed in • Increased and program accord with the • Increase in production for designs do not norms of the illegal internal incorporate Planning woodcutti consumption • Control of cultural Framework for ng and • Contribution to the environm • Regulation elements of the Indigenous forest fires productive ental and indigenous and Peoples, in free, • Opening transformation of damage control of afro-descendant prior and of roads the country, • Increase activities 4. 1 Increase Access to credit peoples. informed that increasing and of that harm 4.2 Technical assistance in the • That the consultations. facilitate diversifying farm environm the areas of production, trade, and productive • Proceed in deforestat production, with ental environme organization, under condition transformation accordance with ion increases in yield benefits nt, backed of forest conservation in the affects the the Planning • Due to and value added, (erosion by the farm traditional Framework for lack of guaranteeing food control, Laws. 4.3 Connections to green livelihoods of Indigenous control, and nutritional protectio Applicatio markets the indigenous Peoples the sovereignty of the n of the n of the and afro- • Proceed in natural population. water Laws 217 descendant accordance with forest is • Export production sources, and 462. peoples. the norms in the cut to with greater value carbon • Land planning Policy establish added, under a fixing) affects the Framework for perennial focus of the Access of Involuntary crops and protection of families to the Resettlement. forestry natural resources. natural plantation 223
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Maintenance and resources of the s, improvement of the forest. affecting livelihoods. • Holy sites are the • Employment not taken into biodiversit generation account. y
Guideline 5: Commercial reforestation in 10,000 new hectares. Social Aspects Environmental Aspects Lines of Action Positive Adverse Mitigation Positive Impacts Adverse Impacts Mitigation Measures Impacts Impacts Measures • Program and project designs do not take into account cultural • Proceed in elements of the accordance with indigenous and • Conditions for the Planning afro-descendant increased private Framework for peoples. national and foreign Indigenous • Upon making 5.1 Fiscal incentives investment Peoples investments in • Employment • Mechanism for commercial generation in the Strengthening reforestation, nurseries. Communication is the access of widely families to the disseminated. natural resources of the forest will be affected. Guideline 6: Social reforestation of 40,000 new hectares to restore ecosystem services and non-forest products. Lines of Action Social Aspects Environmental Aspects
224
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Positive Adverse Mitigation Positive Impacts Adverse Impacts Mitigation Measures Impacts Impacts Measures • Lack of application of public policies in • Regional Forest and autonomous Environmental governments Governance. strengthened and • Control of • Generation of continuance of the environm conflicts process of ental between the regionalization. deteriorat municipal and • The organization, ion and territorial leadership, and increase authorities. cultural identity of • Mechanism of of • The application the indigenous strengthening environm 6.1 In-kind incentives in training of protection peoples communication is ental and technical assistance. measures for strengthened, for widely benefits natural the management of disseminated. (erosion regeneration their resources and control, affects the territories. protection access of • Improved of water families to the management sources, forest natural capacity for carbon resources. Bosawas and Indio- fixing). • That the active Maíz Reserves. participation of • Employment indigenous generation. women and their organizations is
225
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
not strengthened.
Table 80 Relation of CMNUCC and the World Bank safeguards with the legal framework of Nicaragua.
Safeguards Safeguards BM Connections with Legal Connections with Concrete actions that will be executed to deal with Cancun activated for the and Policy Instruments Internationally each safeguard. Program RE Recognized Legal Instruments OP Safeguards a, f, g 4.01 Law 217 General Law of Sustainable The new Environmental Evaluation System of Permits Environmen the Environment and Development and Authorizations for the Sustainable Use of Natural tal Natural Resources, Objectives (ODS). Resources guarantees to the PRE Program, the evaluation Environmental Evaluation Montreal Protocol. procedures and requisites for the environmental System in Nicaragua permits and authorizations for the sustainable use of Decree 20-, natural resources. Environmental System of Permits and Authorizations for the sustainable use of Natural Resources, Published in La 226
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Gaceta No. 228 on 29 November, 2017. b, d , g 4.04 Natural Law 217, the General Law CITES, RAMSAR, Before executing any activity in the protected areas, a habitats for the Environment and Decree of the Creation multidisciplinary and inter-institutional team, made of Natural Resources, of Habitat. Sustainable representatives of MARENA, INAFOR, SERENA, and Decree 01-2007, Development representatives of the Territorial Government, will Regulation of Protected Objectives. conduct and inspection with the objective to evaluate Areas of Nicaragua, Law Forest Forum. the possible impacts in relation to the risk that this can 462, Law of Conservation, present to the natural habitat and its effects on the Promotion, and three biodiversity variables established by MARENA: Sustainable Development Type of Ecosystems, Genetic Importance of the Area, of the Forest Sector. Law and Species of Conservation Interest. Additionally, 807, Law of Conservation variables such as fragility of the ecosystem, placement and Sustainable Use of within systems of biological corridors and the Biological Diversity. conservation category of the area to be intervened, will be analysed. Also, in locations outside of protected areas, INAFOR through the management plans will require the inclusion of a section related to the protection of biodiversity and the other ecosystem services, establishing measures such as minimum diameters for cutting, minimum distance for harvesting outside of riparian forests, protection of tree species of importance to biodiversity, and seed trees. The Nicaraguan Obligatory Technical Guideline 18 001-04 establishes rules for the management of natural broadleaf and conifer forests, related to forestry management and harvesting, making the following guideline: The forest strata of the area to be managed will be classified taking into consideration the type of forest, whether of production, protection and 227
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
conservation of biodiversity, which are to be reflected in a map. c, d 4.10 Indigenous Law 28 and Law 445 Agreement 169, For attention to the safeguard of indigenous peoples, Peoples Laws No. 40 and 261, Convention on the country counts on robust norms that guarantee the Reforms and Indigenous Peoples, rights of indigenous and afro-descendant peoples Incorporations in the Law International sustained in the Political Constitution of Nicaragua, the No. 40, “Law of Convention on the Laws 28, 445, 40, and 261 Law of the Municipality and Municipalities”. Elimination of all its Reforms, the Agreement 169, and the United Forms of Racial Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Discrimination, Peoples. Convention on the Also, the current MGAS includes a Plan for Indigenous Elimination of all Peoples (PPI) that orients the Guidelines to be followed Forms of when an activity or work is conducted in areas Discrimination against inhabited by indigenous peoples, independently of Women, CEDAW, whether the activity is to cause a positive or negative Convention on impact. Biological Diversity. C 4.11 Physical Law 445, Law of the United Nations The probability of this safeguard being invoked is cultural Regimen of Communal Declaration of the considered low in the case of the indigenous and afro- resources Property of the Rights of Indigenous descendant peoples, who have sacred sites, which Indigenous Peoples and Peoples. must be respected and protected. In case of which, Ethnic Communities of during the implementation of activities sites of the Autonomous Atlantic archaeological importance are discovered, it is required Coast of Nicaragua and of to inform the Institute of Culture. the Coco, Indio, and Maíz Decree No. 1142 is applied. Law of the Protection of Rivers. Law 28, the Cultural Heritage of the Nation, Decree 142, Law Autonomy Statute of the Declaring the Dominion of the State on Archaeological, Regions of the Caribbean Historical, or Artistic Monuments. Coast of Nicaragua, Decree 1142 of the Law of the Cultural Patrimony 228
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
of the Nation. Law 759, Law of Ancestral Traditional Medicine. Law 217 (Article 18). Law 272 Law of the Electric Industry. C 4.12 Involuntary Political Constitution of Universal Declaration It is considered that there exists the possibility that the Resettleme Nicaragua. of Human Rights implementation of four of the six lines of the PRE, will nt Law 28. Statute of (Articles 17, 22, 25). affect some persons or communities with respect to Autonomy of the Regions The American restrictions in the use of natural resources. The of the Caribbean Coast of Declaration of the identified lines are: Guideline 3: Natural regeneration in Nicaragua. Rights and Obligations fragile areas; Guideline 4: Silvopastoral and agroforestry Law 445 – Law of the of Man. trusts in lands that are already deforested, including Rules of Communal The International 5800 producers in farms that total 325,000 ha Property of the Rights Agreement. (silvopastoral systems) and 25,000 ha of new lands Indigenous Peoples and Economic, Social and (agro-forestry systems); Guideline 5: Commercial Ethnic Communities of Cultural, United reforestation in 10,000 new hectares; Guideline 6: the Autonomous Regions Nations, 1976 Natural regeneration in 40,000 new hectares, in addition of the Atlantic Coast of The International to the maintenance of a baseline of 36,548 ha, and Nicaragua and the Coco, Agreement of Civil and reforestation in 40,000 ha of new lands to restore Indio, and Maíz Rivers. Political Rights ecosystem services and non-timber products. Law 217, General Law of The American For the above – mentioned and taking into account the the Environment and Convention on Human PRE, it is a Strategy of regional character, of long term, Natural Resources. Rights of the that has been developed from the Norms of Procedures Decree 01-2007, Organization of for Involuntary Resettlement. Whenever, according to Regulations of Protected American States. the environmental assessment, the resettlement of Areas of Nicaragua. Agreement 169 of the population groups is unavoidable, a Resettlement Plan Law 309, of Regulation, World Labour will be set up following the procedures established in the Planning, and Titling of Organization. MPRI. Spontaneous Human The United Nations Settlements. Declaration on the 229
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Law 475, on citizen Rights of Indigenous participation. Peoples.
Safeguards Safeguards from Connections with Legal Connections with Concrete actions that will be executed to deal with Cancun the World Bank and Policy Instruments Internationally each safeguard. activated by the Recognized Legal PROGRAM RE Instruments a, b, c, d, e, f 4.36 Forests Law 462, Law 462, Law for Forest Forum CMNUCC The probability that this safeguard will be needed is the Conservation, Sustainable considered very low, given that the ERPD has been Promotion, and Development proposed precisely to revert the causes of Sustainable Development Objectives (ODS). deforestation and forest degradation and it has to be of the Forest Sector. Law taken into account that the forests of Nicaragua 217 General Law for the represent 25% of the national territory, of which 98% is Environment and Natural Natural Forest90. Resources This safeguard is applied to all the actions of resource harvesting coming from the forests (timber and non- timber) through taking into account the technical norms that are already established in the legal framework in the country in the area of forestry management. This safeguard should be taken into account at the moment of implementation of development, agroforestry, and silvopastoral projects, from the perspective of not changing the land-use classifications. This protection will be applied to the social development projects such as electrification in the communities, construction of highways, among others, connected to the ERPD, will be included in the Environmental Evaluation and the respective
90 Inventario Nacional 2007-2008 230
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Environmental Management Plan. Based on the model of dialogue and consensus, preventative, mitigating, and compensatory actions will be designed, to assure the minimum affectation in the areas of the actions.
231
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
14.2 Description of arrangements to provide information on safeguards during ER Program implementation
MARENA, as the lead ERPD institution will be the Nicaraguan state entity charged with providing official information regarding the approach to and compliance with the Safeguards. MARENA will, establish collaborative agreements with the institutions that will participate in monitoring safeguard indicators. SINIA is the institution that will concentrate on following-up and reporting the environmental indicators and will be the agency charged with providing official information.
MARENA, through the National System of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification, with the Sub- System of Safeguards, will monitor the compliance of the safeguards, in alliance with the Regional, Territorial, and Municipal Governments. Since August 2016, the System of Safeguard Information (SIS) has been in the process of design, which is an integral part of the National System of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (SNMRV) of the Emissions Reduction Program. The SIS will permit the reporting of compliance of the safeguards, assuring the coverage of all actions and measures of REDD+, independently of the source of financing or of the initiative. Likewise, it will facilitate a framework of indicators that will serve to monitor the fulfilment of the safeguards on national, sub-national, and community levels.
The principal objective of the National System of Safeguard Information (SIS), is to provide and manage the information regarding how the safeguards are approached and respected during the implementation of the ERPD, in agreement with the legal framework of Nicaragua. The SIS will include exit strategies that will generate summaries or reports required by the CMNUCC for the monitoring of the compliance of the activated safeguards. Figure 39 shows the structure for the SIS defined in sessions of the MRV and EESA working groups. In Table 79 indicators for the monitoring of compliance of the Safeguards during the implementation of the Emissions Reduction Program are presented.
232
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 39 Structure of the System of Safeguard Information.
233
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 81 Indicators for the monitoring of compliance of the Safeguards during the implementation of the Emissions Reduction Program.
Sources of Safeguard Indicators Responsible Interval Report generated information 1. Number of Environmental MARENA Environmental Impact Evaluations approved. Direction of Register of the Evaluation, Surface area of projects that Environmental Annual Environmental Report to EIA OP/BP 4.01: implement Environmental Quality. Evaluation System Impact Evaluation (EIA). 2. Statutes of the management in MARENA Management Field data and protected areas (variables: Direction of status in the data sheets from Protected Areas with Natural Protected Areas. forest rangers Management Plans, Quantity Heritage and regional of Protected Areas Demarcated nodes. Satellite and Signed, Quantity of images. Protected Areas with
Infrastructure and Equipment,
Quantity of Park Rangers in Natural ---- Protected Areas, Public ------Habitats: OP/BP Financing executed in Report of 4.04: Annual Landsat images Protected Areas). INETER Natural Resource (30x30 m) and ----- Direction of Use in Protected monitoring in 3. Use of Natural Resources in Land – Use Areas the field. Protected Areas (variables: Planning
Quantity of Protected Areas ---
with Perennial Crops Coffee ---- and Cocoa). Surface of planted Report of the Data sheets Coffee and Cocoa in Protected ---- avian dynamics collected by Areas. MARENA in the accounting forest rangers. Direction of area.
234
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Sources of Safeguard Indicators Responsible Interval Report generated information ---- Biodiversity 4. Species of Fauna Endangered/Appendix II CITES, variable, birds.
MARENA -environmental 5. Expired chemical wastes: Pest General authorizations Annual Report of Volume of waste chemicals by Management Direction of -inspections Waste type of product Waste Annual OP/BP 4.09: Environmental management pesticides (COP91), Waste from Quality authorizations Pesticides (NO COP).
Regional Reports of Government projects of the 6. Authorizations by the (SERENA and institutions communities to the SEPLAN) delivered to Indigenous development Projects. Report of Free SERENA. Peoples: OP/BP ---- Prior and ---- Annual ---- 4.10 7. Organizations with Informed INAFOR and Management strengthened technical capacities Consent MARENA reports of the to improve forest governance of regional ITG governments
National Report of the Cultural and 8. Historic sites identified during Cultural community, Report of historic Physical Heritage the implementation of the actions. Annual Institute (INC) territorial and sites OP 4.11 In coordination municipal
91 COP: Persistent Organic Contaminants. 235
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Sources of Safeguard Indicators Responsible Interval Report generated information with the leaders Regional Governments and the GTI’s. 9. Number of Environmental Involuntary Impact Evaluations that require Report of Report of Regional Resettlement OP involuntary resettlement. Annual Regional Involuntary Governments 4.12: 10.Number of Management Plans Governments Resettlement for Protected Areas together. 11.Forest Area I the Carbon INETER Increases and Accounting Area. Direction of Annual Landsat images losses of forest Forests: OP/BP 12.Area of Biological Corridors. Land-Use and (30x30 m), rapid cover in reserves 4.36: 13.Forest Losses and Gains in the Planning biannual eyes and field and biological BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and INAFOR monitoring corridors. Indio Maíz Biological Reserve by
core area and buffer zone. MARENA Central registry National (digital) of Report of the Mechanism of 14.Number of suggestions received System of suggestions and mechanism of Strengthening of Annual and attended. Environmental complaints. strengthening of Communication Indicators- communication SINIA INETER Spatial images Report of forest Direction of and data cover loss 15 Surface area of forests affected Setbacks Land-use Annual collected in the caused by by setbacks. Planning and field extreme natural SERENA Early warning events or human
236
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Sources of Safeguard Indicators Responsible Interval Report generated information Community system of forest activities Monitoring monitoring
INETER Spatial images Forest coverage, Direction of and data deforested and land – use collected in the degraded, in 16. Displacement of deforestation Displacements planning Annual field areas within and and forest degradation SERENA Early warning outside the Community system of forest accounting areas Monitoring monitoring of the ERPD
237
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
14.3 Description of the Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM) in place and possible actions to improve it
The process of broad participation of protagonists that supports the preparation and execution of the ENDE-REDD +, requires adequate spaces to raise and receive answers to concerns or complaints about the effects that a project or program may cause in the framework of ENDE- REDD +. Therefore, we see the need for the creation of a mechanism that strengthens communication with the protagonists of ENDE-REDD +, which was initially called "Feedback Mechanism", evolving until it became "Mechanism for Strengthening Communication with ENDE- REDD + " (see annex 14), Since it manages to capture the positive spirit of the objectives set.
The general objective of the communication strengthening mechanism is to give different options for the reception of and response to requests for information, questions, suggestions and complaints by stakeholders with regards to the design and execution of ENDE-REDD+ and ERPD, particularly on how to obtain inputs to improve results and contribute to the social audit, avoid the generation of conflicts, attend and expeditiously respond to complaints and suggestions, and contribute to the performance evaluation of benefit sharing.
Existing Feedback Mechanisms
The Mechanism for Strengthening Communication for ENDE-REDD + covers the procedures that the State of Nicaragua contemplates to provide answers and adequate solutions to requests for citizen information, receipt of complaints, complaints and suggestions, which are based on the following instruments normative:
The fundamental norm of the country, the Nicaraguan Political Constitution, establishes the right for Nicaraguans to present duly supported complaints. Article 2 states:” National sovereignty resides in the people who exercise it by means of democratic procedures, deciding and participating freely in the establishment and improvement of the Political Constitution, establishes the right of Nicaraguans to present duly supported nation's economic, political, and social system.(…) They may also exercise it directly by means of territorial councils, territorial and community assemblies of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples…”
Article 52 of the Political Constitution states that “Citizens have the right, individually or collectively, to petition, denounce irregularities and make constructive criticism to the Powers of the State or to any authority, to obtain a quick resolution or response and to have the result communicated in the time period established by the law.”
Law 475 on Citizen Participation and Law 621 on Access to Political Information, both published in the Official Gazette Nr. 241 on December 19, 2003. Through the latter, public information offices were created, where citizens exercise their right to receive information. Law 217 General Law on the Environment and Natural Resources also supports this objective, as it states in Article
238
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
2. “Every person can participate as a citizen in the promotion of administrative, civil or penal actions against those who infringe the present law” 92.
For Nicaragua, the latter represents a strength in the preparation and implementation of ENDE- REDD+ and the ERPD, in addition to the GRUN’s will to implement the “Mechanism for the Strengthening of Communication with ENDE-REDD+” (MFC) facilitating the protagonists’ access to justice, in particular for indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples and rural families, by giving them various options to express their requests, petitions, clarification, unconformities or complaints, and to receive answers to these, without detriment to the right to take legal actions. With its MFC, Nicaragua is aligned to the UNFCCC safeguards93, also known as the “Cancun safeguards”, particularly as to “Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty”.
Next, the complaint mechanisms related to the work of MARENA and the exercise of autonomy in the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast are described:
Institutional experiences
a) Administrative appeals: citizens’ right to appeal against any act or omission by public administration that may cause them grievance. This right is regulated by national laws and can be exercised by any citizen, by presenting the appeal to the administrative instance causing the grievance, or before the Supreme Court of Justice.
b) The Nicaraguan State has a Human Rights Ombudsperson’s Office, an instance at the service of citizens to “Contribute, together with national institutions, the State, Government and Organized Society, to guarantee, within the state of law, the safety of persons and human rights, watching over their compliance by public administration agencies, as a contribution to a free and just society”. This institution offers a web link to receive complaints, which can be seen at the following web address. http://www.pddh.gob.ni/?page_id=183
c) MARENA and INAFOR have a procedure in place for the reception of and attention to complaints, which can be presented by any citizen or organization. Proceedings start with the presentation of the complaint in written form in MARENA or INAFOR’s offices, stating the place and incident. Once received by the regional or departmental delegate, he/she proceeds to summon an international commission, and it is determined whether the case is worthy of an inspection or visit on the ground to gain in situ knowledge of the fact. The Inter-institutional Commission presents the report and the necessary measures are taken,
92 http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/SILEG/Gacetas.nsf/15a7e7ceb5efa9c6062576eb0060b321/fc2f67348416ae23062 57c74005c504e/$FILE/2014-01-17- %20Texto%20de%20Ley%20No%20217,%20Ley%20general%20del%20medio%20ambiente%20con%20reformas %20incorporadas.pdf 93 Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas para el Cambio Climático 239
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
which may consist of sanctions or fines. This process is expeditious, with a term of 7 to 30 days, depending on the distances and circumstances.
d) In addition, on its webpage MARENA has a form which allows the protagonists to express themselves and make various proposals to the governing agency; the responsibility for this platform lies with the Public Information Office (OAIP): http://www.marena.gob.ni/index.php/contactenos.
e) On the other hand, the General Attorney’s Office94 is the institution representing the State, and its functions include “To supervise that the performance of state officials and employees are according to law”. It has installed a series of complaint boxes all over the country (at mayor’s offices and state institutions). These boxes are set up at visible and accessible places and can be used by any person. Its contents are reviewed once a month by central state official, proposals are reported to the Office of the President of the Republic.
f) The Regional Government of the Northern Caribbean Coast is in the process of designing a computer-based planning instrument to follow-up on the protagonists’ satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) with projects and programs; to this end, it is planned to establish a web link where protagonists can present their grievances.
g) The complaint procedures defined by the projects financed through the World Bank or IADB were analyzed and notes taken; among these mechanisms, the use of telephone lines was highlighted.
Culturally relevant mechanisms
Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples have their own norms for internal organization, their own political, judicial, educational, communication, as well as justice management and conflict resolution systems within their communities, in the framework of their autonomy and supported by special laws, particularly Law 28 and Law 44515. Justice is administered through Community Assemblies, the Council of Elders, community judges or whita, community representatives (síndicos), solutions are found in accordance with the customs and habits community members consider binding, thus they regulate their local affairs.
"Whita" is an authority in the community and is responsible for administering justice, is the judge according to customary rules and this authority is recognized by the Supreme Court of Justice. The "Sindico" is in charge of the administration of natural resources. This intervenes when there is a problem in the communal lands, organizes a commission to go to review in situ the incidence and collects the necessary information, with which a decision of the case is made. At present, many Indigenous and Afro-descendant Territorial Governments implement coexistence manuals designed according to their own reality.
94 https://www.poderjudicial.gob.ni/pjupload/spenal/pdf/2001_ley03.pdf 240
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
These norms generally do not exist in written form, but are passed on orally and preserved by collective memory. They are respected by the community and justice administration agencies of the Nicaraguan State. The resolutions of issues of greater magnitude lie within the competence of state agencies.
The Regional Autonomous Governments of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast are superior instances which can settle unconformities that could not be solved at the local level.
On the basis of the aforementioned mechanisms which fulfill their purpose efficiently, the Nicaragua government is designing the “Communication Strengthening Mechanism (MFC)” for ENDE-REDD+. It is a particular proposal to strengthen the restitution of rights to the protagonists of the ER Program; without substituting anything already in existence, it specifies and strengthens the right to express comments, recommendations and complaints through culturally adequate processes (language, forms of organization, collective decision-making).
Design of the Mechanism for Strengthening Communication (MFC)
The general objective of the Mechanism of Communication Strengthening (MCS) is to provide options for the reception of and response to requests for information, questions, suggestions, and complaints from the interested parties related with the design and execution of the Strategy for Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and from the Programs of Emissions Reduction by deforestation and forest degradation with payment for results.
The specific objectives are the following • To obtain inputs for the improvement of results and to contribute to social audit. • To avoid the generation of conflicts, expeditiously attending and responding to complaints and suggestions. • Aportar a la evaluación del desempeño en la distribución de los beneficios. To contribute to the evaluation of the performance in benefit sharing.
The Mechanism for Strengthening Communication promotes the involvement of the Nicaraguan people and families and is governed by the following principles:
• Respect for the Common Good, founded on the idea concept that the Earth and humanity form a unique, complex and sacred entity. • Respect and promotion of the worldview of indigenous peoples, that land, water, and forests are a source of life, provide food and medicine and are the place for the exercise of life and culture.
241
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Accessibility. The different options for accessing the mechanism will strengthen the ability of stakeholder to participate in the dialogue on reducing deforestation and forest degradation. • Transparency. Publically accessible information will be provided on the themes and issues attended by the Mechanism. • Legitimacy: Public participation, enabled by the Mechanism will legitimize the process while also helping assure the social and environmental security provided by safeguards and strengthening governance. • Equity: Based on the differences in opportunities to participate in the processes of construction of public policies and the sharing of the benefits of development projects, the mechanism emphasizes less advantaged groups, such as indigenous peoples, Afro- descendants and women. Channels for the reception of complaints and suggestions, complaints, requests for information
The Communication Strengthening Mechanism is oriented towards all ENDE-REDD+ and Emissions Reduction Program stakeholders, including community and indigenous territory leaders, families, rural producers, forest conservation women and youth groups, farmers, and the general population who are linked to efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The MFC has been designed so that difficulties of access, long distances from population centers, or the absence of cell phone signal or the internet do not limit stakeholders´ability to express their concerns, recommendations, disagreements, or complaints. It integrates a variety of channels for the reception, attention, and feedback of complaints based on traditional and non- traditional communication channels. An explanatory diagram of the proposed channels for receiving complaints is shown in Figure 37.
Four entry points of communication are established for communication from stakeholders to the institutions responsible for attending, responding to, and following up on the complaints or suggestions:
Authorities and traditional leaders: iii. The Wihtas, Síndicos, and Women Leaders of the indigenous and Aforedescendant peoples, and forest rangers95 will be trained regarding the functioning of the Mechanism for Strengthening Communication so that they can subsequently replicate it in their communities. iv. In this regard, capacities of a network of 80 leaders of the Indigenous Territorial Governments (36 in the RACCN, 20 at the RACCS, 12 in the Special Regime of Alto Wangki, and 12 in PI-PCN) will be strengthened related to safeguards and the use of the website.
95 The forest rangers belong to MARENA. Their objective to the care for and guard natural resources, especially in the Program area. 242
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
v. Assemblies: During assemblies focused on strengthening capacities or dialogue within the ENDE-REDD+ framework, a box will be installed to receive comments or suggestion. When complaints about ENDE-REDD + are presented during community meetings or GTI, they will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting and registered in the Safeguard Information System´s website along with the location and date of the meeting. vi. Boxes in institutional offices: This tool has been widely accepted by the communities, especially in the RACCS, who consider the application of the Emission Reduction Program to be of great importance. The boxes are approximately 40 cm x 20 cm, and are labeled and sealed. Installation of the boxes will occur in phases: first in the offices of MARENA, INAFOR, the central Government, the Autonomous Regions and Departments, later in the Regional Governments and ITGs; and finally in the mayoralties. Prior to installation of the boxes, agreements of understanding or coordination will be established, formalizing the location of the boxes and ensuring their safekeeping. In the case of the autonomous regions, these agreements will be facilitated by the regional governments. MARENA will be responsible for opening the boxes and reporting their contents to the SIS central registry in the MRV system. vii. Electronic access (web page): ENDE-REDD+ has a link to the SINIA-MARENA website, where a tab will be available for the reception of suggestions and complaints of stakeholders with computers or telephones with Internet service. This access presently is limited in the most remote communities, but internet access is expected to increase in the future. Currently, most of the ITGs have an internet address and in each of the municipal capitals there is internet access. An application for accessing the complaint/suggestion registry form by smartphones is also being developed. It will contain a questionnaire (presently under design) for collecting basic information that will enable a response as well as facilitating the monitoring of suggestions and complaints (Table 80).
Response procedures
It is considered that the main assertions or complaints originate from the topics of lack of information, lack of public announcements of invitation to activities, noncompliance of deadlines in the accord or in the delivery of goods or benefits. For the attention of the proposals, the Inter- Institutional Commissions that operate in the Autonomous Regions and departments for forest and environmental management will participate, or they will be formed where required. This commission will meet once a month to learn about the reports in the different entries of the MFC, analyze them and prepare a report for the MARENA instances. All approaches will be hosted on the central server of the SINIA and on the respective Regional and Departmental NODES according to the categories for the MFC. The Regional NODOS of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua, SIMEAR and SICOR, will be supporting the reception of information by establishing links with the program's website.
243
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
All statements, complaints or complaints received will be registered centrally and regionally in the sub-system for Safeguards of the Monitoring and Verification System. The concerns received in the mailboxes, the electronic access and the report of the indigenous leaders and the assemblies will be registered in the same format, which will allow to standardize the follow-up and report. The same format presented in Table 83 will be used.
A diagram with the response procedures is shown in Figure 38. The process begins with the classification of cases received into two broad categories: i. correspondence with ENDE-REDD+ and ii. No correspondence with ENDE-REDD +. In the case of no correspondence, the complaints or suggestions will be sent to the appropriate institutions and the author of the complaint or suggestion will be notified regarding the referral. In the case of correspondence, the complaint or suggestion will be classified in one of the following 4 categories:
I. Environmental incidents: request referring to incidents with potential impacts to natural resources and the environment (wildfires, floods, landslides, logging, deforestation, and others). II. Program commitments: requests referring to the application of the protocols in place for the implementation of the program, i.e. Annual Operational Plan, Trainings, Technical Assistance, Intervention Activities, Monitoring and Follow-up, and quantitative and qualitative assessment tools. III. Compliance with Safeguards and Benefit-Sharing Plans: referring to requests related to non-compliance with the dispositions of safeguards plans and the Environmental and Social Framework (Indigenous Peoples’ Plan, Involuntary Resettlement, amounts, periods and uses established for benefit sharing. IV. Institutional performance: requests related to the institution in the context of inter- institutional coordination, based on the achievement of the targets established in the AOP.
The attention of categories I and II include verification or inspection in the field, which will be carried out by the Interinstitutional Commission. Once the inspection has been carried out, the Interinstitutional Commission will analyze the findings and decide which institution should proceed (according to the institutional competence) and manage the response on how to proceed to give attention to the approach. The report will be informed to the protagonists by the means provided by the protagonist: cell phone numbers, emails or addresses.
The attention to categories III and IV, is made by the corresponding commission. This makes the administrative review of the cases and dictates how to proceed to give attention to the approach. The report will be informed to the protagonists, to the addresses where they live, cell numbers or emails. The time to respond to the protagonists will be no more than 30 days.
At the national level, an Inter-institutional Commission will be set up, chaired by MARENA (Directorate of Climate Change, Legal Counsel, Office of Access to Public Information); Secretariat of the Caribbean Coast and MHCP. The function of this commission will be to follow up on the
244
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve reports on the functioning of the CFM, propose adjustments and inform the Superior Directorate of MARENA and Regional Governments of the Caribbean Coast (as appropriate). The national commission will meet ordinarily every three months or in an extraordinary manner at the request of one of its parties. Each meeting must generate a minute with the agreements taken. This meeting minutes must be officially sent to MARENA's Senior Management and will be the basis for the annual follow-up report to the Safeguards.
At the regional and departmental levels, a commission will be formed, chaired by MARENA and integrated by the Regional Government, GTIs, INAFOR and PGR, which will follow up on the proposals presented through the different access points to strengthen communication.
The departmental or regional commission that receives a suggestion or complaint must determine the institution that will address the approach (institutional agreement). The deadline to attend and respond to the approach or complaint will be no more than 30 days.
All the information generated with this Mechanism for Strengthening Communication with ENDE-REDD + will be used to adjust the process of design and implementation of ENDE-REDD +.
Next steps for the implementation of the Mechanism to Strengthen the Communication with ENDE-REDD+
With the purpose of tackling possible negative impacts and efficiently promoting the multiple benefits of REDD+, in 2010, during the 16th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (CP 16) held in Cancun, a group of seven safeguards for REDD+ was agreed upon, in accordance with the World Bank dispositions on the design and implementation of complaint mechanisms. The Nicaraguan Government will carry out a series of actions to implement, monitor and validate this mechanism, e.g.:
• Adaptation and maintenance to the ENDE-REDD+ webpage for the well-functioning of the Mechanism • Inter-institutional arrangements to guarantee adequate functioning of the Mechanism • Training workshops for institutional representatives on attention to complaints in the framework of the pilot test of the Mechanism. Awareness-raising and building capacities among institutional representatives on the handling of REDD+-related complaints, so that they can contribute from their work context to meet the objective and comply with the activities of the pilot test on complaints, requests for information, resolution of potential conflicts in the context of the REDD+. • Pilot test of the Mechanism for the handling of complaints, accountability and culturally adequate access to REDD+ information, to identity and respond to deficits in existing complaint mechanisms based on traditional systems. • Permanent analysis of specific needs and traditional manners among Indigenous Peoples, as well as women who live in communities, to access information, present complaints and grievances, and conflic resolution. 245
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 82 Format for the Mechanism for Strengthening Communication
Names * Surnames * Email Phone Department / Region * Community Ethnicity * In representation of : Own ITGI Community Type of comment (Mark with an X) Suggestion Observation Complain Describe your comment
* Required field
246
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 40 Communication channels for complaints and suggestions.
247
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 41 Procedures for responding to complaints and suggestions.
248
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
15. Arrangements for distribution of benefits
15.1 Description of the arrangements for the distribution of benefits
Nicaragua is preparing a mechanism for the distribution of benefits that will provide incentives to stakeholders involved in sustainable forest management and care of Mother Earth in the accounting area. The objective of the distribution of benefits is to motivate these actors to contribute to the reduction in deforestation and forest degradation, and to increase the restoration of vegetative cover. Table 83 presents the relationship between drivers of deforestation, interventions, and potential elements of benefit sharing.
Table 83 General approach to Benefit-Sharing
Priority actions and interventions Benefit Sharing Drivers of deforestation and forest degradation Type of benefits / Conservation Sustainable production Enabling conditions Potential benefitiaries Elegibility of benefitiaries potential mechanisms
•Non-monetary: technical •Improved productivity and Landowners of farms < 200 ha, assistance, better markets, forest conservation of Private landowners who decide to participate in associativity, access to silvopastoral and the silvopastoral Trusts. finance, joint investments agroforestry systems •Mechanism: Trusts Extensive livestock/agriculture production (Trusts) •Monetary: investment for
Direct causes •Institutions responsible for technical assistance and •Investment and market Pro-Nicaragua y Pro- promoting investments and generation of market promotion Nicaribe markets opportunities
•Insuficient coordination between levels •Improved forest of governments governance •Limited capacity and resources for law •Institutional enforcement coordination and policy harmonization
•Improved monitoring •National government •Government institutions with •Monetary: to perform and control of forest institutions clear roles in forest and land- their role in program and land use •Regional government use law enforcement, and implementation •Improved law institutions forest and land use monitoring
Instititutional enforcement •Territorial governments •Territorial governments •Weak land use monitoring and control •Institutional resources and capacities to better control land and natural resource use and promote sustainable land use •Little capital Territorial governemnts with •Non-Monetary: technical •Improved capacity and potential for Community assistance, market incentives for Community based Forest Management / or Public-opportunities •Low value of forests Forest Management •Territorial governments Private partnerships • Territorial governemnts: Priority Territorial Monetary through direct •Incentives for avoided Governments, with significant conditional cash transfers deforestation deforestation rates based on performance to Underlying causes Underlying be used to finance forest •Low technological capacity • Territorial governments related activities of the Economic having community investment •Incentives for reforestation reforestation/regeneration plans. plans •Private owners could •Limited access to credit and technical •Territorial governments •Private landowners participate in FONADEFO assistance •Promotion of natural •Private land owners presenting to receive incentives for regeneration reforestation/forest reforestation and forest regeneration plans regeneration •Markets undemanding of quality •Roads •Demographic pressure •Poverty •Market demand •National government •Monetary to perform Social institutions their role in awareness Migration •Lack of awareness on the value of •Information use and •Regional government increasing forests dissemination, public education and institutions awareness •Territorial governments
Alignment with legal and public policy frameworks 249
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The country has experience in the sharing of environmental benefits from income generated by the payment of taxes for the exploitation of its natural resources by transferring resources to indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples through the General Budget of the Republic and the Public Investment System, as well as with projects that distributed benefits to initiatives for the protection, conservation and restoration of forests and aquifers. These experiences are reflected in the mechanism.
We added the legal reference for this matter, e.g. Law 445 which establishes the distribution of benefits in the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast among the indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. This law establishes that at least 75% of the benefits from exploitation have to remain in the Caribbean Coast region; at present, they are transferred through the Ministry of Finance (MCHP). The taxes collected by tax agencies in the form of exploitation rights of natural resources in the Autonomous Regions have to directly benefit the indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in whose areas the natural resources are found.
Taking this into account, the ERPD benefit sharing mechanism does not focus on payments, but on the redistribution of collective benefits for the common good, by which a positive impact should be created for the livelihoods in the territories and communities. In the case of private owners, collective benefit sharing is planned through the promotion of trusts.
As part of the preparation of the ENDE-REDD+ strategy, a number of options were discussed regarding arrangements for the distribution of benefits that can be derived from the payments for results in the potential ERPA agreement with the FCPF. Figure 41 reflects an option in which resources are distributed between institutions and protagonists that participate at different levels in program promotion and functioning, and directly in the implementation of forest protection, management and restoration activities. The benefit sharing proposal comprises: (i) the State of Nicaragua for covering fixed and variable costs of the institutions with key roles in the program; (ii) to indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples for reducing deforestation and restoring forests, and (iii) private owners for avoided deforestation and forest restoration.
250
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 42 Proposal for distribution of benefits
carbon fund
world Bank
National Government (reception and distribution)
iii) Avoided deforestation and restoration on i) Fixed and variable costs private lands MHCP, MARENA, INAFOR, INETER, MEFCCA, SDCC, ProNicaragua GRACCN, Trusts for small and Private owners who GRACCS medium owners do not participate in the trusts
Benefit sharing arrangement
In the arrangements, Nicaragua is considering the inclusion of institutions playing key roles (central government, regional governments, indigenous territorial governments and municipal governments), which will contribute to the sustainability of the ER Program through institutional consolidation and direct investment in activities promoting the sustainable use of forests, natural regeneration and forest governance. Resources are used to cover operative costs related to the program, the implementation of the MRV system, regional coordination, promotion of trusts, and transfer of private protagonists who do not participate in the trusts.
The resources distributed to owners of communal lands will be used to finance plans for community development and the strengthening of forest governance, in order to improve living conditions and increase the value of forests in each territory.
Benefit sharing with the sector of owners of private lands promoting agroforestry and silvopasture systems through trusts and incentives to small-holder farmers for avoided deforestation and forest restoration.
Already existing benefit sharing mechanisms in the country will be used, such as: 251
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• INAFOR, through the National Forest Development Fund (FONADEFO), created by law, based on the Fund’s experiences and lessons learnt (see Annex 16). • The Ministry of Finance (MHCP) has experience in direct transfers to the indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples by mandate of the Law on the Budget of the Republic, Law 462 Forestry Law, and Law 445, Law on Communal Property., • Trusts will pay private landowners for developing activities for agroforestry, silviculture, restoration and avoided deforestation. The trust beneficiaries will make commitments about identified areas destined to forest restorations. (see Annex 4)
Principles of benefit distribution
The following principles will guide the distribution of benefits:
• Alignment with legal and public policy frameworks. The benefit distribution system should be aligned with the National Human Development Plan, the Strategy and Plan for Development of the Caribbean Coast and the Upper Wangki-Bocay watersheds, regional plans and territorial plans focused on reducing deforestation, as well as the promotion of productive models and sustainable forest management. • Joint responsibility, is one of the fundamental principles underlying the development model of the Caribbean Coast, where autonomous institutions and traditional governments have responsibilities, rights, and obligations at the community, territorial, and regional levels. This model is based on a joint vision and actions, but with individual and collective responsibilities. • The “buen vivir” and the common good philosophy. The world vision of indigenous and Afrodescendant people in the Caribbean is embedded in a culture of “buen vivir” and the sustained common good based on collective rights and community benefits, underlain by respect, harmony, and equilibrium. • Focus on sustainable production and sustainable forest management, protection of reserves, natural resources, and the means for sustainable human development in harmony with the reduction of carbon emissions. • Gender equity. Actions should promote the full participation in equal conditions among men, women, youth and adults during the process of defining and agreeing on the distribution of benefits derived from sustainable forest and natural resource management and the reduction of carbon emission. • Inter-culturality. The governance of the Caribbean Coast with its multi-ethnic, multi- cultural, and multi-lingual diversity, promotes equitable relations among these different groups of inhabitants. This is achieved through dynamic, permanent, communicative, mutual learning, and collective processes for the development of the potential of personas and groups with cultural differences, based on respect and creativity. 252
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Citizen participation. The active role of the indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples and other ethnic groups in the participatory design, implementation, and achievement of desired results and the distribution of benefits is a necessary condition for Program implementation. • Transparency. Benefits will be distributed based on transparent verification of results. The government will publish guidelines for benefit distribution, including ways to publish results. • Due process. Benefits distribution must follow due process, which will be publicly disclosed in MARENA’s website. • Cost-benefit effect: benefits will be calculated based on the cost/benefit effect of land users actions to counter deforestation and forest degradation. Eligibility criteria for beneficiaries The GRUN has defined the Caribbean Coast Region for the ERPD, in order to restore the rights of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples who have preserved their forests and the high percentage of forests existing in the accountancy area, in addition to other reasons. The indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples have been prioritized in the GRUN´s development policies and plans. On the basis of the principles defined for this mechanism, a series of criteria were defined for the selection of beneficiaries for emissions reductions:
• persons having legal ownership of their land • persons making efforts at reducing deforestation and forest degradation • persons participating in investments for environmental protection (water sources, restoration, natural regeneration, establishment of tree nurseries and forest plantations, control of wildfires, and others) • persons living in existing intervention areas and carrying out verifiable actions (behavioral changes) to achieve emissions reductions; and • agents who promote land-use changes and who can demonstrate changes in their own farming systems (agroforestry or silvopasture) • governmental agencies linked to the control, monitoring, reporting and promotion of the program The program beneficiaries will contribute to the following actions (see section 4):
• Boosting of community forestry • Improvement of forest management; • Protection of fragile areas through natural regeneration • Implementation of a trust for silvopasture and agroforestry systems on deforested lands • Implementation of comercial reforestation • management of natural regeneration; and 253
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Promoting reforestation on new extensions of land to restore ecosystem services and non-wood products.
Criteria for implementation of benefits:
• Beneficiaries will be evaluated by the results achieved in the area. To that end it is necessary to prepare initial maps and diagnostics as a basis for the establishment of previous agreements. • Benefit sharing will enhance key activities in the ER program intervention areas, which will benefit private and communal land-owners; • Avoided deforestation and the restoration of territories to originary and afrodescendant peoples will be encouraged insofar as they make efforts to deal with the direct and underlying causes of deforestation and degradation of forests in the accounting area. • Beneficiaries must take a collective approach keyed to the communal / territorial public common good in order to heighten impact. • Benefits will contribute to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods in over 303 communities of originary and afrodescendant peoples (Miskito, Mayangnas, Creoles, Garifunas, Ramas, Ulwas and mestizos) in 23 territories. These are protagonists whose ancestors have lived in these forests and today have legal rights to the land in the accounting area. 15.2 Process of design of the agreements for benefits distribution
The proposed benefit-sharing plan was built in a participatory process, explained as follows:
1. Design of a participatory methodology to discuss the distribution of benefits:
a) Identification of allied actors in the participatory process; b) making of maps and carrying out diagnostics in order to enter into benefit distribution agreements; c) participatory workshops keyed to defining benefit distribution agreements at local level; d) validation and implementation of agreements; and e) the implementation of and control over a benefits distribution plan at local level.
There is a road map that will allow for implementing the Benefits Distribution Plan for the Emissions Reduction Program on the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve. Said road map includes a detailed plan with strategic steps and activities by which to formulate and finalize the mechanism (see annex 12). It was drawn up in the months from September to November 2007, with the participation of key actors (regional RACC government, SDCC, MARENA and MHCP).
2. Analysis of requirements in the methodological framework (MF) regarding the distribution of benefits. The MF requirements were reviewed and analyzed in 254
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
detail during October and November in four (4) sessions held with the participation of twelve (12) key actors from the EESA legal table, and the permanent participation of SDCC, MARENA and representatives of the regional governments. Lessons learned through the various benefit distribution models applied in other countries were discussed, and this allowed for identifying pertinent aspects of benefits distribution.
3. Definition of next steps: The formulation of the Benefits Distribution Plan will take into account constitutional principles, laws, policies and regional instruments, as well as the customary rights of originary and afrodescendant peoples in the carbon accounting area. Further, it will be considered how monetary and non-monetary benefits can be made culturally appropriate and inclusive.
4. Participation: The dialogue and consultations with different groups of beneficiaries will continue for the purpose of reaching agreement on shared priorities as well as the implementation of the Benefits Distribution Plan. These consultations will allow beneficiaries the opportunity to negotiate detailed terms for the distribution of benefits and ensure its harmonization with territorial and communal development plans. Working Group 3 will be charged with conducting these consultations.
Different participating entities include the Nicaraguan government, types of traditional self-government among originary and afrodescendant peoples, as well as entities that promote dialogue and consensus at the level of each autonomous region. The latter are made up of communities, territories, environmental organizations and farmers who are now part of the different working groups set up during the national readiness process to ensure dialogue, consultation and consensus. Already existing platforms will also join, such as the Forest and Environment Consultative Committee and the Regional Technical Committee (these are the Regional Platform for Dialogue, Consultation and Consensus in RAACN and RACCS respectively, and include, among others, the EESA Working Group).
15.3 Process for the formal adoption of the benefit sharing plan
Nicaragua has legal incentives for the adoption of benefit-sharing mechanisms; national laws contain clear regulations on the implementation of program actions, forest use, community rights and public-private partnerships. following actions are proposed for the finalization of the design and its approval:
• Presentation and approval of Group 1 • Strategic steering of the participatory process to construct the plan. The methodology includes the steps and arrangements for benefit sharing with
255
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
beneficiaries at the local level – as part of a transparent and participatory process, reflecting the opinions of key actors, and with the support of the communities. • Draw up a timetable in order to develop a participatory process for the Benefits Distribution Plan, including actions to be taken and responsibilities to be assumed as concerns implementation and defining what the process of approving it will be like during the consultations with the various stakeholders. • Evaluate and take strategic decisions regarding the design elements discussed (v.g. potential beneficiaries, benefits, criteria and monitoring), as well as ways by which to gain access to said benefits (for instance, putting forth proposals) and the shape agreements between regional and territorial governments as well as with beneficiaries will take (i.e. signing of agreements). Group 2 is responsible for these aspects. • Identify allied actors in the participatory process, including non-governmental protagonists and local organizations. • Present different benefit distribution options, including potential beneficiaries, the scale of these benefits and their distribution mechanisms, with respect for the legal framework in force and in particular the autonomy system. National and international experience (advantages and disadvantages) and lessons learned through REDD+ will be taken into account in order to assist the group in determining the national and regional mechanism to be used. • Organize the dialogue and consultations with participating beneficiary groups (i.e. communities, private landowners, etc.) according to the targeting and prioritization of areas, led by the regional governments and with support from Group 2. • Determine the models for arrangements with beneficiaries (groups 2 and 3 in charge). • Establish the regional capacity to process the information necessary to effectively deal with a regional benefits distribution system, and determine the steps required with the aim of ensuring that regional governments have on hand appropriate mechanisms and channels by which to disseminate public information to the municipal and territorial governments, as well as the communities and the private sector (Group 2 in charge).
Consultation processes
Consultations will be carried out in four phases over a six-month period: 1) Presentation of ER Program objectives and dialogue on design options with 3 representatives of 23 indigenous territories 2) Discussion of details of the different options, pros and cons of each in the territorial context 3) Decision-making regarding the form and content of the benefit- sharing agreements 4) Participatory workshops in the different territories to discuss the validation, execution and control of the agreements.
The dialogue and consultation will be carried out in local languages, using simple and comprehensible terms and concepts. This dialogue will emphasize the concept of shared 256
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve responsibility, as well as challenges and co-responsibilities of each beneficiary for the achievement of the desired and verifiable results.
The mechanism will sign agreements with the beneficiaries:
For the territories of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples:
o The agreements reached must be approved by the corresponding communal / territorial assemblies. o Subsequently these must be approved by the regional governments of the north and south Caribbean autonomous regions and in the case of the Upper Wangki and Bocay area, by their respective assemblies. o The agreements are ultimately signed between MARENA, the territorial government, the regional government and the municipal government. In the case of the non-indigenous sector, the agreements will be signed between the protagonists and MARENA.
This process shall be strengthened through the communications strengthening mechanism that will offer options for reception and response to requests for information, questions, suggestions, claims and grievances on the part of stakeholders related to the design and implementation of the ER Program (see annex 14).
All activities ensure full participation of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples; the ER program will take into account the UNFCCC REDD+ safeguards, especially those referring to forest and indigenous and Afro-descendant communities that guarantee the respect for their knowledge and rights. (See section 4)
16. Non Carbon Benefits
16.1 Outline of potential Non-Carbon Benefits and identification of Priority Non- Carbon Benefits
The Emissions Reduction Program has the potential to produce multiple benefits related to improved rural livelihoods, employment, the mitigation of climate change, increased climate resilience of human populations, the protection and recuperation of watersheds, and the conservation of biodiversity.
Within this context, Nicaragua has selected biodiversity and off-farm employment in the accounting area as priority environmental and socioeconomic co-benefits, due to their importance in the National Human Development Plan and considering the existing private and institutional capacity for their monitoring. Taken together, these two indicators reflect the “health” of natural and human economic ecosystems, both within indigenous and 257
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Afrodescendant territories, which are characterized by high biological diversity, but also high levels of poverty and lack of employment, as well as outside these territories, where agricultural productivity is linked to biodiversity and where the creation of off-farm employment opportunities for poor, marginal farmers is contemplated to be an indirect, but important, measure for reducing deforestation. The biodiversity indicator also integrates the effects of climate change as well as watershed protection and management. Taken together, these indicators serve as a measure of the effectiveness of the Program in promoting “green” or sustainable development.
The subject of biodiversity and its loss has been raised by local stakeholders during the consultation workshops and sessions of the SESA working group. These stakeholders have expressed the importance of monitoring biodiversity due to their concern regarding the reduction of useful species important for subsistence and their habitats. As part of their worldview, they consider that these changes in the patterns of biodiversity are related to ecosystem level changes associated with rainfall and natural habitat degradation. Various interventions contemplated by the Emissions Reduction Program are expected to improve biodiversity conservation, including natural regeneration and social and commercial reforestation, and the measures aimed at forest conservation as well as improved forest management and governance in the indigenous territories.
On the other hand, the selection of off-farm employment as an important non-carbon benefit is based on its importance as a cross-cutting element within the National Plan of Human Development as well as government policies aimed at the integrated development of the Caribbean Coast. The promotion of forestry and agroindustrial investments and commercial reforestation are expected to contribute to this indicator. In turn, the generation of off-farm employment will help reduce deforestation by reducing the need of poor famers to continue exploiting natural capital in order to assure their well-being.
Within this context of integrated, sustainable development, special attention will be paid to organized women´s conservation organizations and youth groups in the indigenous and Afrosecendant territories due to their active role in the ER Program´s dialogue and participation process as well as their future potential to promote community forestry management practices that create employment while conserving biodiversity. Women´s organizations will receive special attention for activities related to training and leadership strengthening, while youth groups will be targeted by awareness campaigns in schools as well as conservation field days.
16.2 Approach for providing information on priority Non-Carbon benefits
Avian biodiversity will be used as an indicator of overall biodiversity, since variations in avian species diversity and abundance are related to the structure and diversity of habitats and landscapes. The design and implementation of avian monitoring will be carried out in
258
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve collaboration with the Biodiversity Directorate of MARENA, which at present is the focal point for the UNFCCC Convention on Biological Diversity.
A base line will be established by sampling 10% of the national forest inventory´s 371 permanent plots (37 plots). These plots will be strategically chosen based on their importance for conservation and the areas of implementation of the project. Biodiversity information will be collected by MARENA forest rangers whose capacities will be strengthened via 4 training sessions (2 in the RACCN and 2 in the RACCS) related to avian monitoring. The information collected will be triangulated with information from the analysis of satellite imagery in order to relate biodiversity to patterns of land degradation, conservation, and biological corridors.
Monitoring will be performed on a semester basis. The forest rangers will tabulate information related to location, species encountered, and number of sighting per species in Excel data bases. This information will be sent to the Information Monitoring and Regional Environmental Education System of the Biodiversity Directorate of MARENA for subsequent analysis. The results will be published in the National System for Environmental Information (SINIA) platform of MARENA.
This information will be complemented with that from 28 avian monitoring stations of the Biodiversity Directorate of MARENA, which will supply data on the abundance and richness of indicator species, as well as migrants and threatened species identified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Data gathering methods will consist of:
• Captures • Sampling along linear transects and points • Quadrants and plots • Analysis of satellite imagery
Three possible variables that may be monitored, taking into account their cost, technical capacity needed, and replicability at the national level, include:
• Avifauna diversity and abundance. • Presence or absence of indicator species of pristine and intervened forests. • Vegetation index, based on the analysis of satellite imagery. The satellite images will be provided annually by INETER, and will be processed by MARENA.
With regards to the creation of off-farm employment, indicators being considered are:
• The creation of jobs in forestry and agroindustrial businesses in the accounting area, and 259
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• The number of workers in the forestry and agroindustrial sectors in the accounting area who are registered in the Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security (INSS).
In the former, the PRONicaragua investment promotion program, through its PRONicaribe regional office, will provide direct and indirect employment data related to the establishment of new businesses in the accounting area. This information will be provided to MARENA on an annual basis under a formal cooperative agreement. The results will be published on SINIA´s website and will be available to the general public.
In the case of employment data originating with the INSS, the Central Bank of Nicaragua has monthly registers of the actives participants in the Social Security system which can be used to prepare annual estimates of the number of workers in the forestry and agroindustrial sectors.
It is anticipated that the final design of the indicators and their monitoring will incorporate inputs from the consultations that will be carried out during 2018.
260
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Certificates of emission Reductions 17. 17.1 Authorization of the ER Program
In this section we evaluate Nicaragua’s capacity as regards the transfer of emissions reduction titles (ERTs), the government entity’s authority to transfer ERTs and the signing of agreements with carbon rights title holders.
The President of Nicaragua has decided that the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) is to be the entity that signs the emissions reduction certificates with the Carbon Fund.
Contact person María José Corea Pérez Title Minister, Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources Address Managua, Nicaragua. Carretera Norte Km 12 1/2, frente a la Zona Franca Telephone (505) 22631273 Email Website www.marena.gob.ni Reference to decrees, laws or other types National legislation describes the of decisions identified by this national competencies and responsibilities of authority within the ER-P. MARENA as the governing body for the country’s environmental policy. It is also the competent entity as regards compliance with international agreements concerning the environment.
The Law of Organization, Competencies and Procedures of the Executive Branch (Law 290), published in La Gaceta, official government record, No. 103 of 3 June 1998 and reforms thereunto via Law 864, published in La Gaceta No. 91 of 20 May 2014 regulate the functions and competencies of state ministries.
Presidential Agreement 06-2018 appointed the current Minister of MARENA. Published in La Gaceta No. 08 of 11 January 2018.
261
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Presidential Agreement No. 21-2018 authorizes MARENA to be the negotiating entity as regards signing Emissions Reductions Transfers in the context of the REDD+ Program, intended to fight climate change and poverty in Nicaragua, before the FCPF Carbon Fund and to sign agreements with potential title holders. The Presidential Agreement appeared in La Gaceta, official government publication, No. 16, 23 January 2018.
17.2 Transfer of Title to ERs
State capacity to transfer ERTs
By means of Presidential Agreement No. 21-2018 the President of the Republic of Nicaragua authorized MARENA to be the negotiating entity before the Carbon Fund as regards the signing of ER titles. (see annex 13). In accordance with Nicaraguan law, MARENA is the government institution charged with implementing public environmental policy; further, it is the governing body as concerns environmental management, the administrator of protected areas and bears responsibility for compliance with international conventions as concerns the environment. Further, MARENA coordinates the ERDP program together with other government institutions.
MARENA is the signatory institution representing Nicaragua in the Letter of Intent with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development as regards the REDD+ Program to fight climate change and poverty in Nicaragua, which was signed on 21 January 2016.
For the purpose of transferring titles to the Carbon Fund the ERDP program has foreseen that emissions reductions will take place in an accountability area which is both private and communal property (private land owners, collective land belonging to indigenous peoples, land belonging to associations, etc.).
In accordance with the competencies of the Office of the Attorney General (PGR) MARENA will request a decision for the purpose of receiving a legal opinion as concerns ownership of ERs. The PGR is the legal representative of the Republic of Nicaraguan regarding state interests. Among its specific advisory functions it issues opinions to entities and bodies attached to the executive branch.
262
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Legal considerations for the transfer of ER titles
In the country, the right to carbon as such is not regulated. Nonetheless, the Political Constitution and the national laws recognize rights to property and to natural resources, particularly to the landowner (individuals, individual associative producers and indigenous, afro – descendants, etc.), and recognize, furthermore, the rights of the original and afro – descendant peoples who have been traditionally and ancestrally protecting and managing the forest, its land, and all that is in it.
Nonetheless, the Political Constitution of Nicaragua, in Article 102, recognizes that the natural resources are national heritage. The preservation of the environment and the conservation, development and rational use of the natural resources corresponds to the State; it can make contracts for the rational exploitation of these resources, when the national interest requires, under transparent and public processes. Within this constitutional regimen, to the State corresponds the control of natural resources above the interests of individuals, establishing limits and regulations in the management and harvesting in accordance with special laws.
Starting from this constitutional precept, the special laws contain regulations that are related to the rights of the forest and the land. For example, Law No. 462, on the forest sector, in Article 2, establishes that “to the proprietor of the land, corresponds dominion on the forest resources and their derived benefits”, and Law No. 28, the Autonomy Statute of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast, in Article 36, establishes that “The communal property is composed of the lands, waters, and forests that have traditionally belonged to the Communities of the Caribbean Coast…”
In relation to the titled good, the forest is associated with the property of the land or soil, interrelated as such, the rights that the proprietors of the land enjoy over the forest resources and for this reason, over the derived services that the forest generates. The transfer of ER to the Carbon Fund, will permit the country to define the benefits to the possible holders of rights titles (see Section 15).
Transference of ownership
The country will observe, in the transference of the reductions of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, the recognition of the rights over the land and the Forest, and therefore, to the possible owners of rights, natural persons or legal entities (original and afro – descendant peoples, producers, etc.) who are dedicated to the reduction of emissions by avoided deforestation and restoration of degraded areas, through the natural regeneration of forests.
The country is preparing the conditions for the negotiation process for the owners of rights:
263
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
(i) The signature of agreements with ER program protagonists is to be negotiated prior to the signature of the Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA). These agreements will be made formal as per the guidelines of the benefits distribution mechanism. Two groups have been identified which are to sign the agreement: the originary peoples and the afrodescendant groups who live in the 23 territories which have been demarcated in the autonomous regions on the Caribbean Coast and the Special Development Zone in the Upper Wangky and Bokay rivers area. These agreements are interinstitutional and will be signed by the legal representatives of the aforementioned territories as well as of the regional and municipal governments. (ii) During the implementation of benefits distribution plans in the accounting área, agreements will be signed with the land owners (individual or associated).
Data management and registry systems 18. 18.1 Participation under other GHG initiatives
Currently Nicaragua doesn’t have an ER program or project in the carbon accounting area aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through REDD+ activities. However, it should be mentioned that there are small experiences outside the accounting area, located in the center north of the country that have ventured into the carbon market, through strategic reforestation for the purpose of providing environmental services.
Up to 2015, 346,767 tons of CO2 had been captured under the CommuniTree Carbon Program initiative. This initiative does not jeopardize or commit a double payment or a double accounting for the country considering that it is outside the area of the ERPA.
18.2 Management and data registration systems intended to avoid multiple ER claims
In the initial stage, Nicaragua will opt for temporary registration, based on a centralized system that is to be administrated by a third party in the name of the country. Said party will be charged with carrying carbon certificates data and registration.
During the second stage, the country will take into account results of the diagnostic study, as well as the experiences and lessons learned in other countries from the introduction of a national REDD+ system based on prevailing circumstances.
The registration system shall be governed by the model shown below:
264
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
National Scope
The Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system will generate four (4) reports (1 before, 2 during and 1 after the ERPA) regarding forest coverage and biomass, for the purpose of periodically calculating the reduction in forest emissions (see section 9). These reports will be sent to MARENA for quality control and guaranty of the measurements taken.
Once the quality of the measurements has been guaranteed, a report will be prepared and sent to the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (MHCP). This report will be used to determine the distribution of program benefits and their registration with reference to the carbon accounting area.
International Scope (external)
MHCP will deliver a report to a third party charged with registering the Carbon Certificates and their verification, certification and international publication, as well as the Final Report to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).
In order to avoid double accounting, an administrative report will be drawn up that is to contain information related to emissions reductions in ERDP carbon accounting areas. The design of this report uses a model form requesting the following information: name of area owner(s); georeferenced site coordinates; forest cover baseline; amount of carbon stored; and the annual record of changes in forest cover, emissions and absorptions.
At national level the MHCP will process information requests related to emissions reductions that arrive from abroad, using the administrative report on potential areas for developing new pay-by-result systems. These must be located outside the established carbon accounting area.
1
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The administrative report will be used as a support document during internal and external audits, including those undertaken by the Carbon Fund and the World Bank. This document will also be linked to the agreements entered upon during the Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA), as a legal basis of the commitment made by the parties.
The monitoring reports issued by the system which are sent to the Carbon Fund through the third party will be subject to an audit, as per the terms and conditions set forth in the ERPA. These audits may be held by auditors designated by the Carbon Fund or some other as yet undefined party that is recognized by the Carbon Fund as capable of carrying out this activity.
2
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
19. Annexes
Annex 1. World Bank missions in support of the ERPD
Annex 1. World Bank missions in support of the ERPD
Fecha Link de descarga de soportes Dura- Parti- Sesion-es de Video Talleres/ Listados # Misión ción cipan- Blue- Agenda de la (2016 - trabajo llama-das Charlas Bilwi Memoria (día) tes Fields misión 2017) Taller de 11 agosto RACCS https://drive. Consulta 2015 google.com/ ER-PIN open?id=0B2 1 1 1 NI1SOSCISue Xd4aVlpWFg 1UEU Taller de 17 y 18 RACCN https://drive. Consulta agosto google.com/ ER-PIN 2015 open?id=0B2 2 2 1 NI1SOSCISu WDZ4OWNJ TGZQXzA Apoyo 14 enero BM, https://drive. https://drive.g sobre 2016 MAREN google.com/ oogle.com/ope ER-PIN A, open?id=0B2 3 1 1 1 1 n?id=0B2NI1S RACCN, NI1SOSCISuU OSCISuTkhOM CCF-A XlxN3hadl9Z kNfYUk5Y1U MjA
268
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Misión de apoyo al Lanzami ento del Proceso BM, https://drive. https://drive.g de MAREN google.com/ 9 al 20 de oogle.com/ope Prepara A, open?id=0B2 4 Mayo de 11 2 1 1 n?id=0B2NI1S ción del RACCN NI1SOSCISuN 2016 OSCISuSEpkc0 Program y GI2aFBLMTFI 8xZFp5cEk a de RACCS UW8 Reducci ón de Emision es (ERPD) Misión https://driv de e.google.co MAREN apoyo m/open?id A, técnico =0B2NI1SO INAFOR a la https://drive SCISuTkNNZ , https://drive.g prepara 23 de .google.com/ DEyZ0ViQ2s MEFCC oogle.com/ope ción del enero al 1 open?id=0B2 5 10 A,MAG, 4 1 - 1 1 n?id=0B2NI1S program de febrero NI1SOSCISuS https://driv SDCC, OSCISuLUgxejF a de 2017 kJuY1VxT0ph e.google.co SPPN,B ua3NnVm8 reducció Tjg m/open?id M, n de =0B2NI1SO RACCS, emision SCISuYmlDZ RACCN es 2FEXzdkcUk (ERPD) 269
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
https://driv e.google.co m/open?id =0B2NI1SO SCISuYmlDZ 2FEXzdkcUk https://driv e.google.co Misión m/open?id para =0B2NI1SO continua SCISuYmlDZ r 2FEXzdkcUk apoyand MAREN o la A, https://driv elaborac INAFOR e.google.co ión del https://drive 20 de , https://drive.g m/open?id Paquete .google.com/ febrero al MEFCC oogle.com/ope =0B2NI1SO REDD+ y open?id=0B2 6 3 de 12 A,MAG, 7 - - 1 1 n?id=0B2NI1S SCISuTHIyQi del NI1SOSCISua Marzo SDCC, OSCISubF9fcEF 1raXBHXzg docume 3Bic0ZzbldEV 2017 SPPN,B 4QlpuMWs nto del Xc M, program RACCS, https://driv a de RACCN e.google.co reducció m/open?id n de =0B2NI1SO emision SCISuMS14 es bzJVaEUzb (ERPD) m8
270
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Misión para continua r apoyand MAREN o la A, elaborac INAFOR ión del https://driv , https://drive.g Paquete 24 de e.google.com MEFCC oogle.com/ope REDD+ y Abril al 22 /open?id=0B 7 22 A,MAG, 13 3 1 - - n?id=0B2NI1S del de Mayo 2NI1SOSCISu SDCC, OSCISuclAtdkk docume 2017 X1NjU3pFYX SPPN,B 5aElEUlU nto del ZYNm8 M, program RACCS, a de RACCN reducció n de emision es (ERPD) Misión MAREN técnica A, Prepara https://drive. INAFOR https://drive.g ción del 24 de abril google.com/ , oogle.com/ope Program al 22 de open?id=0B2 8 30 MEFCC 15 - - - - n?id=0B2NI1S a de mayo de NI1SOSCISuN A,MAG, OSCISuN2dFZE Reducci 2017 WQyVVFmR SDCC, J3ZkFqU2c ón de W5naXM SPPN,B Emision M, es 271
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
(ERPD) y RACCS, Avance RACCN de la Estrategi a Nacional de Reducci ón de Emision es por Deforest ación y Degrada ción Forestal (ENDE- REDD+)
Misión https://driv MAREN técnica e.google.co A, a la m/open?id INFAFO prepara 28 de https://drive.g =0B2NI1SO R, ción del Agosto al oogle.com/ope SCISuN0djb INETER, 9 program 2 de 5 10 1 - - - No recibida n?id=0B2NI1S WhYMHBE MAG, a de septiembr OSCISuV2dRV3 MVk RACCN, reducció e 2017 loMWxVelE RACCS, n de https://driv MHCP, emision e.google.co BM es m/open?id 272
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
“combat =0B2NI1SO iendo la SCISuakhVT pobreza TBNckFSUX y el c cambio climátic https://driv o en la e.google.co Costa m/open?id Caribe, =0B2NI1SO la SCISuaGI5S Reserva U1UakdIM2 de la 8 Biosfera de https://driv Bosawas e.google.co y la m/open?id Reserva =0B2NI1SO Biológic SCISubHJLQ a Indio 0hUd1ByN2 Maíz. s
https://driv e.google.co m/open?id =0B2NI1SO SCISuVDZM RXhXa3NW NXc
273
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 2. Land use cover in the accounting area, 1983-2015
Years 1983 2000 2005 2010 2015 Use Water 67,334 67,367 62,018 62,017 62,018 Palm forest 83,354 107,172 103,846 104,299 89,033 Open pine forest 33,413 90,763 127,596 123,683 120,639 Dense pine forest 415,179 103,660 48,008 38,455 64,979 Open broadleaf forest 319,854 1,264,134 1,001,914 906,907 863,295 Dense boradleaf forest 5,162,043 2,925,998 2,566,060 2,251,439 1,989,098 Population centers 281 5,571 7,776 14,195 15,007 Annual crops 26,954 29,537 55,695 87,625 148,866 Permanent crops 6,899 7,896 10,526 16,039 67,368 Mangroves 43,693 60,753 66,449 66,441 61,824 Pasture 535,122 1,199,644 1,721,653 2,248,547 2,115,337 Natural grasslands 35,862 299,594 302,529 322,958 269,432 Bare soil 1,539 15,144 13,803 13,389 291 Tacotales (young secondary vegetatio 8,273 275,035 590,766 483,937 617,790 Floodplains 296,118 128,057 235,672 117,823 349,013 Shrub vegetation 643 301,238 107,217 184,267 - Herbaceous vegetation 14 157,591 26,541 6,044 214,080 Total 7,036,575 7,039,153 7,048,068 7,048,066 7,048,068
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Matrices de cambios de uso principales96
2005-2010 2010-2015 2005-2010 2010-2015 USO USO Pasto Pasto Cultivos anuales Cultivos anuales Agua 207.58 ha 1,377.25 ha Agua 3.30 ha 0.81 ha Bosque de palma 1,526.50 ha 3,923.81 ha Bosque de palma 12.66 ha 111.55 ha Bosque de pino abierto 5,355.39 ha 1,090.96 ha Bosque de pino abierto 79.74 ha Bosque de pino cerrado 122.12 ha 392.04 ha Bosque de pino cerrado 18.80 ha Bosque latifoliado abierto 112,268.36 ha 147,819.99 ha Bosque latifoliado abierto 4,493.99 ha 14,381.35 ha Bosque latifoliado cerrado 184,093.58 ha 122,493.16 ha Bosque latifoliado cerrado 13,053.56 ha 46,405.25 ha Centros poblados 218.59 ha 7.27 ha Centros poblados 0.81 ha Cultivos anuales 61.51 ha 538.06 ha Cultivos anuales 48,117.83 ha 67,970.23 ha Cultivos perennes 6,112.18 ha 1,853.24 ha Cultivos perennes 2,339.20 ha 8.07 ha Manglar 769.56 ha Manglar 5.58 ha Pasto 1,761,935.97 ha 1,795,209.59 ha Pasto 10.20 ha 274.23 ha Sabana natural 38.26 ha 2,379.70 ha Sabana natural 188.97 ha Suelo sin vegetacion 290.57 ha 7,821.75 ha Suelo sin vegetacion 47.41 ha 16.24 ha Tacotal 197,105.59 ha 26,206.92 ha Tacotal 6,295.41 ha 3,654.61 ha Tierras sujetas a inundacion 1,055.93 ha 4,675.41 ha Tierras sujetas a inundacion 195.87 ha 161.94 ha Vegetacion arbustiva 374.41 ha 8,179.45 ha Vegetacion arbustiva 10.99 ha 494.95 ha Vegetacion herbacea 518.34 ha 42.78 ha Vegetacion herbacea 11.57 ha 34.53 ha Total general 2,271,284.89 ha 2,124,780.94 ha Total general 74,592.81 ha 133,806.85 ha GANANCIA 509,348.92 ha 329,571.35 ha GANANCIA 26,474.98 ha 65,836.62 ha
Conv Bosque a pasto 303,366 276,490 Conv Bosque a Cult. Anuales 17,560 61,002 Anual 60,673 55,298 Anual 3,512 12,200 Ganancia anual 101,870 65,914 Ganancia anual 5,295 13,167
2005-2010 2010-2015 USO 2005-2010 2010-2015 Tacotal Tacotal USO Cultivos perennesCultivos perennes Agua 110.88 ha 12.44 ha Agua Bosque de palma 0.81 ha Bosque de palma 107.27 ha Bosque de pino abierto 76.40 ha 2.09 ha Bosque de pino abierto 21.82 ha 244.47 ha Bosque de pino cerrado 61.43 ha 1.08 ha Bosque de pino cerrado 469.02 ha Bosque latifoliado abierto 17,640.78 ha 10,668.70 ha Bosque latifoliado abierto 1,895.16 ha 14,555.22 ha Bosque latifoliado cerrado 82,327.04 ha 2,867.52 ha Bosque latifoliado cerrado 594.71 ha 3,847.73 ha Centros poblados 60.25 ha Centros poblados 20.55 ha Cultivos anuales 6.68 ha 7,049.09 ha Cultivos anuales 4.10 ha 2,366.86 ha Cultivos perennes 1,227.66 ha 3.40 ha Cultivos perennes 8,242.22 ha 8,322.07 ha Manglar Manglar Pasto 24.67 ha 343,279.57 ha Pasto 701.77 ha 32,552.84 ha Sabana natural 90.07 ha Sabana natural 750.34 ha Suelo sin vegetacion 18.92 ha 0.27 ha Suelo sin vegetacion Tacotal 332,906.34 ha 221,195.07 ha Tacotal 3.15 ha 1,538.12 ha Tierras sujetas a inundacion 6.73 ha Tierras sujetas a inundacion 14.00 ha Vegetacion arbustiva 18,619.26 ha 14,604.04 ha Vegetacion arbustiva 2,774.71 ha 414.75 ha Vegetacion herbacea 419.84 ha 236.28 ha Vegetacion herbacea 286.46 ha 6.27 ha Total general 453,506.88 ha 600,010.44 ha Total general 14,544.65 ha 65,188.97 ha GANANCIA 120,600.54 ha 378,815.37 ha GANANCIA 6,302.43 ha 56,866.90 ha Conv Bosque a Tacotal 100,106 13,540 Conv Bosque a Cult. Permanente 2,512 19,224 Anual 20,021 2,708 Anual 502 3,845 Ganancia anual 24,120 75,763 Ganancia anual 1,260 11,373
96 Basados en mapas de clases de vegetación. Los valores no son ajustados.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 3. Description of the livestock sector
In the following pages, more information is included about the cattle sector, given its importance as the principal source of deforestation. The majority of the information presented comes from IICA (2014)97 and TechnoServe (2016)98.
Value chains
The majority of the cattle production occurs through dual-purpose systems, where the small- scale producers provide a greater emphasis to dairy production. In this system, it is estimated that 55% of the income comes from milk production. On the other hand, as the scale of the production units increases, the participation of meat in the generation of income increases up to a maximum of 58%.
Care of calves provides for three different value chains, one of meat and to of dairy (Figure 1). The links in the cattle value chain include transversal-type activities such as the provision of inputs and other services such as technical assistance, health, credit, information, and knowledge and equipment supply. The links are: primary production; transformation and processing; marketing and consumption. These links are connected by commerce, transport of raw materials, and an entire network of intermediaries. These activities and processes require goods and services related to the production system.
Figure 1. Value chains for cattle producers in Nicaragua.
Nicaraguan beef and dairy value chains
Beef value chain Formal dairy Informal dairy product product value chain value chain
Consumer National and international National and Local consumption and market export markets international export regional export markets markets
Treatment Industrial fattening centers and Large – Milk Local Dairy processors (slaughterhouses) scale collection cheese processing industry centers and on – farm yogurt Door – Intermediaries Other Local cold – chain producers front sale producers collection centers
Production Dairy production in farms Dairy production in Dairy production in barns farms
The dairy sector is composed of informal and formal value chains. In the sector, the following actors participate: (i) Public sector: MAG, MIFIC, MINSA, MARENA, MEFCCA, DGPSA, INTA,
97 IICA (2014). Estudio de Factibilidad, Programa de Reconversión Competitiva de la Ganadería Bovina (PRCGB). Managua. (Feasibility Study, Competitive Reconversion Program for Bovine Cattle (PRCGB), Managua). 98 TechnoServe (2016). Building a Competitive and Inclusive Livestock Sector in Nicaragua USDA. Managua.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
MHCP and BFP; (ii) Private sector and organizations: CANISLAC, CONAGAN, FAGANIC, UNAG, UPANIC; milk processors: PARMALAT, NESTLÉ, ESKIMO and CENTROLAC; and Salvadoran processing plants (10 plants). The cooperatives are another important actor because they are dedicated to the collection of milk from the rural producers, nonetheless, they have not created technology investment structures to process the milk. Potential exists to develop a model of associative organization that could greatly help to develop the sector and to reduce the costs of Access to markets for the small-scale producers.
In general, the work of the dairy sector in Nicaragua is heterogeneous and the product is of poor quality in relation to that of other countries in the region. There are, also, many intermediaries, which increases the total cost in the chains of production and distribution. In fact, there are many cooperatives, federations and associations, but little articulation between the producers, little advantage of the economies of scale and market potential, with problems of the rural roads. There are large milk processing businesses such as PARMALAT, NESTLÉ, ESKIMO and CENTROLAC, which maintaining a high quota (20% of the milk production) and market strength to reach the final consumer; 40% of the milk production is destined to artisanal cheese production, with problems in food safety, and 20% in industrial transformation in pasteurizing plants.
The informal dairy value chain
This chain accounts for approximately 75% of the national dairy production, with half exported to Central American markets that are not demanding in quality or in sanitary conditions, principally El Salvador and Honduras. The remaining 25% is consumed locally.
These markets are highly competitive, and are characterized by low profit margins and low quality standards. In this chain, the producers process the milk on – farm or they sell to local, small – scale processors for the production of fresh (not aged) cheese. There are more than 1000 artisanal plants. This chain arose from a strategy of risk reduction instead of one based on value added, because the production of cheese conserves the unrefrigerated milk.
In that which corresponds to the primary production, there is a considerable quantity of factors that affect their competitiveness, with repercussions throughout the chain; two are critical: (i) the production coefficients; and (ii) the milk quality. The atomization of the production base, the poverty of the producer families, and the tradition of production as a cultural value rather than as “business”, and other factors act as barriers to improvements in the production. On the other hand, the milk being handled in lamentable conditions, and combined with the time that passes while the milk is being retrieved and taken to collection centers and to the different kinds of plants, reduce the quality of the products.
Formal dairy value chain
Some producers sell milk to cooperatives or businesses where it enters into the formal cold – chain. There are 54 dairy processing plants, including five large, industrial businesses; 34 are under the supervision of MAG and only two have HACCP certification. The biggest processing
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve plants designated as medium or small businesses are located in the Central Zone and RACCS; among the industrial businesses, four are located in Managua and one in Matagalpa. The artisanal cheese producers are distributed mostly in the Central Zone, in RACCN and in the northern part of RACCS. In total, there are six processing plants in RACCS and one in RACCN.
The formal industry sector collects only 25% of the national milk production, estimated at some four million liters per day. These centers pay higher prices, but demand higher quality standards. Some centers add value through the production of cheese or yogurt, while others sell cold milk directly to large industrial processors. The milk, cheese and yogurt in the formal cold chain is sold to national or regional consumers through formal market chains.
Beef value chain
Cattle primary production incorporates four activities: (i) farm with calving and milking; (ii) farm with calving, milking, and development; (iii) farm with calving, milking, development and fattening; and (iv) fattening, as such. These activities have different behaviors and depend on the necessities and characteristics of each producer. The commercialization has a varied, dynamic behavior, and is accomplished in a spontaneous manner in some cases, and in others, the producers make efforts to program the departure of each product. The aforementioned products can be commercialized directly by the producer or through intermediaries that fit either of two categories: the businesspeople and the producers that are dedicated to the development and fattening of cattle in a more organized and specialized way. The commercialization of cattle on the hoof is accomplished from producer to producer, for producer to intermediary, or from producer to the processing plant. The fundamental products are condemned animals. Another product is the weaned animals.
The final destination of the condemned animals is the rural slaughterhouses or the municipal slaughterhouses, and the following sale of meat and derivatives in the informal, rural markets and the national markets, located generally in the departmental seats. There are some 467 rural and municipal slaughterhouses that process beef by artisanal methods. Nonetheless, the municipal and rural slaughterhouses do not meet the demands of food safety, traceability, and quality. For the internal commercialization of beef, the point of departure is the rural slaughterhouses that sacrifice the cattle and sell their products retail. The product reaches the consumer through two routes: (i) it is directly obtained at the rural slaughterhouse as warm meat; (ii) as warm or refrigerated meat in the retail shops (markets and supermarkets) in the principal cities in the country. The product that is commercialized in the principal cities in the country comes from the butchers who purchase the service of the sacrifice of the cattle to the municipal slaughterhouses, then sell the products to wholesale distributors in Managua. The wholesale agents distribute the beef to retailers who then sell to the final consumer (NITLAPLAN, 2009).
In 2015, Nicaragua sacrificed more than 677,000 head of bovine cattle, of which 83% were process among five processors with exportation as the principal objective. With the active or projected slaughterhouses, there would be five in Managua, one in Boaco, and another in El Rama – RACCS. The industrial slaughterhouses sell their production, fundamentally, to the
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve wholesale importers located in the final destination markets. They also make efforts to place beef in the local markets, although the do so in small proportions. The exportation of cattle on the hoof is and activity that the producer or intermediary, from producer to exporter, or from intermediary to exporter. The exporters, in the majority, are foreigners, coming from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. The sale to foreigners is going up due to the higher prices and to payments in cash.
Regarding institutionality, the beef sector is characterized by a poorly articulated institutionality, with a diversity of dis-coordinated programs and projects that make difficult a more effective action in favor of competitive, sustainable and inclusive development in the bovine cattle business. In the bovine meat sector, the following actors participate: (i) Public sector: MAG, MIFIC, MINSA, MARENA, MEFCCA, DGPSA, INTA, MHCP, and BFP; (ii) Private sector and organizations: CANICARNE, CONAGAN, FAGANIC, UNAG, and UPANIC; industrial processors: NUEVO CARNIC, SAN MARTIN, NOVATERRA, CONDEGA and MACESA; rural and municipal meat markets and butchers. Among the principal organizations of ranchers, there are quite accentuated controversies; equally, among the industrial beef processors.
According to the proposal of the Reconversion Program (IICA, 2014), for the year 2007, MAG and other public and private sector institutions have been proposing various mechanisms to propel measures and provide solutions to the problems the beef ranching sector faces. According to IICA (2014), there exist 82 programs and projects in execution, some of them recently finalized (about 20%) and others to begin, whose components and activities are related to beef ranching, with resources estimated to surpass US$50 million (33 initiatives under the public responsibility: MAG, MEFCCA, INTA y MIFIC; three from banks; 20 from private guild organizations; 26 from cooperation and development organizations). There is weakness in the guild organization and in the organization of the chain, limiting its development and improvements in competitiveness and equity. For that reason, there is an urgent need for a powerful mechanism to order, orient, promote alliances and articulate initiatives programs and projects, and their resources, to make the support to the cattle ranching sector more effective, within the framework of the present Reconversion Program.
Classification and characterization of the producers
Forty-nine percent of the national bovine herd if found in small or median scale production herds up to 70 ha, while 51% of the national herd belongs to producers owning 70 – 350 ha, where 37% of the herd is found in farms of between 70 and 140 ha (CENAGRO 2011). The producer strata can be characterized in the following way:
Table 1. Classification of the ranchers in Nicaragua. Type of Area # # Head Commentary Producer (ha) producers Very small 0.35 - 32,263 150,532 Self-consumption 3.5 (24%) (3.6%) Small 3.5 - 14 38,060 352,415 Composed mostly of women (28%) (8.5%) producers
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Medium 14 - 350 64,958 3,132,631 (47.5%) (76%) Large 350+ 1,406 500,844 More capitalized and equipped. (1.0%) (12.1%) Nonetheless, they are extensive ranchers, constantly capitalizing with land to expand their herds.
The ranching productive model is low – cost, extensive grazing (the capacity is around 0.89 head/ha, the lowest in the region) that results in low productivity and quality, and where production increases are achieved through increases in grazing area. This model is typical where the producers are poor, with little capacity for investment, and/or where land is available and the cost of land is lower than the cost of inputs. Because of its low level of capitalization and/or the low cost of land, the producers are adverse to investing in inputs (such as feed and mineral salts) and infrastructure (such as fences and water systems) for the intensification of production because of the lack of knowledge of these technologies and their ability to maintain an acceptable production level through the use of extensive lands. In all categories of producers, the cattle serve as a source of savings, and traditionally, have augmented the social status of the owners.
Additionally, the small and medium producers face restrictions in accessing credit and better markets, particularly if they are located at more than two hours distance from principal roads and highways. The relative lack of capital and access to credit impedes them from making investments in the necessary infrastructure to fulfill the quality standards for the better markets and to invest in improved grasses and foraging crops for the improvement of productivity.
In the case of the large – scale ranchers, they are more disposed to invest in the increase in size of their farms than in productivity. It has also been demonstrated that the large – scale producers oriented more toward milk face the problem of access to a work force for the milking operations, limiting their capacity to manage the milking cows on their farms.
As a result of the lack of investment, in spite of a large number of projects focused on the improvement of the cattle sector during the last decades, it is noted that the indicators for this sector are low, with few improvements (Table 2). Many programs of cattle reconversion, focused on improving the productivity and profitability of the ranching activity, have had undesired consequences of providing incentives to expand the ranching areas at the expense of forests (Kaimowitz & Angelsen, 200899; Polvorosa & Bastiansen, 2017100).
99 Kaimowitz D. & A. Angelsen (2008).... no lo hacen hasta que ya no hay más bosques para talar. CIFOR. Bogor, Indonesia. (they don’t do it until there are no more forests to cut). 100 Polvorosa J. C. & J. Bastiaensen, (2016). Ganadería lechera y deforestación en Nicaragua. Encuentro 104: 6 – 28. UCA, Managua. (Dairy ranching and deforestation in Nicaragua).
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 2. Production and reproduction indicators for bovine ranching in Nicaragua. CENAGRO III CENAGRO IV CONCEPT 2001 2011 Birth rate (%) 51 57 Calf mortality (%) 10 4 Effective weaning (%) 46 55 Adult mortality (%) 4 1.5 Age first service (months) 36 30 Interval between births (months) 24 21 Milk production (Lt/cow) 3.8 4.1 Cows per bull (No.) 25 30 Age at sacrifice (years) 4 3.5 Weight at sacrifice, on the hoof (kg) 370 360 Size of herd (millions of head) 2.6 4.1 Pasture area (millions of manzanas) 4.3 4.6 Animal load (head per manzana of pasture) 0.62 0.89
Source: Developed herein based on CENAGRO 2011 and estimations for the projection of the herd.
Credit. Credit is little used in the Nicaraguan cattle sector (the index of the value of credit/Value of Cattle production fluctuates around 10%, which is low). The data of the IV National Farm Census demonstrate that only 17% of the total of the polled ranchers work with credit, 54% have declared to have requested credit, and the remainder do not want to go into debt or prefer other, informal sources that do not demand many requisites (Table 3). The number of producers that could be potential subjects of credit was estimated at 47,203 in 2011; and the value of the demand for credit was estimated at US$242 million. The number of producers who have declared to have received credit from banking and micro – financing institutions during the year reached 21,347, but this figure does not include credit to the cooperative sector due to the lack of information.
Table 3. Cattle farms with potential demand for credit. Strata by land size N° of Farms that Farms with (Ha) cattle have N° of Farms Potential farms requested with Credit Demand credit Model From To N° % N° % N° % 1 1.01 20 69,917 44,605 64% 12,882 60% 31,723 45% 2 20.01 50 30,795 14,261 46% 4,715 22% 9,546 31% 3 50.01 100 14,579 5,583 38% 2,107 10% 3,476 24% 4 100.01 200 6,938 2,574 37% 1,015 5% 1,559 22% 5 200.01 500 3,384 1,220 36% 516 2% 704 21% 6 500.01 Or 706 307 43% 112 1% 195 28% greater Total 126,319 68,550 54% 21,347 100% 47,203 37% Source: CENAGRO 2011
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Management of animals and pastures. The ranching activity, whether for the production of milk or meat, requires the application of good feeding practices, programs for the prevention and control of diseases, and the use of animals with good genetic potential, for production.
It is widely recognized that the principal limitation to cattle production in Nicaragua is the food aspect, which is intimately linked to development, availability, quality, and sustainability of grasses and forage crops, whether natural or improved, that determine the number and type of animals that can be maintained on a farm. Around 71% of the forage base is constituted by natural and naturalized pastures, with a high incidence of weeds. The consequences of this type of limitation are low productive and reproductive indices, which are highlighted among the factors that limit the capacity to compete among the Nicaragua cattle sector, in spite of its comparative advantages in the production of meat and milk at low cost and reach optimum levels of profitability. Also, a marked deterioration in the genetic quality of reproducing females and breeding bulls has been observed, as a product of the lack of programs of selection and crossing.
Knowledge and training. The generation, adoption, systematization, and transfer of technologies with agro-ecologic focus related to production and use of pasture, genetics, management, nutrition, dry – season feeding, etc., that stimulate production and transformation of sustainable bovine ranching are needed. The adjustments to productive systems should depend on simple, economical, effective, and sustainable technologies that guarantee availability of food throughout the year and good utilization on the part of the animals.
Technical assistance, technology transfer, and agricultural extension are tools to orient the producer and his/her family and strengthen their knowledge, abilities, and talents in several, diverse production, administrative, and human relations themes, as a way to improve the quality of life. Technical assistance to bovine cattle production systems normally is performed through training events and visits, that include a diagnosis and characterization of basic information regarding the productive system on the farm and the identification of opportunities for the implementation of actions with an integral, technical focus that improve productivity and are articulated to the meat and dairy production system.
Usually, in this sector, this type of services has had little coverage and has been little effective. According to IV CENAGRO (2011), of all the existing farms, only 17.4% of the producers received some technical assistance service and/or training; 2.5% of those only received technical assistance and principally of a thematic character. Of those, 17.4% of the farms that received some technical assistance service, a good proportion of this type of service was provided by technicians from the businesses that sell farming inputs (compost, seed, pesticides, etc.), industrial plants, universities, cooperation projects, cattle rancher organizations, NGO’s, etc.
Additionally, the poorly developed associativity in the ranching culture, the application of empirical knowledge in farm management and administration styles that are passed on from generation to generation, contribute to the low productivity that at the same time serves as a
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve barrier to innovation, because the producers believe that tradition will keep them alive in a marketplace that is more demanding every day.
Annex 4. Description of the productive system trusts
Introduction
The Trust Contract is a legal mechanism that permits the trustor to transfer goods from his or her property to a trustee so that, through the use of knowledge and talents, the desired objective of the agreement is met.
In Nicaragua, Law No. 741, approved 4 November, 2010 and published in La Gaceta No. 11, 19 January 2011, has as its objective the creation of a framework of regulation of the figure of the trust contract, as an instrument of administration of patrimony, channelization of public and private investment, constitution of guarantees, among others.
The Trust Contract should be written, fulfilling the requisites of this Law, by public document or in the case of a private document, the signatures of the trustor and trustee or their representatives for the constitution, should be authenticated by Notary Public.
The Trust Contract should contain, at least, the following clauses: a) The identification of the trustor, of the trustee, and of the custodian, if one is designated. When it involves future beneficiaries or classes of beneficiaries, there should be sufficient circumstances explained for their identification. b) The designation of substitute trustees, if they exist. c) The express declaration of the will to constitute the Trust Contract and the objective for which it exists. d) Place and date for the trust, as well as the domicile in which the Trust will reside in Nicaragua. e) Description of the goods involved in the patrimony or the quota of them that it constitutes and its value. f) The obligations, limitations, prohibitions, as well as the rights and liberties of the trustee in the exercise of the functions of the Trust. g) The compensation of the trustee and the form of payment. h) The terms and conditions for the management, for the goods as well as their profits or dividends, and their corresponding surrender. i) The dates and closing periods for each financial activity. j) The dates and periods for the presentation of reports to the trustor, and to the beneficiaries in the case of their existence. k) The causes for removal or the trustee and the custodian. l) Total duration of the Trust Contract. m) Causes for the termination of the Trust Contract.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve n) Procedure for the substitution of the trustee in the case of bankruptcy of when there is some other cause for removal of the trustee.
In agreement with the Law, the trustor will form a Technical Committee or a committee for the distribution of funds, for which there should be created the corresponding operating rules, which will contain, at least, the following: i) The form in which it will be integrated; ii) The form in which it will make resolutions; iii) The material on which decisions can be authorized and made; iv) The form in which the funds will be distributed, in accordance with the established procedures; and v) The mechanism through which the content of the resolutions will be informed to the trustee and in the case necessary, to other persons.
The figure of the Administration of the Trust Contract is recommended, which consists of the trustee administrating the entrusted goods with the general liberties of administration and the special liberties expressly authorized by the trustor; nonetheless, if it is determined to be convenient, the figure of a guaranty trust contract can be utilized, also permitted by Law.
The Trust Contract will be used as a component of a strategy to drive an increase in the land productivity and reduce the pressure on forested lands. Productive diversification models will be promoted using agro – silvo – pastoral (cattle, cacao, coconut, fruits, woods), in keeping with the technologies of adaptation to climate change and loss risk reduction, with the organized use of family labor, accompanied by a strengthening of the technological capacities using a model of technical service appropriate to the agro – ecological conditions and socio – cultural and productive characteristics families and communities of the Caribbean Coast.
This will permit the capitalization of families and communities of the Caribbean Coast, with productive systems and arrangements of greater quality and genetic potential. At the same time, it will drive family and community micro – businesses, that will be articulated with productive models financed in the framework of this Trust.
2. The traditional model of cattle production
The characterization of the traditional model has been constructed based on the information from CENAGRO, specifically for the accounting zone and productive and reproductive indicators compiled in different studies, principally from the study: MODELS TO ESTIMATE THE GAIN IN PRODUCTIVITY IN BEEF CATTLE IN NICARAGUA; performed by CONAGAN and CANICARNE101 in 2015. The principal coefficients that characterize the traditional production model are shown in the following table and serve as a baseline.
Impact on the socio – economic condition of the family and COEFFICIENTS Year 0 surrounding environment Mortality rate 0-2 Years 1.0% Extraction of males 2-3 Years 80.0%
Based on CENAGRO 2011, in the accounting zone, improved and natural grasses represent 70% of the farm, while the remaining 30% corresponds to forests (15%), annual crops (7%) and regrowth of Total farm area (ha) 100 secondary forests (8%) Of the total of pastures, 80% corresponds to natural grasses generally Pasture size (ha) 70 of low productivity and the remainder are improved.
101 NATIONAL RANCHING COMMISSION OF NICARAGUA, NICARAGUAN CHAMBER OF BEEF EXPORTING PLANTS
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
One animal unit (UA) is equivalent to 350 kg weight, that can be one single animal or several that add up to this weight. (CONAGAN and Current Load (UA/ha) 0.63 CANICARNE indicates 0.56, CENAGRO reports 0.63 UA/ha) The median gain at weaning is low, given that the producer sells 75% of the milk production, leaving the calf with only 25%, which is Median Gain at Weaning, gr/d 333 equivalent to one Lt per day, having repercussions in its growth. Because of slow weight gain, the weaning age is prolonged to 10 months, delaying the reproduction of another calf, because the cow Weaning Age, (Months) 10 cannot go into estrus. Weight at Weaning (Kg) 130 After weaning, the rate of weight gain is reduced, because the calf begins to feed only on pasture, without milk or complementary feed, Median Gain Post-Weaning (gr/d) 281 suffering dietary stress, particularly in the dry season. Age at sacrifice (Meses) 42 With the traditional method. Weight at sacrifice (Kg) 400 350 kg, may be reached by 30-32 months age Utilized capacity 33 Equivalent to 33 animal units of different ages and sexes. Equivalent to the number of additional animals a farm can support Additional available capacity 10 under the management conditions. Low production and 3 of the 4 liters are sold to underwrite the daily Milk production (Cows/day Lt) 4 costs. Sources: CENAGRO, CONAGAN, CANICARNE
3. Trust model for silvo – pastoral cattle ranching
Cattle ranching in Nicaragua is one of the principal economic activities of the country, providing more than 560,000 jobs and some US$ 700 million in exports, around 30% of the total production; nonetheless, it continues as extensive ranching, one of the principal inducers of deforestation, of poor productivity and quality, that does not permit the entrance into higher – value markets that could contribute to improvements in income, the welfare of rural families, and environmental sustainability.
The low indices of cattle productivity and production quality are the principal causes of low competitiveness among the cattle sector, principally in higher – value markets, caused principally by the extensive farm management in cattle production systems, which are characterized by low use of technology principally in nutrition, affecting the productivity, quality, and as a result, economic sustainability and presence in higher – value markets. By the same manner, ranching is blamed for the loss of forest cover in the country and poor management of natural resources.
The lack of access to financing, that fits the conditions and circumstances in which the cattle ranching sector competes, makes difficult the use of technologies that favor competitive development, forcing the producers to utilize their own capital to try to compensate for the investments required for productivity improvement. Nonetheless, deficiencies in the milk business chain, above all when there is excess production during the rainy season, cause the prices of milk to drop below production costs, causing grave losses to the producers.
The Government of Reconstruction and National Unity (GRUN) in the past five – year period has prepared a legal framework and cattle development programs that offer conditions for competitive reconversion in the national ranching sector, with new finance schemes, in an environment of public – private alliance. Among these, laws of trust contracts, public – private association, and stand out, property guarantees stand out; to those should be added the Law 462, the Law of Conservation, Promotion, and Sustainable Development of the Forest Sector, that establishes the bases for the promotion of forestry areas and their management among the
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve private sector. These laws form the basis for the promotion of long – term private investment, which could include green infrastructure and ecosystem services to promote the agro-silvo- pastoral and forestry development in Nicaragua.
Recently, MARENA, through the National Forest and Climate Change Strategy to Face Poverty, ENDE-REDD+, has formed a consensus among diverse actors for this strategy, in which the following focal points are relevant to the cattle sector:
(i) promote the reconversion of traditional productive systems to agro – ecological productive systems, through positive incentives for the adaptation to climate change; and,
(ii) drive the strengthening of the forestry and farming value chains with focus on Green markets.
Both lines are oriented to achieve in medium and long term, reduction in the deforestation of natural forests, and to facilitate the insertion of Nicaragua in high – value, certified beef and wood markets.
On the sectorial level, programs for the cattle sector development are in process, such as the Segregated System of Bovine Production, by CONAGAN; the Bovine Program financed by the European Union; Access to Credit in Rural Production Chains (BID/NI-L1080); and high capacity businesses to propel beef and milk exports (SUKARNE and LALA), as well as new commercial agreements that offer a framework appropriate for a jump toward sustainable and competitive cattle ranching in the regional and world markets.
CONAGAN and several actors in the national cattle sector have started actions to improve productivity, reach high – value markets, and improve incomes on the level of the producer and the workers. One relevant action is the Sustainable Cattle Project to certify the first 300 cattle farms in agreement with the National Program of the Segregated Bovine Production System (SSPB). To achieve scalability in the medium term for segregated cattle farms, CONAGAN proposes an initiative to arrive at more than 3000 cattle ranchers in Caribbean municipalities that will produce quality calves and steers through an alternative that reduces risks and distrust between bankers and producers, as well as to reduce financing costs, through an innovative business model, contained in this document.
The objectives of the silvo – pastoral proposal are:
i. Improve productivity in the cattle sector in the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. ii. Contribute to the recuperation of forest cover in cattle farms in the Caribbean Coast, by avoiding deforestation in the forest areas, management of natural regeneration, and widening the forest cover with implementation of silvo – pastoral systems. iii. Develop a Trust Contract that facilitates the access to technical assistance services, productive inputs, and commercial arrangements to producers of quality calves and steers, with greater stability and better beef prices. iv. Contribute to the reduction in the milk excess production (some 33 million liters annually), by reorienting more milk to improve the nutritional levels of the calves and more genetics for the meat production.
The silvo – pastoral Trust will permit the owners of farms in the municipalities of Siuna, Mulukuku, Paiwas, El Rama, El Ayote y Nueva Guinea to produce quality calves (180 kg/8 months) in individual form in their farms, and to participate in the collective production of
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve development steers in hotel – farms and farms of “mediería” (a system of cow lending for dry season pasture and calving) (350 kg / 15 months of age), in which practices and technologies will be implemented that are low in carbon emissions and resilient to the effects of climate change (silvo – pastoral plots, conservation of secondary forests, natural regeneration, improved forage and pasture, electric fences, calf management corrals, breeding bulls for the production of meat, development of cows of high quality, among others). The steers will be sold to feedlots or fattening centers of the slaughterhouses.
The trustors can be: the Banco Produzcamos or the meat and milk industries, providing effective capital for the formation of the Trust, that utilize … and/or the trustees for the purchase of mineral salts, starting concentrate, development concentrate, vaccines, and other inputs, and the purchase of weaned calves at 180 kg, seeds for pasture and leguminous plants, electric fences, purchase of breeding bulls for greater meat capacity, implementation of contracts for high-quality calves, electronic tags, technical assistance services, all given prior agreement with the custodian trustee.
Starting with the second year, the slaughterhouses begin to purchase 100% of all the male steers produced, with weight no less than between 320 and 350 kg and 15 months age, in a predetermined date and in the development farms (hotel farms), as agreed in the contracts. Starting in the fourth year, an evaluation of the financial results of the Trust will be performed, at the beginning of which will be decided to return benefits to the producers or custodian trustees that have provided steers to the trust.
The GRUN, through the IPSA and INTA (Bovine Project), is another contributor to the Trust, through which the services of bovine traceability, certification of segregated farms, and technical assistance for rancher groups are facilitated.
The producers will be the custodian trustees or beneficiaries of the Trust. They acquire the commitment to dedicate at least 25 % of the total area of their farms to maintain their secondary forests, under management of natural regeneration and in silvo – pastoral systems, and to produce 80 % of their male steers and females in accordance with the technological guide to produce quality calves. The male steers will be delivered to the hotel farms in accordance with the requisites of weight and age in agreement with the contract.
They are responsible for all the productive management of the calves on the farm, applying the production guides for steers and for clean milking, conservation in forested areas, feeding, health and reproductive management of the herd, and to go on improving their farms and herds toward meat production, with a view toward the application of income to the segregated farm system for bovine production in the medium term, to have direct access to sales contracts.
Their principal benefits are the genetic and reproductive herd improvements, differentiated prices for their steers, increments in the productivity, resilient capacity in the farms, as well as the capitalization of the farm with precious hardwoods, acquired knowledge, and their integration into the markets for steers and high – quality milk.
The producer is a “worker” and at the same time “associate” in the Trust. He or she fulfills the work plan and all the commitments he or she assumed in the structuration of the Trust: the orientations from the technical assistance and the conservation of forested areas. It is preferred that these producers are associates or providers of cooperatives that have received technical assistance from INTA, MEFCCA, CRS, CONAGAN, TechnoServe, or other organization compatible with the established objectives.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The trustee is a key factor in the dynamization and assurance of the success of the Trust. He or she is the person responsible for the administration of the resources and to provide the technical assistance, monitoring and control of the productive activities during the life of the contract with the producer, especially for the good management of the steers up to the moment of weaning and delivery to the hotel farm. He or she will maintain coordinating relationships with INTA, MARENA, INAFOR MEFCCA, and IPSA, for the technical coordination the will benefit the custodian trustees.
The trustee (CONAGAN and / or cooperatives, including the “medieros” producers) is responsible for the management of each hotel farm, where the calves will be developed from 180 to 350 kg during a period of 8 months. This productive phase is key to the success of the Trust, its goal is to deliver to the slaughterhouse industry steers with excellent development that will facilitate the fattening center to reach 450 kg at earlier than 20 months age.
Each organization selected as operator: CONAGAN, in the area of influence of the Sustainable Cattle project, CONAGAN together with the cooperatives of the municipalities of RACCN (Mulukuku, Paiwas, Siuna, Rosita, and Bonanza); the Bovine Project in the Caribbean through the cooperatives of Nueva Guinea, Rama, and El Ayote, will contract ideal technical personnel. This will be a professional that has clearly defined obligations; is responsible for the control and technical assistance of the farms of the custodian trustees and of all the necessary logistics to fulfill the commitments to the trustee and the investors, will be paid by the operator with resources financed by the trustee.
An operating guide and contracts will be developed, in agreement with the law of Trusts and the experiences and norms of each of the Trustees, to achieve the recovery of the investment and reduce the financial costs, to produce meat and milk of quality, as well as the disposition of the cattle farmers to maintain their secondary forests, reforestation and the technologies of adaptation to and mitigation of the effects of climate change.
Source: Made herein
4. Implementation of the silvo – pastoral productive model
The proposed model is foreseen to be implemented in two stages:
The proposed model consists of the production of steers for high – quality meat in a period of 15 months, before going on to a grow – out center in the beef industry in the country; in two stages that consist of: improve the growth of calves, from their birth to 8 months in the farm of the producer, and intensify the fattening of steers, from 9 to 15 months age, in the hotel farms or the “mediería” arrangement, following established agreements for this purpose.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
After 15 months age, the meat industry, CANICARNE, becomes the receiver of the product, to finish up with the fattening, its transformation and commercialization. For this objective, there will be a contract established where the conditions of the different parties will be defined.
Stage 1: from 0 to 8 months
The calf is attended in the farm of the producer, with technical assistance and an additional payment in advance of 33% of the steer value (US$120), upon birth, under the contractual condition to supply a package of inputs and allow the calf to consume at least 3 lt of milk daily to the calf to increase the average rate of growth (GMD). In addition with the current prices of milk, without a nearby possibility to achieve increments, it is preferable that the calf consume 3 liters of milk and transform it into meat, going from a GDM of 333 to more than 500 gr per day, being the principal indicator of improved productivity. This increment in the daily weight will permit the producer to reduce the period to weaning, going from 10 to 6 months, with another aspect of improvement in the productivity. This mechanism of allowing the calf to consume milk, beyond health, results in key actions to this initial growth stage.
In addition to the farm of the protagonist, there will be established forage trees in the farm to improve the feeding capacity, principally during the dry season of succeeding years.
Starting with the eighth month, the producer delivers the calf to the Trust, with an estimated weight of 180 kg, and in Exchange, receives for each calf, the remaining 67% of the sale Price, that is equivalent to US$240 additional, to make complete the US$360 price, at the scale of US$2.0 per kg of weight on the hoof102.
The producer earns US$360, for 180 kg, per calf at weaning at 8 months of age that, compared with a steer produced at 42 months at 400 kg, paid at US$1.8 per kg, is equivalent to US$720. In 42 months, this producer can sell, in a conservative manner, 3 calves at the price of 360 each, equivalent to a better price (US$2.90), equivalent to US$1,080 in the same period. The incentive to the producer is to produce more calves of high quality in less time.
Stage 2: growing the steer from 9 to 15 months, managed in the hotel farm.
The steer is taken to a hotel farm, which is a specialized farm for the intensive production, administered by the Trust, based on a technological package103 that consists of: improved pastures, complementary feed, rotation of pastures with electric fences, high animal density and specialized technical assistance.
The farm hotel is identified beforehand in the municipality, with good quality pastures, although they could be strengthened, in addition there will be corrals established, feeding stations and electric fences for pasture rotations.
102 The weight increments have been validated by CONAGAN in their pilot Project implemented in different zones of the country including the Mining Triangle. 103 Veterinary Products, Multiple vaccines, parasite medicines, vitamins, foods, mineral salts, common salt, concéntrate and rotational pasture.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Overview of the proposed model
Proposed Proposed Impact model on farm model on hotel COEFFICIENTS farm 0.5% 0.5% Is reduced to half with respect to the Mortality rate 0-2 Years traditional model Takes better advantage of the pasture areas, growing more in improved pastures, at the Pasture area (ha) expense of natural pastures. 1.0 1.2 A density of 1.2 UA/ha, equivalent to two Current density (UA/ha) calves at 180 kg per ha. 500 The average weight gain at weaning 333 a 500 gr per day is based on improved feeding, Average weight gain at principally from 3 to 4 liters of milk that are weaning, gr/d given to the calf instead of selling it. 6 Four months of weaning are saved, product of improved feeding, leaving the cow free for Age at weaning, (Months) additional reproduction. Weight at weaning (Kg) 180 50 kg of weight is gained from 130 to 180 kg. 800 The gaining of 800 gr per day is based on improved feeding and management (see the GMD post weaning (gr/d) technological package) 15 months It is estimated that the traditional model Age at delivery reaches 350 Kg at 36 months. Equivalent to greater than double the total available capacity to produce calves in the farm and sell them at a good price at 8 Available capacity 33, up to 40 months. 350 The sale of cattle at lower age and with this management system, will reach a better Price than the conventional, that varies from US$1.6 Weight at sale (Kg) to 1.85 per kg. Source: Produced herein
The steer, at 15 months age, with weight 350 kg, is sold to a fattening center to some of the businesses of CANICARNE at a price of US$ 2.0 per kg.
The goal that this initiative aims is to reach about 3000 cattle farms:
i. The first 1,500 farms that enter the Sustainable Cattle Project are included, located in the municipalities of Mulukuku, Paiwas and the Mining Triangle of the North Caribbean Region of Nicaragua; with small and medium – scale producers, with at least 25 % of their farms with secondary forests, agro – forestry crops, potential for natural regeneration, and silvo – pastoral systems. ii. In at least 3 municipalities in the South Caribbean; to reach at least 1500 small and medium – scale cattle producers, with at least 25 % of their farms with secondary forests, agro – forestry crops, potential for natural regeneration, and silvo – pastoral systems. iii. The silvo – pastoral cattle Trust, will promote the diversification of the cattle farm, increase the consumption of milk among the calves, improve productivity and income with improved genetics and meat production, reduce deforestation and carbon emissions, in the production of bovine meat of high quality with the objective to enter
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
in the medium term into the system of segregated bovine production (SSPB) and consequently reach demanding markets of the European Union and other markets that have recently developed.
5. Comparative analysis
This comparative analysis is conducted based on two productivity parameters: the analysis of productivity by increase in the animal load and the mean daily increase in weight.
1. Analysis by productivity in animal load increase The animal load goes from 0.63 to 1.18 UA/ha, which represents 187% increment in productivity.
2. Productivity increase by median daily weight increase The increase in productivity by improving the median weight gain from 333 gr daily to 500 gr in the first 8 months and 800 gr between the months 9 to 15, represent on average 650 gr per day in the entire period, which is equivalent to a 195% increase in productivity.
Under the conditions presented, the proposed models, in the farm as well as in the farm – hotel, represent an improvement in productivity from 187% by increase in the animal load and 195% by improvement in the daily weight gain. As a result, the production of the same quantity of 132,000 calves to steers is equivalent to:
Comparison of productive models
Traditional Model Proposed Model Impact Animals 132000 132000 produced Area required for 209,524 111,864, equivalent to 1.87 of 97,600 ha production the area Sale Price 1.8 2.0 0.2 Period 32 months 15, equal to 2.13 Reduction in the period to 47% of the traditional model Animal weight at 350 350 0 sale Milk production Excessive at very Better use of milk 33 million liters per low price year Gross production 83 160,000 368,083,440 4.42 times greater value (US$) (132,000x1.8x350) (132,000x1.87x2.13x2.0x350) gross production value
6. Analysis of the socio – economic and environmental impact of the proposal
The accumulated impact of these key parameters means that the same number of calves can be produced in less area and in less time; as a product of the analysis, the gross value of the production is estimated at four times higher than the traditional model; as a result, the same 132,000 calves could be produced in 36,263.7 ha; or the number of calves produced could be doubled, to 264,000, in 111,864 ha, liberating some 97,600 ha of pasture. Furthermore, some
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
33 million liters of milk yearly will be oriented to the beef market, transforming to kg of high – quality beef.
To produce an extraction of 180,000104 calve per year, equivalent to some 900,000 in a period of 5 years, it would be required to reproduce the proposed cash flow model six times, going from 6 municipalities in the pilot areas to some 15 municipalities where the cattle sector exerts greatest pressure on forests.
Review of the impact indicators
132,000 high – quality calves delivered to feed lot in four production cycles (see the Excel annex) At least 33 million liters of milk reoriented toward the production of calves. 97,600 ha, oriented to forest cover in managed silvo – pastoral systems, management of natural regeneration, and secondary forests. At least 1,500 farms with conditions to initiate certification processes for segregated bovine production farms. 7. Financial Analysis
An effective capital for investment in the Trust is proposed at US$ 10,000,000; including investments in hotel farms, acquisition of steers, acquisition of breeding bulls, technical assistance to 3000 producers, and Trust management.
According to the first financial projections, it is expected to obtain a rate of return of 35% up to the fifth year, with a discount rate of 12%.
If in the medium term, this initiative is scaled up to some 10,000 cattle farms, it would achieve the conservation of some 250,00 ha of secondary forests and silvo – pastoral systems, that mean about 80% of the reforestation goals through this type of production system.
TOK MONTHLY Discount rate: TOK / ANNUAL 12% 0.95%
INDICATORS ANNUAL FLOW MONTHLY FLOW VAN economic $8845,568 $10168,828 TIR economic 35.26% 40.82% VAN cost $47823,686 $50342,172 VAN end $7567,077 $9129,022 B/C 18.5% 20.2% Source: Prepared herein, see annex in excel
104 Produce 180,000 steers per year is equivalent to 285,714 ha permanently, for 4 years, that in an accumulated manner, is greater than one million ha.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Review of the silvo – pastoral cash flow
Year 1 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Concept UNIT Year 2 (US$) (US$) (US$) (US$) (US$) Initial payment per calf 4 Calf cycles 2880,000 3600,000 4320,000 5040,000 - Cancellation of payment calf Calf upon delivery 4 cycles 3456,000 8304,000 9840,000 10080,000 - Technical assistance for Month/t calves from 0 to 8 moths (8 echnicia to 21 technicians) ns 184,800 252,000 151,200 75,600 -
Field Schools 96,000 120,000 144,000 - - Steer production in development from 180 to Calf 350 kg in 7 months** 589,479 3065,509 4116,533 3478,492 1846,205 Management and technical assistance to calf 8 to 15 Calf months*** 23,543 244,977 434,682 485,689 352,864 Acquisition of young bulls of Young genetic quality Bull 1200,000 - - - - Improvement of pastures in hotel farms 48,000 48,000 48,000 - -
Forage trees in 1000 farms 320,000 320,000 - - - Electric fences and improvements in corrals and Farms feeding stations 4 farms 48,000 - - - - Direction and administration Year trust 61,800 64,800 64,800 64,800 26,500
Year Other unforeseen costs 4,000 4,000 4,000 2,000 -
Total Costs 8911,623 16023,286 19123,215 19226,581 2225,569 Payment for young bulls; Dollars recovery - - - 590,900 1275,100 Sale of steers (mortality of Steers 0.5%, 40 per cycle) - 15295,140 19118,925 22942,710 26766,495
Total Income - 15295,140 19118,925 23533,610 28041,595
Net Cash Flow (8911,623) (728,146) (4,290) 4307,029 25816,026
Accumulated Cash Flow (8911,623) (9639,768) (9644,059) (5337,030) 20478,996 FUNDING BANK 1 9090,000 560,000 PAYMENTS Capital - 826,377 5823,623 Interests 5454,000 1125,543 Net Cash Flow 178,377 (168,146) (4,290) (4973,348) 18866,859 Accumulated Cash Flow 178,377 10,232 5,941 (4967,406) 13899,453 Source: Prepared herein, see annex in Excel
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
8. Next steps, principal activities
Create a base line (initial farm analysis), including estimation of the forested areas and the silvo – pastoral systems.
Reach a consensus on rules and contracts for the silvo – pastoral cattle Trust, approved by the Directive Committee of the Trust.
Implement 3000 contracts for high – quality calves.
Implementation of at least 12 hotel farms for the development of steers in the intervention zones.
Systematization of the pilot Silvo – Pastoral Cattle Trust.
9. Proposed intervention data sheet
1. Name of the intervention Silvo – pastoral cattle Trust
Intensify the weight gain rate of calves, through the increase in milk consumption (3 lt / day), supplementary feeding, forage trees and wood trees, technical assistance, health inputs and 2. Brief description of the the purchase in advance of calves, to reach 180 kg in 8 months. Establish hotel farms for the intervention intensive growth of steers, through a technological package that reduces the growing period from 32 to 15 months at 350 kg, to deliver to feedlots and the slaughterhouse, under the trust between CONAGAN, CANICARNE, and producers.
Reduce the period of growth of steers and increase the animal density, in producer farms as well as in hotel farms, increase by four times the extensive cattle productivity, and guarantee to the producer a constant income flow, establishing a financial mechanism of 3. Estrategia propuesta mutual confidence among the parties, through contract, that among other things, guarantees a market, good price and commits to the conservation of forests in the farms and implements silvo – pastoral systems in the areas of greater cattle vocation.
Very High High X Medium Low This proposal represents an improvement in the productivity of 87 % through the increase in animal density and 92 % through improvement of weight gain, reduction in the period of production from 30 to 15 months. To produce 132,000 steers, is equivalent to fee 97,660 ha 4. Relevancy of the and save 15 months of production, which are translated in lower demand on the pasture areas intervention and avoidance of deforestation. The accumulated impact is estimated at 195,000 ha under extensive cattle use. Between 10,000 and 13,200 producers can be involved, which represent 20 % of the producers in the accounting zone. To contribute to the reduction of excess milk in 33 million liters per year.
Establishment of a cattle Trust model and contract with the producer, initial payment (33% upon calf birth and 67 % at 8 months, US$360), technical assistance, high quality inputs (feed 5. Activities and health), forage trees, hotel farms, genetic improvement for meat production, sales to feedlots at 15 months with the market agreed to a good price.
6. Budget or intervention For the production of 132,000 calves-steers, a revolving fund of working capital is required on costs the order of US$10.00 million, oriented toward the advance payment of the calf,
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
supplementary, high – quality feeding, technical assistance, improved pastures, forage and wood trees and hotel farms for the intensive management of the steer.
7. Executing entity and level CONAGAN, slaughterhouses of CANICARNE, SUKARNE, cooperatives of cattle producers that of coordination meet the calf quality production criteria, in coordination with IPSA, INTA MEFCCA
8. Source of financing Banco Produzcamos or other bank, in coordination with the Trust
CONAGAN administers a model of cattle Trust and obtains resources of working capital, equivalent to the mobilization of US$10.0 million in four years. A good coordination is 9. Assumptions established with the public institutions (IPSA, INTA, MEFCCA) favoring the financial mechanism.
With the intervention, the total value of production will increase by four times over the traditional form. There will be a savings of 97,660 ha and 15 months fewer for the production 10. Other aspects to consider of 132,000 steers. With the Trust and advance payment to the producer, there will be a confidence established between the producer and the financial system and will facilitate the articulation of the production – conservation focus.
The Cacao Ecoforestry Model
1. Introduction
In contrast to other crops such as coffee, the areas most appropriate for growing cacao are greatest in the Caribbean Coast, representing, in addition to an increment in productivity of the land and better economic growth, a series of socio – environmental benefits, such as the forest cover and the reduction in emissions by deforestation and forest degradation.
Source CIAT; 2012
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The Government of Reconstruction and National Unity (GRUN) in the last five – year period has prepared a judicial framework and Programs of agroforestry development that provide conditions for investment in agro – industrial crops, with new financing schemes, in a public-private alliance environment, among them are highlighted laws of trusts, public-private association, and property guarantees; to those is also added the Law 462, the Law of Conservation, Promotion, and Sustainable Development of the Forest Sector, which establishes the basis for promotion of forested areas and their management among the private sector. These laws provide the foundation for the promotion of long-term private investment, which could include green infrastructure and ecosystem services to promote agro – silvo – pastoral and forest development in Nicaragua.
Recently, MARENA, through the National Strategy for Forests and Climate Change to Confront Poverty, ENDE-REDD+ 2017-2047, has developed a consensus among the diverse actors for this strategy, in which the following are relevant to agro – forestry development: (i) Promote the reconversion of traditional productive systems to agro – ecological productive systems through positive incentives for adaptation to climate change; (ii) Drive the strengthening of forest and farm value chains with focus on green markets. Both lines are oriented to achieve, in the medium and long term, reduction in deforestation of natural forests, as well as to facilitate the insertion of Nicaragua in quality markets for certified cacao and wood.
Diverse economic sectors coincide in the importance and potential of the cacao agro – forestry systems for the development of the Caribbean Coast. Recently, the consumer, business, and production system has formed a cacao roundtable, with the objective to lend greater priority to this category. 2. The traditional production model
The traditional production system of four products: beans, corn, rice, and yucca, using slash and burn techniques performed on small, 0.25 ha plots, that can be planted in the different seasons of first, second, or dry season; with artisanal production, using a wood spike (low – input planting with low productive yields) that can be around 16 qq/ha for corn (10-12 qq/mz) and some 12 qq/ha for beans (around 8.0 qq/mz). Also fire is used as a traditional technique to clean the plot. 3. Objectives of the proposal
Improve the productivity of land in the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua, of some 8,000 ha appropriate for cacao cultivation.
Contribute to the recuperation of forest cover in the farms of the Caribbean Coast, to avoid the deforestation of its forested areas, the management of natural regeneration and widen the coverage of agro – forestry systems.
Develop a Trust that facilitates the access to technical assistance services, productive inputs, and commercial arrangements for the cacao producers, with greater market stability and better prices.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
4. General description of the proposed model
The creole cacao is also known as “cacao fino”, having a higher demand than the hybrids developed from genetic improvement. Cacao forms part of the national identity, culture and knowledge inherited from our ancestors, for which growing it strengthens the links to our indigenous culture.
Cacao is a highly nutritious and tasty food. It enjoys national and international markets. In Nicaragua, it is consumed in foods and drinks, such as: pinolillo, tiste, cacao con leche (chocolate milk), milk caramel with cacao, chocolate cake, among others. The cacao grains are utilized in the production of chocolates, drinks, sweets, caramels, desserts, alcoholic drinks, and vinegar. At the same time, it is utilized in the production of perfumes, body crèmes, lipstick, and medicinal products.
The eco – forestry modal of cacao is oriented toward the growth and diversification of family incomes and the optimization of productivity of the soil, water, and forest resources, with the final product to permit, in the short, medium, and long term, incomes through the different components of the productive model, based on the production of inputs on a local level and the use of family labor for its implementation and management.
Organic cacao production is getting very good prices. The model requires for it, the participation of the family to provide labor for its establishment and management, considering the high requirement of the same for the first year. It is important to establish the model in the best – indicated ecological conditions, to obtain the desired results; marginal lands can produce, but at higher costs and lower benefits.
The principal components of the cacao eco – forestry model are: i) a stratum of commercial – value wood species adapted to the zone (100 trees per hectare of permanent shade), ii) a stratum of energy species for shade and fuelwood production (100 trees per hectare), iii) a stratum of fruit – tree species (40 trees per hectare for a total of 240), and musaceans (800 plants per hectare that represent a complementary income important in the first years, before the production of the principal category of the model, iv) the stratum of cacao (1000 plants per hectare) and v) the stratum of the soil and the management of its cover with green compost, beans, and in the cases of slopes greater than 5%, small soil conservation measures and reduction of superficial rain drainage.
The forestry species that are most appropriate are: mahogany, cedar, Laurel, genízaro, guapinol and bombax, among the species most accepted by the producers. Within the seasonal shade, the prevailing species are Inga spp., musaceans, castor bean, and others. Within the species of musaceans are recommended the plantain which has a better market value than banana. As fruits, the citric fruits can be used (grape fruit, orange). As for the variety of cacao, it is recommended to use varieties that can be subjected to improved yield, through grafting techniques with high yield varieties.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The Cacao Eco – Forestry Model is representative for indigenous and afro – descendant families, peasants who grow basic grains (beans, corn and rice) using traditional methods in productive cycles, first (May), second (August) and dry season (November). The current use of land, furthermore, includes fallow lands, for the same traditional land – use cycle, reduces its fertility in two to three years of cultivation without the incorporation of organic material.
The proposal consists in the diversification and increase of productivity of the system (without focusing on any single crop), to diversity and improve the incomes in a planned way, to intensify the work within the farm (reducing sale of day labor), and the food security of the families. The activities and investments foreseen are: (i) plan the land use in a systematic manner, ii) establish seasonal and permanent shade with economic value, iii) improve the management of the musaceans as an alternative income, iv) establish fruit and energy species for self – consumption and the sale of excess; v) establish a cacao plantation of high quality and productivity at appropriate planting density; vi) execute soil conservation works and practices to improve soil fertility. The families also will benefit with the increase in the demand of family labor or the use of community labor, which is estimated in 80 work-days per year, for non – heavy labor, removing leaves, pruning, and other jobs.
Using this productive model, it is foreseen to make a sensitive increase in the family incomes, estimated at some 5-6 times, going up from about 400 USD per year to about 2,000 to 2,300 per year.
This system is recommended for poor rural families, which are found in optimum vegetation and climatic conditions for cacao production (soils with medium to high fertility), low sites that permit the retention of humidity during the dry season.
Three markets for cacao exist:
i) The local market: Buyers from the municipalities, commercialized directly in small volumes, at variable prices (between 0.6 – 0.8 US$/kg), according to the locality. ii) The national market: Buyers in Managua (Mercado Oriental) and Matagalpa (industrial transformation businesses): purchase in greater volumes, at 1.0 – 1.2 US$/kg. The commercialization operations in the local and national markets are executed informally and sporadically.
ii) International/European market: An increasing demand exists in the international market, principally in organic cacao, through Ritter Sport, Atlantic, Zotter, Catholic Men of Austria, and others. The commercial relations between cooperatives and the international buyers are contractual and at established prices. The prices vary according to the quality and type of cacao (conventional, transition, or organic) but can be 2.0 – 2.2 US$/kg. iii) 5. Comparative analysis with the traditional system
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The cacao eco – forestry system is compared with the production model for basic grains, corn and beans, that are produced traditionally by producer families in the Caribbean Coast. This production system for basic grains is established in small plots of 0.5 ha, that can be performed in the different seasons of the year, first, second or dry season. For comparative purposes, the half of one is summed to provide a total of one hectare per year.
Comparison of the productive models
Traditional model Proposed model Impact Productive area 1 ha 1 ha Migratory agricultural system is eliminated Crops Corn, beans Musaceans, cacao, wood First season Corn: 16 qq per 10, US$ Musaceans: US$ 1,440 160 per ha starting at year- 1 Second and dry Beans: 12 qq per 20, US$ 240 per ha Production value US$ 2,000 starting with year Production increases six – fold. US$ 400 per a 4 US$ 2,300 starting with year 6 Establishment of 8000 ha of eco – forestry cacao, equivalent to the production of 48,000 ha of basic grains. Moment of 2 moments in the year Permanent, year – round Production is guaranteed production starting in year 4 throughout the year, establishing income for the producer. Production period Annual More than 10 years, being Permanent production is greater starting at year 6 guaranteed in the time. Risk of loss of High Low The risks of production losses production are significantly reduced Family labor use Family labor is integrated Environmental High incidence of fires to Agricultural burning is clean plots eliminated No forest cover in plots Forest cover over 50% is guaranteed Source: Made herein
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
6. Analysis of socio – economic and environmental impact of the proposal
The establishment of 8000 ha of eco – forestry cacao, is equivalent to the production of 48,000 ha of basic grains, and means that the same amount of financial resources can be produced.
Furthermore, the migratory agricultural system that affects forest resources so much is eliminated. Also, production is guaranteed permanently throughout the year, establishing income for the producer and significantly reducing the risks of productive losses.
Finally, from the point of view of the environment, the agricultural fires that are used to clear the planting lands are eliminated, and forest cover is guaranteed, similar to that of a forest, with its respective rate of storage of carbon.
The goal that this initiative presents is to include some 4,000 farms for the establishment of 8,000 ha for some 4,000 family farms in different regions of the Caribbean Region and Rio San Juan of Nicaragua, with small and medium – scale farmers.
Following steps, principal activities
Develop a baseline (initial diagnostic of farms), including the estimation of forest and agro – forestry areas.
Develop a consensus on rules and contracts for the agro – forestry Trust approved by the Directive Committee of the Trust.
Implement 4,000 contracts for the establishment of 2.0 ha for each.
7. Financial Analysis
The costs of establishment of the model represent some 2,400 dollars for the establishment and initial management for one hectare, according to the model. Its benefits, starting with the sixth year, is about 2,300 dollars, at the moment that the productivity of the agro – ecosystem is established. In spite of the profitability of the model, many families, (in the situation without the project) cannot implement the system due to the lack of key materials, technical assistance, and principally because of the cash flow on the level of the family, which suffers intense rotations and cannot wait for an investment to provide a return after 4 -5 years.
The effective capital to invest in the Trust, of some US$ 20 000,000 that includes investments in farms, technical assistance, and costs of project management and administrative personnel. According to the first financial projections, it is expected to obtain a rate of return of 28% over a period of ten years, for which the capital costs can be justified.
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Costs of materials and inputs
Description Cost Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Año 8 Año 9 Año 10 Total Preparation of the land 6.65 106,400 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 106,400 Preparation of stakes and lines 6.65 13,300 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13,300 Hole digging cacao 6.65 39,900 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 39,900 Planting seasonal and temporary shade 6.65 39,900 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 39,900 Planting provisional system (plantain) and 6.65 39,900 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 39,900 permanent wood trees Hole digging and transplanting wood species 6.65 13,300 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13,300
Manual weed control 6.65 212,800 212,800 212,800 212,800 199,500 159,600 159,600 159,600 133,000 133,000 1795,500 Transplant Cacao 6.65 39,900 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 39,900 Replant cacao and shade (4 components) 1% 6.65 6,650 6,650 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13,300 Disease and vermin control Cacao 6.65 19,950 19,950 19,950 19,950 19,950 19,950 19,950 19,950 19,950 19,950 199,500 Remove leaves and offspring shoots plantain 6.65 39,900 39,900 26,600 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 106,400 Treatment and fertilize plantain 6.65 53,200 66,500 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 119,700 Harvest Plantain 6.65 53,200 66,500 66,500 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 186,200 Eliminate plantain and pull up offspring shoots 6.65 0.00 0.00 66,500 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 66,500 Regulation of semi-permanent shade 6.65 0.00 6,650 19,950 0.00 26,600 26,600 26,600 26,600 26,600 26,600 186,200 Gradual elimination of Madero negro 6.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 33,250 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 33,250 Formative pruning of Cacao 6.65 13,300 26,600 13,300 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 53,200 Maintenance pruning Cacao 6.65 0.00 0.00 26,600 53,200 66,500 66,500 66,500 66,500 66,500 66,500 478,800 Removal of larva cacao 6.65 0.00 13,300 19,950 19,950 33,250 33,250 33,250 33,250 33,250 33,250 252,700 Treatment and fertilization Cacao 6.65 39,900 53,200 79,800 66,500 66,500 53,200 53,200 53,200 39,900 39,900 545,300 Removal of monilia 6.65 0.00 0.00 26,600 39,900 53,200 53,200 53,200 53,200 53,200 53,200 385,700 Harvest of cacao 6.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 39,900 53,200 79,800 79,800 79,800 79,800 79,800 492,100 Seed treatment mill 6.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 33,250 46,550 46,550 46,550 46,550 46,550 46,550 312,550 Pruning of Wood trees 6.65 0.00 6,650 13,300 0.00 26,600 26,600 26,600 26,600 26,600 26,600 179,550 Harvesting Wood 6.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Sub Total 731,500 518,700 591,850 485,450 625,100 565,250 565,250 565,250 525,350 525,350 5699,050 Personnel costs Director and Administration Cost Description UM Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Total (US$) Mont 16,000.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 20,800.00 203,200.00 Manager h 1600 Mont 5,400.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 7,800.00 75,600.00 Accountant h 600 Mont 3,600.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 5,200.00 50,400.00 Logistics h 400 Mont 2,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 31,500.00 Cleaning h 250 Mont 2,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00 31,500.00 Security h 250 Sub Total 3100 29,500.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 40,300.00 392,200.00
Technical and Operative Unit of Description Costo Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Total mea- sure Mont 108,083.3 108,083.3 108,083.3 108,083.3 108,083.3 108,083.3 108,083.3 108,083.3 108,083.3 1026,916.6 54,166.67 Agronomist Technician h 1,000.00 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 Mont 12,187.50 18,125.00 18,125.00 18,125.00 18,125.00 18,125.00 18,125.00 18,125.00 18,125.00 18,125.00 175,312.50 Agronomist Engineer h 1500 Mont 6,166.67 12,083.33 12,083.33 12,083.33 12,083.33 12,083.33 12,083.33 12,083.33 12,083.33 12,083.33 114,916.67 Social Communicator h 1000 138,291.6 138,291.6 138,291.6 138,291.6 138,291.6 138,291.6 138,291.6 138,291.6 138,291.6 1317,145.8 Sub Total 72,520.83 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
102,020.8 178,591.6 178,591.6 178,591.6 178,591.6 178,591.6 178,591.6 178,591.6 178,591.6 178,591.6 1709,345.8 Total Salaries 3 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 3
Income Ha 1000
Foreseen sales volumes Concept Unit of Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Total measure Head of plantains Head 640 640 560 480 400 320 280 280 240 240 4,080 Cacao Kg 300 400 650 683 717 788 875 4,412 Wood (thinning) M3 1 2 2 3 4 10 22 Other 0 0
Foreseen income to be obtained Concept Cost Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Total Head of plantains 2.25 1440,000 1440,000 1260,000 1080,000 900,000 720,000 630,000 630,000 540,000 540,000 9180,000 Cacao 2.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 660,000 880,000 1430,000 1501,500 1576,575 1734,232 1924,998 9707,305 Wood (thinning) 80.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 80,000 120,000 160,000 240,000 320,000 800,000 1720,000 Other 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Sub Total 84.45 1440,000 1440,000 1260,000 1740,000 1860,000 2270,000 2291,500 2446,575 2594,232 3264,998 20607,305
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Cash Flow Cacao Eco – Forestry Trust interest 8%
Description Year O Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Income 0 1440,000 1440,000 1260,000 1740,000 1860,000 2270,000 2291,500 2446,575 2594,233
Income from sales 1440,000 1440,000 1260,000 1740,000 1860,000 2270,000 2291,500 2446,575 2594,233
Expenses 2379,805 885,877 954,656 883,463 1011,899 986,042 931,653 961,653 891,753 891,753
Materials and inputs 1401,884 70,185 65,814 111,022 99,807 133,800 79,411 109,411 79,411 79,411 Salaries 102,021 178,592 178,592 178,592 178,592 178,592 178,592 178,592 178,592 178,592 Temporary hired labor 731,500 518,700 591,850 485,450 625,100 565,250 565,250 565,250 525,350 525,350 Services 34,400 8,400 8,400 8,400 8,400 8,400 8,400 8,400 8,400 8,400 Others 110,000 110,000 110,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 Operative difference -2379,805 554,123 485,344 376,537 728,101 873,958 1338,347 1329,847 1554,822 1702,479 Accumulated net cash flow -2379,805 -1825,682 -1340,337 -963,801 -235,699 638,259 1976,606 3306,453 4861,275 6563,754 Trust investment 2400,000 2400,000 Return to the Trust 700,000 1000,000 700,000 Interest 768,000 192,000 136,000 56,000
Financial difference -2400,000 20,195 554,123 485,344 376,537 -39,899 -18,042 202,347 573,847 1554,822 1702,479
Accumulated net cash flow 20,195 574,318 1059,663 1436,199 1396,301 1378,259 1580,606 2154,453 3709,275 5411,754 Source: Developed herein; se annex in Excel
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
8. Data Sheet – Ecoforestry Cacao
DATA SHEET FOR PROPOSED INTERVENTION ECOFORESTRY CACAO
1. Name of the Agroforestry Trust based on cacao intervention
Increase the cacao production in the region, through an increase of 5000 2. Brief description of ha of cacao, established in agro – forestry systems with musaceans, wood the intervention trees, and technical assistance.
3. Proposed strategy
Very high High X Medium Low This proposal pretends to increase the productivity of the land with a diversified system of cacao, musaceans, fruits and woods, that will provide products starting in the first year, with greater productivity by year four, with the production of cacao starting in year 6, providing a 4. Relevancy of the significant increase in incomes with the production of firewood and small- intervention diameter construction wood, that will provide an significant and constant income flow to the producer and a high demand for family labor. The accumulated impact is estimated at some 10,000 ha under this agro – forestry system that can involve between 5,000 and 7,000 producer families, that represent near 10% of the producers in the accounting zone.
5. Activities Establishment of the Trust model and contract with the producer,
For the establishment and management of 6000 ha, a revolving fund of working capital on the order of US$10.00 million is required, oriented to 6. Budget or costs of the advance payments for calves, high – quality feeding supplements, intervention technical assistance, improved pastures, foraging and wood trees, and hotel – farms for the intensive management of steers.
Cooperatives of producers and indigenous and afro – descendant 7. Executing entity or communities with support and coordination of MARENA, INTA, and level of coordination MEFCCA.
1
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
8. Sources of financing Banco Produzcamos or other bank, under the figure of the Trust.
The cooperatives of producers and indigenous and afro – descendant communities manage a model of agro – forestry Trust, and obtain 9. Assumptions working capital resources, equivalent to the mobilization of US$20.0 million in five years. A good coordination is established with public institutions (MARENA, INTA, MEFCCA), favoring the financial mechanism.
With the intervention, beginning with the fourth year, the total production value will be five times that of the traditional basic grains 10. Other aspects to model. There will be savings of 40,000 UNITS of basic grains. With the consider Trust, a mutual confidence between producer and financial system will be
re – established and will facilitate the articulation of the production – conservation focus.
Glossary
Trust: Operation in which the trustor transmits transference of title to a good or set of goods or rights determined by the trustee, who will be obliged to administrate them in favor of the beneficiary and transmit them to the custodian trustee or to the trustor upon the fulfillment of a time period, condition, or other cause for extinction of the obligation.
Trustor: Person that performs the Trust, which transmits or obliges to be transmitted the goods or rights necessary to fulfill its objectives, transmitting its title to the trustee.
Trustee: Natural person or legal entity to which is transmitted the title of Trusted goods or rights and is charged with the execution of the agreement in the Trust Contract for the achievement of its objectives.
Custodian trustee: Also named beneficiary, is the person to who the rights, profits, and benefits obtained in the execution of the Trust Contract.
Annex 5. Description of the interventions
Intervention Description Geographic Reach Community The measure consists of the The measure is implemented I 200,000 forest implementation of community ha, which are concentrated in the management forest management programs sectors of Prinzapolka, Karawala, and (MFC) in the territories of the pines of the north. The considered
2
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
indigenous and afro-descendant criteria are: greater concentrations of communities, which implies an blocks of forests, greater adequate harvest of wood and concentrations of management plans forest sub - products under national in executions, and forests of greater and international standards that productivity. assure forest sustainability. The support activities are: forestry audits, training and technical assistance as well as support in the commercialization of the forest products and sub – products. The measure requires for its implementation the following enabling conditions: information systems, monitoring and control of land use, promotion of investment, credit, technical assistance, application of management instruments, and coordination.
Strengthening Measure that pretends to improve Development plans will be the forestry the forestry governance of the GTIs, implemented in the 23 territorial governance in with the implementation of the governments of the accounting zone. GTIs following activities: i) Development The opportunity to participate in the plans will be developed based on incentives will be offered to the 23 zoning and land – use planning of territories, of which 14 are of high the territories, ii) a local monitoring priority, given the high carbon stocks, system will be established based on deforestation risks, and presence or 100 compensated participants in nearness to protected areas. The communal brigades, jointly with the community brigades will complement early warning system, iii) a system the incentives. of incentives will be established based on results of avoided deforestation on the level of each territory, using reference levels and annual monitoring provided by the enabling conditions of monitoring and control; and iv) a program of improvement of internal arrangements and training related to land use will be established, directed toward the territorial 3
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
governments, community park guards, and the general population. The measure requires for its implementation the following enabling conditions: Information systems, monitoring and control of land, technical assistance, application of management tools, and coordination.
Commercial This measure consists of As a commercial activity demanding reforestation reforestation of pastures, using high large expanses of adequate land for its levels of inputs and improved establishment, the defined areas for germplasm of rapid – growth trees, its implementation are the sites where managed in short turns and there are already established resulting in CO2 sequestration, soil commercial plantations within the recovery, and production of accounting zone and that count on earnings through the sale of wood. adequate conditions for the The promotion of this activity is development of the economic activity directed at reforestation (infrastructure, work force, businesses, which assume the costs communication). In this context, some of establishment, maintenance, indigenous territories that are already technical assistance, deforested can have comparative commercialization, and financing. It advantages under the figure of joint will be promoted by the State by ventures The new commercial promotional campaigns, fiscal reforestation of 10,000 hectares will incentives, facilitation of contacts be promoted. and contracts between communities and businesses and joint ventures. The enabling conditions required for the adequate development of this measure are: information systems, monitoring and control of the land use, investment promotion, credit, application of management instruments, and coordination.
Reforestation The reforestation crusades consist A criterion of prioritization for the crusades and of promoting the planting of trees in implementation of the intervention is deforested areas that belong to that areas lacking forests and
4
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve natural individual owners, communities, headwaters of watersheds adjacent to regeneration indigenous and afro – descendant protected areas will be developed. communities, in the accounting zone, prioritizing headwaters of watersheds and sites of local water capture. It is complemented with the natural regeneration that is directed at the restoration of fragmented landscapes, especially in zones within the protected areas or their buffer zones. The measure is sustained through the use of secondary forests, which are distributed throughout the accounting zone. The measure consists of campaigns and public education and will be backed up by the forest monitoring system. In the case of social reform, there are incentives in kind (seedlings). In the case of regeneration, a direct incentive is being established. The ambition is 40,000 new hectares of social reforestation and 50,000 new hectares of natural regeneration. Silvo – pastoral Intervention that promotes the This intervention will be based on the systems conversion of extensive cattle activities of the Project ranching to more efficient and CONAGAN/FOMIN-BID in the north productive systems, incorporates (Mining Triangle in RACCN) and the the establishment of silvo – pastoral Bovine Program in RACCS and Rio San systems in the farms of medium – Juan (El Ayote, Muelle de los Bueyes, scale producers, providing them Nueva Guineas and Rama). with production and business – related technical assistance for the strengthening of groups or associations of producers. Additionally, the establishment of a Cattle Trust will be developed, to increase the use of credit and improve the management of the farms, as well as improve the connections with sustainable 5
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
markets for “green” production. One condition of participation will be the commitment to protect the forests in the farm. This intervention will be based on the activities of the project CONAGAN/FOMIN-BID in the north and the Bovine Program in RACCS and Rio San Juan. It is expected to avoid deforestation of approximately 8,600 ha.
Agro – forestry Agro – forestry and perennial crop Activity that is distributed through and perennial systems will be promoted among several sectors of the accounting zone, crop systems 25,000 producers through: depending on the crop: cacao in the production and business technical corridor Siuna-Mulukuku and Nueva assistance, agro – forestry trusts to Guinea. Café in: Nueva Guinea, El improve the access to credit and Rama and Siuna, and then Mulukukú, farm management, and Waslala, El Ayote, and Rosita. African strengthening of 11 groups or date palm is found and is associations of producers. The recommended in the highway corridor ambition is to establish 25,000 new between Siuna and Mulukukú; in the hectares of coffee and cocoa in same way, there are lands scattered agroforestry systems that will along the roads between Muelle de los remove carbon from the Bueyes and Kukra Hill, and between El atmosphere while avoiding Rama and El Tortuguero. The lands deforestation in 5,216 ha appropriate for coconut crops are distributed principally in the western part of the accounting area and the areas near Kukra Hill and Waspán (BID, 2016)105. The NICADAPTA Project: Promotes improved and sustainable models for family farms to develop in Upper Wangki - 3 municipalities; RACCN - 6 municipalities; RACCS - 6 municipalities; Río San Juan - 1
105 BID, 2015. Spatial regional economic strategy for the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua.
6
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
municipality. The Procacao Project is located in the Mining Triangle.
NICADAPTA PROCACAO
7
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 6. Emission calculations
Emission Factors and Constants Intervention EF or rate of C accumulation Perennial crops 3.4 t C/ha/yr Commercial forestry plantations 3.4 t C/ha/yr secondary vegetation < 20 Tacotales/ years old 3.4 t C/ha/yr EF for mixed forests(deforestation area weighted average) 62.2 t C/ha Ef of pastures 6.1 t C/ha Conversion of C to CO2 3.67
8
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Emission Reduction Calculations Total Annual Annual Avoided Emissions Reducti Emission Rate of Deforesta Deforesta Reduction on Goal # YearsReductio Deforest tion tion s (t (%) ns (Mt Forest ation (ha/yr) (ha/yr) CO2e/yr) Intervention Yr Area (ha) CO2e) Assumptions
Community 1 200000 0.013 2600 0.5 1300 296553 1 0.30 200,000 ha of mixed forests in 3 blocks within 2 198700 2583 0.5 1292 294625 1 0.29 indigenous territories, with an annual deforestation 3 197408 2566 0.5 1283 292710 1 0.29 rate of 1.3%. As a result of community forestry, the 4 196125 2550 0.5 1275 290808 1 0.29 rate of deforestation is gradually reduced by 10% in 5 194850 2533 0.5 1267 288917 1 0.29 year 1 up to 50% in year 5. 6416 1.5
Improved 1 2120000 0.014 29680 0.3 8904 2031158 1 2.03 There are 2.32 million ha of forests in indigenous forestry 2 2099224 29389 0.3 8817 2011253 1 2.01 territories, with an annual deforestation rate of 3 2078652 29101 0.3 8730 1991543 1 1.99 1.4%. As a result of results-based incentives for 4 2058281 28816 0.3 8645 1972026 1 1.97 avoided deforestation, deforestation is reduced by 5 2038110 28534 0.3 8560 1952700 1 1.95 10% in year 1 up to 30% in years 3-5. Please note 43656 10.0 that the 200,000 ha included in community forestry are excluded from this intervention in order to Forest Cumulati Area in # Farms ve # each farm Farms (ha) Silvopastoral 1 800 800 14 11200 83290 1 0.08 Farms incorporated in 2 phases: firest 800 farms, systems with 2 0 800 14 11200 83290 1 0.08 then 5,000 harms. Each farm is 56.2 ha and 3 5000 5,800 14 81200 603854 1 0.60 contains 14 ha of forest (CONAGAN estimate). On- 4 0 5,800 14 81200 603854 1 0.60 farm forest conservation is a condition. Therefore, 5 0 5,800 14 81200 603854 1 0.60 the annual rate of deforestation of 3.26% is 5800 5,800 266000 1978144 2.0 reduced to 0. Total Avoided C Stock Emission Cumulati Reducti Deforesta Enhancem Reductio Annual ve Area on Goal tion ent (t ns (t Intervention Yr Goal (ha) (ha) (%) (ha/yr) CO2e/yr) CO2e) Commercial 1 2,000 2000 12467 1 0.01 2 2,000 4,000 37400 1 0.04 3 2,000 6,000 62333 1 0.06 2000 ha of new plantations are established each 4 2,000 8,000 87267 1 0.09 year for 5 years in zones with pastures. 5 2,000 10,000 112200 1 0.11 10,000 12,000 311666.7 0.3
Reforestation 1 8,000 8000 49867 1 0.05 crusades 2 8,000 16,000 149600 1 0.15 (production/p 3 8,000 24,000 249333 1 0.25 8000 ha/year of new plantations established in 4 8,000 32,000 349067 1 0.35 zones with pastures. 5 8,000 40,000 448800 1 0.45 40000 40,000 1246666.7 1.2
Natural 1 10,000 10,000 62333 1 0.06 2 10,000 20,000 187000 1 0.19 Existing base line is 37,181; annual increase of 3 10,000 30,000 311667 1 0.31 10,000 ha/year. 4 10,000 40,000 436333 1 0.44 5 10,000 50,000 561000 1 0.56 50000 50,000 1558333 1.6
Cumulati Area (ha) ve Area Agroforestry 1 5,000 5,000 31,167 1 0.03 systems/pere 2 5,000 10,000 93,500 1 0.09 5000 ha/year of new plantations established in 3 5,000 15,000 155,833 1 0.16 zones with pastures. Rates of C accumulation are 4 5,000 20,000 218,167 1 0.22 the same in perennial crops and agroforestry 5 5,000 25,000 280,500 1 0.28 systems. Not included in emissions calculations. 25000 25,000 0.8
Avoided Forest Reducti Deforesta Conserv on Goal tion ed (ha) (%) (ha/yr) 1 5,000 32000 1 1043 0.24 In order to calculate avoided deforestation, it is 2 5,000 32000 1 1043 0.24 assumed that each farm is 56.2 ha and contains 14 9 3 5,000 32000 1 1043 0.24 ha of forest (CONAGAN estimate). On-farm forest 4 5,000 32000 1 1043 0.24 conservation is a condition. Therefore, the annual 5 5,000 32000 1 1043 0.24 rate of deforestation of 3.26% is reduced to 0. 25000 160000 5216 1.2
Total Emission Reductions 18.5 Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 7. Geographic location of the interventions
Targeting of Community Forest Conservation and Management
Territorio indígena Codigo 21 Awaltara Luphia Nani Tasbaya 1 5 6 20 22 15 Awas Tingni Mayangnina Sauni Umani (AMASAU) 2 11 Doce comunidades indigenas y afrodescendientes de* 3 2 19 Karata 4 10 8 18 Kipla Sait Tasbaika Kum 5 9 14 Li Lamni Tasbaika Kum 6 23 Mayangna Sauni Arungka-Matungbak 7 4 Mayangna Sauni As 8 13 Silkita 9 12 Mayangna Sauni Bu 10 Miskito Indian Tasbaika Kum 11 Prinzu Awala 12 Prinzu_Auhya Uh 13 1 Tasba Pri Matriz Indigena 14 Tawira 15 3 Territorio Creole de Bluefilelds 16 Territorio Rama y Kriol 17 Tuahka 18 Twi ahbra 10 comunidades 19 Wangki Li Aubra Tasbaya 20 16 Wangki Maya Tasbaya 21 Wangki Twi - Tasba Raya 22 17 Waupasa Twi 23
Focalización AP Focalización MFC
10
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Targeting of Agro – Forest and Silvo – Pastoral Systems
11
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Targeting of Reforestation
1. Mining Triangle 2. Rama 3. South of Bluefields 4. Nueva Guinea
12
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Targeting of Natural Regeneration
13
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 8. ER Program budget
Annual Breakdown Expected use of funds Description Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Total Administration and supervision 29,774.26 29,774.26 29,774.26 29,774.26 29,774.26 148,871.32 Early activities: Institutional coordination and alignment, studies and diagnoses, 175,000.00 225,000.00 proposal preparation, implementation plans 400,000.00 Alignment and harmonization of policies 91,000.00 66,000.00 66,000.00 66,000.00 66,000.00 and instittions 355,000.00 Public education and awareness 175,000.00 175,000.00 175,000.00 175,000.00 50,000.00 750,000.00 Investment promotion 961,400.00 961,400.00 961,400.00 961,400.00 961,400.00 4,807,000.00 Strengthening of application of laws, regulations, and management 500,000.00 500,000.00 500,000.00 500,000.00 500,000.00 instruments 2,500,000.00 Land use management and governance in 185,200.00 357,700.00 357,700.00 185,200.00 185,200.00 ITGs Operation and implementation 1,271,000.00 Incentive for avoided deforestation 1,780,800 1,780,800 1,780,800 1,780,800 1,780,800 8,904,000.00 Community forest management 2,132,900.00 146,900.00 84,900.00 134,900.00 134,900.00 2,634,500.00
Silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts - - - 1,335,500.00 1,335,500.00 2,035,500.00 2,035,500.00 2,035,500.00 Technical assistance and training 8,777,500.00
Silvopastoral and agroforestry trusts - - - 3,511,000.00 11,894,850.00 9,894,850.00 7,894,850.00 7,894,850.00 Credit lines and guarantees 41,090,400.00
Natural regeneration and social 580,000.00 580,000.00 580,000.00 580,000.00 580,000.00 reforestation 2,900,000.00 Financing costs -
Registry of emiccions reduction 7,366 7,966 8,373 10,554 11,927 46,185.92
Reference Level and Monigtoring System Capacity strengthening 334,000.00 163,600.00 184,000.00 63,600.00 184,000.00
929,200.00
Monitoring 510,000.00 498,000.00 498,000.00 498,000.00 498,000.00 2,502,000.00 Benefit Distribution and Safeguards - 20,964.01 22,033.27 27,772.47 31,387.97 102,157.72 Grievance redress and feedback 15,507.35 16,771.21 17,626.61 22,217.98 25,110.38 mechanism 97,233.52 Improved information gathering, use, and Consultation and information sharing 70,000.00 24,000.00 54,000.00 24,000.00 24,000.00 dissemination 196,000.00 Total Costs 175,000.00 225,000.00 12,219,447.60 18,559,225.80 17,249,956.79 14,989,568.25 14,992,850.04 78,411,048.48
Expectd sources of funds Description Total
INAFOR 1,030,000.00 980,000.00 400,000.00 400,000.00 400,000.00 3,210,000.00 INAFOR, GRACC 40,000.00 40,000.00 40,000.00 40,000.00 40,000.00 200,000.00 INAFOR, GTI 30,000.00 30,000.00 60,000.00 INETER 127,600.00 27,600.00 127,600.00 27,600.00 127,600.00 438,000.00 INETER/INAFOR 18,000.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 90,000.00 Government budget MAG/INETER 18,000.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 18,000.00 90,000.00 MARENA (includes $765,200 from 175,000.00 225,000.00 355,681.00 274,509.00 118,834.00 108,765.00 135,672.00 Readiness) 1,393,461.00 MARENA INAFOR 587,000.00 601,000.00 187,000.00 237,000.00 112,000.00 1,724,000.00 MARENA, INETER 16,000.00 16,000.00 32,000.00 MEFCCA 387,000.00 387,000.00 387,000.00 387,000.00 387,000.00 1,935,000.00 Grants 5,203,266.00 3,376,366.00 111,373.00 113,554.00 114,927.00 8,919,486.00
Agroforestry trust 8,383,850.00 6,203,850.00 4,203,850.00 4,203,850.00 22,995,400.00 Loans/Investments Silvopastoral/GONAGAN trust 4,406,900.00 4,406,900.00 3,400,000.00 3,400,000.00 3,400,000.00 19,013,800.00 REDD+ revenues FCPF 6,238,300.00 6,035,800.00 6,035,800.00 18,309,900.00 Total Revenues (befores taxes) 175,000.00 225,000.00 12,219,447.00 18,559,225.00 17,249,957.00 14,989,569.00 14,992,849.00 78,411,047.00
14
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 9. Reference level methods and protocols
This annex consists of three separate protocols for determining activities, emission factors, and the reference level. Further information can be found at: https://we.tl/E1ZH5h6apK
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES MARENA
PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE STRATEGY FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTION BY DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION (ENDE – REDD+)
“
Generation of vegetation cover maps 2005, 2010 and 2015
Prepared by: Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment
Managua, September 2017
15
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
INTRODUCCION Currently, the international community has arrived at the agreement to establish and develop financial mechanisms for the fight against climate change, and in this way the REDD+ mechanism has come to exist. This mechanism implies the implementation of five activities, which are: i) Reduction of deforestation, ii) Reduction of forest degradation, iii) conservation, iv) sustainable management of forests, and v) increase in the forest carbon stocks.
The implementation of these measures requires an initial (reference level) and a periodic accounting, so that the forest monitoring activities can be strong, as an instrument to develop the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV). One of the pillars of MRV is the remote detection system, that has as an essential task the preparation of data for the activity and the identification of changes that occur in the land use, including the spatially explicit attributes of the different land use categories and the transitions among them.
In this context, Nicaragua is found developing a preparation stage for the National Strategy for Deforestation Avoidance (ENDE-REDD+). One of the processes that are being developed in a concrete form is the establishment of a National System of Forest Monitoring (SNMB). Until now, the country is preparing the reference level for emissions and absorptions of CO2 for the period 2005 – 2015, nonetheless, it also has a midpoint reference period, which is 2010.
In correspondence to the technical directives established by the CMNUCC, the IPCC and the FCPF, the country should present data on activity and factors that affect emissions that comply with principles of transparency, exactness, and completeness. In virtue of this, the country executed a validation process for the mentioned maps, which implies the calculation of statistics of precision, levels of errors, and confusions, of results of the classification process for the satellite images utilized for the development of the use maps.
In spite of the fact that the maps of 2005 and 2010 were developed with a regional project, financed by German cooperation, these have an official character, its categories having been made homologous to the official categories in the country and to have gone through a validation process in the country. Finally, the 2015 map was developed in 2016 and the validation methodology varies a little given the availability of current information from control points in the field.
In this report is presented a review of the methodological detail that was followed for the development of the maps 2005, 2010, and 2015, and of the results of their validations.
OBJECTIVES 2.1. General objective
To have at hand a methodological backup of the generation of the vegetation cover maps that are being utilized for the preparation of data of activities and emission factors for the construction of
16
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve the reference level for the emissions / absorptions of greenhouse gases specifically carbon, that will be presented to the Cooperative Fund for Forest Carbon (FCPF).
METHODOLOGICAL REVIEW
This chapter will deal with the methodological themes related to the development of soil cover maps of 2005, 2010, and 2015. The maps of 2005 and 2010 were made by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GIZ, its initials in German), as part of a regional project, following the same methodology for its preparation. In contrast, the land cover map of 2015 was developed by the Ministry for the Environment and National Resources (MARENA) as part of the ENDE REDD+ program. In this sense, the description that follows will be presenting in a different manner the methodology utilized for the maps of 2005 and 2010 from the methodology used for the map of 2015.
3.1 Participating projects and institutions in the production of soil cover maps.
The maps of 2005 and 2010 were made as part of a regional program: REDD-CCAD/GIZ. The study conducted by this project is called: “Analysis of the historical tendencies in forest cover changes in the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic for the periods 2000, 2005, and 2010, using the interpretation of LandSat satellite images”. In addition to the German Agency for Technical Cooperation, the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD) participated. In Nicaragua, the program REDD-CCAD/GIZ maintained coordination with the National Forest Institute (INAFOR) for the development of these land cover maps in 2005 and 2010. The land cover map of 2015 was developed by MARENA with close relation with the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies (INETER).
3.2. List of images utilized.
All the maps were made from the interpretation of LandSat satellite images with a spatial resolution 30 x 30 m. LandSat 7 is in orbit as 705 kilometers distance from the ground. Its orbit takes it close to the North Pole and the South Pole, such that the Earth rotates below LandSat, delaying only 99 minutes to make an orbit near the Earth and 16 days to take images of the entire planet.
The satellite images were selected, taking into account a criterion of quality in the sense that the cloud cover not be greater than 1.0% of the surface studied. For the development of the maps the available images were acquired free of charge for the entire planet from the following site: http://glovis.usgs.gov/.
In the following table, is demonstrated the list of all the images utilized for the development of each land cover map in different dates.
17
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The maps from 2005 and 2010 were made in 2013; this permitted to work with more images to fill in empty areas left out by the presence of clouds. It can be observed how, for the 2005 map, were used images from 2003 to 2008, nevertheless, the basis for classification was made from images of 2004 to 2005.
Table 1. Images utilized for the preparation of land cover maps 2005, 2010, and 2015
Year of map Images utilized 2005 1550_04042004, 1550_09112008, 1550_27092004, 1551_29082005, 1552_29082005, 1553_08022007, 1651_05122003, 1651_24112005, 1652_24012005, 1750_16042003, 1750_23032006, 1751_16022005, 1751_18042004, 1752_02042004, 1752_12112004, 1851_16012005, 1650_13032005 2010 1550_08022010, 1650_06032011, 1652_06032011, 1652_15022010, 1750_08012011, 1751_08012011. 1752_22022010, 1851_04032011, 1550_09112008, 1552_15112010, 1552_25032012, 1550_05012012, 1550_17102011, 1553_21012012, 1650_11122011, 1651_12042010, 1750_14022010, 1751_05032011, 1551_24022010 2015 1751_22012016, 1751_23022016, 1550_10032015, 1550_16032015, 1551_05102014, 1551_01242016, 1552_04082014, 1552_24012016, 1650_09112014, 1650_28012015, 1651_21082014, 1651_28012015, 1652_28012015, 1752_08032015
3.3. Processing of images
3.3.1. Classification of images for the land cover maps 2005 and 2010.
The following methodological detail was extracted from the document Analysis of the Historic Changes in Forest Cover (GIZ, 2013).
Even when the work directed for this study was with the final objective to identify the areas of forest and not forested, in a complementary manner, it was proposed to elevate the level of analysis to discriminate for each country, the classes of land cover that represent the principal physiognomic types existing in each of them. Nevertheless, that implies a greater effort considering the time foreseen for the development of the study.
To generate a classification of the images, an unsupervised, progressive method of classification was utilized, using the algorithm ISODATA (M. Salvia, H. Karszenbaum, et al. 2009, citing Kandus, 1999). In this iterative process, a maximum number of clusters, groups or bunches are defined, specified by the user.
18
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The process begins with any, arbitrary, average of the groups, each time the group is repeated, the averages change for the groups. The averages for the new groups are utilized for the following iteration, successively. ISODATA repeats the distribution and grouping of pixels in the image until: the maximum number of iterations specified has been met, or a maximum percentage of the pixels without changes has been reached.
In this study, starting with a number of 200 classes per image and a maximum of 20 iterations, and we selected a convergence window threshold of 0.95. For this work, as soon as 95% or more of the pixels were assigned to the center of the nearest class, the process was stopped. The exit file has a color scheme in grey scale or false color, according to convenience. Afterward, the map attribute editor was utilized to change the color and begin separating each coverage. Given that the method is progressive, in the first process, the spectral classes corresponding to some of the classes of interest that were possible to discriminate were extracted, generating a provisional map of the classes that could be separated.
The thematic map obtained for the previous process was used to mask the original image, which was classified again and other classes were separated, repeating this procedure until obtaining all the classes that fit the final classification of the image. The steps taken to generate the classifications of the satellite images of the different dates, utilizing the program Erdas Imaginen 9.x, was as follows:
“Isodata” was run as mentioned above. The Re-codification was performed on the 200 classes to the final class number presented in the legend for each country (eight classes). The filter Neighborhood (nearest neighbor) was applied, with a window of 3x3, to eliminate the so-called salt and pepper effect. A clump was applied to each image to group the pixels of the same value. An elimination was applied.
According to some authors, the LANDSAT images, due to their spatial resolution of 30 m, permit the generation of land cover maps at 1: 100,000, which means that taking a criterion of 4mm2 would be an minimum area of 4 hectares. Facing this, the risk was run and I applied a minimal mappable area with the same criterion of 4mm2 for a scale of 1:50,000, for which only one hectare was removed. The scale is the relation between the measured distances on the map and the corresponding measure on the ground, for which the quantity of information on the map is in direct relation with its scale (Priego, 2008). The suggestions of minimum areas should be considered as a guide and not as an absolute value (Priego, 2008).
19
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
3.3.2. Classification of the images for the production of land cover maps 2015.
Fort the development of the land cover map 2015, the method of supervised classification was utilized. The methodology described by Valerio (2001) in the production document for the forest map of Nicaragua of 2001.
This classification is a process in which pixels of known identity, placed within the training areas, are utilized to classify pixels of unknown identity. The supervised classification involves the following stages: Training stage; Selection of the adequate classification algorithm; Classification.
In the training stage, areas of known identity were selected according to the experience of the technician that performed the classification and with field information that the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies had recently collected for the preparation of a national land use map utilizing images from Rapideye. The training areas were traced over the digital image in the form of rectangles or polygons, whose numerical data were stored in the computer as regions of interest as “training data”. Once the set of training data were in place, the classification of each pixel in the areas was determined.
For the categories of the use of annual and perennial crops, INETER and the Nicaraguan Institute of Farming Technology (INTA) developed an intense field study to determine all the parcels which were dedicated to these crops. For this reason, these categories of land use were added to the map that resulted from the supervised classification, significantly improving the quality of the final product.
Something similar was performed for population centers; these were digitalized directly using the satellite images and added later to the classified maps.
The final edition was performed with an application of geographic information system, to correct classification errors and adjust some corners among the images. 3.3.2.1. Classifier used The algorithm classifier was utilized for minimum distance. With this classifier the training data were utilized only to determine the mean of the selected classes as regions of interest. The program performs the classification, placing each unidentified pixel in the class whose mean is found nearest, for which is used Euclidean distance.
3.3. Map legends.
20
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
For the map of 2005 and of 2010, prepared by GIZ, there was the same legend and for the map of 2015, a legend was prepared according to the official maps of the country. In the following table, is presented the legend for the maps of 2005 and 2010, and later for the map of 2015.
Table 2. Legend of the land cover maps of 2005 and 2010. No Legend of the maps of 2005 and 2010 1 Dense broadleaf forest 2 Thin broadleaf forest 3 Dry forest 4 Dense coniferous forest 5 Thin coniferous forest 6 Palm forest 7 Broadleaf forest with palm 8 Tall mangrove 9 Short mangrove 10 Guamil succession 11 Matorral thicket 12 Bushes or non – woody vegetation 13 Pastures 14 Crops 15 Natural Savannas 16 Urban 17 Soil without vegetation 18 Wetland 19 Lava 20 Bodies of water 21 Unclassified
Table 3. Legend of the map of land cover 2015.
Legend of the map of 2015 1 Closed broadleaf forest 2 Open broadleaf forest 3 Closed pine forest 4 Open pine forest 5 Forest with palm 6 Mangrove 7 Tacotal secondary growth 8 Perennial crops 9 Bushy vegetation 10 Non – woody vegetation 11 Pasture 12 Annual crops 21
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
13 Populated areas 14 Land without vegetation 15 Areas subject to flooding 16 Water 17 Natural savannas
3.3.1. Homologation of the use categories.
Given that the maps of 2005 and 2010 use different categories from the map of 2015, a process of homologation in the use categories was performed.
Direct homologation.
There are use categories that can be directly associated in both maps, however, certain categories of the 2005 and 2010 maps, such as Guamil succession, Thicket, and Natural Savanna, may be assigned to more than one category in the 2015 map.
In the following Table the homologation of the categories can be seen, associating each use class from 2005 and 2010 to the equivalent category in 2015. The categories appearing in red require a more detailed analysis to complete the homologation, which will be described below.
Tabla 4. Homologación de categorías entre 2005, 2010 y 2015
Categoría de Uso en 2005 y 2010 Equivalencia de Uso en el 2015. Dense broadleaf forest Closed broadleaf forest Thin broadleaf forest Open broadleaf forest Dry forest Open broadleaf forest Dense conifer forest Closed pine forest Thin conifer forest Open pine forest Palm forest Palm forest Broadleaf forest with palm Forest with palm Tall mangrove Mangrove Short mangrove Mangrove Guamil succession Tacotal secondary growth Coffee Open broadleaf forest Matorral thicket Bushy vegetation Tacotal secondary growth Bushes or non – wood vegetation Bushy vegetation Non – woody vegetation Pastures Farm (partially)
22
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Crops Farm (partially) Natural Savanna Open pine forest (partially) Urban Urban area Soil without vegetation Land without vegetation Wetland Areas subject to flooding Lava Depends on the kind of vegetative cover (exposed soil, tacotal secondary growth, bushy vegetation, open broadleaf forest)
Bodies of water Water Unclassified No corresponding category
Differentiated homologation.
Although no term exists for this process, in this document “differentiated homologation” is what is called the process of determination of equivalences in land use from “one to many”, that is, how the process of disaggregating a land use category in a map into more than one category in another map is achieved. In this case the homologation of the maps of 2005 and 2010 to the map of 2015). In the following, a brief description of these categories is given.
Guamil succession: Lands that were cultivated or deforested that are found fallow and there is abundant regrowth of vegetation. Guamil succession can be considered as a synonym of Tacotal secondary growth or bushy vegetation.
In the case of the lands identified as Guamil succession in Nicaragua, the specialists of the National Forestry Institute affirm that they correspond to Tacotal secondary growth and coffee – planted areas. Some areas, however, are classified as Open broadleaf forest.
To reclassify the Guamil succession areas in the 2005 and 2010 maps, the reference information from the coffee map of 2012 was utilized. The criteria of reclassification were the following: • For the areas where coffee existed in 2012 (coming from the map produced by MAGFOR in 2012), they were reclassified as such from Guamil succession. • For the areas where closed or open forest existed in 2000 and are classified at Guamil succession in 2010, they were left as open forests. These areas were encountered in mountainous regions where there is a natural forest regeneration process. In such areas, the wood species of high commercial value were extracted and the steeply sloped lands in arid climates do not permit that farming or ranching be profitable; for this reason, they are subjected to natural regeneration. This occurs principally in El Viejo municipality in Chinandega and in the dry, mountainous zone of Las Segovias. • In the rest of the places where Guamil succession was classified in 2005 and 2010, it was changed to the category Tacotal secondary growth.
23
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Matorral thickets: are characterized by vegetation dominated by bushy plants, that frequently includes grasses and other non – woody vegetation.
To reclassify the Matorral thickets in the maps of 2005 and 2010, reference information from the 2000 map produced by (Valerio, 2011) was also utilized. The criteria of reclassification were the following: • For the areas that appear as Matorral thicket in 2005 and 2010, and bushy vegetation in 2000, they were left as bushy vegetation. • For the areas that appeared as Matorral thicket in 2005 and 2010 and non – woody vegetation in 2000, they were left as non – woody vegetation. • The remainder of the areas that appeared as Matorral thicket in the 2005 and 2010 maps and appear with other uses in 2000, they were left as bushy vegetation. Bushy or non – woody vegetation: The concept is similar to that of Matorral thicket; however, in the context of the map development for 2010, one can infer that this is a category with more development of bushy vegetation.
In terms of the development of vegetation and the normally utilized terms (although there always exists a discussion between the researchers around these terms), one can perceive that there is an order of these categories according to the development of vegetation:
Matorral thicket -> Bushy vegetation -> Tacotal secondary growth -> thin, secondary forest -> Closed forest.
This relation was utilized as a criterion for the homologation of the use categories between 2000 and 2010. • For the areas where Bushy or Non – woody vegetation existed in the 2005 and 2010 maps and Bushy vegetation in 2000, they were reclassified in 2005 and 2010 as Bushy vegetation. • For the areas where Bushy or Non – woody vegetation existed in the 2005 and 2010 maps and Non – woody vegetation in 2000, they were reclassified in 2005 and 2010 as Non – woody vegetation. • For the areas where Bushy or Non – woody vegetation existed in the 2005 and 2010 maps and Closed forest in 2000, they were reclassified in 2010 as Tacotal secondary growth.
Pastures: The pastures in the maps of 2005 and 2010 represent a large range in much of the area classified as pasture, there are also areas dedicated to annual crops, however, they are crops without irrigation that can only be observed during the rainy season and the acquisition of the maps in that period are not useful because of the large amount of cloud cover during that period. The cultivated areas, therefore, are confused with pasture areas in the dry season because of the presence of weeds in the fields that appear similar to the areas of pastures.
24
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annual crops: In the maps of 2005 and 2010, there are areas defined for annual crops, however, many of them are the annual crops under irrigation and other compacted areas of annual crops that are observed in the western region of the country.
In the map for 2000, there was no differentiation among annual crops, all found in a single category named farms. To improve a little the definition of the annual crops in both maps, the compacted areas of annual crops were digitalized where found in satellite images from 2000 and 2010, respectively.
Natural savannas: The Natural savannas of pine are found in the north part of the Caribbean Coast. In the map from 2000 areas were classified as Open pine. In this case the map for 2000 was adjusted, converting to pine savannas all the areas that appear as Open pine in 2000, and Natural savannas in 2005 and 2010.
Other relevant adjustments to the maps from 2005 and 2010. Upon comparing the 2000 and the 2010 maps, some inconsistencies were encountered. This occurs with changes in land use categories that are not really viable, but rather are omissions in the classification, which, even though they represent relatively little area, had to be corrected in the maps. As example, the following are presented:
Table 5. Examples of omissions in the classification
Use category in 2000 Use category in 2010 Closed or open broadleaf forest Closed or open pine forest Closed or open pine forest Closed or open broadleaf forest Closed or open broadleaf forest Palm forest Palm forest Closed or open broadleaf forest Palm forest Closed or open pine forest
For each case, the spatial location was analyzed and the decision was made for the adjustment. To support the decision, the following were taken into account: • Reference information from the 2015 land use map prepared by INETER • Knowledge on the ground • Predominance of land use • Reference information in the topographic sheets scale 1:50,000 • LandSat satellite images for the dates of the map preparations.
Coffee map 2005 and 2012 and populations 2005, 2010, 2015.
For the identification of the areas with coffee in the maps 2000 and 2010, the areas with this land use class were updated starting with the coffee maps of 2005 and 2012, prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 25
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
To update the population centers in the maps of 2000, 2005, and 2015, the satellite images from these dates were digitalized directly and afterward were updated onto the respective maps. The land use maps for 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015, and the version May 2017, are the final version of the maps provided by MARENA, 3 April 2017.
To these maps, three validation processes were applied to guarantee the greatest thematic and cartographic quality given that they will be published and for this reason, be of national and international reference in the present and future.
The executed validations are of the official cartography, and the thematic topology and validity for each map.
3.4. Post processing.
3.4.1. Cartographic validation
INETER received from MARENA the final layers of the historical land use patterns, which were superimposed on the official limits of Nicaragua and it was identified that some adjustments were necessary in all the received maps. In the month of May 2017, an edition in the raster format for each one was made to adjust each to the shape of the official national limits. It was used as base satellite images of the year (before or after) that corresponds to each map. In the case of the 2015 map, the RapidEye 2015 and 2016 available images were utilized as the principal sources.
The edition consisted of adjustments to the uses along the boundary with Honduras where the Rio Coco makes changes constantly, as well as in the zone of the Rio Negro, and the rest of the boundary was also adjusted in the same way. Also, the boundary with Costa Rica was adjusted.
Other adjustments were made at the shores of lakes (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua) and oceans (Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea).
None of the maps included all the islands and islets, in the Great Lakes as well as in the Pacific and the Caribbean, for which through interpretation of the respective satellite images, they were added to each map.
The editions were conducted on screen, at different scales, but always greater than the original scale of each map. The scales utilized included: 1; 30,000, 1; 25,000, 1; 20,000, 1; 15,000, and in some cases, greater scales, in accordance with the complexity of the uses in the work area.
26
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
As a result, all the maps now have exactly the same boundaries and lacustrine and maritime shores, as well as islands and islets of the two Great Lakes, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and by the same measure, the same continental surface area. The programs utilized for the edition were ERDAS 2014 for the maps of 2000, 2005, and 2010, and ArcGis 10.3 for the 2015 map.
3.4.2. Topological validation
Once the edition was concluded, the topological validation was conducted, utilizing the tool that is provided by ArcGis. In all the maps, there were topological errors detected, in the area edited by INETER as well as in the rest of the map.
With the same ArcGis editing tools, the position of the polygons were removed, as well as the polygons without information (gap and overlap). In both cases, it was necessary to consult the satellite reference images of each year, with the objective to be sure of which type of land use was being assigned to the reviewed polygon, to guarantee that none of the two mentioned errors would remain.
Finally, a calculation of total area of Nicaragua was made, as an indicator of the absence of polygons without information or of overlap.
The topology for the maps of 2000 and 2005 was conducted with ArcGis 10.1 and for the maps of 2010 and 2015, with ArcGis 10.3.
3.4.3. Thematic validation
The thematic validation of the maps was conducted based on the workshop “Training for evaluation of thematic maps” which was performed in October 2016, in Colombia, financed by the Program ONU-REDD and the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.
The sample size unit was the point, valuing the pixel or group of nearest pixels, without a counting of the number of pixels that pertained exactly to the use class that was assigned to the point.
For the sample size, an assignation proportional to each of the 17 land use classes was utilized (stratified sampling), with expected accuracy no less than 80% for each use class and the Cochran (1977) formula: , as is demonstrated in the following figure for the map from 2005.
27
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 6. Parameters and formulas utilized to calculate the sample size
The total number of points for the map of 2005 was 1,186, for the map of 2010, 1,186, and for that of 2015, 1,181 points.
In the case of the map from 2000, given that it is an official and accurate map, it was decided to evaluate if it would be necessary in the case that the cartographic and topographic validations in this process would have made changes in the points utilized originally in the year 2000.
With the Random Points option in ArcGis, a shape was created with random points for each use class on each map, based on a number of points obtained from the formula mentioned in the previous paragraph.
The assignation of the land uses for each point on each map was performed using ArcGis through the visual interpretation of the LandSat satellite images according to the reference year, except that for the year 2015, the images RapidEye 2015 and 2016 were utilized and in the case that it was necessary, because of clouds or shadow, the LandSat images were utilized.
To generate the matrix of confusion for each map, the Spatial Join option of ArcGis was utilized first, in which the observed use by the interpreter is combined with the use listed in the map in the same site, and then a dynamic table in Excel is generated. The four maps have a statistical validity of greater than 85%, except for the original map of 2000 that scored 81.3%, given that none of the sites where the points utilized in 2000 were placed suffered any changes in the cartographic, nor in the topological, validations.
CONSULTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chuvieco, E. 2006. Teledetección Ambiental. La observación de la Tierra desde el Espacio. 2da edición, Editorial Ariel, Barcelona, España. GIZ, 2013. Análisis de las tendencias históricas de cambios en la cobertura forestal en los países de Centroamérica y República Dominicana para los periodos 200º - 2005 – 2010 a partir de la interpretación digital de imágenes satelitales LandSat. Agencia de Cooperación Alemana
28
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
para el Desarrollo y Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo. Sigautepe, Honduras, febrero 2017. 105 pág. GTZ, 2010. Programa de reducción de emisiones de carbono causadas por la deforestación y la degradación de los bosques (REDD-GTZ) 2010. Metodología para el mapeo de los tipos de bosque y análisis multitemporal de sus cambios a nivel subnacional. Informe Final. Karszenbaum, H. 2007. Apuntes de Procesamiento e Interpretación Digital de Imágenes. Laboratorio de Ecología Regional, Departamento de Ecología Genética y Evolución Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Univ., de Buenos Aires Argentina. Valerio, L, 2001. Elaboración del Mapa Forestal de Nicaragua, Informe Final. Ministerio Agropecuario y Forestal. Abril, 2001. 21 p.
29
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 10. Protocol of the generation of emission and removal factors
Introduction
The emission and removal factors for the PR of emissions have been calculated in accordance with the available national data in the National Forest Inventory (INF) for the classes of forest and with defect values of the IPCC in the case of non – forest cover. The following is a detail of the calculation procedures utilized that appear in the data sheet Calculo_FE.xlsx. A summary of the calculation procedures utilized in each case is presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Source of information for the calculation of Emission Factors
Type of cover AGB BGB
Broadleaf Forest INF Cairns Equation
Coniferous forest INF Cairns Equation
Tacotal Secondary Growth INF Cairns Equation
No – Forest IPCC IPCC
Nicaragua Forest Inventory.
The data from the National Forest Inventory (INF), performed by INAFOR in 2007, were utilized to calculate emission and absorption factors for several forest categories and young, secondary vegetation (tacotales). A complete description of the methodology and the results of the INF are found in INAFOR, 2009.
The methodological basis for the National Forest Inventory comes from the Program of National Forest Monitoring and Assessment of FAO (NFMA), taking into account the national needs for information and data in terms of the kinds of land cover and the forest sector.
The INF is built on a systematic sampling design with permanent plots throughout the country, with information collected in forested areas as well as non – forested areas. The sample design is based on a square of 10 minutes latitude and 10 minutes longitude (each approximately 18 km). There are a total of 371 sampling units as is demonstrated in Figure 1.
30
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Figure 43. Map of locations of the Sampling Units for the National Forest Inventory 2007-2008
Each sampling unit consisted of a square surface of 500 x 500 m. In this square, four rectangular plots of 250 m x 20 m were established, that constituted the effective measuring areas.
◗Plot 1: located in the southwest corner of the square and has a northward direction (0-360°). ◗Plot 2: located in the northwest corner and has eastward direction (90°). ◗Plot 3: located in the northeast corner and has a southward direction (180°). ◗Plot 4: located in the southeast corner and has a westward direction (270°).
In the following table are described the quantified elements of each level of the plots. In each of the plots was recorded the information regarding land use, burned areas, geographic features, trees greater than 20 cm of diameter at breast height (DBH), in the forested areas, trees greater than 10 cm DBH in areas outside of forest, soil and natural regeneration.
31
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table2. Description of the level of sampling units according to the resources that were measured in the INF 2007-2008
LEVEL DESCRIPTION REGISTERED ELEMENTS
Sampling unit 4 plots distributed within Interviews with mayors and 500x500 m indigenous territorial authorities
Plot Rectangle 20x250 m Forest: Trees with DBH> 20 cm
Nested plot (PAN1) Rectangle 20x10 m Forest: Trees with DBH > 10 cm
Nested plot (PAN2) Círculo r= 3.99 m Forest: Trees with DBH < 10 cm
Soil measuring points Soil
Figure 44. Sampling unit design and plots for the National Forest Inventory 2007-2008
When the sampling unit presented land use with forest, each plot had a nested arrangement of three sub – plots of 10 x 20 m (PAN 1), where the trees were measures from DBH 10 cm to 20 cm. These were located from 0 – 10 m, 120 – 130 m, and between 240 – 250 m from the starting point of the principal plot. Additionally, three plots were traces in a circular form of 3.99 m radius (PAN 32
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
2), where the regeneration of saplings and young trees was measured. The central point of the first was located at 5 m from the starting point of the plot and 5 m to the left; the second plot at 125 m from the starting point and 5 m to the left, and the third plot at 245 m from the starting point and 5 m to the left.
Homologation of inventory classes for REDD+
The definition of each class for the inventory was made based on the terms and definitions in the World Forest Resource Evaluation 2005 (FAO 2005). These inventory classes were reclassified according to the available classes on the land cover maps and the needs of the PR (Table 3), resulting in two final forest classes, Broadleaf forest and Conifer forest and a class of Secondary growth, Tacotal. The information contained in the inventory on other types of cover was not utilized for the estimates of emissions.
Table 3. Homologation of the types of inventory for REDD+
Categories National Forest Inventory Class REDD +
Very Dense Primary Natural Broadleaf Forest (BNLPMD)
Dense, Primary Natural Broadleaf Forest (BNLPD)
Dense Secondary Natural Broadleaf Forest (BNLSD)
Dense Intervened Natural Broadleaf Forest (BNLID) Broadleaf forest Thin Primary Natural Broadleaf Forest (BNLPR)
Thin Secondary Natural Broadleaf Forest (BNLSR)
Thin Intervened Natural Broadleaf Forest (BNLIR)
Primary Mangrove
Intervened Mangrove
Dense Developing Natural Conifer Forest (BNCDD) Conifer Forest Dense Mature Natural Coniferous Forest (BNCMD)
33
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Dense Young Natural Conifer Forest (BNCJD)
Dense Regenerating Natural Conifer Forest (BNCRD)
Thin Developing Natural Conifer Forest (BNCDR)
Very Thin Developing Natural Conifer Forest (BNCDMR)
Very Thin Young Natural Conifer Forest (BNCJMR)
Thin Young Natural Conifer Forest (BNCJR)
Thin Mature Natural Conifer Forest (BNCMR)
Natural Conifer Savanna
Tacotal secondary growth (TA) Tacotal
Extensive Cattle Ranching (GEA)
Cattle with improved pastures (GPCM)
Cattle with unmanaged pasture(GPSM)
Natural pastures with trees: Pn, Pna, S, Sa (only with broadleaf species), Ar, y Silvo. Other coverage Annual crops ( C y CA)
Coffee cultivation (CAFÉ) and Cacao (CC)
Perennial crops (CP)
Human Settlements (AH)
Wetlands (H)
Calculation of aerial biomass (AGB)
The following methodology for the calculation of the emission factors for the broadleaf forest classes, conifer forests, and tacotal secondary growth using the INF data is demonstrated in Table 4:
34
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 4. Methodology of calculation of AGB
Step 1 Collection of information: - Database of all trees in the IFN 2007-2008 from INAFOR - File GIS (shapefile) with the boundaries of the sample units, the plots, and the nested plots (PAN1), including information on the land uses and the forest types of the INF (see Table 3) - File GIS (shapefile) of all the sampled trees in the IFN
Step 2 Analysis and processing of information: - Generation of a unique ID for each tree in the INF for placement in the Excel data base and the GIS data base:
"ID árbol único"="ID unidad de muestreo"*10000+"ID parcela"*1000+"ID árbol"
- Homologation of uses of the INF with use types in the ENDE-REDD program (see Table 3 “Homologation of uses”)
- Generation of GIS files (*.shp) of the sample unit and land use (using the tool dissolve from ArcGis). In this manner, for the sample unit as well as for plot, was obtained a unique surface for the land use (Clase REDD+).
- Transferal of information of every sample unit tree from the IFN (using Join by location from ARC GIS). Two data are relevant in this process: the use class of REDD+, and the surface that represents that class in the sample unit (in the set of four plots of the sample unit as well as in the set of 12 nested plots PAN1 in the sample unit).
- Stumps were discarded from the data base, as well as trees of less than DBH < 10 cm and the trees that according to the SIG files are outside the plot.
Step 3 Emission Factor Calculation: - Calculation of the surface expansion factor for each tree based on the REDD+ class to which it belongs and the surface within the sampling unit. For each REDD+ class samples of variable size have been considered according to the presence in the sampling units of the IFN. The expansion factor is calculated as: 10000/surface in m2.
This being the surface of the REDD class in the entire sampling unit (for the trees with DAP >=20) and the surface of the REDD class in the set of 12 nested plots PAN1 of the sample unit (for trees 20>DAP >=10)
- Calculation of the expansion factor, differentiated for the Forest Classes REDD+: in these cases, the surface to consider in the formula for the expansion factor was made in a differentiate way for trees with DBH >=20 and for trees 20>DBH >=10. The first were measure in the entire sample
35
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
unit and the second only in the nested plots. As a result, the calculation of the expansion factors was performed differently. In the first case, considering the surface of the REDD Class in the entire sampling unit and in the second, the surface of the REDD Clase in the set of 12 nested plots PAN1 for the sample unit.
- Calculation of the expansion factor for the Class REDD+ No forest (Tacotal secondary growth): in this case, all the trees independent of their DBH, were measured in the entire sample unit. As a result, the surface considered for the calculation of the expansion factor was that of the REDD+ Class within the sample unit.
- Calculation of the aerial biomass (AGB) for each of the trees in the inventory. First, a calculation was made of the tons of dry material per tree (t m.s./tree) applying the equations of Brown et al. 1997, detailed in the following section of this protocol (the equations were considered of differentiated form for the broadleaf forests and conifer forests). Afterward, the obtained result was converted to hectares based on the expansion factors previously commented. In this way, is obtained the data per tree in (t m.s./ha).
- The calculation of AGB for each combination of REDD+ Class and UM. A sum of the AGB is performed of all the trees included in each combination of REDD Class and UM (example: the trees of UM 175 and REDD Class Tacotal secondary growth). These calculations are made in Excel using dynamic tables.
- Calculation of the AGB emission factors for each REDD+ Class. The emission factor for each class is obtained through the calculation of the average AGB (t m.s/ha) of all the combinations of REDD Class and UM that include the REDD Class that is the object of calculation. These calculations are performed in Excel through the use of dynamic tables. The values of the emission factors, errors, etc. have been performed following the classical statistical methods of the forest inventories (systematic sampling).
The entire calculation process described in the above steps is taken in a data base in Excel.
According to what appears captured in the above table, Nicaragua does not have allometric growth equations adjusted to the national level for which the Brown 1997 equation that appears in Table 4 of IPCC 1996 is utilized.
Table 5. Allometric growth equations for the estimation of biomass above the soil (kg of dry material per tree) for tropical species
R2/sample DBH range Equation Forest type size (cm)
Y = 21.297 – 6.953 • (DBH) + 0.740 • (DBH)2 Tropical wet 0.92/176 4 -112 hardwoods
36
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Y = 0.887 + [(10486 • (DBH)2.84) / ((DBH2.84) + Temperate/tropical 0.98/137 0.6 - 56 376907)] pines
Where
Y= dry biomass above ground, kg (tree)-1
DBH =diameter at breast height, cm
Source: Updated from Brown, 1997; Brown and Schroeder, 1999; Schroeder et al., 1997
Calculation of below – ground biomass (BGB)
For the calculation of below – ground biomass, for the broadleaf forest, conifer forests, and tacotal secondary growth classes, the equation of Cairns et al 1997106 was utilized:
Equation R2/sample size Y = exp[-1.0850+0.9256*ln(ABG) ] 0.83/151 Source: Cairns et al. 1997 Where: Y= belowground dry matter, Mg/ha AGB = aboveground dry matter, Mg/ha ln = natural logarithm exp = “e raised to the power of”
Calculation of the emission and removal factors for the forest classes
Emission factors
From the information obtained, according to the descriptions in the above sections, for the aerial biomass and below-ground biomass, a single, combined factor of emission is obtained. The analysis of the obtained results on the level of the sample unit has been performed beginning with the classical statistical analysis (Table 6).
106 Cairns, Michael A., et al. "Root biomass allocation in the world's upland forests." Oecologia 111.1 (1997): 1-11. 37
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table 6. Emission factors utilized in the estimation of emission from deforestation
Clas EF (t Number of Standard Deviation of t- Error EF (t s m.s./ha) samples Total Student % CO2e/ha)
EFc 62.47 25 80.42 1.71 43.98 107.66 %
EFl 176.8 182 172.89 1.65 11.98 304.70 %
EFt 33.89 144 36.49 1.7 14.86 58.4 %
EFc: Emission factor for conifer forests, EFb: Emission factor for broadleaf forests, and EFt: emission factor for no-forests of tacotal secondary growth
Removal Factor
The removal factor (RF) has been calculated from the emission factor for the broadleaf forests, as one – half of it, RF=EFl/2=88.40 t m.s/ha. This factor is applied to the annual transformation surface of no – forest to forest. In the program, the increases in inventories from the change in land use from forest to forest are considered and not the increases in inventories in forests that remain classified as forests. For this reason, for the calculation of the removals they are considered only in the period of transition from no – forest to forest. These removals are considered one – time in the moment of change in land use from no – forest to forest, in the year of the conversion or of the identification of the conversion in the analysis of the activity data. The removal factor has been estimated as one – half of the emission factor for broadleaf forest to understand the period of conversion from no – forest to forest is one – half the period of transition from no – forest to forest in a stable state, without significant inventory increases.
Estimation Factors for emissions for the No – forest class
The class No – forest has been generated from the reclassification of different non – forest cover types present in the activity data excepting the tacotal secondary growth class, whose emission factor has been described above, together with the forest classes.
38
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
The calculation of the emission factor was performed taking into account the proposed emission factors in IPCC 2006 with the surface of each coverage in the activity maps of 2005 and 2015 and in the case of perennial crops, taking into account each of the two climatic zones present in the accounting zone. The coverages and their areas appear in the Table.
Table 7. Deforested surface area of each coverage included in the class No – forest
Type of coverage No – forest 2015 Surface (ha)
ANNUAL CROPS 94,208.67
WET PERENNIAL CROPS 21,391.02
MOIST PERENNIAL CROPS 649.08
GRASSLAND 638,307.00
SHRUBS 100,480.23
NO VEGETATION 5,044.14
TOTAL 860,080 ha
The calculation of each of the emission factors considered is detailed in the following tables: Perennial crops Source: Table 5.1 IPCC, 2006 Climatic region AGB at harvest EM Maturing cycle Long term average Area AGB (t C ha-1) (%) (yr) (t d.m. ha-1) (ha) (t d.m.) tropical, dry 9 75 5 9.57 0 0 A G B tropical/moist 21 75 8 22.34 649 14,500 tropical/wet 50 75 5 53.19 21,391 1,137,820 Total 22,040 1,152,320 AGB considered 52.28 Standard error 19.61
BGB (considered 0 according to IPCC, 2006) 0
EF AGB+BGB perennial crops 52.28 Standard error EF AGB+BGB perennial crops 19.61
Annual crops 39
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Source: Table 5.9. IPCC, 2006 AGB at harvest EM Maturity cycle Long term average Area AGB (t C ha-1) (%) (yr) (t d.m. ha-1) (ha) (t d.m.) A G B 5 75 1 10.64 94,208 1,002,219 Total 94,208 1,002,219 AGB considered 10.64 Standard error 3.99
BGB (annual crops considered 0 according to IPCC, 2006). 0
EF AGB+BGB annual crops 10.64 Standard error EF AGB+BGB annual crops 3.99
Non – woody vegetation Source: Table 6.4 IPCC, 2006 Climatic region Peak Mean AGB EM Area AGB (t d.m. ha-1) (%) (ha) (t d.m.) A G B tropical, dry 2.3 75 0 0 tropical/moist & wet 6.2 75 638,307 3,957,503 Total 638,307 3,957,503 Considered AGB 6.20 Standard error 2.33
Default expansion factors of the ratio of BGB to Climatic region EM Area BGB AGB (t d.m. BGB/t d.m. AGB ) (%) (ha) (t d.m.) B G tropical, dry 2.8 95 0 0 B tropical/moist & 13 638,30 6,332,00 1.6 wet 0 7 5 638,30 6,332,00 Total 7 5 Considered BGB 9.92 Standard error 6.45 EF AGB+BGB herbaceous vegetation 16.12 Standard error EF AGB+BGB herbaceous vegetation 8.77
Bushy vegetation
40
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Bushy vegetation is considered an early stage in the succession of tacotal secondary growth. For this reason, the emission factor for this category has been estimated based on the emission factor for tacotal secondary growth, which is based on data from the forest inventory. The mean age of the tacotales is 5 years and that of bushy vegetation, 2.5 years.
AGB tacotal EM Tacotal Average age Veg. Arbustiva average age Area AGB AGB (t d.m. ha-1) (%) (yr) (yr) (ha) (t d.m.) + 33.89 14.86 5 2.5 BGB 100,480 851,318 Total 100,480 851,318 Considered AGB 8.47 Standard error 0.76 EF AGB+BGB bushy vegetation 8.47 Standard error EF AGB+BGB bushy vegetation 0.76
Other land use categories
AGB EM Average age Area AGB AGB (t d.m. ha-1) (%) (yr) (ha) (t d.m.) + 0 0 0 BGB 5,044.14 0 Total 5,044.14 0 Considered AGB 0 Standard error 0 FE AGB+BGB other covers 0 Standard error FE AGB+BGB other covers 0
A mean considered emission factor is calculated based on these individual factors for the categories above and their total surface area 860,080 ha.
AGB+BGB Types of No – forest Area (ha) (AGB+BGB)*area (t d.m.) Perennial crops 52.28 22,040 1,152,251 Annual crops 10.64 94,208 1,002,373 Non – woody vegetation 16.12 638,307 10,289,509 Vegetación arbustiva 8.47 100,480 851,066 Otros usos no bosque 0 5,044.14 0 Total 860,079 13,295,199 41
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Considered FE AGB+BGB (t d.m. ha-1) 15.46
Considered standard error FE AGB+BGB (t d.m. ha- 7.54 1)
Annex 11. Generation of reference level protocol
Introduction
Annual historical emissions for the reference period have been calculated for deforestation and enhancement of carbon stock in new forests. GHG emissions has been estimated by the “stock difference approach” as proposed in Chapter 2 Vol 4 of the IPCC Guidelines (2006) and adapted to the REDD+ context. Changes in carbon stocks in the accounting area are calculated as the sum of the annual changes in the different sinks (aboveground and belowground biomass, AGB and BGB, respectively).
Reference level of emissions from deforestation
Following good practices proposed in the IPCC Guidelines (2006), deforestation has been broken down into 3 strata corresponding to different types of forest and non-forest cover identified in the National Forest Inventory (INF) carried out by INAFOR. This will enable more accurate accounting of emissions and better matching of interventions in the field. Deforestation has been assessed on broadleaf and coniferous forests separately, since they represent the two most important forest formations in the program area. However, the conversion of broadleaf forests was further sub- divided into two other categories: their conversion to secondary vegetation or tacotal secondary growth, and those forests transformed into “other” types of cover. A single emissions factor has been calculated for “other” types of cover even though this category include different land use covers such as shrub land, grassland, permanent crops, annual crops and bare soils. This was done using a weighted average based on the areas of the different land use covers included in this category. In Summary, deforestation strata are:
• Deforestation of Broadleaf forest to tacotal secondary growth • Deforestation of Broadleaf forest to non-forest • Deforestation of Conifer forest to non-forest
The following equation has been used to assess CO2 emissions:
= _ [ ] + _ [ ] + _ [ ] Where, E are total𝐸𝐸 CO2𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 emissions𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 in𝐸𝐸 tons− 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑡𝑡 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 42
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Ac_nf is the deforested area from conifer forest to non-forest classes (ha) EFc is the emission factor of conifer forest calculated from the INF (t CO2/ha) EFnf is the emission factor of non-forest classes (t CO2/ha) Ab_t is the deforested area from broadleaf forest to tacotal secondary growth (ha) EFb Is the emission factor of broadleaf forest (t CO2/ha) EFt is the emission factor of tacotal secondary growth (t CO2/ha) Ab_nf is the deforested area from broadleaf forest to non-forest classes (ha)
Deforested areas have been calculated through the reference information obtained for the 2005- 2015 period as described in the Generation of Activity Data protocol and are included in Table 1.
Deforested areas obtained for each stratum in the reference period 2005-2015
Activity Acronym Adjusted area Standard error Confidence Category (ha) (ha) Interval (90%)
Deforestation of broadleaf forest DLT 257,404 188,210 – 326,597 to tacotales 41,428
Deforestation of broadleaf forest DBL 456,781 371,732 – 541,831 to other non-forest 50,835
Deforestation of conifer forest DBC 11,268 2,341 7,064 – 15,472
Emission factors for forest and non-forest classes have been calculated as described in the Generation of Emission Factors protocol. A summary of the values and errors obtained are included in Table 2.
Emissions Factors obtained for each category CATEGORY Acronym VALUE STANDARD ERROR SOURCE107 (t C/ha) (t C/ha)
Broadleaf forest EFb 83.10 6.02 INF
Conifer forest EFc 29.36 7.56 INF
Tacotales EFt 15.93 1.43 INF
Non-forest EFnf 7.27 3.54 IPCC
107 Sources are: INF: National Forest Inventory of Nicaragua (INAFOR, 2009) or IPCC Guidelines 2006. 43
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Reference level of Carbon Enhancement on new forests
Forest enhancement includes the conversion of non-forest land to broadleaf forest land. According to the information available in the reference sample points of the land cover maps, this process only includes the regeneration of new broadleaf forests regenerating in the study area, since reference information for pine forests is not available. Increases of carbon stocks in existing secondary and primary forest have not been included, due to the lack of data for the generation of a reference level for this activity.
The removal of carbon due to enhancement in new forests has been calculated following the equation:
= [ ] Where, R is the removal of carbon 𝑅𝑅 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 ∗ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 Snfb is the area converted from non-forest land to broadleaf forest in the period 2005-2015 (ha/yr) RF is the removal factor
Table. Area of non-forest land converted to forest land (new forest) during the period 2005-2015 VALUE Standard error Activity Confidence Interval (90%) (ha/yr) (ha/yr)
New forest 36,548 5,131 27,971.8 – 45,125.2
Removal factor (Table 4) for broadleaf forest including aboveground and belowground biomass have been estimated as a half of the emission factor obtained for the broadleaf forest (EFb) (t CO2) (see Table 2).
Table. Removal factor used for the generation of the reference level of Carbon Stock Enhancement ACTIVITY VALUE STANDARD ERROR CATEGORY (t C/ha) (t C/ha)
BL 41.55 3.01
Uncertainties of the calculation of emissions
In order to predict the total uncertainty of the reference level, two different sources of error have been considered for propagation: (i) the uncertainty of the activity data and (ii) the sampling error
44
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve in the estimation of emission factors. From the expression used to quantify total emissions or removals from the study area due to forest loss, their average uncertainty is also calculated through Monte Carlo simulations.
Uncertainty of activity data
The uncertainty associated with the activity data has been estimated directly through the reference points obtained from the methodology described in section 8.3 which is included in the worksheet Analisis_incertidumbres.xlsx. These benchmarks have been evaluated through a visual interpretation by two independent experts and validated by INETER experts.
Uncertainty of emission factors
For the emission factors obtained from the IPCC, the uncertainties reported by the same source have been considered. For the rest of the emission factors, both for aerial and underground biomass, the statistical uncertainties associated with sampling have been taken into account (reported in the worksheet calculo_FE.xlsx), and the uncertainties associated with the applied alometric models have not been taken into account.
The propagation of these two sources of error has been carried out by means of Monte Carlo simulations using the propagate package (Spiess, 2015) of software R through the script "Propagate_Nicaragua. R", which is available with this protocol.
Total emissions due to deforestation and associated uncertainty are summarized in Table 5 and total removals and uncertainties due to increased carbon stocks in new forests are summarized in Table 6.
Table. Total emissions and uncertainties in the reference level of deforestation
Mean (t C) Sd (t C) 5% (t C) 95% (t C) Relative error at 90%
52,176,440 6,644,165 41,621,754 63,494,131 21%
Table. Total removals and uncertainties in the reference level of increase in inventories Mean (t C/yr) Sd (t C/yr) 5% (t C/yr) 95% (t C/yr) Error at 90%
1,518,590.2 240,466.5 1,132,688.2 1,923,752.1 26%
generation of reference level protocol Introduction 45
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annual historical emissions for the reference period have been calculated for deforestation and enhancement of carbon stock in new forests. GHG emissions has been estimated by the “stock difference approach” as proposed in Chapter 2 Vol 4 of the IPCC Guidelines (2006) and adapted to the REDD+ context. Changes in carbon stocks in the accounting area are calculated as the sum of the annual changes in the different sinks (aboveground and belowground biomass, AGB and BGB, respectively).
Reference level of emissions from deforestation
Following good practices proposed in the IPCC Guidelines (2006), deforestation has been broken down into 3 strata corresponding to different types of forest and non-forest cover identified in the National Forest Inventory (INF) carried out by INAFOR. This will enable more accurate accounting of emissions and better matching of interventions in the field. Deforestation has been assessed on broadleaf and coniferous forests separately, since they represent the two most important forest formations in the program area. However, the conversion of broadleaf forests was further sub- divided into two other categories: their conversion to secondary vegetation or tacotales, and those forests transformed into “other” types of cover. A single emissions factor has been calculated for “other” types of cover even though this category include different land use covers such as shrub land, grassland, permanent crops, annual crops and bare soils. This was done using a weighted average based on the areas of the different land use covers included in this category. In Summary, deforestation strata are:
• Deforestation of Broadleaf forest to tacotales • Deforestation of Broadleaf forest to non-forest • Deforestation of Conifer forest to non-forest
The following equation has been used to assess CO2 emissions:
= _ [ ] + _ [ ] + _ [ ] Where, E are total𝐸𝐸 CO2𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 emissions𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 in𝐸𝐸 tons− 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑡𝑡 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 − 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 Ac_nf is the deforested area from conifer forest to non-forest classes (ha) EFc is the emission factor of conifer forest calculated from the INF (t CO2/ha) EFnf is the emission factor of non-forest classes (t CO2/ha) Ab_t is the deforested area from broadleaf forest to tacotales (ha) EFb Is the emission factor of broadleaf forest (t CO2/ha) EFt is the emission factor of tacotales (t CO2/ha) Ab_nf is the deforested area from broadleaf forest to non-forest classes (ha)
Deforested areas have been calculated through the reference information obtained for the 2005- 2015 period as described in the Generation of Activity Data protocol and are included in Table 1. 46
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Table.. Deforested areas obtained for each stratum in the reference period 2005-2015
Activity Acronym Adjusted area Standard error Confidence Category (ha) (ha) Interval (90%)
Deforestation of broadleaf forest DLT 257,404 188,210 – 326,597 to tacotales 41,428
Deforestation of broadleaf forest DBL 456,781 371,732 – 541,831 to other non-forest 50,835
Deforestation of conifer forest DBC 11,268 2,341 7,064 – 15,472
Emission factors for forest and non-forest classes have been calculated as described in the Generation of Emission Factors protocol. A summary of the values and errors obtained are included in Table 2.
Table.. Emissions Factors obtained for each category CATEGORY Acronym VALUE STANDARD ERROR SOURCE108 (t C/ha) (t C/ha)
Broadleaf forest EFb 83.10 6.02 INF
Conifer forest EFc 29.36 7.56 INF
Tacotales EFt 15.93 1.43 INF
Non-forest EFnf 7.27 3.54 IPCC
Reference level of Carbon Enhancement on new forests
Forest enhancement includes the conversion of non-forest land to broadleaf forest land. According to the information available in the reference sample points of the land cover maps, this process only includes the regeneration of new broadleaf forests regenerating in the study area, since reference information for pine forests is not available. Increases of carbon stocks in existing secondary and primary forest has not been included, due to the lack of data for the generation of a reference level for this activity.
The removal of carbon due to enhancement in new forests has been calculated following the equation:
108 Sources are: INF: National Forest Inventory of Nicaragua (INAFOR, 2009) or IPCC Guidelines 2006. 47
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
= [ ] Where, R is the removal of carbon 𝑅𝑅 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 ∗ 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 Snfb is the area converted from non-forest land to broadleaf forest in the period 2005-2015 (ha/yr) RF is the removal factor
Table.. Area of non-forest land converted to forest land (new forest) during the period 2005-2015 VALUE Standard error Activity Confidence Interval (90%) (ha/yr) (ha/yr)
New forest 36,548 5,131 27,971.8 – 45,125.2
Removal factor (Table 4) for broadleaf forest including aboveground and belowground biomass have been estimated as a half of the emission factor obtained for the broadleaf forest (EFb) (t CO2) (see Table 2).
Table.. Removal factor used for the generation of the reference level of Carbon Stock Enhancement ACTIVITY VALUE STANDARD ERROR CATEGORY (t C/ha) (t C/ha)
BL 41.55 3.01
Uncertainties of the calculation of emissions
In order to predict the total uncertainty of the reference level, two different sources of error have been considered for propagation: (i) the uncertainty of the activity data and (ii) the sampling error in the estimation of emission factors. From the expression used to quantify total emissions or removals from the study area due to forest loss, their average uncertainty is also calculated through Monte Carlo simulations.
Uncertainty of activity data
The uncertainty associated with the activity data has been estimated directly through the reference points obtained from the methodology described in section 8.3 which is included in the worksheet Analisis_incertidumbres.xlsx. These benchmarks have been evaluated through a visual interpretation by two independent experts and validated by INETER experts.
Uncertainty of emission factors
For the emission factors obtained from the IPCC, the uncertainties reported by the same source have been considered. For the rest of the emission factors, both for aerial and underground 48
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve biomass, the statistical uncertainties associated with sampling have been taken into account (reported in the worksheet calculo_FE.xlsx), and the uncertainties associated with the applied alometric models have not been taken into account.
The propagation of these two sources of error has been carried out by means of Monte Carlo simulations using the propagate package (Spiess, 2015) of software R through the script "Propagate_Nicaragua. R" which is available with this protocol.
Total emissions due to deforestation and associated uncertainty are summarized in Table 5 and total removals and uncertainties due to increased carbon stocks in new forests are summarized in Table 6.
Table.. Emisiones totales e incertidumbres del nivel de referencia de deforestación Media (t C) Sd (t C) 5% (t C) 95% (t C) Error Relativo al 90%
52,176,440 6,644,165 41,621,754 63,494,131 21%
Table 84. Remociones totales e incertidumbres del nivel de referencia de aumento de existencias
Media (t C/yr) Sd (t C/yr) 5% (t C/yr) 95% (t C/yr) Error al 90%
1,518,590.2 240,466.5 1,132,688.2 1,923,752.1 26%
49
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 12. Road map for developing the plan for the distribution of benefits
THEME SCOPE OBJECTIVE/ACTIONS RESPONSIBLE DATE Formulation Area Determine the focus Legal and SESA Nov. 2017 and Analysis area within the working groups accounting area based on cost-benefit analysis, as well as existing technical and financial resources Beneficiaries Analyze and identify the potential beneficiaries (categories) based on the proposed interventions and priority geographic areas. Mechanisms of Regional Analyze the operation INAFOR, February Distribution of and results of together with 2018 Benefits FONADEFO, and the Legal, consider, given the Safeguards, basis of experience, at and MRV what level FONADEFO working can perform a groups strategic role in the distribution of benefits REDD + in Nicaragua. Identification of Benefits and Analyze the different Legal Table and March Benefits types of benefits and their EESA 2018 benefits types (monetary and non – monetary categories)
-Conduct a cost – benefit analysis of each of the options (that is, costs of transaction, of opportunity, and of execution), of the different benefits, according to the selected area, for each type of beneficiary, with the objective to determine the most appropriate benefits.
50
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
THEME SCOPE OBJECTIVE/ACTIONS RESPONSIBLE DATE -Rapid evaluation of existing interventions in Nicaragua, including those that have provided benefits to the population related to conservation, restoration, or through fiscal or non – fiscal incentives (in such a manner that options can be determined for the agreements and actors). Formulation of Technical Analyze with Group 2 Distribution April 2018 the General Proposal the results of Benefits, Framework for (beneficiaries, types of Legal, and the Distribution benefits, criteria, Safeguard of Benefits monitoring) at working different levels. groups Analysis of the Decision Present to Group 1 the Program April Strategic Making strategic analysis of Coordinator 2018 Decisions the beneficiaries, presents to benefits, types of Group 1. benefits, mechanism of distribution of benefits, agreements, criteria, and monitoring of the distribution of benefits. -Present experiences/lessons learned from REDD + in other countries, as well as advantages and disadvantages of the different types of agreements. -Determine the types of benefits and their beneficiaries -Discuss and determine the criteria for monitoring and evaluation of the compliance of the REDD+ activities or the 51
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
THEME SCOPE OBJECTIVE/ACTIONS RESPONSIBLE DATE distribution of benefits. -Analyze and reach consensus on who assumes the different roles and responsibilities (distribution and administration of funds, monitoring of results, etc.) at different levels.
- Define a mechanism Led May for the transparent (proposed 2018 administration of and funds (administrative, developed) operative structure, by the monitoring and Interventions evaluation of the working program) and for the group in distribution of benefits consultation (visualize and define with the the roles and Legal, Transparent responsibilities of the Safeguards, administration different committees, Dsiribution of Safeguards of funds and reporting, monitoring, Benefits, and decision and the level of MRV working making compliance with the groups. agreements/contracts, etc. Guarantee the practice of audits -Analyze and define the participating entities (that is, government, private, traditional governments, business sector, among others), that will assume
52
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
THEME SCOPE OBJECTIVE/ACTIONS RESPONSIBLE DATE responsibilities in the distribution of benefits -Design a mechanism that includes anti- corruption measures. Consultations, Activities June dialogues, and directed by through consensus with regional August representatives of the teams with 2018 regional, municipal, the support and territorial of the governments of the Distribution selected areas of Benefits -Present the objective and the Legal in the ENDE consulting working group and the groups, Consultations Program. together with in the -Consult and reach the Working Accounting consensus on the Groups 2 and Consultations, Area in types of benefits and 3. Dialogue, and agreement options regarding Consensus with actions. concentration - Establish consensus and and define the criteria prioritization and indicators for monitoring and evaluation of the distribution of benefits. Meet with the Regional June - communities/actors Governments August (beneficiaries) in the with 2018 areas of intervention technical in order to consult assistance Benefits Distribution from the Plan. SESA working group. Monitoring Institutional From compliance with the Monitoring August agreements/contracts and Follow- 2018, based on co – up working onwards Monitoring responsibility and the group,
and follow-up distribution of benefits supported by the Legal and Safeguards working groups
53
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
54
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 13. Act Delegation of functions.
55
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
56
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
57
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
58
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Annex 14. Mechanism to strengthen communication
MECANISMO DE FORTALECIMIENTO DE LA COMUNICACIÓN PARA ENDE-REDD+ y PROGRAMAS DE REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES
Enero 2018
59
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
CONTENIDO I. Introducción 62 II. Marco Legal y Fortalecimiento de la Participación 63 III. Experiencias Retomadas 65 3.1 Mecanismos institucionales 65 IV. Construcción Participativa del diseño del Mecanismo 67 V. Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación 69 4.1 Objetivos 69 4.2 Principios 69 VI. Diseño del MFC 69 5.1 Autoridades y líderes tradicionales 70 5.2 Asambleas 71 5.3 Buzones en oficinas institucionales 71 5.4 Acceso electrónico 72 VII. Procedimiento con las inquietudes y reclamos recibidos 73 6.1. Categoría de los Planteamientos y quejas 73 6.2. Próximos Pasos para la Implementación 75 VIII. Seguimiento y monitoreo 76 Esquema para recibir los Planteamientos y Quejas 76 Esquema de respuesta y cierre de los planteamientos o quejas recibidos 78
60
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
GLOSARIO CMNUCC Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático Cn. Constitución Política de Nicaragua ENDE Estrategia Nacional de Deforestación Evitada ERPA Acuerdo de Pago por Reducción de Emisiones FPCF Fondo Cooperativo para el Carbono de los Bosques GRUN Gobierno de Reconciliación y Unidad Nacional GTI Gobierno Territorial Indígena INAFOR Instituto Nacional Forestal MARENA Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales MFC Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación ENDE MHCP Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público OIT Organización Internacional del Trabajo PACCAS Proyecto de Adaptación al Cambio Climático en el sector de Abastecimiento de Agua Potable y Saneamiento PNDH Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Humano RACCN Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte RACCS Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Sur REDD+ Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación del bosque SICOR Sistema de Comunicación Regional (RACCN) SIMEAR Sistema de Información, Monitoreo y Educación Ambiental Regional (RACCS) SINIA Sistema Nacional de Información Ambiental SIS Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas
61
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Introducción El Gobierno de Reconciliación y Unidad Nacional de Nicaragua (GRUN), representado por el liderazgo del Presidente de la República, Comandante Daniel Ortega Saavedra, en campañas de buena esperanza impulsa iniciativas para frenar el problema de la deforestación y degradación forestal, causa de la pérdida de biodiversidad y medios de vida de comunidades indígenas y afrodescendientes. En el marco del Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Humano y su lineamiento 12: La protección de la madre tierra, adaptación ante el cambio climático y gestión integral de riesgos ante desastres, promueve estrategias nacionales para reforzar el cumplimiento de estas tareas. El GRUN, con el modelo de alianzas, diálogo, consensos, desarrolla el Programa “Apoyo a la Preparación de la Estrategia de Reducción de Emisiones Provenientes de la Deforestación y Degradación de los Bosques (ENDE-REDD+)”109, que incluye el diseño de una Estrategia de Reducción de Emisiones Provenientes de la Deforestación y Degradación de los Bosques; contempla la educación y formación de nuevos valores, de amor, fortalecimiento de las capacidades institucionales, acciones de cuidado y protección a la Madre Tierra y a los bosques, todo ello en restitución de derecho a los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes.
ENDE-REDD+ surge de un diálogo con los protagonistas institucionales, regionales, territoriales y comunales y se confirma en noviembre del 2008, cuando Nicaragua pasa a ser miembro del Fondo Cooperativo para el Carbono de los Bosques110 y en agosto de 2011, se concretizó la donación FPCF NI TF099264 para iniciar el proceso de preparación de ENDE-REDD+.
El proceso de participación amplia de protagonistas que respalda la preparación de ENDE-REDD+ y la ejecución de programas de reducción de emisiones, requiere para ellos, de espacios adecuados para plantear y recibir respuestas a inquietudes o quejas sobre las afectaciones que pueda ocasionar un proyecto o programa en el marco de ENDE-REDD+, tomando en cuenta que la implementación de dichos proyectos o programa deberán estar alineados a salvaguardas o derechos de los pueblos originarios, afrodescendientes y familias rurales, además del tema de la distribución de beneficios y pagos por resultados asociados a la reducción de emisiones por deforestación y degradación forestal.
Por ello se ha diseñado un mecanismo que fortalecerá la comunicación entre los protagonistas y las instancias de dirección de ENDE-REDD+, este mecanismo inicialmente se denominó “Mecanismo de Retroalimentación”, evolucionando su nombre hasta quedar como “Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+”, ya que logra captar el espíritu positivo de los objetivos planteados.
109 REDD+: mecanismo internacional orientado a reducir las emisiones por la deforestación y degradación de los bosques. 110 FCPF, por sus siglas en ingles. 62
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
El presente documento señala los objetivos y medios diseñados para fortalecer la comunicación y la participación de los protagonistas con ENDE-REDD+, mediante un mecanismo accesible, rápido y eficaz.
Marco Legal y Fortalecimiento de la Participación
El proceso de diseño para poner en marcha ENDE-REDD+, involucra los medios de vida y bienestar de familias, comunidades de pueblos originarios, afrodescendientes y de zonas rurales dependientes del bosque, se requiere atender con especial atención los mecanismos que fortalezcan el respeto a los derechos adquiridos, destacando entre ellos la participación efectiva, el derecho a la información y el derecho a interponer quejas.
En Nicaragua estos derechos se encuentran respaldados por un conjunto de leyes, desde la misma Constitución Política de Nicaragua (Cn.), que en su Artículo 2 señala: “La soberanía nacional reside en el pueblo y la ejerce a través de instrumentos democráticos decidiendo y participando libremente en la construcción y perfeccionamiento del sistema económico, político, cultural y social de la nación. […] También lo puede ejercer a través de los Consejos territoriales, asambleas territoriales y comunales de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes…”
El Artículo 4 de la Constitución Política de la República de Nicaragua establece que el Estado nicaragüense reconoce a la persona, la familia y la comunidad como el origen y el fin de su actividad, y está organizado para asegurar el bien común, asumiendo la tarea de promover el desarrollo humano de todos y cada uno de los nicaragüenses, bajo la inspiración de valores cristianos, ideales socialistas, prácticas solidarias, democráticas y humanísticas, como valores universales y generales, así como los valores e ideales de la cultura e identidad nicaragüense”.
Asimismo la Constitución Política en su Artículo 5, expresa que el Estado reconoce la existencia de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, que gozan de los derechos, deberes y garantías consignados en la Constitución y en especial, los de mantener y desarrollar su identidad y cultura, tener sus propias formas de organización social y administrar sus asuntos locales; así como mantener las formas comunales de propiedad de sus tierras y el goce, uso y disfrute, todo de conformidad con la Ley. Para las comunidades de la Costa Caribe se establece el régimen de autonomía en la presente Constitución. En el Arto. 6, también establece que las ciudadanas y ciudadanos y la familia son elementos protagónicos en la toma de decisiones, planificación y gestión de los asuntos públicos del Estado.
El Artículo 52 de la Constitución también señala que, “Los ciudadanos tienen derecho de hacer peticiones, denunciar anomalías y hacer críticas constructivas, en forma individual o colectiva, a los Poderes del Estado o cualquier autoridad; de obtener una pronta resolución o respuesta y de que se les comunique lo resuelto en los plazos que la ley establezca”.
63
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Asimismo, la ley 475, Ley de Participación Ciudadana, y la ley 621, Ley de Acceso a la Información Pública, ambas publicadas en La Gaceta No. 241 del 19 de diciembre del 2003. A través de esta última se crean las oficinas de acceso a la información pública, donde ciudadanos y ciudadanas ejercen su derecho a informarse.
La ley 28 o Estatuto de Autonomía de las Regiones de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua que en su artículo 8, inciso 1, señala el derecho de las Regiones Autónomas a: “Participar efectivamente en la elaboración y ejecución de los planes y programas de desarrollo nacional a nivel de las regiones, a fin de armonizarlos con los intereses de las Comunidades de la Costa Caribe”.
La Ley 217, Ley General del Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales en su arto. 2, establece…”Toda persona podrá tener participación ciudadana para promover el inicio de acciones administrativas, civiles o penales en contra de los que infrinjan la presente Ley y el Arto. 12 indica que La planificación del desarrollo nacional, regional y municipal del país deberá integrar elementos ambientales en sus planes, programas y proyectos económicos y sociales, respetando los principios de publicidad y participación ciudadana”.
La ley 445, Ley del Régimen de Propiedad Comunal de los Pueblos Indígenas y Comunidades Étnicas de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua y de los Ríos Bocay, Coco, Indio y Maíz, son la colectividad humana que mantiene una continuidad histórica con las sociedades anteriores a la Colonia cuyas condiciones sociales, culturales y económicas les distingue de otros sectores de la sociedad nacional y que están regidos total o parcialmente por sus propias costumbres y tradiciones.
Decreto no. 112-2007, aprobado el 29 de noviembre del 2007, de la creación de los Consejos y Gabinetes del Poder Ciudadano.
Este perfil del marco legal de Nicaragua sobre el reconocimiento a los derechos colectivos de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, se fortalece con los tratados internacionales que han sido ratificados por el Estado de Nicaragua, entre los que ocupan un lugar preponderante, el Convenio No. 169 de la OIT, Convenio sobre Pueblos Indígenas y Tribales; y la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre Pueblos Indígenas.
Lo antes señalado representa para Nicaragua una fortaleza en la preparación e implementación de ENDE-REDD+ y se ha sumado a esto la voluntad del GRUN de implementar el “Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+ “ (MFC), que facilitará acceso a la justicia para los protagonistas, en particular a pueblos originarios, afrodescendientes y familias rurales al brindar varias opciones para que expresen sus planteamientos, peticiones, aclaraciones, manifiesten inconformidades o quejas y recibir respuesta a los mismos, sin que esto limite el derecho a una acción judicial.
64
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Nicaragua con el MFC, se alinea con las Salvaguardas de la CMNUCC111 o Salvaguardas de Cancún, particularmente con lo referido a: “La transparencia y eficacia de las estructuras de gestión forestal nacional, teniendo en cuenta la legislación y la soberanía nacionales”.
Experiencias Retomadas
El diseño del Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación para ENDE-REDD+ y Programas de Reducción de Emisiones, partió de un inventario y análisis de las instancias, mecanismos similares o vinculados al derecho de expresar observaciones y quejas, además se retomaron las referencias al tema durante los talleres o sesiones de trabajo, con este material se ha logrado un diseño factible y sostenible.
3.1 Mecanismos institucionales a) Recursos Administrativos: se refieren a la potestad del ciudadano para recurrir en contra de cualquier acto u omisión de la administración pública que le causare agravio. Es un derecho normado en las leyes nacionales para uso de cualquier ciudadano y se presentan ante la instancia administrativa que le ocasione el agravio o ante la Corte Suprema de Justicia. b) El Estado de Nicaragua cuenta con una Procuraduría de Derechos Humanos, que es una entidad al servicio de la ciudadanía para: “Contribuir con las instituciones nacionales, Estado, Gobierno y la Sociedad Organizada a garantizar dentro de un Estado de Derecho, la seguridad de las personas y los derechos humanos, velando por su cumplimiento de parte de los órganos de la administración Pública, coadyuvando para lograr una sociedad libre y justa”. Esta institución cuenta con un enlace web para presentar denuncias, la que se puede ver en la dirección: http://www.pddh.gob.ni/?page_id=183 c) MARENA e INAFOR cuentan con un procedimiento para recibir y atender denuncias, que pueden ser presentadas por cualquier ciudadano u organización. El procedimiento inicia con la presentación por escrito de la denuncia, en las oficinas de MARENA o INAFOR, señalando lugar y evento. Una vez que es recibido por el delegado Regional o departamental, éste procede a convocar a una comisión interinstitucional y se determina si el caso amerita efectuar una inspección o visita al terreno, para conocer el hecho in situ. La Comisión interinstitucional presenta el informe y se toman las medidas pertinentes, las cuales pueden estar relacionadas con sanciones o multas. El plazo para este proceso es expedito y puede ser de 7 a 30 días, dependiendo de las distancias y circunstancias. d) Sumado a lo anterior MARENA, cuenta en su página web con un formulario que permite a los protagonistas, expresar y hacer diversos planteamientos a la institución rectora, esa plataforma está a cargo de la Oficina de Acceso a la Información Pública (OAIP):
111 Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas para el Cambio Climático 65
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve http://www.marena.gob.ni/index.php/contactenos e) Por su parte la Procuraduría General de la República112, que es la institución representante del Estado y entre sus funciones le corresponde “Supervisar que las actuaciones de los funcionarios y empleados del Estado en el desempeño de sus funciones estén ajustados a derecho” ha instalado una red de Buzones de quejas y sugerencias, ubicados en lo largo y amplio del país en alcaldías e instituciones del Estado. Los buzones están colocados en lugares visibles y accesibles para el uso de cualquier persona. La revisión de su contenido se realiza una vez al mes, por un funcionario del nivel central y los planteamientos son reportados a Presidencia de la República. f) De conformidad al Decreto de la Asamblea Nacional No.3584, Artículo 45 del Reglamento a la Ley No.28, Estatuto de Autonomía establece que los procesos de ejecución, seguimiento, control y evaluación de políticas, planes y programas regionales y nacionales con incidencias regionales, se realizarán conjuntamente a través de las coordinaciones periódicas con los organismos gubernamentales de la región. En este marco, el Gobierno Regional Autónomo de la Costa Caribe Norte, se encuentra en un proceso de diseño de un instrumento de planificación computarizado que dará seguimiento a la satisfacción (o no) de los protagonistas en los proyectos o programas, para ello se ha previsto un enlace el cual estará abierto a los protagonistas y puedan presentar sus reclamaciones. g) Se analizaron los mecanismos de reclamos, definidos por proyectos que han contado con financiamiento del Banco Mundial y BID y se tomaron notas de los mismos, entre estos mecanismos destaca el uso de líneas telefónicas.
3.2 Mecanismos culturalmente pertinentes
Los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, cuentan con sus normas de organización interna, de sus propias estructuras políticas, jurídicas, educativas, de comunicación y de sistemas de administración de justicia y resolución de conflictos a lo interno de sus comunidades en el marco de su autonomía y se encuentran respaldados por la Constitución Política de la República, leyes especiales destacándose la Ley 28 y Ley 445113. Para la administración de la justicia cuentan con las Asambleas Comunitarias y Territoriales, Autoridades Comunales y Territoriales que integran entre otros, el Consejo de Ancianos, jueces comunales o whita, síndicos, las soluciones se hacen de acuerdo a los usos y las costumbres consideradas obligatorias por los miembros de la comunidad, de esta manera regulan sus asuntos locales.
El whita, es una autoridad en la comunidad y es el encargado de administrar la justicia, bajo mecanismos colectivos, es el juez de acuerdo a las normas consuetudinarias y esta autoridad que
112 https://www.poderjudicial.gob.ni/pjupload/spenal/pdf/2001_ley03.pdf 113 Algunas normas específicas para pueblos indígenas se refieren principalmente a los pueblos indígenas y afro descendientes de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. 66
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve debe actuar en forma colegiada es reconocida por la Corte Suprema de Justicia. El síndico es el encargado de la administración de los recursos naturales y es el que interviene cuando hay un problema en las tierras comunales, organiza una comisión para ir a revisar in situ la incidencia y recoge la información necesaria, con la cual se toma una decisión del caso. En la actualidad muchos de los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas implementan Manuales de Convivencia, han sido diseñados de acuerdo a su realidad.
Estas normas generalmente se caracterizan por no encontrarse escritas, sino que son transmitidas oralmente y preservados por la memoria colectiva, son respetadas por la comunidad y por los entes de administración de justicia del Estado de Nicaragua. No obstante, , las faltas y delitos graves, corresponden a la competencia de las entidades pertinentes del Estado para su resolución. Los Gobiernos Regionales Autónomos de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua, son una instancia superior que permite resolver situaciones de inconformidades, que no pudieron ser resueltas a nivel comunal, territorial y municipal.
Construcción Participativa del diseño del Mecanismo
El Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+ es el resultado de un proceso de diálogo y consulta respetando el consentimiento libre, previo e informado. Su diseño ha contado con las recomendaciones de GTI’s, Alcaldías, Gobiernos Regionales, Movimiento Guardabarranco, entre otros. Este proceso de diseño se construyó con los protagonistas de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe, se realizaron 14 talleres incluyendo una presentación ante el Consejo Regional de la RACCS, su diseño se sometió a consulta en el Taller Nacional del Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social (MGAS). Los talleres se realizaron en comunidades muy alejadas de cabeceras municipales y departamentales, tales como: Siawas en la RACCS, San Carlos en Río Coco, Musawas en la RACCN, entre otros (ver cuadro 1).
La priorización en la Costa Caribe, se hizo considerando que en esta región existen las mayores dificultades de comunicación y acceso, y que el Mecanismo debía brindar oportunidades a pesar de esta situación particular, además para esta se está elaborando un Programa de Reducción de emisiones que considera pagos por resultados.
Cuadro 1 Talleres sobre Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación No Municipio Comunidad/GTI RACCN RACCS Otros 1 Waspan Waspan 1 2 Puerto Cabezas Bilwi 1 3 Rosita Rosita 1 4 Laguna de Perlas Laguna de Perlas 1 Siawas, GTI 5 La Cruz de Río Grande 1 Awaltara 6 Waspan San Carlos, Li Lamni 1 67
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Cuadro 1 Talleres sobre Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación No Municipio Comunidad/GTI RACCN RACCS Otros 7 San José de Bocay Musawas, Sauni As 1 8 Bonanza Sauni Bas (Sikilta) 1 9 San José de Bocay Sauni Bu 1 10 Puerto Cabezas Lamlaya, GTI Karatá 1 GTI Kipla Sait 11 Wiwili deJinotega 1 Tasbaika Musawas, GTI Sauni 12 Bonanza 1 As Kudahwas, GTI 13 San José de Bocay 1 Sauni Bas 14 Bluefields Bluefields 1 Total 7 3 4
En el proceso de consulta, los protagonistas expresaron la necesidad de incorporar a las autoridades tradicionales (Whita, sindico, consejo de ancianos) en el mecanismo114, desarrollar un proceso de capacitación a todos las estructuras de gobierno tradicional y la incorporación de buzones en las oficinas de las alcaldías y GTI’s.
La propuesta del Mecanismo contó con la revisión de MARENA a través de las áreas de Asesoría Legal, Oficina de Comunicación, Oficina de Acceso a la Información Pública y proyecto PACCAS. En estas sesiones de trabajo se recibieron recomendaciones sobre el procedimiento para la atención a los planteamientos y quejas, señalando entre otras cosas que incluir la activación de una línea de teléfono gratuita, no era viable ya que no se podía garantizar sostenibilidad.
El presente documento recoge las recomendaciones planteadas en este proceso de diálogo, consultas y consenso.
114 Whita: juez comunitario de pueblos indígenas. 68
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación
4.1 Objetivos Objetivo General Proveer de opciones para recibir y responder solicitudes de información, preguntas, sugerencias y reclamos por las partes interesadas relacionados con el diseño y la ejecución de la Estrategia de Reducción de Emisiones provenientes de la Deforestación y Degradación Forestal y de Programas de Reducción de Emisiones por deforestación y degradación forestal con pagos por resultados.
Objetivos específicos
• Obtener insumos para mejorar los resultados y contribuir a la auditoria social. • Evitar que se generen conflictos, atendiendo reclamos y sugerencias con agilidad. • Aportar a la evaluación del desempeño en la distribución de los beneficios.
4.2 Principios
El Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+, promueve el protagonismo del pueblo y las familias nicaragüenses y se rige por los principios siguientes:
Respeto por el Bien Común: Partimos que la Tierra forma con la Humanidad una única entidad, compleja y sagrada. Respeto y promoción de la Cosmovisión de los pueblos indígenas: La tierra, el agua, el bosque la cultura y todo lo que está en ella son fuente de vida, proveen alimentos, medicina para las enfermedades y son el lugar para el ejercicio de la vida y la cultura. Accesibilidad: las diferentes opciones que ofrece el mecanismo fortalecerán las rutas de acceso a los y las protagonistas para participar en el diálogo para reducir la deforestación y degradación de los bosques. Transparencia: Se brindará información de acceso público sobre los planteamientos que atienda el Mecanismo y en el marco de las asambleas comunales y territoriales, los líderes de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes mantendrán informados y consultarán periódicamente. Legitimidad: El Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+ se legitima, brinda seguridad y fortalece la gobernabilidad. Equidad: Tomando en cuenta las diferencias de oportunidades para participar en los procesos de construcción de políticas públicas y en los beneficios de los proyectos de desarrollo, el mecanismo hace énfasis en los grupos con menos oportunidades como son los pueblos originarios, afrodescendientes y mujeres.
Diseño del MFC
El Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación está orientado hacia todos los protagonistas de ENDE-REDD+ y Programas de Reducción de Emisiones, son ellos comunitarios y líderes de los 69
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve territorios indígenas y afrodescendientes, familias y productores de zonas rurales, mujeres y jóvenes organizados para el cuido de los bosques, productores agropecuarios y población en general vinculada a los esfuerzos de reducción de emisiones por deforestación y degradación de los bosques.
El MFC, ha previsto que las dificultades de acceso o lejanía de centros poblacionales, ausencia de señal de celular o de internet, no sean limitantes para que algún protagonista que requiera expresar sus inquietudes, recomendaciones, inconformidades o quejas las pueda efectuar, ya que integra las vías tradicionales y no tradicionales y ofrece una vía confiable en donde la resolución será colegiada a través de la atención de la comisión interinstitucional.
El Mecanismo, ha sido diseñado participativamente brindando credibilidad y confianza que funcionará para evitar la generación de conflictos.
Mediante un plan de comunicación se efectuará la divulgación y publicación de los diferentes puntos de acceso, el procedimiento y resultados de la aplicación del mecanismo de fortalecimiento de la comunicación.
El Mecanismo para fortalecer a las comunicaciones contiene una variedad de canales para la recepción, de retroalimentación y quejas, se han concebido cuatro puntos de entrada de la comunicación desde los protagonistas hasta las instancias que darán atención, respuesta y seguimiento a los planteamientos o quejas: • Autoridades y líderes tradicionales • Asambleas • Buzones • Acceso electrónico (página web)
Un elemento importante en el diseño del mecanismo es él registro centralizado de todos los planteamientos recibidos en el enlace del sitio web de ENDE-REDD+, creado para este propósito, el cual estará vinculado al Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas (SIS). A continuación se detallan los puntos de acceso y el sistema de funcionamiento de cada uno:
Autoridades y líderes tradicionales El Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+, estará vinculado a los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas, a través de sus autoridades territoriales y comunales, quienes han delegado a sus líderes tradicionales para su aplicación práctica, contribuyendo a una retroalimentación ajustada a la cultura y costumbres de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes de resolución de inconformidades. Las autoridades comunales, territorilaes y de manera particular los whitas, síndicos, guardabosques comunitarios y territoriales e institucionales del MARENA los cuales tienen como objetivo principal el cuido y resguardo de los recursos naturales y en especial en el área de influencia del programa y mujeres lideresas, de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, serán 70
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve capacitados sobre el funcionamiento del Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+ para que posteriormente puedan replicarlo en sus comunidades. En este sentido se fortalecerán capacidades sobre uso de página web y salvaguardas a una red de 80 líderes y lideresas de los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas; 36 en la RACCN; 20 en la RACCS; 12 en el Régimen especial del Alto Wangki y 12 en PI-PCN (ver cuadro 2)
Cuadro 2: Líderes a Capacitar Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación GTI del Sector Río Coco: 14 Wangki Maya; Wangki Twi-Tasba Raya; Wangki Li Aubra; líderes tradicionales Li Lamni; Amasau; Wangki Kupia Awala GTI del Sector Puerto Prinzu Auhya Un; Tasba Pri; RACCN Cabezas:12 líderes Twi Waupasa; Twi Yahbra; tradicionales Twi Karatá; Tawira. GTI del Sector Triángulo Mayangna Sauni Bas; Mayangna Sauni As; Matumbak; Minero: 10 líderes Mayangna Twahka; Prinzu Awala tradicionales Sector de Bluefields: Rama Kriol; Gobierno Comunal Creole- Bluefields; 6 líderes 12 municipales de la RACCS. Sector de Laguna de Perlas RACCS Laguna de Perlas; Tasba Pauni 10 líderes Sector de Karawala Awaltara 4 líderes Kipla Sait Tasbaika Kum; Tasbaika Kum; Mayangna Sauni Alto Wangki y Bocay, 12 líderes Bu Jinotega, Matagalpa, Madriz, Masaya, Rivas, León, PI-PCN, 12 líderes Chinandega, Estelí.
Protagonistas que viven en comunidades rurales, podrán recurrir a sus líderes o concejales municipales o regionales, los cuales serán capacitados sobre el funcionamiento del Mecanismo. Asambleas Durante la realización de asambleas efectuadas para el fortalecimiento de capacidades o de diálogo en el marco de ENDE-REDD+, se deberá instalar un buzón para la recepción de los comentarios o lo que se considere pertinente. Este buzón deberá ser presentado al iniciar el taller o asamblea. En los casos que se presenten quejas sobre ENDE-REDD+, en las asambleas comunitarias o de GTI, deberán ser recogidas en una memoria e ingresarse a la página web, con el lugar y fecha de la asamblea, relacionada con el Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas. La información recopilada deberá ser ingresada al registro centralizado a través de la página web, relacionada con el Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas. Buzones en oficinas institucionales
71
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Esta herramienta ha sido avalada con alta aceptación por los comunitarios, especialmente en la Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Sur, quienes consideran de gran importancia la aplicación del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones. Los buzones consisten en un depósito de tamaño regular (aproximadamente de 40x20 cm), rotulado y sellado. Se prevé que la ubicación de buzones para ENDE-REDD+ y PRE, se instalaran gradualmente, primero en las oficinas de las instituciones relacionadas al tema, del gobierno central en las Regiones Autónomas y Departamentos (MARENA e INAFOR), posteriormente en los Gobiernos Regionales y GTI quedando de último la instalación en las alcaldías.
Para la instalación de los mismos se requiere previamente efectuar acuerdos de entendimiento o de coordinación, que formalicen la ubicación de los mismos y aseguren su resguardo. En el caso de las Regiones autónomas, estos acuerdos serán facilitados por los Gobiernos Regionales. MARENA, será el responsable de efectuar la apertura de los buzones y el reporte al registro central creado para este Mecanismo, en el Sistema de Monitoreo Registro y Verificación a nivel central y Regional.
Acceso electrónico ENDE-REDD+, cuenta con un enlace vinculado la página Web del SINIA MARENA, en el que se abrirá una pestaña el enlace de la página web de ENDE-REDD+, dispondrá de una pestaña para recibir las planteamientos y quejas de los protagonistas que dispongan del servicio de internet por computadora o por teléfono.
Este acceso ciertamente presenta limitantes para las comunidades más alejadas, pero tiene la fortaleza de estar disponible en tiempo real, y cada día el país con el avance que está logrando GRUN, en materia de conectividad para internet, este acceso irá adquiriendo mayor peso. Actualmente la mayoría de los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas poseen una dirección electrónica y en cada una de las cabeceras municipales hay acceso a internet.
Así también se está trabajando en una aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes (Android), desde la cual se podrá tener acceso al formulario para la presentación de planteamientos y quejas.
Se ha diseñado un cuestionario, en la página web, con los campos necesarios para recopilar la información básica obligatoria que permitirá brindar respuesta y facilitar el monitoreo de los planteamientos y quejas (ver cuadro 3).
Cuadro 3: Formato para el Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación Nombres * Apellidos * Correo electrónico Teléfono Departamento/Región *
72
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Comunidad Etnia* En representación de : Propia GTI Comunal Alcaldía Tipo de planteamiento (Marque con una X) Sugerencia Observación Queja Describa su planteamiento
* : Campo obligatorio Procedimiento con las inquietudes y reclamos recibidos
Para la atención de los planteamientos, -se prevé que pueden provenir relacionados a temas de falta de información, falta de convocatoria a actividades, incumplimiento de plazos sobre acuerdos o distribución de beneficios- se contará con la participación de las Comisiones Interinstitucionales que funcionan en los Departamentos a través de las Comisiones para la Gestión forestal y ambiental, en el caso de la Costa Caribe, el CCF-A en la RACCN y CTR en la RACCN, MARENA y SERENA, serán las instancias que impulsarán el adecuado funcionamiento de este mecanismo, acuerdo a los roles institucionales. La comisión se reunirá una vez por mes para conocer sobre los reportes en las diferentes entradas del MFC, analizarlos y elaborar informe para las instancias de MARENA. Todos los planteamientos se alojarán en el servidor central del SINIA y en los respectivos NODOS Regionales y Departamentales de acuerdo a las categorías para el MFC. Los NODOS Regionales de Costa Caribe de Nicaragua, SIMEAR Y SICOR115, estarán apoyando en la recepción de la información mediante el establecimiento de enlaces con la página web del programa.
Todos los planteamientos, inconformidades o quejas recibidos se registrarán de manera central y regional en el sub-sistema para Salvaguardas del Sistema de Monitoreo Registro y Verificación. Las inquietudes recibidas en los buzones, el acceso electrónico y el reporte de los líderes indígenas y las asambleas se registrarán en un mismo formato, lo que permitirá estandarizar el seguimiento y reporte. Se utilizará el mismo formato presentado en el cuadro 3. Categoría de los Planteamientos y quejas Los casos recibidos se clasificaran en dos grandes categorías: “Corresponden a ENDE-REDD+” “No corresponde a ENDE-REDD+”
En el caso de los que “no corresponden”, se remitirán a la instancia correspondiente y se notificará a los protagonistas sobre la remisión efectuada. En el caso de las que “Corresponden”: se reclasificarán en las siguientes 4 categorías:
115 SIMEAR: Sistema de Información, Monitoreo y Educación Ambiental Regional (RACCS) SICOR: Sistema de Comunicación Regional (RACCN) 73
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Incidencias ambientales: se refiere a planteamientos sobre eventualidades que ocurren en los territorios que provocan un impacto en los Recursos Naturales y el Medio Ambiente, (Incendios forestales, Inundaciones, Deslizamiento de tierras, Despales, Deforestación entre otros).
Compromisos asumidos por el Programa: se refiere a los planteamientos sobre la aplicación de los protocolos o planes establecidos para la implementación del Programa, a saber: Capacitaciones, Asistencia Técnica, Actividades de intervención, Monitoreo y Seguimiento Cumplimiento de los Planes de Salvaguardas y Distribución de beneficios: esto se refiere a los planteamientos relacionados a incumplimientos en lo establecido en los planes de Salvaguardas y Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social (Plan de Pueblos Indígenas, Reasentamiento Involuntario, montos, periodos, y usos establecidos en la distribución de beneficios. Desempeño institucional: planteamientos relacionados a la institución sobre las coordinaciones interinstitucionales, basadas en el cumplimiento de metas establecidas en el POA.
Para la atención de las categorías 1 y 2 se efectuarán verificación o inspección en campo, la que será realizada por la Comisión Interinstitucional116, una vez efectuada la inspección, la Comisión Interinstitucional analizará lo encontrado y dictamina cuál es la institución que deberá proceder (de acuerdo a la competencia institucional) y gestiona la respuesta de cómo proceder para dar atención al planteamiento. El dictamen se informará a los protagonistas por los medios brindados por el protagonista: números de celulares, correos electrónicos o direcciones.
La atención a las categorías 3 y 4, las comisiones correspondientes (Comisión interinstitucional). Procederán a revisión administrativa de los casos y dictamina cómo proceder para dar atención al planteamiento. El dictamen se les informará a los protagonistas. Por medio de las direcciones de donde habitan, números de celulares y correos electrónicos.
El tiempo para dar respuesta a los protagonistas será no mayor de 30 días. A nivel nacional se conformará una Comisión Interinstitucional presidida por MARENA (Dirección de Cambio Climático, Asesoría Legal, Oficina de Acceso a la Información Pública); Secretaría de la Costa Caribe y MHCP. La función de esta comisión será de seguimiento a los reportes sobre el funcionamiento del Mecanismo, propondrá ajustes e informará a la Dirección Superior de MARENA y Gobiernos Regionales de la Costa Caribe (según corresponda).
La comisión nacional se reunirá ordinariamente cada tres meses o de manera extraordinaria a solicitud de una sus partes a través de MARENA. Cada reunión deberá generar una minuta con los acuerdos tomados. Esta minuta de reunión deberá ser remitida oficialmente a la Dirección Superior de MARENA y será base para el reporte anual de seguimiento a las Salvaguardas.
116 Comisión Interinstitucional: Conformada por MARENA, SERENA, Alcaldías, Instituciones del Estado con presencia en el territorio visitado y los GTI’s correspondiente. 74
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
A nivel regional y departamental se conformará una comisión presidida por MARENA e integrada por SERENA del Gobierno Regional, GTI’s, INAFOR y PGR que dará seguimiento a los planteamientos que se presenten a través de los diferentes puntos de acceso del MFC.
La comisión departamental o regional que reciba una sugerencia o queja debe determinar la institución que atenderá el planteamiento (de acuerdo a mandato institucional). El plazo para atender y brindar respuesta al planteamiento o queja será no mayor a los 30 días.
Toda la información que se genere con el MFC con ENDE-REDD+ y Programas de Reducción de Emisiones, se utilizará para ajustar el proceso de diseño e implementación de ENDE-REDD+ y programas de reducción de emisiones.
Próximos Pasos para la Implementación
Para asegurar que el MFC, esté implementándose a la entrada en vigencia del ERPA117 para el “Programa de Reducción de Emisiones para el Combate al Cambio Climático y la Pobreza en la Costa Caribe, Reserva de Biosfera de BOSAWAS y Reserva Biológica Indio Maíz”, en el año 2019, MARENA con el apoyo de los Gobiernos Regionales y la Secretaría de Desarrollo del Caribe requiere concluir algunos procesos de coordinación y arreglos institucionales, así también es necesario capacitar a los líderes, dar seguimiento a la implementación en su dimensión cultural (lenguaje, formas de organización, ejercicio colectivo en sus tomas de decisiones) e identificar necesidades específicas y formas tradicionales de los Pueblos Indígenas, así como de las mujeres que habitan en las comunidades, para acceder a la información, manifestar quejas y reclamos. Se presenta un esquema de los pasos a seguir.
Semestres Semestres Actividad 2018 2019 1ero 2do 3ero 4to Adecuación y mantenimiento de la página web de ENDE- X X REDD+ para el funcionamiento del Mecanismo Arreglos institucionales para garantizar el adecuado X funcionamiento del Mecanismo. Capacitación a líderes para el manejo del Mecanismo en el marco del Pilotaje del Mecanismo. Sensibilizar y fortalecer las capacidades de agentes institucionales sobre atención a quejas relacionadas con REDD+, de manera que desde su X X esquema de trabajo contribuyan con el objetivo y actividades del Pilotaje de Quejas, solicitud de información, resolución de los posibles conflictos de REDD+
117117 Acuerdo de Pago por Reducción de Emisiones 75
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
Seguimiento al Pilotaje del Mecanismo para atención a quejas, atendiendo que sea culturalmente adecuado, e X X X Identificando vacíos para su mejora. Análisis continúo de las necesidades específicas y formas tradicionales de Pueblos Indígenas así como de las mujeres X X que habitan en las comunidades, para acceder a la información, manifestar quejas y reclamos.
Seguimiento y monitoreo
MARENA a través del Sistema Nacional de Monitoreo Reporte y Verificación, con el Sub-Sistema de Salvaguardas, dará seguimiento al cumplimiento de las salvaguardas. El sub-sistema determinará tres etapas para el monitoreo de los casos planteados, ellas son: Etapa de Registro, Etapa de Seguimiento y Etapa de Cumplimiento. Etapa de Registro Esta etapa se refiere al reporte en el registro central y regional de los planteamientos, el cual se realiza por MARENA (los planteamientos en los buzones, los líderes y las asambleas) y de manera directa por los protagonistas que hace uso del enlace virtual. Etapa de Seguimiento Se deberá reportar al Sub-sistema el dictamen de la comisión interinstitucional que analizó el planteamiento, éste deberá efectuarse en un plazo no mayor a los 30 días de ingresado el planteamiento. De manera automatizada el sub-sistema emitirá una alerta, a los veinte días, reportando que no ha recibido el cambio a la siguiente etapa de monitoreo. La alerta se reportará a los delegados de MARENA correspondientes y al responsable que determine MARENA para el seguimiento a las Salvaguardas, el que a su vez deberá presentar informe a la Dirección Superior de MARENA y a la Comisión Nacional de este del MFC. Caso atendido Esta etapa implica que se ha brindado respuesta a los protagonistas, señalando las gestiones efectuadas con las instituciones involucradas y las previsiones para solucionar el planteamiento expresado.
Anualmente se generaran reportes de las atenciones efectuadas a través del MFC, los cuales acompañaran los reportes al seguimiento de Salvaguardas, estos serán para uso de MARENA y para los reportes requeridos por el FCPF y BM.
Esquema para recibir los Planteamientos y Quejas
76
77
Esquema de Atención, Respuesta y Cierre de los Planteamientos o Quejas Recibidos
Reporte anual de seguimiento a las Salvaguardas
Incidencias ambientales Visita de Campo se Comisión Interinstitucional (R Compromisos (30 días) asumidos por el Casos Programa recibidos ¿Corresponden SI (MARENA a ENDE-REDD? Cumplimiento a REGIONAL) Planes de Salvaguardas y Distribución de Beneficios Comisión NO Correspondiente (30 días) I Desempeño Remisión institucional P instancia correspondient
78
Annex 15. MGAS
MARCO DE GESTION AMBIENTAL Y SOCIAL DEL PROGRAMA DE REDUCCION DE EMISIONES EN LA COSTA CARIBE, BOSAWAS E INDIO MAIZ
Enero 2018
79
Contenido
1 INTRODUCCIÓN ...... 83 2 ANTECEDENTES ...... 84 3 CONTEXTO PARA EL PRE ...... 85 4 PROGRAMA DE REDUCCION DE EMISONES EN LA COSTA CARIBE, BOSAWAS E INDIO MAIZ 86 5 ALCANCE Y OBJETIVOS DEL MGAS ...... 89 Objetivo general ...... 89 Objetivos específicos ...... 89 6 MARCO LEGAL VINCULADO AL ERPD ...... 90 7 MARCO INSTITUCIONAL ...... 100 8 SALVAGUARDAS Y PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES ...... 106 9 LÍNEAS DE INTERVENCIÓN Y SU RELACIÓN CON LAS SALVAGUARDAS ACTIVADAS ..... 115 10 PLAN DE ATENCIÓN A LAS SALVAGUARDAS ...... 116 11 RIESGOS SOCIALES Y AMBIENTALES RELACIONADOS CON LAS ACCIONES DE INTERVENCIÓN DEL PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES Y SUS MEDIDAS DE MITIGACIÓN ...... 121 12 PLAN DE PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS Y AFRODESCENDIENTES ...... 129 13 NORMAS DE PROCEDIMIENTO PARA EL REASENTAMIENTO INVOLUNTARIO ...... 133 14 MECANISMO DE FORTALECIMIENTO DE LA COMUNICACIÓN...... 135 15 MONITOREO DEL MARCO DE GESTIÓN AMBIENTAL Y SOCIAL ...... 141 Índice de Cuadros Cuadro 1: Cambio en la cobertura forestal en Nicaragua, 1983-2015...... 86 Cuadro 2: Matriz de Líneas Estratégicas con sus objetivos y acciones...... 88 Cuadro 3: Artículos de la Constitución Política vinculados al ERPD...... 90 Cuadro 4: Síntesis del Marco Legal de Nicaragua relacionado al ER-PD ...... 92 Cuadro 5: Tratados, Convenios y Declaraciones ratificadas por Nicaragua que son relevantes para la implementación del ERPD ...... 96 Cuadro 6: Políticas de Salvaguardas del Banco Mundial ...... 108 Cuadro 7: Vinculación de las salvaguardas de la CMNUCC, el Banco Mundial ¨y el marco legal de Nicaragua ...... 110 Cuadro 8: Líneas de intervención y su relación con las salvaguardas activadas ...... 115 Cuadro 9: Matriz de riesgos e impactos ambientales y sociales del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones y sus medidas de mitigación, de índole gubernamental, planteadas para cada lineamiento estratégico ...... 124 Cuadro 10: Indicadores identificados para Salvaguardas PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES ...... 143
80
Acrónimos
CCF-A Comité Consultivo Forestal Ambiental Cn. Constitución Política de Nicaragua CMNUCC Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático CLPI Consentimiento Libre, Previo e Informado CRACCS Consejo Regional Autónomo de la Costa Caribe Sur CRACCN Consejo Regional Autónomo de la Costa Caribe Norte EESA Evaluación Estratégica Ambiental y Social ENDE Estrategia Nacional para la Deforestación Evitada ER-PIN Nota de idea de Programa de Reducción de Emisiones FCPF Fondo Cooperativo para el Carbono de los Bosques (siglas en inglés) GRUN Gobierno de Reconciliación y Unidad Nacional GTI Gobierno Territorial Indígena INAFOR Instituto Nacional Forestal INETER Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales INTA Instituto Nicaragüense de Tecnología Agropecuaria MAG Ministerio Agropecuario MARENA Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales MEFCCA Ministerio de Economía Familiar Comunitaria, Cooperativa y Asociativa MGAS Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social PNDH Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Humano PIB Producto Interno Bruto PRE Programa Reducción de Emisiones PI-PCN Pueblos Indígenas del Pacifico Centro y Norte RACCN Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte RACCS Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Sur REDD+ Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación del Bosque R-PP Reporte de Preparación de Proyecto SERENA Secretaría de los Recursos Naturales UEP Unidad Ejecutora del Proyecto
81
Glosario
Bosque: En el marco de ENDE-REDD+ y del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones, se ha definido bosque como toda área continua (compacta) que sea igual o mayor a 1 ha, con una cobertura de copa de árboles igual o mayor a 30%, una altura total promedio de árboles igual o mayor a 4 metros. Se incluyen ecosistemas como Bambú, Manglares, Palma natural, bosques xerofitos, achaparrados y vegetación riparia. Deforestación: Según la definición de los Acuerdos Marrakesh, la conversión directa de tierras arboladas en tierras no arboladas, causada por el ser humano (REDD: Reporte de Evaluación de Opciones http://www.REDD-OAR.org) Degradación forestal: Cambios en el bosque que afectan negativamente la estructura o función del sitio o área forestal y con ello reducen la capacidad del bosque para ofrecer productos y/o servicios. Con respecto a REDD, la degradación se refiere concretamente a la reducción de densidad de carbono. (REDD: Reporte de Evaluación de Opciones http://www.REDD-OAR.org) Especies exóticas: Las especies de flora o fauna, incluyendo microorganismos cuya área natural de dispersión geográfica no se extiende al territorio nacional y se encuentran en el país producto de actividades humanas, voluntarias o no (Ley 807, Ley de conservación y utilización sostenible de la diversidad biológica, publicado en la Gaceta, Diario Oficial No.200 del 19 de octubre de 2012). Especie nativas: Especies vegetales o de fauna que son propias de una zona o región, cuya capacidad de reproducción o sobrevivencia dependen de las condiciones ambientales de su entorno natural (Ley 807, Ley de conservación y utilización sostenible de la diversidad biológica, publicado en la Gaceta, Diario Oficial No.200 del 19 de octubre de 2012). Forestación: Acción de poblar o plantar con especies arbóreas o arbustivas, terrenos que carezcan de ellas. (Decreto 73-2003, Reglamento a la Ley 462, Ley Forestal). Mercados verdes: Son mercados donde se transan productos y servicios provenientes de producción verde. Reforestación: Establecimiento inducido o artificial de especies arbóreas con diversos fines, energéticos, maderables, de protección, etc. (Reglamento al Decreto 73-2003, Reglamento a la Ley 462, Ley Forestal). Regeneración natural: Vegetación arbórea que se encuentra en las primeras fases de crecimiento y desarrollo como parte del proceso natural de renovación del bosque (NTON 18-001-01, Publicada en La Gaceta No. 76 del 25 de abril del 2002). Plantación Forestal: Conjunto de plantas establecidas por siembra directa o indirecta (NTON 18-001-01, Publicada en La Gaceta No. 76 del 25 de abril del 2002).
82
Introducción
El presente documento contiene el Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social (MGAS), que orientará las medidas ambientales y sociales a seguir en la implementación del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones en la Costa Caribe, BOSAWAS e Indio Maiz (PRE), que impulsa el Gobierno de Reconciliación y Unidad Nacional (GRUN) en coordinación con los Gobiernos Regionales Autónomos de la Costa Caribe.
El Programa de Reducción de Emisiones, responde a la primera etapa de implementación de la Estrategia de Reducción de Emisiones Provenientes de la Deforestación y Reducción de los Bosques, conocida como ENDE-REDD+, impulsará en la Costa Caribe, la transición de un modelo de desarrollo económico basado en gran medida en el uso extensivo de la tierra a uno de producción intensiva, creando sinergias entre la conservación forestal, la silvicultura sostenible y la producción agrícola, para reducir las emisiones, también hará hincapié en el fortalecimiento de las economías familiares, la defensa de la naturaleza, para enfrentar el cambio climático y se basará en la inclusión, el diálogo, las alianzas y el consenso. Al hacerlo, se espera que el Programa impacte en más de 3 millones de hectáreas del paisaje forestal, beneficiando a más de 1.1 millones de habitantes de 26 municipios y 23 territorios indígenas y afrodescendientes, en restitución de sus derechos a disfrutar de los recursos naturales de forma racional y sostenida.
El MGAS es un instrumento de relevancia para el PRE, ya que guía los procedimientos para asegurar una adecuada gestión ambiental y social, retoma la valoración de las salvaguardas ambientales y sociales que el país activará al ejecutar la ENDE-REDD+, contiene secciones específicas que abordan los requisitos de cada política de salvaguarda aplicables al área de contabilidad del PRE y los procedimientos para reducir los riesgos ambientales y sociales de las acciones de intervención.
El MGAS, incluye un Plan de atención a las Salvaguardas, un Marco de Planificación de Pueblos Indígenas (MPPI) tomando en cuenta que las tierras forestales se ubican mayoritariamente en áreas propiedad de pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, también incluye las Normas de Procedimiento para Reasentamiento Involuntario y se encuentra vinculado al Mecanismo de Retroalimentación que permitirá a las y los protagonistas informarse y plantear demandas.
83
Antecedentes
En el marco de las negociaciones internacionales sobre cambio climático, existe en el mecanismo REDD+, una gran oportunidad para incentivar a países que logren reducir sus emisiones conservar y manejar los bosques. La participación de Nicaragua en REDD+ empezó en el año 2008, cuando se formuló y entregó al FCPF118 una Nota de Idea para preparar el Programa de Reducción de Emisiones(ENDE-REDD+), la cual fue aprobada en junio de 2012 y firmada en diciembre de 2013, en agosto de 2016 se presentó el Reporte de Medio de Periodo ; en septiembre de 2017, el FCPF ha aprobado la cantidad de 5 millones de dólares adicionales, para completar el Programa de Preparación y para apoyar la preparación del programa de reducciones de emisiones por deforestación y degradación de los bosques en la Costa Caribe, BOSAWAS e Indio Maíz (ERPD).
La elaboración por parte de Nicaragua de una propuesta de ERPD para el Fondo de Carbono del FCPF ha evolucionado de forma paralela con el proceso de preparación de ENDE-REDD+ y ha recibido un considerable apoyo por parte del Banco Mundial, en el 2015, el GRUN diseñó la Nota de Idea de PRE (ER-PIN), proponiendo al Fondo de Carbono del FCPF un área de cobertura que comprende las dos Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe, BOSAWAS e Indio Maíz. El ER-PIN fue sometido al Banco Mundial el 11 septiembre del 2015 y en enero de 2016, se firmó la “Carta de Intención para el Programa de Preparación enfocado en la Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación Ambiental”. Su aprobación fue el resultado del esfuerzo colectivo, de cooperación, de concertación entre el GRUN, las autoridades de gobierno y representantes de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe.
El ERPD se implementará bajo el modelo cristiano, socialista y solidario priorizando la ejecución de acciones articuladas en alianzas para la prosperidad, involucrando a las familias, comunidades indígenas y afrodescendientes, productores forestales agropecuarios y comunidades rurales pobres que son altamente vulnerables al cambio climático. El compromiso del país es una expresión práctica de los principios de la Declaración Universal del Bien Común de la Tierra y la Humanidad que pide entender a la Tierra como viva y sujeto de dignidad.
118 Fondo Cooperativo para el Carbono de los Bosques 84
Contexto para el PRE
Nicaragua es el país más extenso de Centroamérica, con 130,373 Km2 en donde vive una población de aproximadamente 6 millones de habitantes con un ritmo de crecimiento poblacional de 1.0 por ciento anual (INIDE 2015). El índice de pobreza es de 42 por ciento, una de cada siete personas vive en extrema pobreza. Las áreas rurales de Nicaragua albergan a la mayoría de los pobres (65%) y de los extremadamente pobres (80%), cuyos medios de vida dependen en gran medida de la agricultura de subsistencia, bosques y recursos naturales (BCN 2015). En el área urbana el 14.8% de la población vive en condiciones de pobreza y en el área rural afecta al 50.1% (INIDE 2015).
En los últimos años el país ha logrado una situación macroeconómica privilegiada en la región latinoamericana. El promedio del Producto Interno Bruto en el periodo 2011-2015 fue del 5.2%, gracias a políticas macroeconómicas, combinadas con una expansión constante de las exportaciones y la inversión extranjera directa (IED), esto último en su mayoría se ha logrado por las alianzas gobierno, empresarios, trabajadora y han sido decisivas para mantener la estabilidad nacional, combatir la pobreza y la extrema pobreza, de tal manera que ha permitido avanzar en el desarrollo económico y social del país.
Sin embargo, el incremento del PIB, puede estar en detrimento de los recursos naturales del país, el III Informe GEO Sobre el Estado del Ambiente de Nicaragua 2006, nos muestra que el desarrollo económico de Nicaragua está basado en sistemas productivos insostenibles, el grado de degradación actual está reduciendo las ofertas potenciales y futuras para aumentar y diversificar la producción. La ganadería extensiva es la principal causa del cambio de uso de suelos.
Se estima que la tasa anual de deforestación en Nicaragua para el periodo 2005-2015 es de 75,546 ha por año (INETER, 2015).119 Según datos de INETER, aproximadamente un 80% (3.16 millones de ha) de los 3.94 millones de hectáreas de bosque que tiene Nicaragua se encuentran en el área de contabilidad de carbono (ENDE-REDD+, 2017).
La Costa Caribe es el área en que se ha dado casi un 65% (2.8 millones de ha) de los 4.32 millones de hectáreas de bosques perdidos a nivel nacional entre 1983 y 2015 (véase el Cuadro 3). Con el tiempo, la importancia del Caribe como sitio de deforestación ha aumentado, puesto que la frontera agrícola históricamente se viene moviendo desde el Pacífico, pasando por la zona central y en años recientes se concentra casi exclusivamente en la Costa Caribe. La deforestación en la región caribeña representó la mitad de toda deforestación que ocurrió en el país entre los años 1983 y 2000, aumentando a un 70% en el periodo 2000-2005 para alcanzar un 85% entre 2005 y 2010 y casi un 100% de 2010 a 2015 (véase el Cuadro 1 Cambio en la Cobertura Forestal en Nicaragua).
119 Mapas oficiales de uso de la Tierra, MARENA-INETER 2015. 85
Cuadro 85: Cambio en la cobertura forestal en Nicaragua, 1983-2015.
Variable 1983 2000 2005 2010 2015 Nivel nacional Cubierta de bosque (ha) 8,255,861 5,449,384 4,545,859 4,049,257 3,938,669 Cambio en la cubierta de -2,806,476 -903,525 -496,602 -110,588 bosque (ha) Costa Caribe Cubierta de bosque (ha) 6,013,844 4,552,479 3,913,874 3,491,224 3,188,867 Cambio en la cubierta de -1,461,365 -638,605 -422,649 -302,357 bosque (ha)
Programa de Reducción de Emisiones en La Costa Caribe, BOSAWAS e Indio Maíz
El programa de RE es un importante componente del marco nacional ENDE REDD+ de Nicaragua, el que se está ejecutando paso a paso. La meta general de la estrategia de ENDE REDD+ es la de reducir las emisiones por deforestación y degradación de los bosques en un 50% para el año 2040, conservar y mejorar las reservas forestales de carbono y contribuir a la protección de la Madre Tierra en vista del cambio climático. Se espera que la estrategia ayude a mejorar la calidad de vida del pueblo nicaragüense, la resiliencia de los ecosistemas al cambio climático y que aumente el flujo de fondos hacia el sector ambiental y forestal, con el fin de fortalecer su posición y competitividad a los niveles nacional e internacional.
En este contexto, el Programa RE es esencial para la realización de la estrategia. La meta general es la de reducir las emisiones del bosque en el área de contabilidad en 21.1 Mt CO2e (16.6 Mt CO2e si se excluye la incertidumbre/zona de amortiguamiento) durante 5 años, contribuyendo a reducir las condiciones de pobreza y mejorar la conservación de la biodiversidad. El Programa de RE se concentra en la Costa Caribe, área de más alta prioridad geográfica para la reducción de emisiones de gases invernaderos forestales en Nicaragua. Allí se encuentran la Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte (RACCN) con su Reserva de Biósfera BOSAWAS y la Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Sur (RACCS), que contiene la Reserva Biológica Indio Maíz.
A nivel nacional, el programa RE también se encuentra alineado con la estrategia general de desarrollo del país, según se refleja en el Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Humano (PNDH), en particular en lo referente a sus metas de reducción de la pobreza, un mejor desarrollo humano y un uso sostenible de los recursos naturales de la Costa Caribe (PNDH 2012, secciones 283 y 284). Asimismo, contribuye a uno de los principales pilares del PNDH, la Política de Adaptación y Mitigación del Cambio Climático (PAMCC), especialmente en lo que se refiere a las directrices estratégicas sobre la mitigación del cambio climático, la adaptación a éste y la gestión de riesgo, así como las políticas nacionales y los planes ambientales y productivos, entre ellas la Estrategia Nacional Ambiental y de Cambio Climático (ENACC) y el Sistema de Producción, Consumo y Comercio.
86
El programa de RE ayudará a Nicaragua a cumplir con sus compromisos internacionales, tales como el Desafío de Bonn, la Iniciativa 20 x 20 y el Convenio Regional sobre Cambios Climáticos (Centroamérica), así como una cantidad de instrumentos legales y convenciones internacionales ratificadas por Nicaragua e incorporadas a su marco legal y que tratan con temas como bosques, biodiversidad, cambio climático, desertificación, poblaciones indígenas y protección de la capa de ozono.
Como pieza central y de ejecución inicial del ENDE-REDD+, el programa RE también representa una oportunidad única para fortalecer los sectores forestales, de conservación y agrícolas en Nicaragua. Se espera que al habilitar el sector forestal y aumentar la sostenibilidad del sector agrícola se contribuirá a un mayor desarrollo humano y económico, especialmente para los habitantes indígenas y afrodescendientes de los bosques. Al mismo tiempo, se espera que con la experiencia obtenida con el programa RE habrá impactos positivos importantes sobre otras jurisdicciones en que ENDE-REDD+ tiene o tendrá presencia.
El área de contabilidad está constituida por dos Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe (Caribe Norte y Caribe Sur), el Régimen Especial de Desarrollo de los Territorios ubicados en la Cuenca del Alto Wangki y Bocay, la Reserva de la Biósfera BOSAWAS y la Reserva Biológica Indio-Maíz, que representan el 59% del territorio nacional. Las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe y el Régimen Especial de Desarrollo de los Territorios ubicados en la Cuenca del Alto Wangki y Bocay representan aproximadamente el 49% del territorio nacional y las áreas ubicadas entre los departamentos de Río San Juan, Jinotega y Nueva Segovia que corresponden proporcionalmente a las Reservas de Indio y Maíz y de BOSAWAS corresponden el 10% del territorio nacional.
En la Costa Caribe y el Alto Wangki y Bocay, se encuentran los 23 territorios de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes demarcados y titulados bajo el régimen de propiedad comunal que representan el 31.4% del territorio nacional y el 53.22% del área de contabilidad. El área de contabilidad de carbono está titulada en un 98%: 53% es propiedad comunal y pertenece a grupos indígenas o afrodescendientes (representando el 31.4% del territorio nacional), 45% es privada y un 2% no está titulada. Las áreas protegidas incluyen tierras tanto privadas como comunales
Producto de un intenso diálogo efectuado a través de los tres grupos de trabajo que componen la plataforma de diálogo para frenar la deforestación en Nicaragua, se han diseñado seis líneas de intervención, las cuales se describen a continuación y se relacionan con las metas propuestas para cada una de ellas, ver cuadro 2.
87
Cuadro 86: Matriz de Líneas Estratégicas con sus objetivos y acciones Componentes Condiciones No Intervenciones /Actividades Meta propicias Principales La tasa anual de deforestación del Aumentar la gestión Capacitación, 1.3% reducida forestal comunitaria asistencia comercial a gradualmente en en 200,000 ha comunidades en 1 un 50% a lo largo distribuidas entre 3 comunidades Educación pública de 5 años. zonas en territorios indígenas y y promoción de la Reducción de I&A. afrodescendientes sensibilización emisiones = 1.0 Mejorada la Mt COse. coordinación y Capacitación y AT La tasa anual de armonización de para gobiernos deforestación del Mejorar la gobernanza instituciones y territoriales 1.4% reducida forestal en 23 políticas Incentivos para gradualmente en territorios I&A, Mejorada la 2 deforestación un 30% a lo largo incluyendo 2.3 recopilación, el evitada. de 5 años. millones de ha de intercambio y el Mejorado el Reducción de bosques. análisis de monitoreo forestal emisiones = 9.2 información y el local Mt COse. uso en la Incentivos en especie, Regeneración natural planificación 3 capacitación y Ver abajo. en áreas frágiles institucional asistencia técnica Mejorados los Fideicomisos de Aumentar acceso al La tasa anual de sistemas de alerta sistemas crédito deforestación de temprana y silvopastoriles y Asistencia técnica en bosques en finca monitoreo local agroforestales en materia de se ha reducido Mejorada la tierra ya deforestada, producción, comercio del 3.26% a 0. aplicación y el incluyendo 5800 y organizacional Reducciones en cumplimiento de 4 productores en fincas condicionada a emisiones leyes, que totalizan 325,000 conservación forestal silvopastoriles = reglamentos, e ha (sistemas en la finca 2.3 Mt CO2e; instrumentos de silvopastoriles) y Vínculos con el Reducciones en gestión 25,000 nuevas ha Mercado mejorados emisiones Promoción de la (sistemas agroforestales = inversión agroforestales). 1.4 Mt CO2e. Mejoradas las Reforestación Reducciones en capacidades 5 comercial en 10,000 Incentivos fiscales emisiones = 0.5 institucionales y nuevas ha. Mt CO2e fortalecidas las Regeneración natural relativas a Reducciones en en 40,000 nuevas ha, presupuesto emisiones de además del Incentivos en especie, regeneración 6 mantenimiento de una capacitación y natural = 5.7 Mt línea base 36,548 ha, y asistencia técnica CO2e reforestación en Reducciones en 40,000 nuevas ha para emisiones de
88
Componentes Condiciones No Intervenciones /Actividades Meta propicias Principales restaurar servicios de reforestación = ecosistema y 1.0 MtCO2e productos no maderables.
Alcance y objetivos del MGAS
Alcance
El área para la ejecución del ERPD, será en el área de contabilidad de carbono, que implica a 26 municipios, 11 en la RACCS, 8 en la RACCN, 4 en BOSAWAS (3 en Jinotega y 1 en Nueva Segovia) y 2 en la Reserva Indio Maíz. Asimismo, incluye 23 territorios indígenas y afrodescendientes: 17 en la RACCN, 3 en la RACCS y 3 en Jinotega y 23 áreas protegidas (APs), incluyendo las Reservas de BOSAWAS e Indio Maíz.
Al efectuar el análisis de los riesgos sociales y ambientales que se puedan presentar, se prevé que los impactos negativos que causará serán de bajo impacto y se han previsto las medidas de mitigación a los mismos, así también se han analizados los impactos positivos que tendrán la implementación de las acciones.
El MGAS, es un instrumento para uso interno de MARENA e instituciones involucradas en el Programa Reducción de Emisiones. Es un instrumento para asegurar buenas prácticas ambientales y sociales, tomando en cuenta el marco legal y jurídico existente en el país y los compromisos con las salvaguardas definidas.
Objetivo general
Asegurar una adecuada gestión ambiental y social en los diferentes programas, proyectos y acciones del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones, incluyendo el cumplimiento de la legislación nacional, ambiental, social y de tenecia de la tierra relacionada y las Políticas de Salvaguarda del Banco Mundial y de Cancún, estableciendo las herramientas y procedimientos necesarios para ello.
Objetivos específicos • Identificar los riesgos positivos y adversos al implementar las acciones para el ERPD y establecer las medidas de mitigación para reducir los impactos adversos. • Identificar la normativa ambiental y social relacionada al ERPD, la cual será el marco de referencia para cumplir con las Políticas de Salvaguardas Ambientales y Sociales del Banco Mundial aplicables al ERPD.
89
Marco legal vinculado al ERPD
El país cuenta con un marco legal sólido cimentado en la Constitución Política de Nicaragua (Cn.) como norma fundamental, la Cn. establece la tutela a un ambiente saludable, protección a los recursos naturales, reconocimiento y protección a los distintos regímenes de propiedad, reconocimiento de la propiedad comunal de las comunidades indígenas y afrodescendientes, promoción de un desarrollo económico sostenible en armonía con la Madre Tierra, reconocimiento al uso y disfrute de los recursos naturales, la titularidad de los dueños del bosque y la Autonomía de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe.
El Marco Legal ambiental del país se encuentra fundamentado en los artículos 60 y 102 de la Constitución Política de Nicaragua, es un marco legal robusto pues desde 1996 se sustenta bajo los principios del Derecho Ambiental dispuestos en instrumentos internacionales ratificados por Nicaragua y ha creado leyes especiales que regulan el bosque, áreas protegidas, biodiversidad, agua, tierra, entre otras, bajo el enfoque del desarrollo sostenible. Constitución Política de Nicaragua (Cn):120 reconoce la importancia del Estado en la protección ambiental y de los servicios que brindan los bosques y sus ecosistemas, lo que representa una fortaleza jurídica para la implementación del ERPD. El Estado tiene un rol normador y regulador, garante de la aplicación de las leyes, decretos, resoluciones, ordenanzas, programas, políticas públicas y estrategias en temas ambientales y forestales. En el siguiente cuadro se presenta el análisis de los artículos de la Constitución Política, que se vinculan al ERPD.
Cuadro 87: Artículos de la Constitución Política vinculados al ERPD.
Constitución Alcance constitucional Política Arto.2 Participación directa del pueblo en los asuntos nacionales. Reconocimiento a los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, formas de organización social, administración de sus asuntos locales, mantener sus Arto. 5 formas comunales de propiedad, el goce, uso y disfrute de los recursos naturales. Arto. 8 El pueblo de Nicaragua es de naturaleza multiétnica. Reconocimiento a los diferentes tipos de propiedad la que deberá cumplir Arto. 44 con una función social. Arto. 60 Derecho a habitar en un ambiente saludable. Derecho de los pueblos de la Costa Caribe a preservar y desarrollar su Arto.89 identidad, reconocimiento de las formas comunales, goce, uso y disfrute de las aguas y bosque
120 Arto. 182. La Constitución es la carta fundamental de la República, las demás leyes están subordinadas a ella. No tendrá valor alguno las leyes, tratados, decretos, reglamentos, ordenanzas o disposiciones que se le opongan o alteren sus disposiciones. 90
Constitución Alcance constitucional Política Los recursos naturales son patrimonio nacional, celebración de contratos de Arto.102 concesión sobre los recursos naturales cuando el interés nacional así lo requiera. El Estado garantiza las formas de propiedad, no se perturbará el dominio y Arto.103 posesión legal, excepto en los casos en que las leyes de la materia así lo dispongan. Uso, goce y disfrute de los recursos naturales como un derecho inalienable Arto.180 de las Comunidades de la Costa Caribe. Régimen autonómico, en las concesiones y contratos que otorga el Estado, Arto.181 requiere de la aprobación del Consejo Regional.
La Cn., en su artículo 60 establece el derecho fundamental de todos los nicaragüenses de habitar en un ambiente saludable y la obligación de su preservación y conservación. En la reciente reforma121 se incorpora elementos dirigidos “…al cuidado a la Madre Tierra como el bien común supremo y universal, sujeta de dignidad, esta debe ser amada, cuidada y regenerada. Haciendo un llamado a proteger y restaurar la integridad de los ecosistemas, con especial preocupación por la diversidad biológica y por todos los procesos naturales que sustentan la vida. La nación nicaragüense debe adoptar patrones de producción y consumo que garanticen la vitalidad y la integridad de la madre tierra…”
El Estado de Nicaragua asume y hace suyo en la Cn. el texto íntegro de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos de la Madre Tierra. La Cn., conduce al Estado a la promoción de actividades productivas de forma sostenible, garantizando la vitalidad e integridad de la Madre Tierra. En este sentido, el cuidado ambiental está asociado a la permanencia y disfrute de los recursos naturales de manera sostenible, compatible al desarrollo del país y las necesidades de su población.
En relación al dominio de los recursos naturales, la Cn. en su artículo 102 establece que “Los recursos naturales son patrimonio nacional. La preservación del ambiente y la conservación, desarrollo y explotación racional de los recursos naturales corresponden al Estado; este podrá celebrar contratos de explotación racional de estos recursos, cuando el interés nacional lo requiera, bajo procesos transparentes y públicos…”.
El Programa de Reducción de Emisiones, deberá garantizar lo dispuesto en el artículo. 98 de la Cn.: “La función principal del Estado en la economía es lograr el desarrollo sostenible en el país; mejorar las condiciones de vida del pueblo y realizar una distribución cada vez más justa de la riqueza en la búsqueda del buen vivir.” Este desarrollo debe ser integral y sustentable, que garantice los intereses y necesidades particulares, sociales, sectoriales y regionales de la nación. (Arto. 99 Cn.).
121 Ley No. 854, "Ley de Reforma Parcial a la Constitución Política de la República de Nicaragua", aprobada el veintinueve de enero del año dos mil catorce, publicada e n La Gaceta, Diario Oficial No. 26 del diez de febrero del mismo año. 91
Síntesis del Marco Legal: Nicaragua ha venido transformando sus leyes desde los años 90, con una orientación a la protección, conservación y uso sostenible de los recursos naturales como patrimonio de la nación, a continuación en el cuadro 4 se presenta el marco legal relacionado al ERPD:
Cuadro 88: Síntesis del Marco Legal de Nicaragua relacionado al ER-PD
Marco legal vigente
Establece las normas y regulaciones del régimen autonómico de la Costa Caribe, reconoce los derechos Ley 28, Ley del Régimen Autonómico de y deberes propios que corresponden a sus habitantes, la Costa Caribe y su reglamento Decreto de conformidad con la Constitución Política de No.3584. Texto de Ley No.28 “Estatuto Nicaragua. de Autonomía de la Regiones de la Costa
Caribe de Nicaragua con sus reformas Las acciones de intervención del Programa ER se incorporadas. Ley N°. 28, aprobada el 29 implementan en el área de contabilidad en apego a la de Julio de 2016. Publicada en La Gaceta Ley de Autonomía, las actividades de intervención No. 155 del 18 de agosto de 2016 deben ser autorizadas y monitoreadas por las autoridades regionales. Ley que regula al Municipio como la unidad base de la división político administrativa del país, regula su territorio y recursos naturales en coordinación con otras instancias, los asuntos locales de su Ley No. 40, y su reglamento. Texto de circunscripción, reconoce la existencia de las Ley 40, Ley de Municipios con reformas comunidades indígenas ubicadas en sus territorios, e incorporaciones. La Gaceta Diario legalmente constituidas o en estado de hecho, según Oficial No. 06, publicada el 14 de enero las disposiciones de la Ley de Comunidades Indígenas de 2013. de 1914, 1918, Ley 445 y otras leyes.
En el Programa ER participan 26 municipalidades, garantes de velar por los RRNN en el área de contabilidad. Ley General del Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales, tiene por objeto establecer las normas para Ley 217, Ley General del Medio la conservación, protección, mejoramiento y Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales. restauración del medio ambiente y los recursos Aprobada el 27 de marzo de 1996, naturales que lo integran, asegurando su uso racional y publicada en La Gaceta No. 105 del 6 de sostenible, de acuerdo a lo señalado en la Constitución junio de 1996 y su reglamento Decreto Política. 9-96. Texto con reformas e En el artículo 18 de la ley crea el Sistema Nacional de incorporaciones publicado en La Gaceta Áreas Protegidas. Diario Oficial No 20 del 31 de enero Nicaragua ha ido avanzando satisfactoriamente en la 2014. actualización, adecuación y modernización de sus leyes, para el año 2004 consideró reformas
92
importantes en la Ley 217,122 que incorporan la temática de cambio climático. Marco regulatorio ambiental, que dicta normativas y procedimientos generales sobre el uso del suelo, manejo de los RRNN, áreas protegidas, ordenamiento ambiental territorial. Ley 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y Procedimiento del Poder Ejecutivo y Ley 929 Ley de Reformas y Adiciones a la Ley 290. Ley No. 947 reforma de la Ley No. 290, Ley de Determina la organización, competencia y Organización, Competencia y procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo (MARENA, MAG, Procedimiento del Poder Ejecutivo y Ley INAFOR, MEFFCA, MHCP, etc.). 462 sobre conservación, fomento y desarrollo sostenible del sector forestal, publicado en el Diario Oficial La Gaceta No. 87 del 11 de mayo del año 2017. Regula el régimen de la propiedad comunal de las tierras de las comunidades indígenas y étnicas de la Ley 445, Ley de Régimen de Propiedad Costa Caribe y las cuencas de los ríos Coco, Bocay, Indio Comunal de los Pueblos Indígenas y Maíz. Comunidades Étnicas de las Regiones Y determina el procedimiento legal sobre el manejo de Autónomas de la Costa Caribe de los RRNN en los territorios indígenas y Nicaragua y de los ríos Bocay, Coco, Indio afrodescendientes y aprovechamiento del bosque Maíz. Publicado en La Gaceta No. 16 del dentro de las comunidades indígenas y la relación del 23 de enero de 2003. Estado y los comunitarios en las áreas protegidas sobrepuestas en tierras comunales. El país a partir del 2003 cuenta con un marco legal forestal moderno que tiene como objeto normar y promover la conservación, el fomento y desarrollo Ley 462, Ley de Conservación, Fomento sostenible del sector forestal mediante la Ley 462,123 y Manejo Sostenible del Sector Forestal tomando como base fundamental el manejo forestal y sus reformas. Aprobada el 26 de junio del bosque natural, el fomento de las plantaciones, la del 2003, publicada en La Gaceta, Diario protección, conservación y la restauración de áreas Oficial No.168 del 4 de septiembre de forestales. 2003. Ley con reformas sustanciales La Ley 462 destaca la importancia de mejorar el nivel contenidas en la Ley 929, La Gaceta, de vida de la población mediante la gestión forestal y Diario Oficial No.97 de 25 de mayo del dar participación a los gobiernos regionales y año 2016. municipales y a la sociedad civil para velar por la conservación del recurso, asegurando los múltiples beneficios en bienes y servicios producidos por los bosques.
122 Texto de Ley No. 217, " Ley General del Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales con sus reformas incorporadas, publicada en La Gaceta, Diario Oficial No.20 del 31 de enero de 2014. 123 Ley 462, Ley de Conservación, Fomento y Desarrollo Sostenible del Sector Forestal, aprobada el 26 de junio de 2003, publicada en La Gaceta, Diario Oficial No.168 del 4 de septiembre de 2003. 93
En relación a la titularidad de la tierra y sus diversas formas de tenencia la Ley 462 define expresamente que el propietario del suelo le corresponde el dominio del vuelo forestal existente sobre él, y de sus beneficios derivados, siendo responsable de su manejo de acuerdo a la Ley y su Reglamento. La Ley tiene como objeto promover el ejercicio pleno de la ciudadanía en el ámbito político, social, Ley 475, Ley de Participación Ciudadana. económico y cultural, mediante la creación y operación Aprobada el 22 de octubre del 2003. de mecanismos institucionales que permitan una Publicada en La Gaceta No. 241 del 19 de interacción fluida entre el Estado y la sociedad diciembre del 2003. nicaragüense, contribuyendo con ello al fortalecimiento de la libertad y la democracia participativa y representativa establecidos en la Constitución Política Nicaragua. Tiene como objeto regular y garantizar el trato justo e igualitario a los Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes de la Costa Caribe y Alto Wangki de Nicaragua, así Ley 757, Ley de trato digno y equitativo como a los Pueblos Indígenas del Centro, Norte y a Pueblos Indígenas y Pacífico de Nicaragua, en materia de oportunidades y Afrodescendientes. Aprobada el 02 de acceso al trabajo en el sector público, privado y marzo de 2011. organismos no gubernamentales, con todos los Publicada en La Gaceta No. 96 del 26 de derechos, garantías y beneficios que establecen las mayo del 2011. leyes laborales, convenios internacionales suscritos y ratificados por Nicaragua, y demás disposiciones relacionadas. Es una Ley orientada a la producción bajo tres grandes dimensiones: social, económica y ambiental, tiene como objeto fomentar el desarrollo de los sistemas de Ley 765, Ley de Fomento a la producción producción agroecológica u orgánica, mediante la Agroecológica u Orgánica y su regulación, promoción e impulso de actividades, reglamento. Publicada en La Gaceta, prácticas y procesos de producción con sostenibilidad Diario Oficial No. 124 del 5 de julio de ambiental, económica, social y cultural que 2011, y su reglamento. contribuyan a la restauración y conservación de los ecosistemas, agro-ecosistemas, así como el manejo sostenible de la tierra.
Tiene por objeto regular la conservación y utilización sostenible de la diversidad biológica existente en el país, garantizando una participación equitativa y Ley 805, Ley de Conservación y distribución justa en los beneficios derivados del uso de Utilización Sostenible de la Diversidad la misma con especial atención a las comunidades Biológica, 19 de octubre de 2012. indígenas y afro descendientes así como, el respeto y reconocimiento de los derechos de propiedad intelectual, formas de uso tradicional y consuetudinarios de las comunidades locales. Decreto 01-2007, Reglamento de Áreas Nicaragua cuenta con un Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas de Nicaragua, aprobado el 08 Protegidas (SINAP), el SINAP tiene como propósito la
94
de enero de 2007. Publicado en La protección de los recursos naturales del país, preservar Gaceta No. 08 del 11 de enero de 2007 ecosistemas naturales representativos de las diversas regiones biogeográficas, y ecológicas del país, proteger cuencas hidrográficas, ciclos hidrológicos, mantos acuíferos, muestras de comunidades bióticas, recursos genéticos y la diversidad genética silvestre de flora y fauna, proteger paisajes naturales y los entornos de los monumentos históricos, arqueológicos y artísticos, promover el desarrollo local sostenible fomentando la implementación de procesos y tecnologías limpias para el mejoramiento y el aprovechamiento racional y sostenible de los ecosistemas naturales y potenciar de forma sistémica los servicios ambientales que proveen las áreas protegidas para el beneficio de los habitantes de la zona, la economía nacional y el desarrollo sostenible. El SINAP produce servicios ambientales variados: captación de carbono, agua, protección de suelos, conectividad y conservación de biodiversidad Tiene por objeto establecer el Sistema de Evaluación con las disposiciones administrativas que regulan los Decreto 20-, Sistema de Evaluación permisos, autorizaciones para el uso sostenible de los Ambiental de Permisos y Autorizaciones recursos naturales. para el uso sostenible de los Recursos Valora ambientalmente 18 actividades entre ellas: Naturales, Publicado en La Gaceta No. Proyectos sujetos a EIA, Planes de manejo, Planes de 228 del 29 de noviembre de 2017. Saneamiento Forestal en áreas protegidas, Autorización ambiental para el uso, manejo de suelos y ecosistemas terrestres y otros. Se reconoce, respeta, promueve y protege las prácticas Ley 759, Ley de Medicina Tradicional, y conocimientos relacionados con la medicina aprobada el 29 de marzo de 2011 y tradicional. También busca protección de los publicada en La Gaceta, Diario Oficial conocimientos de propiedad intelectual colectivos. No. 123 del 04 de julio de 2011 y su Protege y promueve el uso de medicinas naturales, en Reglamento Decreto No.25-2014, base a derivados de plantas, animales y minerales o publicado en La Gaceta, Diario Oficial cualquier combinación de ellos, en condiciones de No. 85 del 12 de mayo de 2014. calidad, seguridad, accesibilidad y responsabilidad.
Tratados internacionales: Nicaragua ha asumido compromisos regionales e internacionales al adoptar e implementar una serie de ajustes de índole administrativos, legislativos y de políticas con el fin de enfrentar el fenómeno del cambio climático, bajo tres grandes principios: pre-cautoriedad, responsabilidades comunes pero diferenciadas y desarrollo sostenible en sus tres pilares (social, ambiental y económico).
Los tratados y convenios internacionales que han sido adoptados y ratificados en materia de ambiente y desarrollo sostenible son diversos: bosque, biodiversidad, cambio climático, contra desertificación, pueblos indígenas, protección a la capa de ozono, control de las
95
sustancias peligrosas entre otros. Todos ellos, de acuerdo a nuestra Cn., son parte de nuestra legislación nacional.
En relación a la problemática del cambio climático, el país se ha destacado desde 1993 en la aprobación y ratificación del Convenio Regional sobre Cambio Climático. Dicho Convenio compromete a los países centroamericanos a establecer mecanismos regionales de integración económica y de cooperación para el uso racional del ambiente, con el fin de proteger el sistema climático en beneficio de las generaciones presentes y futuras. El Convenio establece que los Estados, de acuerdo a sus capacidades, implementarán programas nacionales y tomarán medidas para asegurar la conservación climática dentro y fuera de su jurisdicción.
A continuación, se presentan los Tratados, Convenios y Declaraciones ratificadas por Nicaragua que son relevantes para la implementación del ERPD.
Cuadro 89: Tratados, Convenios y Declaraciones ratificadas por Nicaragua que son relevantes para la implementación del ERPD
Tratados, Convenios y Declaraciones ratificadas por Nicaragua relevantes para el ERPD La Declaración Universal del Bien Común de la Tierra y la Humanidad, es parte de nuestra Constitución Política de Nicaragua. La declaratoria destaca “que los climas pertenecen al Bien Común de la Madre Tierra y de la Declaración Universal del Bien Común Humanidad porque son la condición esencial de la de la Tierra y la Humanidad. manutención de la vida y los cambios climáticos deben ser tratados globalmente y con una responsabilidad
compartida”. La Constitución Política de Nicaragua hace suya el texto íntegro de la Declaración, en las reformas constitucionales del año 2014, mediante la Ley 854. Nicaragua firmó y ratificó la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas para el Cambio Climático, CMNUCC, cuyo objetivo es alcanzar “la estabilización de las concentraciones de gases de efecto invernadero en la Convención Marco de las Naciones atmósfera a un nivel que impida interferencias Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático antropogénicas peligrosas en el sistema climático”. (CMNUCC). (ONU, 1992, Artículo 2). Nicaragua reconoce la importancia de dirigir acciones que van encaminadas a participar en forma activa y concertada de los esfuerzos de la comunidad internacional para asegurar estabilidad en el clima mundial. Protocolo de Kioto, el Protocolo fue El Protocolo constituyó un primer paso histórico para aprobado por la Asamblea Nacional controlar los gases de efecto invernadero, ofreciendo un de Nicaragua mediante el Decreto marco básico de acción de lucha contra el cambio Legislativo No. 2295, el 1 de julio de climático. El Protocolo obliga a muchos países 1999, publicado en La Gaceta, Diario industrializados a poner en marcha las instituciones y
96
Oficial No. 133, del 13 de julio de políticas necesarias para conseguir la reducción de 1999. emisiones, sin embargo, su impacto en la tendencia ascendente de las emisiones ha sido muy reducido. Nicaragua en el año 2014, señaló “Lo que necesitamos es un acuerdo legalmente vinculante, que reconozca los diferentes grados de desarrollo, así como la responsabilidad y diferenciación con relación a quiénes causaron y quiénes sufren las consecuencias de este fenómeno. Este acuerdo contiene compromisos obligatorios de reducción de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y también compromisos financieros, de transferencia de tecnología y del fortalecimiento de las capacidades de los países en desarrollo”. Nicaragua ha firmado y adoptado la CITES, asumiendo los La CITES (Convención sobre el compromisos para velar para que el comercio Comercio Internacional de Especies internacional de especímenes de animales y plantas Amenazadas de Fauna y Flora silvestres no constituya una amenaza para su Silvestres). Gaceta, Diario Oficial supervivencia. La Ley 217, establece un sistema de veda No.183 del 15 de agosto de 1977. anual que busca asegurar el resguardo de las especies en riesgo y peligro de extinción. Convención Relativa a los Humedales Tratado intergubernamental que ofrece el marco para la de Importancia Internacional, ( conservación y el uso racional de los humedales y sus Convención Ramsar) Decreto A.N.No. recursos. 1599, Aprobada el 06 de Febrero de 1997.Publicado en La Gaceta No. 38 de 24 de Febrero de 1997
Convenio 169 “Convenio sobre El Convenio 169 de la OIT, fue ratificado por Nicaragua pueblos indígenas y tribales”. Gaceta, en el año 2010. El convenio es el único instrumento Diario Oficial No.105 del 4 de Junio de internacional de carácter vinculante que aborda de 2010. manera específica los derechos de los pueblos indígenas. Aprobación de la Declaración de la ONU sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, que, aunque no tiene el estatuto de una convención o tratado, es decir, no es vinculante o de obligatorio cumplimiento de los firmantes, la Asamblea Nacional en el 2010 asumió el Declaración de la ONU sobre los compromiso de impulsar acciones que retomen las Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas. premisas jurídicas de la mencionada Declaración, para DECLARACIÓN A.N. No. 001-2008. adecuar los marcos normativos nacionales. Aprobada el 11 de Marzo del 2008. Publicada en La Gaceta Nº 68 del 11 de La Declaración reconoce a los pueblos y las personas Abril del 2008 indígenas como libres e iguales a todos los demás pueblos, además que consagra entre otros derechos, los de no discriminación; la libre determinación, entendida como autonomía o autogobierno en sus asuntos internos y locales; a conservar y reforzar sus propias instituciones políticas, entre otros.
97
La Convención Internacional sobre la eliminación de todas las formas de discriminación racial fue aprobada Convención Internacional Sobre la por la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas en 1965, Eliminación de todas las formas de y entró en vigor en 1969. Esta Convención parte del Discriminación Racial. Aprobado el 09 principio de la dignidad y la igualdad de todos los seres de Enero de 1978.Publicado en La humanos, así como que todos tienen los mismos Gaceta No. 26 del 02 de Febrero de derechos humanos y libertades fundamentales, sin 1978. distinción por motivos de raza, idioma, sexo, religión o nacionalidad Convención para la eliminación de Instrumento jurídico internacional, aprobado por los todas las formas de discriminación Estados y que los compromete con una serie de contra la Mujer (CEDAW). Aprobado y obligaciones para con las mujeres. ratificado mediante Decreto Ejecutivo No. 789 del día 10 de Agosto de 1981. Publicado en La Gaceta No. 191 del día 25 de Agosto de 1981. Convenio de Estocolmo para la Con el fin de proteger la salud humana y el ambiente gestión de contaminantes. contra los daños que causan los COPs se suscribió el DECRETO A.N. No. 4346, Aprobado el Convenio de Estocolmo, el cual fue firmado por 07 de Julio del 2005.Publicado en La Nicaragua en mayo del 2001 y ratificado en julio de 2005. Gaceta No. 159 del 17 de Agosto del 2005
Legislación para Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes
Constitución Política de Nicaragua: Desde 1986, cuando se promulga una nueva Constitución Política, el Estado de Nicaragua reconoce la naturaleza multiétnica del país, la existencia de los Pueblos Originarios y Afrodescendientes y su derecho a mantener, desarrollar su identidad, cultura y organización propia. Reconoce también el derecho a la propiedad comunal de la tierra y establece el régimen de Autonomía para la Costa Caribe,124 reconociendo a los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes de la Costa Caribe, derechos plenos sobre la propiedad, uso, administración de sus recursos naturales y manejo de sus tierras comunales bajo sus diferentes formas, derechos consignados en la Constitución Política de Nicaragua.125
Ley 28 de Autonomía de las Regiones de la Costa Atlántica de Nicaragua: Conocida como Régimen de Autonomía. Establece la participación efectiva en los asuntos de desarrollo en la región a fin de armonizarlos con los intereses de las Comunidades de la Costa Caribe.
En el artículo 8, inciso 4, dice: “Promover el racional uso, goce y disfrute de las aguas, bosques, tierras comunales y la defensa de su sistema ecológico y según su inciso 5. Se deberá promover el estudio, fomento, desarrollo, preservación y difusión de las culturas
124 Pueblos Originarios y Afrodescendientes de Nicaragua. 125 Constitución Política de Nicaragua, Artículos 5, 79 y 180. 98
tradicionales de las Comunidades de la Costa Atlántica, así como su patrimonio histórico, artístico, lingüístico y cultural”.
La plataforma de gobernanza de los territorios indígenas se rige por una estructura muy sólida de autoridades comunales tradicionales que juegan un rol trascendental en la administración de los recursos naturales en general. En el año 2001, con la aprobación de la Ley 445. Ley No. 445, Ley de Régimen de Propiedad Comunal: Refiere a los Pueblos Indígenas y Comunidades étnicas de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Atlántica de Nicaragua (hoy Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe) y de los ríos Bocay, Coco, indio y Maíz. Publicada en La Gaceta No. 16 del 23 de enero del 2003. Garantiza a los pueblos indígenas y comunidades étnicas:126 pleno reconocimiento de los derechos de propiedad comunal, uso, administración, manejo de las tierras tradicionales y sus recursos naturales, mediante la demarcación y titulación de las mismas; regula los derechos de propiedad comunal, uso y administración de los recursos naturales en las tierras comunales; determina los procedimientos legales necesarios para dicho reconocimiento.
Tomando en cuenta la plena participación a través de sus autoridades tradicionales; establece los principios fundamentales del régimen administrativo en el manejo de sus territorios comunales; establece las normas y procedimientos para el proceso de demarcación y titulación sobre el derecho de propiedad comunal y definir el orden institucional que regirá el proceso de titulación de las tierras comunales de cada uno de los diferentes pueblos indígenas y comunidades étnicas objeto de esta Ley.
La Comisión Nacional de Demarcación y titulación (CONADETI) al 2016 ha titulado 23 territorios indígenas y afrodescendientes que cubren un área de 37,252.91 km cuadrados, que representan aproximadamente el 54.7% de la Costa Caribe y equivalen al 31% del territorio nacional.
Ley No. 162, uso oficial de las lenguas de las comunidades de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua: Establece que éstas tienen derecho a la preservación de sus lenguas. El Estado de Nicaragua establecerá programas especiales para el ejercicio de este derecho y proporcionará los recursos necesarios para su buen funcionamiento.
Ley 759 sobre medicina tradicional: Medicina tradicional. Busca el reconocimiento de derecho, el respeto, protección y promoción de prácticas y expresiones de la medicina tradicional ancestral de los pueblos indígenas y afro-descendientes en todas sus especialidades y el ejercicio individual y colectivo de los mismos, en función de la salud propia e intercultural. Corresponden al Estado la efectiva aplicación y desarrollo. Por lo tanto, la ENDE REDD debe asegurar el acceso a los recursos medicinales tradicionales a los pueblos indígenas y afro descendientes.
126 Arto. 2 de la Ley 445.
99
Convenio 169: Este convenio se basa en el reconocimiento de las aspiraciones de los pueblos indígenas y tribales a asumir el control de sus propias instituciones, formas de vida y de su desarrollo económico, y a mantener y fortalecer sus identidades, lenguas y religiones, dentro del marco de los Estados en que viven. Para el cumplimento de este Convenio se deben tomar en cuenta dos elementos esenciales; el primero de ellos es el consentimiento libre, previo, e informado, es decir una comunidad no puede reflexionar y tomar decisiones sobre un tema específico si no cuenta con la suficiente información, la cual deberá ser clara, objetiva, veraz, suficiente y el consentimiento debe ser libre de cualquier presión. El segundo elemento es el ámbito de la consulta, el cual debe acordarse previamente con la comunidad y definirse si es a nivel de las organizaciones, a nivel de plebiscito a la comunidad en general y que obviamente va a depender del impacto, sector y dimensión de la actividad o acción que se pretende desarrollar. Lo trascendental de este derecho es que se respete la decisión de la comunidad quien puede aceptar o rechazar libremente cualquier propuesta, según lo considere conveniente.
La ejecución del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones, estará asentada en el respeto a la organización de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, quienes cuentan con un liderazgo tradicional a través de sus Asambleas comunales, Consejos de Ancianos, Juntas Directivas Comunales, Síndicos, Jueces comunales (Wihtas), Gobiernos Territoriales entre otros, quienes tienen a cargo la representación de sus territorios para la toma de decisión en los asuntos que involucran sus tierras y recursos naturales.
Ver mayores detalles sobre Pueblos Indígenas en el Marco de Planificación de Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes, incorporado en este MGAS.
Marco Institucional
Para el cumplimiento del MGAS, se retomará la coordinación general del PRE y las responsabilidades institucionales de los diversos componentes, los cuales se describen a más adelante.
La conducción general de la implementación del plan de atención a Salvaguardas será asumida por MARENA en coordinación con MHCP, MEFFCA, SDCC, INETER, INAFOR y los gobiernos regionales y los gobiernos territoriales de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, los cuales actuaran de acuerdo a sus mandatos institucionales e involucramiento en el ERPD, se preparará un acuerdo interinstitucional que defina las responsabilidades por cada institución en el cumplimiento de Salvaguardas.
Para el cumplimiento de las responsabilidades institucionales contempladas en el ERPD, se destaca que en Nicaragua se implementa un modelo cristiano, socialista y solidario, que plantea responsabilidad compartida y prioriza acciones articuladas entre las diferentes Instituciones y Ministerios de Gobierno y entre estos y los diferentes niveles de gobierno de la costa caribe (Regional, Territorial, comunal y Municipal), con un alto nivel de
100
participación ciudadana. El instrumento articulador es el Plan Nacional de desarrollo Humano y los compromisos de Gobierno 2017-2021.
Se ha identificado en los arreglos, que las actividades de desarrollo rural estarán bajo la responsabilidad del MEFFCA, las actividades relacionadas a la silvicultura estarán bajo la responsabilidad de INAFOR. El monitoreo será dirigido por INETER y las actividades para la gestión forestal a nivel local se efectuarán en coordinación entre MARENA y los Gobiernos Regionales de la Costa Caribe. . El instrumento de política pública articulador es el Plan Nacional de desarrollo Humano y los compromisos de Gobierno 2017-2021.
Otros instrumentos de apoyo y que priorizan las acciones articuladas son: Política Nacional de Desarrollo Sostenible del Sector Forestal de Nicaragua, Estrategia Nacional Ambiental y del Cambio Climático (ENACC), Política General de Ordenamiento Territorial, Plan Forestal Nacional, Inventario nacional forestal, Normativas y disposiciones técnicas para el acceso al recurso forestal, Mapa de uso potencia de la tierra, mapa nacional de zonificación para la forestación, reforestación y regeneración natural.
A nivel operativo, el Sistema de Producción, Consumo y Comercio es la instancia donde se coordinaran las acciones contempladas en la ejecución del ERPD a nivel de las instituciones de Gobierno relacionadas con los recursos naturales y el medio ambiente.
En la Costa caribe los gobiernos regionales articulan las políticas nacionales con los planteamientos específicos de los pueblos originarios y comunidades étnicas, define políticas, estrategias, criterios y principios de jurisdicción regional concertados con los otros niveles de gobierno y en coordinación con el nivel nacional. Lo que permitirá ampliamente la implementación de las acciones del ERPD y en especial los planes de salvaguardas.
El Gobierno regional administrativamente está organizado en el Consejo Regional que es la máxima autoridad en las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe y la Coordinación de Gobierno que es la instancia administrativa a través de sus secretarias técnicas. Tiene a cargo la SERENA como instancia administrativa y a la Comisión de recursos naturales (CARENA) y al Comité Consultivo Forestal y ambiental (CCFA) que en el caso de la RACCS recibe el nombre Comité técnico regional (CTR).
Los instrumentos articuladores de apoyo son; El Plan de Desarrollo de la Costa Caribe (PDCC), Estrategia de desarrollo forestal de la Costa Caribe (EDFOR), Estrategia Regional de Cambio Climático, Planes de desarrollo territorial, las normas técnicas ambientales y los reglamentos de funcionamiento interno de los GTI y Gobiernos Comunales.
El Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales (MARENA), es la autoridad nacional rectora de la política ambiental del país,127 administra el Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SINAP), el Sistema Nacional de Información Ambiental (SINIA) y el Sistema de
127 Ley 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y Procedimiento del Poder Ejecutivo. 101
Evaluación Ambiental, norma y autoriza el uso sostenible de suelos agropecuarios y forestales en el país y le corresponde sancionar a personas naturales o jurídicas por daños al ambiente a través de un procedimiento administrativo.
Coordinaciones interinstitucionales: • El nuevo Sistema de Evaluación Ambiental de Permisos y Autorizaciones para el Uso Sostenible de los Recursos Naturales, garantiza al programa PRE, los procedimientos y requisitos para los permisos ambientales y autorizaciones por el uso sostenible de los recursos naturales. • El Sistema de Evaluación Ambiental, este sistema, está descentralizado en las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe, está a cargo de la Secretaria de Recursos Naturales (SERENA) de cada región, para lo cual las RACC se coordinan con MARENA. • Coordinación con el Ministerio Agropecuario y con el Instituto Nacional Forestal la planificación sectorial y las políticas de uso sostenible de los suelos agrícolas, ganaderos y forestales en todo el territorio nacional. • Participa en el sistema de producción, consumo y comercio. En el marco de la implementación del ERPD, el MARENA será responsable de: • La ejecución del Programa Nacional ENDE-REDD+; • Coordinación con las comisiones ambientales, las autoridades de la Procuraduría General de la República, Fiscalía, Policía Nacional, Ejército de Nicaragua en los procesos de protección, vigilancia y control de las áreas protegidas. • El Sistema Nacional de Monitoreo de Bosques el que procesará y suministrará información de indicadores nacionales sobre bosques, beneficios no carbono (Recursos Hídricos, Biodiversidad y Seguridad Alimentaria) y la información de Salvaguardas (SIS) validadas por el Programa ERPD. • Es responsable de generar y monitorear información relacionada a la biodiversidad, ecosistema (áreas protegidas), especies, emisiones de GEI, puntos de calor y usos del suelo. • Oficializa los datos de deforestación y recuperación de bosque a nivel nacional. • Cuantificará la cantidad de emisiones y/o absorciones por ganancia o pérdida de cobertura forestal anual. • Generación de dictamen de impacto ambiental en el caso de los plaguicidas El Instituto Nacional Forestal (INAFOR):128 Es la instancia nacional que formula la política y normas forestales; supervisa los programas de fomento forestal; informa sobre el sector forestal; vigila, regula y controla el aprovechamiento sostenible de los recursos forestales de la Nación, ejerciendo facultades de inspección, disponiendo las medidas, correcciones y
128 Ley de Reforma Parcial a la Ley No 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y Procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo, a la Ley 462, Ley de Conservación, Fomento y Desarrollo Sostenible del Sector Forestal. La Gaceta, Diario Oficial No 87 del 11 de mayo de 2017. 102
sanciones. El INAFOR tiene a cargo los procesos administrativos para sancionar a las personas naturales o jurídicas que infrinjan las leyes y normativas forestales fuera de áreas protegidas. La vigilancia y control se hace a través de la coordinación con otras instancias (municipalidades, SERENA, MARENA, Policía Nacional y el Ejército).
En el marco de la implementación del ERPD, el INAFOR será responsable de: • Inventario Nacional Forestal que será administrado por INAFOR a través de la Dirección de Inventarios Nacionales Forestales, entidad responsable de proporcionar información sobre el estado de los bosques y la biomasa. Los datos generados permitirán el cálculo y actualización de los factores de emisión nacionales. • Impulsar los programas de reforestación y manejo forestal sostenible de acuerdo a las Norma Técnica Obligatoria Nicaragüense y disposiciones administrativas. • Normar y regular el aprovechamiento de recursos provenientes del bosque (maderables como no maderables) y también la implementación de proyectos forestales y silvopastoriles El Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER): 129 Es el órgano encargado de la investigación, inventario y evaluación de los recursos físicos del país; de ejecutar los estudios de ordenamiento territorial; de regular y efectuar los trabajos cartográficos y geodésicos; y de normar, regular, operar, actualizar y ejecutar el catastro físico nacional. En el marco de la implementación del ERPD, el INETER será responsable de: • Administrar el Sistema de Monitoreo del uso de la tierra, cobertura forestal y producción: es administrado por el INETER y proporcionará los datos e información geo espacial denominada “Datos de Actividad”. • Cuantificará la cantidad de emisiones y/o absorciones por ganancia o pérdida de cobertura forestal anualmente, mediante la aplicación de las guías del IPCC, • Oficializará los datos de deforestación y recuperación a nivel nacional. Ministerio de Economía Familiar, Comunitaria, Cooperativa y Asociativa (MEFCCA): impulsa y desarrolla la economía familiar rural y urbana, a través de planes, programas y estrategias socio productivas (seguridad alimentaria, turismo, gastronomía, artesanías, producción de la agricultura familiar), brinda acompañamiento técnico, promueve el uso de tecnologías y procesos de agro-industrialización de fácil implementación para los pequeños productores, los pequeños negocios, y los protagonistas de los programas socio productivos y acompaña a la Secretaría de la Costa Caribe y la instancia de Gobierno en los planes de desarrollo de la Costa Caribe nicaragüense en los territorios indígenas, mestizos y afrodescendientes, con preservación de su idiosincrasia, tradiciones y cultura.
En el marco de la implementación del ERPD, el MEFCCA será responsable de: • Desarrollar proyectos productivos que den valor a bosque y aseguren buenas
129 Ley 311, Ley Orgánica del INETER. La Gaceta, Diario Oficial No.143 del 28 de julio de 1999. 103
prácticas ambientales • Apoyar la transformación agroecológica de fincas tradicionales para su adaptación al cambio climático Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público (MHCP): Administra las finanzas públicas, define, supervisar y controlar la Política Tributaria; formula políticas, normas y procedimientos para la elaboración, programación y ejecución presupuestaria; consolidar y proponer el Anteproyecto de la Ley del Presupuesto General al Presidente de la República; administrar el Registro de Inversiones Públicas del Estado (RIPE); organizar, supervisar las transferencias y los desembolsos de recursos financieros, corrientes y de capital.
En el marco de la implementación del ERPD, el MHCP será responsable de:
• Identifica los instrumentos financieros que serán utilizados en el programa. • Identifica fuentes de financiamiento vinculados a desarrollo sostenible. • Asegurar las transferencias de los pagos por resultado. Los Gobiernos Autónomos de la Costa Caribe: En relación a la gobernanza, en las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe coexiste un sistema de administración, bajo los siguientes niveles: Gobiernos Regionales Autónomos, Gobiernos Municipales, Gobiernos Territoriales y Gobiernos Comunales, como se aprecia en la figura 1.
Figura 1
El gobierno regional, tiene entre sus atribuciones participar efectivamente en la elaboración y ejecución de los planes y programas de desarrollo en su región, así como administrar, promover el racional uso, goce y disfrute de las aguas, bosques, tierras comunales y la defensa de su sistema ecológico.
104
En las regiones autónomas, los Consejos Regionales dictan resoluciones y ordenanzas sobre los asuntos que le competen a la región, participan en la planificación, realización y seguimiento de las políticas y programas económicos, sociales y culturales que inciden en la región; aprueban mediante resolución la explotación de los recursos naturales en la región, y cuentan con una Secretaria de Recursos Naturales (SERENA) que vela por el manejo sostenible de los recursos naturales en cada región y administran el Sistema Nacional de Evaluación Ambiental.
La Coordinación Regional, tiene funciones ejecutivas de la región, entre ellas están: representar a la región, organizar y dirigir las actividades ejecutivas de la región, cumplir y hacer cumplir las políticas, directrices y disposiciones del Poder Ejecutivo y las demás que las leyes les mandaten.
En el marco de la implementación del ERPD, los Gobiernos Autónomos de la Costa Caribe son responsables de:
• Implementar en coordinación con el nivel Central. • Encargado de administrar el sistema de avaluación ambiental regional • Encargado de implementar el Plan de Pueblos Indígenas (PPI) que orienta los lineamientos a seguir cuando se ejecute una actividad u obra en áreas habitadas por pueblos indígena, independientemente que se vaya a provocar un impacto positivo o negativo.
Autoridades Territoriales y Comunales: De acuerdo a la Ley 445, son órganos de administración y de gobierno tradicional que representa a las comunidades que las eligen de acuerdo a sus costumbres y tradiciones. Las autoridades territoriales o Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas (GTI), son órganos de administración de la unidad territorial a la cual representan legalmente. Para la gobernanza, los GTI poseen Estatutos y Normas Ecológicas que ayudan a regular y administrar los recursos. A lo interno de las Comunidades, la máxima autoridad son las Asambleas comunales, desde ahí se eligen al Síndico y Wihta, que reciben la designación para administrar los recursos naturales. Además, los pastores, docentes, enfermeras y parteras son figuras que generalmente son consultadas por los comunitarios en asuntos de la gestión comunal.
La estructura de Gobiernos Territoriales (GTI), tiene a cargo la representación de un conjunto de comunidades. Su junta directiva se conforma con delegados para la toma de decisión en los asuntos que involucran sus tierras y recursos naturales y estarán involucrados en la implementación de la ENDE REDD+.
La implementación de la ENDE, se basa en el reconocimiento y respeto a la organización del régimen de autonomía y de los pueblos originarios, quienes cuentan con un liderazgo tradicional. La estructura de poder territorial parte de la Asamblea Comunal, que puede ser 105
asesorada, aconsejada por el Concejo de Ancianos y que tiene una Junta Directiva Comunal. A lo interno de la Junta directiva se tienen dos figuras muy importantes, relacionadas a la gestión o administración sobre los recursos de la comunidad, estos son el Síndicos y el Juez comunal (Wihtas). 130 En el marco de la implementación del ERPD, los Autoridades Territoriales y Comunales son responsables de:
Serán garantes del respeto y protección de los sitios sagrados, además de implementar en coordinación con el ministerio de cultura, de las acciones de intervención en caso que serán sitios de importancia arqueológica.
Los Gobiernos Municipales: tienen competencia en todas las materias que incidan en el desarrollo socioeconómico y en la conservación del ambiente y de los recursos naturales de su circunscripción territorial. Tienen el deber y el derecho de resolver, bajo su responsabilidad, la prestación y gestión de todos los asuntos de la comunidad local, dentro del marco de la Constitución Política y demás leyes de la Nación. Los recursos económicos para el ejercicio de estas competencias se originarán en los ingresos propios y en aquéllos que transfiera el Gobierno ya sea mediante el traslado de impuestos o de recursos financieros.
Salvaguardas y Programa Reducción de Emisiones
Tanto la CMNUCC131, como el Banco Mundial han definido condiciones o criterios sociales y ambientales, conocidas como Salvaguardas, que deben ser tomados en cuenta para prevenir o mitigar impactos negativos directos o indirectos en los ecosistemas y las comunidades que habitan en ellos, durante los procesos de implementación de Estrategias para reducir la emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero por deforestación y degradación de los bosques, relacionados con la iniciativa internacional REDD+, proceso en el cual Nicaragua se encuentra inscrita.
Las salvaguardas son condiciones o criterios sociales y ambientales que a partir de la implementación del marco legal favorecen la atención, participación y mejora de condiciones de grupos específicos y vulnerables, así como de la protección del medio ambiente, buscan asegurar que los temas sociales y ambientales sean tomados en cuenta en un proceso de toma de decisiones con el fin de identificar, evaluar, evitar, minimizar y mitigar impactos adversos. Tienen como objetivo: prevenir o mitigar impactos negativos directos e indirectos en los ecosistemas y las comunidades que habitan en ellos.
Las salvaguardas determinadas por la CMNUCC, son conocidas como las Salvaguardas REDD+ o Acuerdo de Cancún (Apéndice I de la decisión 1/CP.16). Estas salvaguardas hacen
130 Whitas en lengua miskita y Wistah en lengua mayangna. 131 Convención Mundial de Naciones Unidas para el Cambio Climático. 106
referencia a las medidas que ya son reguladas por las disposiciones de los diversos instrumentos internacionales, constituyen un marco internacional de principios medioambientales, sociales y de gobernanza, bajo el cual deberán ser implementadas cualquier actividad relacionada con REDD+. Los
Acuerdos de Cancún requieren que todas las actividades de REDD+ se realicen “de acuerdo” con las salvaguardas de REDD+, las cuales son:
h) La complementariedad o compatibilidad de las medidas con los objetivos de los programas forestales nacionales y de las convenciones y los acuerdos internacionales sobre la materia; i) La transparencia y eficacia de las estructuras de gobernanza forestal nacional, teniendo en cuenta la legislación y la soberanía nacionales; j) El respeto de los conocimientos y los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y los miembros de las comunidades locales, tomando en consideración las obligaciones internacionales pertinentes y las circunstancias y la legislación nacionales, y teniendo presente que la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas ha aprobado la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas; k) La participación plena y efectiva de las partes interesadas, en particular, la de los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales. l) La compatibilidad de las medidas con la conservación de los bosques naturales y la diversidad biológica, velando por que no se utilicen para la conversión de bosques naturales, sino que sirvan, en cambio, para incentivar la protección y la conservación de esos bosques y los servicios derivados de sus ecosistemas y para potenciar otros beneficios sociales y ambientales; m) Acciones para hacer frente a los riesgos de reversión n) Acciones para reducir el desplazamiento de emisiones
Por su parte el Banco Mundial tiene 10 salvaguardas o Políticas operacionales divididas en temas ambientales, sociales y aquellas relacionadas con la temática legal, asimismo, cuenta con una política de divulgación pública que es de carácter transversal y se aplica en todas las políticas. (ver figura 2)
107
Las salvaguardas del Banco Mundial, se analizaron y se determinó que siete de ellas aplican para Programa Reducción de Emisiones, las que a su vez se encuentran respaldadas por el marco legal y normativo del país. Este conjunto de Salvaguardas se relacionaron, ver el cuadro 6:
Cuadro 90: Políticas de Salvaguardas del Banco Mundial activadas para el PRE OP Salvaguardas Se Activa 4.01 Evaluación ambiental Sí 4.04 Hábitats naturales Sí 4.09 Manejo de Plagas Sí 4.10 Pueblos indígenas Sí 4.11 Recursos físicos culturales Sí 4.12 Reasentamiento involuntario Sí 4.36 Bosques Sí 4.37 Seguridad de represas No 7.50 Proyectos en vías fluviales internacionales No 7.60 Proyectos en zonas en conflicto No
Previendo la potencial incorporación de diversas agencias de financiamiento, en la aplicación de PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES, cada una con distintas políticas y procedimientos, el FCPF, ha previsto desarrollar un marco común que asegure coherencia con las salvaguardas del Banco Mundial. Bajo el “Enfoque Común para las Salvaguardas Ambientales y Sociales para los Socios Ejecutores Múltiples” del FCPF; éstas son sustancialmente equivalentes a las salvaguardas del Banco Mundial. El enfoque común les proporciona una plataforma común para el manejo de riesgos y para asegurar la calidad en el proceso de preparación a la iniciativa REDD+.
En ese marco, Nicaragua se ha preparado cumpliendo con el Enfoque Común para la aplicación de salvaguardas ambientales y sociales del FCPF. Lo hace preparando la aplicación de los siguientes cuatro instrumentos:
• Implementación de una evaluación estratégica social y ambiental, y la preparación de un Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social.
108
• Preparación de principios para el involucramiento efectivo de los protagonistas. • Estrategia de Comunicación. • Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación para ENDE-REDD y PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES (Rendición de cuentas y mecanismos de queja).
Legislación Nacional asociada a las políticas operacionales del Banco Mundial Para la PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES, se han identificado los vínculos entre las Salvaguardas de Cancún, las del Banco Mundial y el Marco Legal de Nicaragua. A continuación se presenta el cuadro 7 con los detalles de esta relación:
109
Cuadro 91: Vinculación de las salvaguardas de la CMNUCC, el Banco Mundial ¨y el marco legal de Nicaragua
Salvaguardas del BM activadas para Vínculos con Vínculos con Salvaguardas Acciones concretas que se ejecutarán para atender PROGRAMA Instrumentos Jurídicos y Instrumentos Jurídicos de Cancún cada salvaguarda. REDUCCIÓN DE Políticos internac. reconocidos EMISIONES OP Salvaguardas Ley 217 Ley General del El nuevo Sistema de Evaluación Ambiental de Permisos y Medio Ambiente y de los Autorizaciones para el Uso Sostenible de los Recursos Recursos Naturales, Naturales, garantiza al programa PRE, los Sistema de Evaluación procedimientos y requisitos para los permisos Ambiental en Nicaragua ambientales y autorizaciones por el uso sostenible de los Decreto 20-, Sistema de recursos naturales. Objetivos de Desarrollo Evaluación Ambiental de a, f, g 4.01 Evaluación Sostenibles (ODS). Permisos y Ambiental Protocolo de Montreal. Autorizaciones para el uso sostenible de los Recursos Naturales, Publicado en La Gaceta No. 228 del 29 de noviembre de 2017. Antes de realizar cualquier intervención en las áreas protegidas, Ley 217, Ley General del un equipo multidisciplinario e interinstitucional conformado por Medio Ambiente y los delegados de MARENA, INAFOR, SERENA, y representantes del Recursos Naturales, Decreto CITES, RAMSAR, Gobierno Territorial, realizan una inspección con el fin de 01-2007, Reglamento de Decreto de creación de evaluar las posibles afectaciones en relación al riesgo que este Áreas Protegidas de Hábitat. puede presentar en término de hábitat natural y su afectación Nicaragua, Ley 462, Ley de b, d , g 4.04 Habitats Objetivos de Desarrollo en las tres variables de biodiversidad establecida por el Conservación, Fomento y Naturales Sostenibles (ODS). CMNUCC MARENA: Tipo de Ecosistemas, importancia Genética del Área y Desarrollo Sostenible del Foro de Bosques Especies de Interés para la Conservación. Adicionalmente se Sector Forestal. analizan variables como fragilidad del ecosistema, ubicación Ley 807, Ley de dentro sistemas de corredores biológicos y la categoría de Conservación y utilización conservación del área a intervenir.
110
Salvaguardas del BM activadas para Vínculos con Vínculos con Salvaguardas Acciones concretas que se ejecutarán para atender PROGRAMA Instrumentos Jurídicos y Instrumentos Jurídicos de Cancún cada salvaguarda. REDUCCIÓN DE Políticos internac. reconocidos EMISIONES OP Salvaguardas sostenible de la Diversidad Así mismo, en lugares fuera de áreas protegidas, el INAFOR a Biológica. través de los planes de manejo exige la inclusión de un acápite relacionado a la protección de la biodiversidad y de otros servicios ecosistémicos, estableciendo medidas como diámetros mínimos de corta, distancia mínima de aprovechamiento fuera de bosques de ripiaros, la protección de especies arbóreas de importancia para la biodiversidad y arboles semilleros. la Norma Técnica Obligatoria Nicaragüense 18 001-04 establece disposiciones para el manejo del bosque natural latifoliados y de coníferas, relacionadas al manejo y aprovechamiento forestal haciendo la siguiente consideración: Los estratos boscosos del área a manejar se deben clasificar tomando en consideración el tipo de bosque, sea este con fines de producción, protección y conservación de la biodiversidad, los que serán reflejados en un mapa. Al llevar a cabo la evaluación inicial de un proyecto se definirá si requerirá implementar control de plagas. En caso que así fuere se tomará de base el Reglamento de la Ley 274. Para esta salvaguarda se dará especial atención en el seguimiento y apoyo al plan de Manejo Integrado de Cultivos (MIC) y el Plan de Ley 765, Ley de Fomento a Manejo Integrado de Plagas (MIP). Convenio de Estocolmo la Producción La Ley 274, Ley Básica para la Regulación y Control de para la gestión de 4.09 Manejo de Agroecológica u Orgánica, Plaguicidas, Sustancias Tóxicas, Peligrosas y Otras Similares, en contaminantes. Plagas NTON 11037-12 el artículo 36 en su inciso 2 establece como una de las condiciones para el registro de los establecimientos de fabricación, formulación, almacenamiento, re-envase, re- empacado, transporte, comercialización y aplicación, así como las instalaciones para bodegas y locales para almacenes, venta y/o distribución, cumplir con todas las disposiciones legales,
111
Salvaguardas del BM activadas para Vínculos con Vínculos con Salvaguardas Acciones concretas que se ejecutarán para atender PROGRAMA Instrumentos Jurídicos y Instrumentos Jurídicos de Cancún cada salvaguarda. REDUCCIÓN DE Políticos internac. reconocidos EMISIONES OP Salvaguardas incluyendo las ambientales. Luego, el Artículo 38 manifiesta que debe acompañarse como información en materia ambiental el Dictamen de impacto ambiental emitido por el MARENA.
Convenio 169, Para la atención a la salvaguarda de pueblos indígenas, el país Convención de Pueblos cuenta con normativas robustas que garantizan los derechos de Indígenas, los pueblos indígenas y afro descendientes sustentados en la Convención Internacional Constitución Política de Nicaragua, las leyes 28, 445, leyes 40 y Ley 28 y Ley 445 sobre la Eliminación de 261 Ley de Municipio y sus Reformas, el Convenio169 y la Leyes No. 40 y 261, todas las Formas de Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los c, d 4.10 Pueblos Reformas e Incorporaciones Discriminación Racial, Pueblos Indígenas. Indígenas a la Ley No. 40, “Ley de Convención sobre la Así también el presente MGAS, cuenta con un Plan de Pueblos Municipios”. eliminación de todas las Indígenas (PPI) que orienta los lineamientos a seguir cuando se formas de discriminación ejecute una actividad u obra en áreas habitadas por pueblos contra la mujer, CEDAW, indígena, independientemente que se vaya a provocar un Convención sobre impacto positivo o negativo. Diversidad Biológica. Ley 445, Ley de Régimen de La incidencia de esta Salvaguarda se considera de un nivel bajo, Propiedad Comunal de los en el caso de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes, tienen Pueblos Indígenas y definidos sus sitios sagrados, los cuales deben ser respetados y Comunidades Étnicas de las protegidos. En caso que en la implementación de las acciones Regiones Autónomas de la La Declaración de las de intervención se descubran sitios de importancia Costa Atlántica de Nicaragua y Naciones Unidas sobre los C 4.11 Recursos Físicos de los ríos Coco, Indio y Maíz. arqueológica, se deberá informar al Ministerio de Cultura. Derechos de los Pueblos Se aplica Decreto No. 1142. Ley de Protección al Patrimonio Culturales Ley 28, Estatuto de Autonomía de las Regiones de la Costa Indígenas. Cultural de la Nación, Decreto 142, Ley Decretando la Caribe de Nicaragua, Decreto Pertenencia del Estado de los Monumentos Arqueológicos, 1142 de Ley de Patrimonio Históricos o Artísticos. cultural de la nación. Ley 759, Ley de medicina tradicional
112
Salvaguardas del BM activadas para Vínculos con Vínculos con Salvaguardas Acciones concretas que se ejecutarán para atender PROGRAMA Instrumentos Jurídicos y Instrumentos Jurídicos de Cancún cada salvaguarda. REDUCCIÓN DE Políticos internac. reconocidos EMISIONES OP Salvaguardas ancestral. Ley 217 (Artículo 18). Ley 272 Ley de la Industria eléctrica El análisis efectuado ha previsto que las acciones de Constitución Política de implementación no requerirán de efectuar reasentamientos Nicaragua. involuntarios, tomando en cuenta que las acciones se Ley 28. Estatuto de La Declaración Universal de desarrollaran en áreas que la titularidad de las tierras, Autonomía de las Regiones los Derechos Humanos corresponde a comunidades indígenas, afrodescendientes o de la Costa Caribe de (Artículos 17, 22, 25). propiedades privadas, el manejo de áreas protegidas, no Nicaragua. La Declaración Americana requieren que éstas sean deshabitadas. Sin embargo, se pueden La Ley 445 - Ley de Régimen de Derechos y Deberes del presentar algunas circunstancias en las que se restrinja el acceso de Propiedad Comunal de los Hombre. a familias, sobre los recursos naturales que han utilizado. Pueblos Indígenas y El Pacto Internacional de Se considera que existe la posibilidad que al implementar cuatro Comunidades Étnicas de las Derechos. Económicos, de las seis líneas del PRE, se afecte a algunas personas o Regiones Autónomas de la Sociales y Culturales comunidades respecto a restricciones del uso de los recursos Costa Atlántica de Nicaragua Naciones Unidas,1976 naturales. Las líneas identificadas son: Lineamiento 3: y de los Ríos Coco, Indio y Reasentamiento El Pacto Internacional de Regeneración natural en áreas frágiles; Lineamiento 4: C 4.12 Maíz. Derechos Civiles y Políticos Fideicomisos de sistemas silvopastoriles y agroforestales en Involuntario Ley 217, Ley General del La Convención Americana tierra ya deforestada, incluyendo 5800 productores en fincas Medio Ambiente y los de Derechos Humanos de la que totalizan 325,000 ha (sistemas silvopastoriles) y 25,000 Recursos Naturales. Organización de Estados nuevas ha (sistemas agroforestales); Lineamiento 5: Decreto 01-2007, Americanos. Reforestación comercial en 10,000 nuevas ha; Lineamiento 6: Reglamento de Áreas Convenio 169 de la OIT Regeneración natural en 40,000 nuevas ha, además del Protegidas de Nicaragua. La Declaración de las mantenimiento de una línea base 36,548 ha, y reforestación en Ley 309, de Regulación, Naciones Unidas sobre los 40,000 nuevas ha para restaurar servicios de ecosistema y Ordenamiento y Titulación Derechos de los Pueblos productos no maderables. Por lo anterior y tomando en cuenta de Asentamientos Humanos Indígenas. que el PRE, es de carácter regional y de largo plazo, se ha Espontáneos. procedido a la elaboración de un Marco de Política de Ley 475, sobre participación Reasentamiento Involuntario (MPRI). Cuando sea inevitable el ciudadana. reasentamiento de poblacionales de acuerdo a la evaluación
113
Salvaguardas del BM activadas para Vínculos con Vínculos con Salvaguardas Acciones concretas que se ejecutarán para atender PROGRAMA Instrumentos Jurídicos y Instrumentos Jurídicos de Cancún cada salvaguarda. REDUCCIÓN DE Políticos internac. reconocidos EMISIONES OP Salvaguardas ambiental, se elaborará un Plan de Reasentamiento de acuerdo a los procedimientos establecidos en el MPRI. La incidencia de esta salvaguarda se considera muy baja, ya que el ERPD se ha propuesto revertir las causas de la deforestación y degradación de los bosques y hay que tomar en cuenta que los bosques de Nicaragua representan el 25% del territorio nacional, de los cuales un 98% es Bosque Natural132. Se aplica esta salvaguarda a todas las intervenciones de aprovechamiento de recursos provenientes del bosque Ley 462, Ley 462, Ley de (maderables como no maderables) mediante la toma en cuenta Conservación, Fomento y de las normas técnicas ya establecidas por el marco legal del país Foro de Bosques Desarrollo Sostenible del en cuanto al tema del aprovechamiento forestal. CMNUCC Sector Forestal. Ley 217 Ley También debe de tomar en cuenta esta salvaguarda al momento a, b, c, d, e, f 4.36 Objetivos de Desarrollo Bosques General del Medio de la implementación de proyectos de desarrollo, Sostenibles (ODS). Ambiente y de los Recursos Agroforestales y Silvopastoriles desde la perspectiva de no Naturales cambiar el uso de los suelos. Se incluirá esta protección a los proyectos de desarrollo Social tales como de Electrificación en las comunidades, construcción de carreteras, entre otras, vinculados al ERPD, se incluirán en la Evaluación Ambiental y el respectivo Plan de Manejo Ambiental. En base al modelo de diálogos y consensos se diseñaran las acciones preventivas, mitigadoras y compensatorias para asegurar una mínima afectación de las áreas de intervención.
132 Inventario Nacional 2007-2008.
114
Líneas de intervención y su relación con las salvaguardas activadas
Para definir el marco que guiará la buena gestión ambiental y social en la implementación de la Programa Reducción de Emisiones, se ha efectuado la relación de las Salvaguardas activadas con las líneas estratégicas tal como se observa en el siguiente cuadro:
Cuadro 92: Líneas de intervención y su relación con las salvaguardas activadas
No Intervenciones Salvaguardas Pueblos Indígenas OP 4.10 Forestería Comunitaria--Aumentar la gestión forestal Bosques OP 4.36 1 comunitaria en 200,000 ha distribuidas entre 3 zonas en Hábitats naturales OP 4.04 territorios I&A. Recursos físicos culturales OP 4.11 Pueblos Indígenas OP 4.10 2 Gestión Forestal--Mejorar la gestión forestal en 23 Bosques OP 4.36 territorios I&A, incluyendo 2.3 millones de ha de bosques. Hábitats naturales OP 4.04 Recursos físicos culturales OP 4.11 Pueblos Indígenas OP 4.10 Hábitats naturales OP 4.04 Recursos físicos culturales OP 4.11 3 Regeneración natural en áreas frágiles Reasentamiento Involuntario OP 4.12 Bosques OP 4.36 Evaluación ambiental 4.01 Fideicomisos de sistemas silvopastoriles y agroforestales Hábitats naturales OP 4.04 en tierra ya deforestada, incluyendo 5800 productores en Bosques OP 4.36 fincas que totalizan 325,000 ha (sistemas silvopastoriles) Manejo de Plagas OP 4.09 Evaluación ambiental 4.01 4 Hábitats naturales OP 4.04 Fideicomisos de sistemas silvopastoriles y agroforestales Bosques OP 4.36 en tierra ya deforestada, 25,000 nuevas ha (sistemas Reasentamiento Involuntario OP agroforestales). 4.12 Manejo de Plagas OP 4.09 Evaluación ambiental 4.01 Bosques OP 4.36 5 Reforestación comercial en 10,000 nuevas ha. Hábitats naturales OP 4.04 Reasentamiento Involuntario OP 4.12 Manejo de Plagas OP 4.09 Evaluación ambiental 4.01 Regeneración natural en 40,000 nuevas ha, además del Bosques OP 4.36 mantenimiento de una línea base 36,548 ha, y Hábitats naturales OP 4.04 6 Reasentamiento Involuntario OP Reforestación en 40,000 nuevas ha para restaurar 4.12 servicios de ecosistema y productos no maderables. Manejo de Plagas OP 4.09
115
Plan de Atención a las Salvaguardas
A nivel operativo, el Sistema de Producción, Consumo y Comercio es la instancia donde se coordinaran las acciones contempladas en la ejecución del Programa RE a nivel de las instituciones de Gobierno relacionadas con el manejo de los recursos naturales. Lo anterior permitirá la implementación de las acciones del Programa RE y en especial los planes de salvaguardas, incluyendo Plan de Pueblos Indígenas y Marco de Política de Reasentamiento Involuntario
A continuación se detalla el Plan de Salvaguardas, que señala el grado de incidencia que tendrá cada una en el Programa de Reducción de Emisiones y las medidas para atender la activación de las mismas. El Plan de salvaguardas ha previsto los diferemtes riesgos relacionados a la activación de las salvaguardas y las medidas a tomar para mitigar los posibles impactos adversos. Adicionalmente se ha previsto contar con un plan de comunicación que promoverá y divulgará las medidas para reducir emisiones, lo que en su conjunto contribuirá a la estabilidad y seguridad jurídica de los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes y la gestión del territorio. En los cuadros 102, se presenta en mayor detalle un análisis de riesgos por cada línea de intervención.
Evaluación Ambiental, OP/BP 4.01
Descripción de la Salvaguarda: esta política operacional requiere que se asigne a cada proyecto una categoría ambiental (A, B, C), como parte de una investigación ambiental. Esta investigación también determinará si el proyecto desencadena otras Políticas de Salvaguardas, por ejemplo, Manejo de Plagas.
Aquellos proyectos donde se prevea la afectación temporal o permanente del entorno natural o social, ya sea rural o urbano, a través de impactos directos, indirectos o acumulativos. La profundidad del análisis está en función del nivel de riesgo ambiental reflejado en una Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental (EIA), Valoración ambiental (VA), o FEAM (Formulario de Evaluación Ambiental Municipal).
Procedimiento para la protección El Programa Reducción de Emisiones no afectará negativamente el medio ambiente, sin embargo, por su mismo carácter preventivo se requiere aplicar esta salvaguarda a todos los programas y proyectos vinculados al ERPD.
La atención a esta salvaguarda se encuentra normada en la Ley 217 de Medio Ambiente y Decreto 20-2017, referido al Sistema de Evaluación Ambiental de Permisos y Autorizaciones para el Uso Sostenible de los Recursos Naturales.
El nuevo Sistema de Evaluación Ambiental de Permisos y Autorizaciones para el Uso Sostenible de los Recursos Naturales, garantiza al programa PRE, los procedimientos y
116
requisitos para los permisos ambientales y autorizaciones por el uso sostenible de los recursos naturales.
Las actividades que se desarrollen en las intervenciones requieren permisos ambientales y autorizaciones ambientales, cuando corresponda lo siguiente: Uso, manejo del suelo y ecosistemas terrestres; Planes, programas y proyectos que causen impactos altos, moderado y altos; Planes de manejo en áreas protegidas; otros
Hábitats Naturales: OP/BP 4.04: Descripción de la Salvaguarda: La conservación de los hábitats naturales, al igual que otras medidas de protección y mejoramiento del medio ambiente, es esencial para el desarrollo sostenible a largo plazo, el Banco respalda la protección, el mantenimiento y la rehabilitación de los hábitats naturales y sus funciones. El Banco es partidario de aplicar, y espera que los protagonistas apliquen también, un criterio preventivo con respecto al manejo la de los recursos naturales, con el fin de garantizar oportunidades de desarrollo sostenible desde el punto de vista ambiental. El Banco no presta apoyo a proyectos que, en su opinión, implican un grado importante de conversión o degradación de hábitats naturales críticos.
Procedimiento para la Protección: El Programa de Reducción de Emisiones, por su propia definición incidirá de manera positiva en los hábitats naturales contribuyendo a proteger y restaurar el paisaje y la biodiversidad.
La ley 217, es una de los principales instrumentos para garantizar esta salvaguarda, ella tiene como objetivo: “La prevención, regulación y control de cualquiera de las causas o actividades que originen deterioro del medio ambiente y contaminación de los ecosistemas”.
Antes de realizar cualquier intervención en las áreas protegidas, un equipo multidisciplinario e interinstitucional conformado por delegados de MARENA, INAFOR, SERENA, y representantes del Gobierno Territorial, realizan una inspección con el fin de evaluar las posibles afectaciones en relación al riesgo que este puede presentar en término de hábitat natural y su afectación en las tres variables de biodiversidad establecida por el MARENA: Tipo de Ecosistemas, importancia Genética del Área y Especies de Interés para la Conservación. Adicionalmente se analizan variables como fragilidad del ecosistema, ubicación dentro sistemas de corredores biológicos y la categoría de conservación del área a intervenir. Así mismo, en lugares fuera de áreas protegidas, el INAFOR a través de los planes de manejo exige la inclusión de un acápite relacionado a la protección de la biodiversidad y de otros servicios ecosistémicos, estableciendo medidas como diámetros mínimos de corta, distancia mínima de aprovechamiento fuera de bosques de ripiaros, la protección de especies arbóreas de importancia para la biodiversidad y arboles semilleros. la Norma Técnica Obligatoria Nicaragüense 18 001-04 establece disposiciones para el manejo del bosque natural latifoliados y de coníferas, relacionadas al manejo y aprovechamiento
117
forestal haciendo la siguiente consideración: Los estratos boscosos del área a manejar se deben clasificar tomando en consideración el tipo de bosque, sea este con fines de producción, protección y conservación de la biodiversidad, los que serán reflejados en un mapa.
Manejo de Plagas OP/BP 4.09
Descripción de la Salvaguarda: Esta política está dirigida a aquellos proyectos u actividades donde se tiene previsto el uso y aplicación de sustancias químicas para el control de plagas. Su activación ayuda a los protagonistas controlar las plagas que afectan a la agricultura o a la salud pública, promoviendo y apoyando un control de plagas seguro, eficaz y ecológicamente racional, el Banco Mundial apoya una estrategia que promueve el uso de métodos de control biológico o ambiental y reduce la dependencia de pesticidas químicos sintéticos.
Procedimiento para la Protección: Se ha activado esta salvaguarda en consideración a la línea de intervención orientadas a la implementación de Sistemas Agroforestales, Silvopastoriles y Reforestación, cultivos y plantaciones, los cuales requerirán de la utilización de control de plagas, durante los establecimientos de viveros forestales y cultivos perenes, pasturas y cultivos perenes tales como cacao y café bajo sombra.
Al llevar a cabo la evaluación inicial de un proyecto se definirá si requerirá implementar control de plagas. En caso que así fuere se tomará de base el Reglamento de la Ley 274. Para esta salvaguarda se dará especial atención en el seguimiento y apoyo al plan de Manejo Integrado de Cultivos (MIC) y el Plan de Manejo Integrado de Plagas (MIP).
La Ley 274, Ley Básica para la Regulación y Control de Plaguicidas, Sustancias Tóxicas, Peligrosas y Otras Similares, en el artículo 36 en su inciso 2 establece como una de las condiciones para el registro de los establecimientos de fabricación, formulación, almacenamiento, re-envase, re-empacado, transporte, comercialización y aplicación, así como las instalaciones para bodegas y locales para almacenes, venta y/o distribución, cumplir con todas las disposiciones legales, incluyendo las ambientales. Luego, el Artículo 38 manifiesta que debe acompañarse como información en materia ambiental el Dictamen de impacto ambiental emitido por el MARENA.
Pueblos Indígenas: OP/BP 4.10 Descripción de la Salvaguarda: Esta política contribuye al cumplimiento de la misión del Banco de reducir la pobreza y lograr un desarrollo sostenible asegurando que el proceso de desarrollo se lleve a cabo con absoluto respeto de la dignidad, derechos humanos, economías y culturas de los Pueblos Indígenas. En todos los proyectos propuestos para financiamiento por el Banco que afectan a Pueblos Indígenas, el Banco exige que se lleve a cabo un proceso de consulta previa, libre e informada.
118
Procedimiento para la Protección: Esta Salvaguarda reviste gran importancia para el diseño e implementación del ERPD, ya que en la Costa Caribe Nicaragua habitan cinco pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes (miskitus, mayagnas, ulwas, creoles, garífunas) Para la atención a la salvaguarda de pueblos indígenas, el país cuenta con normativas robustas que garantizan los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y afro descendientes sustentados en la Constitución Política de Nicaragua, las leyes 28, 445, leyes 40 y 261 Ley de Municipio y sus Reformas, el Convenio169 y la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas. Así también el presente MGAS, cuenta con un Plan de Pueblos Indígenas (PPI) que orienta los lineamientos a seguir cuando se ejecute una actividad u obra en áreas habitadas por pueblos indígena, independientemente que se vaya a provocar un impacto positivo o negativo.
Patrimonio Cultural y Físico OP/BP 4.11 Descripción de la Salvaguarda: Esta política busca asegurar que las inversiones no afecten recursos culturales, arqueológicos, físicos, patrimoniales-históricos y paleontológicos durante el desarrollo de un proyecto. Procedimiento para la Protección: La incidencia de esta Salvaguarda se considera de un nivel bajo, en el caso de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes, tienen definidos sus sitios sagrados, los cuales deben ser respetados y protegidos. En caso que en la implementación de las acciones de intervención se descubran sitios de importancia arqueológica, se deberá informar al Ministerio de Cultura.
Se aplica Decreto No. 1142. Ley de Protección al Patrimonio Cultural de la Nación. Decreto 142, Ley Decretando la Pertenencia del Estado de los Monumentos Arqueológicos, Históricos o Artísticos.
Reasentamiento Involuntario OP/BP 4.12 Descripción de la Salvaguarda: Esta política está orientada a evitar o reducir al mínimo los reasentamientos involuntarios, estudiando todas las opciones viables para ello en el diseño de los proyectos. En caso que sea inevitable se concibe y ejecuta el reasentamiento involuntario como un programa de desarrollo sostenible, asegurando la participación de afectados en la planificación y ejecución del reasentamiento y en los beneficios del proyecto; ayudando a las personas afectadas en sus esfuerzos por mejorar sus medios de subsistencia y niveles de vida, o al menos restituir los niveles que tenían antes del proyecto. El análisis efectuado ha previsto que las acciones de implementación no requerirán de efectuar reasentamientos involuntarios, tomando en cuenta que las acciones se desarrollaran en áreas que la titularidad de las tierras, corresponde a comunidades indígenas, afrodescendientes o propiedades privadas, el manejo de áreas protegidas, no requieren que éstas sean deshabitadas. Sin embargo, se pueden presentar algunas circunstancias en las que se restrinja el acceso a familias, sobre los recursos naturales que han utilizado.
119
Procedimiento para la Protección: Se considera que existe la posibilidad que al implementar cuatro de las seis líneas del PRE, se afecte a algunas personas o comunidades respecto a restricciones del uso de los recursos naturales. Las líneas identificadas son: Lineamiento 3: Regeneración natural en áreas frágiles; Lineamiento 4: Fideicomisos de sistemas silvopastoriles y agroforestales en tierra ya deforestada, incluyendo 5800 productores en fincas que totalizan 325,000 ha (sistemas silvopastoriles) y 25,000 nuevas ha (sistemas agroforestales); Lineamiento 5: Reforestación comercial en 10,000 nuevas ha; Lineamiento 6: Regeneración natural en 40,000 nuevas ha, además del mantenimiento de una línea base 36,548 ha, y reforestación en 40,000 nuevas ha para restaurar servicios de ecosistema y productos no maderables. Por lo anterior y tomando en cuenta que el PRE, es de carácter regional y de largo plazo, se ha procedido a la elaboración de un Marco de Política de Reasentamiento Involuntario (MPRI). Cuando sea inevitable el reasentamiento de poblacionales de acuerdo a la evaluación ambiental, se elaborará un Plan de Reasentamiento de acuerdo a los procedimientos establecidos en el MPRI.
Bosques: OP/BP 4.36 Descripción de la Salvaguarda: La finalidad de la presente política del Banco Mundial, es la de asistir a los prestatarios a aprovechar el potencial de los bosques para reducir la pobreza en forma sostenible, para integrarlos efectivamente en el proceso de desarrollo económico sostenible, y para proteger sus valores y servicios ambientales, a nivel local y global. El Banco únicamente puede financiar actividades de explotación comercial de bosques, cuando ha determinado, sobre la base de evaluaciones ambientales apropiadas u otra información relevante, que las áreas afectadas por dichas actividades no son bosques críticos ni hábitats naturales críticos vinculados.
Procedimiento para la Protección: La incidencia de esta salvaguarda se considera de muy baja, ya que el ERPD se ha propuesto revertir las causas de la deforestación y degradación de los bosques y hay que tomar en cuenta que los bosques de Nicaragua representan el 25% del territorio nacional, de los cuales un 98% es Bosque Natural133.
Se aplica esta salvaguarda a todas las intervenciones de aprovechamiento de recursos provenientes del bosque (maderables como no maderables) mediante la toma en cuenta de las normas técnicas ya establecidas por el marco legal del país en cuanto al tema del aprovechamiento forestal. También debe de tomar en cuenta esta salvaguarda al momento de la implementación de proyectos de desarrollo, Agroforestales y Silvopastoriles desde la perspectiva de no cambiar el uso de los suelos.
Se incluirá esta protección a los proyectos de desarrollo Social tales como de Electrificación en las comunidades, construcción de carreteras, entre otras, vinculados al ERPD, se incluirán en la Evaluación Ambiental y el respectivo Plan de Manejo Ambiental. En base al
133 Inventario Nacional 2007-2008. 120
modelo de diálogos y consensos se diseñaran las acciones preventivas, mitigadoras y compensatorias para asegurar una mínima afectación de las áreas de intervención.
Acciones para reducir el desplazamiento de emisiones: Descripción de la Salvaguarda: En atención a las Salvaguardas de la CMNUCC para REDD+, se ha incorporado el análisis de las posibles. El desplazamiento de emisiones se produce fuera del Área de la Contabilidad del Programa PRE, son emisiones que se han trasladado desde una zona ubicada dentro del Área de la Contabilidad a otra situada fuera de ella, como consecuencia de actividades del uso de la tierra. El Desplazamiento suele ser provocado por: cambio de actividad, por ejemplo, en relación con el traslado de los agricultores de subsistencia en respuesta a los límites impuestos a sus prácticas por las intervenciones del Programa de RE, o efectos de mercado, esto es, los casos en que, debido a la deforestación o la degradación, la producción de productos básicos se traslada hacia otras regiones, en una respuesta de mercado a la baja de la oferta como consecuencia de la ejecución de Actividades de REDD+, por ejemplo, la conservación de tierras agrícolas o tierras de producción de maderas
Procedimiento para la Protección: Los riesgos por desplazamientos identificados tienen valor de medio y bajo, y se considera que pueden ser mitigados al implementar diversas medidas que deben estar inmersas en el plan de acción definido en la región del Programa RE
Acciones para hacer frente a los riesgos de reversión Descripción de la Salvaguarda: En atención a las Salvaguardas de la CMNUCC para REDD+, se ha incorporado el análisis de las posibles reversiones. Las reversiones son emisiones que se producen dentro del Área de la Contabilidad del Programa RE. Estas son ocasionadas por actividades de cambio de uso de la tierra que revierten las reducciones de emisiones alcanzadas por la implementación de las intervenciones, pueden ser cuantificadas y monitoreadas de la siguiente manera: i)Al final de un período de medición y reporte se reportan emisiones anuales superiores al nivel de referencia; ii)Cuando en un período de medición y reporte anterior se verificaron y pagaron reducciones de emisiones, en este caso se consideraría que las reducciones de emisiones pagadas se revirtieron. Las reversiones ocurren por dos factores: naturales y antrópicos. Los factores naturales se refieren a los factores causados por fenómenos meteorológicos como: huracanes, sequias, tormentas. En cambio, los factores antrópicos se refieren a los factores causados por actividades humanas.
Procedimiento para la Protección: Los riesgos por desplazamientos identificados tienen valor de medio y bajo, y se considera que pueden ser mitigados al implementar diversas medidas que deben estar inmersas en el plan de acción definido en la región del Programa RE, se presenta en anexo un resumen del análisis de las reversiones para el ERPD.
Riesgos sociales y ambientales relacionados con las acciones de intervención del Programa Reducción de Emisiones y sus medidas de mitigación
121
Para el análisis de los impactos sociales y ambientales el equipo de la Unidad Ejecutora del Programa ENDE-REDD+ tomó en cuenta la información generada en el amplio proceso de diálogo y consulta con los diversos protagonistas involucrados, entre ellos ganaderos, productores de cacao, mujeres, comunicadores, académicos, líderes y comunitarios de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes. Se revisaron memorias de reuniones y talleres efectuados (79), incluyendo las sesiones de trabajo con las mesas EESA en las Regiones Autónomas, las reuniones de Monitoreo, Reporte y Verificación, así como también las reuniones con las mesas de coordinación.
Para asegurar la integración de consideraciones ambientales y sociales durante la formulación del programa se ha utilizado la “Evaluación Estratégica Social y Ambiental”, EESA, que fue establecida por el FCPF, como el instrumento con este propósito. EESA es una herramienta que conecta los diferentes componentes, acciones y actividades necesarias para formular una Estrategia integral y contribuye a clarificar las alternativas sobre cómo incluir las consideraciones sociales y ambientales.
“EESA, es una metodología que aporta al proceso participativo que se desarrolla durante el diseño de la estrategia ENDE-REED+, integra consideraciones sociales y ambientales e identifica beneficios y riegos proponiendo acciones para potenciar los primeros y disminuir los riesgos, asegurar el análisis y cumplimiento de Salvaguardas, y OP del Banco Mundial, concluyendo todo ello en la definición de un marco de gestión ambiental y social (MGAS) que deberá cumplirse durante la etapa de implementación de la ENDE-REDD+.” Y permitio la elaboración de un MGAS para el ERPD .
De acuerdo al estudio de las causas de la deforestación, los análisis efectuados reflejan que los movimientos migratorios muestran un desplazamiento desde zonas del centro del país hacia el este (Costa Caribe) y el avance de la frontera agrícola hacia los últimos territorios con presencia de bosque tropical. Estos movimientos están alentados por la la baja valoración de bosque reflejada en los precios bajos de la tierra en la frontera agrícola, incluye también los precios favorables en el mercado internos y externo para la leche, la carne y productos de cultivos perennes como la palma de aceite, el cacao y el café; Por otro lado el débil control y administración de la propiedad por parte de las comunidades y territorios, facilita la migración y los cambios de uso del suelo.
Parte de la solución es la adopción de prácticas productivas intensivas, por ejemplo, el cambio de uso de pastos naturales por pastos mejorados sembrados y la adopción de prácticas silvo-pastoriles. En este sentido debe señalarse que los planes de gobierno apuntan a un aumento en la producción agrícola del 4% anual, señala el estudio que, la deforestación potencial asociada con este crecimiento puede evitarse en gran medida al intensificar la producción y utilizar tierras ya despejadas, tendencia que actualmente es evidente en el sector ganadero en el Caribe más la promoción de sistemas de producción sostenibles de menor deforestación. Paralelamente se necesitará mayor coordinación inter- institucional a fin de potenciar el impacto económico de estas iniciativas al tiempo que se minimizan los efectos sobre los bosques.
122
Ante la presión de la migración y el uso real o potencial del suelo a causa de la demografía, la pobreza y los mercados, se identificaron necesidades institucionales relativas a la gestión y control del uso del suelo y los recursos naturales, aumentar el monitoreo, el control y la regulación del uso del suelo y los recursos naturales en los niveles local (territorial y comunal) y regional mediante mejores coordinación y capacidades institucionales, como se mencionó en las secciones anteriores.
Como elemento positivo está la titulación de la propiedad comunal a favor de 23 territorios de pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe y el Régimen Especial de Desarrollo de los Territorios ubicados en la Cuenca del Alto Wangki y Bocay, , sin embargo falta concluir el proceso de titulación en áreas complementarias ubicadas en la RACCN y desarrollar la última etapa correspondiente al saneamiento. El Programa RE, contribuirá a fortalecer la gobernanza de los Gobiernos Territoriales que profundizará la restitución de derechos y revitalizar la cosmovisión de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, que va más allá de la titularidad de la tierra, ya que abarca la protección de los derechos a la vida del ser humano, la protección de los recursos naturales, la cultura entre otros.
Por lo anterior, se afirma que las líneas de intervención propuestas para el ERPD, parten de información y análisis reciente de los impulsores y causas subyacentes de la deforestación y degradación forestal, así como del análisis de actividades existentes que pueden contribuir a la conservación y aumento de las reservas de carbono forestal, la efectividad de la propuesta de las intervenciones se medirá anual y territorialmente a través del SMRV, en el que se ha incorporado el seguimiento al cumplimiento de Salvaguardas y el análisis de riesgos se ha complementado con la valoración de reversiones y de desplazamiento.
123
Cuadro 93: Matriz de riesgos e impactos ambientales y sociales del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones y sus medidas de mitigación, de índole gubernamental, planteadas para cada lineamiento estratégico
Lineamiento 1: Aumentar la gestión forestal comunitaria en 200,000 ha distribuidas entre 3 zonas en territorios I&A. Acciones Aspectos Sociales Aspectos Ambientales Medidas de Impactos Impactos Medidas de Impactos Positivos Impactos Adversos mitigación Positivos Adversos mitigación • Protagonistas con • Aplicación de la mayores Ley No. 162: Uso conocimientos, Oficial de las conciencia y Lenguas de las sensibilidad en los • No uso de idiomas Comunidades de temas ambientales y maternos indígenas la Costa Caribe de amor a la Madre puede limitar la Nicaragua. Tierra. identidad y la • Cumplir con el • Incorporación de comunicación local 1.3 Capacitación, convenio 169, nuevas técnicas de • Actividades • Mayor asistencia comercial Ley 28 y 445. Manejo Forestal comerciales no protección al a comunidades en • Aplicación del Sostenible para la ajustadas a la cultura medio comunidades Marco de producción de bienes de pueblos originarios ambiente. n/a indígenas y Planificación de y servicios y la y afrodescendientes. • Ambiente más afrodescendientes los Pueblos protección de la • Conocimiento sano para vivir. 1.4 Formulación de Indígenas y madre Tierra. ancestral no sea planes de desarrollo Afrodescendient • Alto involucramiento- tomado en cuenta es del PR E de la juventud en • Que se reduzca el rol • Divulgación de actividades tradicional de las buenas prácticas educativas, culturales mujeres tradicionales en y de acción positiva. base al • Elevada las conocimiento capacidades de técnico de las formación de los comunidades protagonistas.
124
indígenas y afro descendientes. • Incorporar mujeres organizadas en las actividades Lineamiento 2: Mejorar la gobernanza forestal en 23 territorios I&A, incluyendo 2.3 millones de ha de bosques. Aspectos Sociales Aspectos Ambientales Líneas de acción Medidas de Impactos Impactos Medidas de Impactos Positivos Impactos Adversos mitigación Positivos Adversos mitigación Regulación y control de actividades • Cumplir con el • Se evita la • Incumplimiento de • Que no se que convenio 169, deforestación y 2.1. Capacitación y AT compromisos por falta integren deterioran el • Sistema institucional Ley 28 y 445. se mejorada la para gobiernos de presupuesto. medidas de medio fortalecido • Aplicación de la conservación territoriales • Que las prioridades de prevención ambiente, • Mayor nivel de Ley No. 162 de 2.2. Incentivos para capacitación y diseños para la salida de ampara-dos implementación del • Mecanismo de biodiversidad deforestación evitada de las mismas no se madera ilegal en la marco legal y retroalimentaci • Mayor 2.3. Mejorado el elaboren en consenso en apertura de aplicación de político. ón protección de monitoreo forestal local. y de acuerdo al CLPI nuevos caminos las leyes ampliamente Áreas y carreteras Aplicación de divulgado Protegidas la ley 217 y 462.
Lineamiento 3: Regeneración natural en áreas frágiles Aspectos Sociales Aspectos Ambientales Líneas de acción Medidas de Impactos Impactos Medidas de Impactos Positivos Impactos Adversos mitigación Positivos Adversos mitigación • Mejor calidad de vida. • Los mecanismos de • Proceder de • Mayor • Aumento de • Reducción de pobreza distribución de acuerdo a lo resguardo al Regulación y tala ilegal e en las comunidades beneficios no sean normado en el bosque, control de
125
3.1 Incentivos en especie, indígenas, efectivos, lo que implica Marco de mejoramiento incendios actividades capacitación y asistencia afrodescendientes y la no obtención de Planificación de de índice de forestales que técnica rurales. beneficios por parte de Pueblos diversidad • Apertura de deterioran el 3.2 Educación pública y • Contribución a la los pobladores del Indígenas y biológica. caminos que medio campañas de publicidad. seguridad alimentaria bosque. Afrodescendient • Protección de facilitan la ambiente, 3.3 Establecimiento de • Generación de • Al establecer cultivos es y cuencas deforestación ampara-dos cultivos perennes o empleos relacionadas perennes o • Marco de hídricas. • Que por falta en la plantaciones forestales a las actividades plantaciones se se Política de • Protagonista de control se aplicación de agroindustriales forestales y afecte el acceso de las Reasentamiento con mayores corte bosque las leyes gestionados de forma agroforestales familias a los recursos Involuntario niveles de natural para Aplicación de sostenible en tierras ya (brigadistas • Mecanismo de conocimientos establecer la ley 217 y deforestadas que se guardabosques para retroalimentació ayudan a mejor cultivos 462. encuentran dentro o control, de incendios y n culturalmente resultado en perennes fuera de los territorios monitoreo ambiental, apropiado. calidad del arbolados y indígenas social desde la bosque, de la plantaciones comunidad). diversidad forestales biológica. afectando la biodiversidad Lineamiento 4: Fideicomisos de sistemas silvopastoriles y agroforestales en tierra ya deforestada, incluyendo 5800 productores en fincas que totalizan 325,000 ha (sistemas silvopastoriles) y 25,000 nuevas ha (sistemas agroforestales). Aspectos Sociales Aspectos Ambientales Líneas de acción Medidas de Impactos Impactos Medidas de Impactos Positivos Impactos Adversos mitigación Positivos Adversos mitigación • Incrementada la • Que los diseños de • Proceder de • Control del • Regulació
producción para el programas y proyectos acuerdo a lo deterioro n y 4. 1 Aumentar acceso al • Aumento de consumo interno no incorporen normado en el ambiental control de crédito 4.2 Asistencia tala ilegal e • Contribución a la elementos culturales de Marco de Incremento de actividade técnica en materia de incendios transformación los pueblos indígenas y Planificación de los beneficios s que producción, comercio y forestales productiva del país afrodescendientes Pueblos ambientales deteriora organizacional • Apertura de aumentando y • Que la transformación Indígenas, en (control de n el medio condicionada a caminos que diversificando la productiva afecte los cuanto a erosión, ambiente, conservación forestal en facilitan la producción medios de vida consultas libres, protección de ampara-
126
la finca 4.3 Vínculos con agropecuaria, con tradicionales de los previas e fuentes de deforestació dos en la el Mercados verdes aumento en los pueblos indígenas y informadas agua, fijación n aplicación rendimientos y el afrodescendientes • Proceder de de carbono) Que por falta de de las valor agregado, • Al efectuar acuerdo a lo control se corte leyes garantizando la ordenamiento normado en el bosque natural Aplicación soberanía y seguridad territorial se afecte el Marco de para establecer de la ley alimentaria y acceso de las familias a Planificación de cultivos 217 y 462. nutricional de la los recursos naturales Pueblos perennes población. del bosque Indígenas arbolados y • Una producción de • No se tomen en cuenta • Proceder de plantaciones exportación con los sititos sagrados. acuerdo a lo forestales mayor valor agregado, normado en el afectando la bajo un enfoque de Marco de biodiversidad protección de los Política de recursos naturales. Reasentamient • Mantenimiento y o Involuntario mejoramiento de medios de vida • Generación de empleos Lineamiento 5: Reforestación comercial en 10,000 nuevas ha. Aspectos Sociales Aspectos Ambientales Líneas de acción Impactos Impactos Impactos Impactos Impactos Positivos Impactos Adversos Positivos Adversos Positivos Adversos • Que los diseños de • Proceder de • Creadas condiciones programas y proyectos acuerdo a lo para un aumento de la no consideren normado en el inversión privada elementos culturales de Marco de 5.1 Incentivos fiscales nacional y extranjera. los pueblos indígenas y Planificación de Generación de afrodescendientes Pueblos Indígenas empleos por efecto de • Al efectuar inversiones Mecanismo de los viveros. se afecte el acceso de Fortalecimiento
127
las familias a los de la recursos naturales del Comunicación bosque ampliamente divulgado. Lineamiento 6: Regeneración natural en 40,000 nuevas ha, además del mantenimiento de una línea base 36,548 ha, y reforestación en 40,000 nuevas ha para restaurar servicios de ecosistema y productos no maderables. Aspectos Sociales Aspectos Ambientales Líneas de acción Impactos Impactos Impactos Impactos Impactos Positivos Impactos Adversos Positivos Adversos Positivos Adversos • Fortalecidos los • Falta de apropiación de gobiernos regionales la política pública en la autónomos y gobernanza Forestal y continuar con el Ambiental. • Control del proceso de • Generación de deterioro regionalización. conflictos entre las ambiental e • Fortalecida la autoridades municipales • Mecanismo de incremento de organización, y las autoridades Fortalecimiento los beneficios 6.1 Incentivos en liderazgo e identidad territoriales. de la ambientales especie, capacitación y cultural de los pueblos • Al efectuar medidas de Comunicación (control de asistencia técnica indígenas, para el protección a la ampliamente erosión, manejo de sus regeneración natural se divulgado. protección de recursos y territorios. afecte el acceso de las fuentes de agua, • Mejorada la familias a los recursos fijación de capacidad de manejo naturales del bosque carbono) de la RBB e indio y • Que no se fortalezca la Maíz. participación activa de Generación de las mujeres indígenas y empleos. sus organizaciones.
128
Plan de Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes
Para el PRE, se ha elaborado un Plan Para Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes, que fue ampliamente consultado durante el proceso ENDE-REDD+ y llevado a consulta durante el taller nacional de Reporte EESA y las consultas regionales y nacional de la ENDE-REDD+134, éste marca las pautas para los proyectos, inversiones o acciones que se desarrollen en áreas de pueblos indígenas. Se presenta de manera resumida el documento.
Caracterización de Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes
De acuerdo al VIII Censo de Población en Nicaragua, realizado en el 2005, el 8.6% del total de la población se auto identifica como perteneciente a un determinado pueblo indígena o comunidad étnica. En Nicaragua podemos encontrar comunidades indígenas en el Pacífico, el Centro, el Norte y Costa Caribe, también encontramos etnias de ascendencia afro- caribeña, como los creoles y garífunas.
En la Costa Caribe, habitan pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes que han logrado mantener sus tradiciones, cultura, lengua materna y sus antiguas estructuras sociales, ellos son: Mískitus, Mayangnas/Sumus, Ulwas, Ramas, Garífunas y Creoles.
El pueblo mískitu tiene presencia significativa en los poblados urbanos de Waspam, Puerto Cabezas y Corn Island. A nivel rural, localizan sus comunidades a lo largo del río Wangki, desde el municipio de Jinotega hasta la desembocadura en cabo Gracias a Dios. También a lo largo del litoral norte en las desembocaduras del río Grande de Matagalpa y Prinzapolka. En el extenso llano de pinares de los municipios de Puerto Cabezas y Waspam se extienden una serie de comunidades mískitas. En menor densidad poblacional, hay poblaciones mískitas alrededor de Rosita y Bonanza.
El pueblo Mayangna se integra por tres grandes familias que habitan territorios diferentes y sus lenguas tienen variaciones importantes: Panamahka, Tuahka y Ulwa, que habitan las regiones del Caribe Norte y Sur y en el departamento de Jinotega. Las comunidades Sumu- Mayangna están asentadas en las riberas de los ríos más caudalosos de la Costa Caribe y más importantes de la RACN, como son los ríos Waspuk, Wawa, Uliwas o cabecera de Prinzapolka, Umrawás, Walakwás o Lakus, Bambana, Amak-Bocay, todos los cuales desembocan en el mar Caribe de Nicaragua.
Los Mayangnas se organizan político-administrativamente en territorios y comunidades, con una instancia de coordinación denominada Gobierno de la Nación Sumu-Mayangna. La composición de la nación Sumu-Mayangna los componen nueve Territorios:
134 129
1. Mayangna Sauni As; 2. Mayangna Sauni Bu; 3. Mayangna Sauni Bas; 4. Mayangna Sauni Arungka; 5. Mayangna Sauni Tuahka; 6. Mayangna Awastingni; 7. Mayangna Sauni Umra; 8. Mayangna Sauni Walakwas; y 9. Mayangna Sauni Karawala.
El pueblo RAMAs viven en la actualidad en un extenso territorio al sur de la ciudad de Bluefields, denominado territorio Rama-Kriol, Los Rama y los Kriol han conformado una alianza, respetando sus creencias y tradiciones y han conformado el Gobierno Territorial Rama-Kriol, cuya superficie abarca gran extensión de la Región Autónoma Costa Caribe Sur y el Departamento río San Juan. Su centro político es la isla de Rama Key, al sur de la ciudad de Bluefields, en la bahía de esa ciudad. En el extenso territorio se encuentran 6 comunidades indígenas rama (Rama Cay, Wiring Cay, Sumu Kaat, Tiktik Kaanu Bangkukuk, Indian River.) y 3 comunidades creoles afrodescendientes (Corn River, Monkey Point y Graytown)
Los pueblos afrodescendientes, son los descendientes de africanos que llegaron a la Costa Caribe en diferentes momentos, hace unos 300 años. Se dividen en dos grupos, aunque se denominan creoles en términos generales:
Creoles: La mayoría de la población creole se localiza en los municipios de Bluefields, Laguna de Perlas, Corn Island, Cabo Gracias a Dios y en la ciudad de Bilwi y también existe un buen número de familias creoles asentadas en el sector minero de la región (Siuna, Bonanza y Rosita).
Garífunas: Los gariganu (plural de Garífuna) habitan en comunidades situadas a lo largo de la Costa Caribe de Belice, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua, en un territorio multinacional que ellos consideran su Territorio afín. Con el establecimiento de redes entre esos países, los Garífuna han vivido un importante proceso de revitalización cultural, que incluye la recuperación y reafirmación del idioma y otras prácticas culturales. (Sambola, 2009). Los Garífuna nicaragüenses viven en la Cuenca de Laguna de Perlas, Orinoco y otras comunidades aledañas en el Caribe Sur.
Los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes de la Costa Caribe y la Zona Especial de Desarrollo del Alto Wangki, están organizados en Gobiernos Territoriales GTI y Gobiernos Comunales. Los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas (GTI) cuentan con estatutos y normas ecológicas que rigen para la gobernanza territorial y de acceso a los recursos naturales. Estos estatutos y normas son inscritos y reconocidos en la Oficina de Registros de los Concejos Regionales.
El país cuenta con Estrategia de Desarrollo de la Costa Caribe, la que tiene como objetivo continuar el modelo de desarrollo humano integral, avanzar en el crecimiento económico con equidad y la inserción del Caribe en la dinámica nacional, con sustentabilidad social, económica, ambiental y cultural, y el ejercicio del autogobierno que consolida la democracia comunitaria y la democracia directa. Los ejes de la estrategia son:
130
• Eje No.1, incluye los programas: Seguridad y soberanía alimentaria, educación regional autonómica, salud regional, y agua y saneamiento. • Eje No.2, contempla programas tales como: Defensa y protección del medio ambiente, cambio climático y gestión de riesgos; infraestructura económica; desarrollo agroindustrial; desarrollo de la pesca; desarrollo del turismo: desarrollo agroforestal; y, desarrollo minero. • Eje No. 3, busca desarrollar las capacidades institucionales del régimen autonómico y de participación ciudadana, de acuerdo a sus costumbres y tradiciones para conducir el desarrollo humano en la Costa Caribe y el Alto Wangki y Bocay.
Consentimiento Libre Previo e Informado y Consultas
Pasos a seguir para los programas o proyectos en áreas con pueblos indígenas: (Atender la OP 4.10 en su anexo b y c)
1. Identificar las áreas de influencia del proyecto en territorios de pueblos indígenas 2. Establecer contacto con las autoridades de los pueblos, en el orden de Regional, Territorial, Comunal o Local para la organización del diálogo y consulta. 3. Efectuar una evaluación social para identificar los posibles impactos positivos y riesgos sociales y ambientales que las acciones pueden ocasionar. 4. La evaluación social deberá incorporar análisis de género. 5. Deben realizarse talleres de consulta bajo el principio de Consentimiento Libre Previo e Informado (CLPI)
En este marco, el ERPD, respetará y utilizará tanto la normativa legal, la institucionalidad y los objetivos de desarrollo vigentes en el país, asimismo adoptará las medidas necesarias para que la implementación de la ENDE REDD+, no cause ningún impacto negativo a las culturas, conocimientos, tradiciones de las poblaciones o al medio ambiente del país.
El Plan de Pueblos Indígenas hace un especial llamado al cumplimiento de los Principios y mecanismo de consulta, de acuerdo a la ley 445 y Convenio 169. La consulta es la expresión y entrega de la información técnica del Programa o Proyecto, seguido del proceso de discusión y decisión sobre los mismos; es un proceso de entrega y retroalimentación que pasa por presentar información del proyecto, escuchar, recibir e incorporar observaciones sobre el diseño de implementación del proyecto, presentar la propuesta final con las recomendaciones incorporadas para recibir la aprobación o aval del proyecto. El proceso de consulta continúa con la presentación de informes de avance de las acciones planteadas.
131
Para el ejercicio de la consulta y durante los talleres o sesiones de consulta se deberá contar con traductores los que traducirán en sus lenguas todo lo dicho durante este proceso y las comunidades deberán estar asistidas por técnicos en la materia.
Para el cumplimento del Convenio 169 y las leyes nacionales de Nicaragua descritas más arriba, se deben tomar en cuenta dos elementos esenciales:
• El primero de ellos es el consentimiento libre, previo e informado, es decir una comunidad no puede reflexionar y tomar decisiones sobre un tema específico si no cuenta con la suficiente información, la cual deberá ser clara, culturalmente apropiada, objetiva, veraz, suficiente y el consentimiento debe ser libre de cualquier presión. • El segundo elemento es el ámbito de la consulta, para el caso de ENDE-REDD+, se ha definido que la consulta debe de realizarse a nivel de las comunidades, para ello los líderes de los mismos serán convocados en asambleas por sectores, en el caso de la RACCN será en Waspan, Bilwi y Triangulo Minero, en el caso de la RACCS, será en Laguna de Perlas y Bluefields. Dichas consultas deberán ser planificadas con las autoridades de los Gobiernos Regionales. En el caso de los indígenas que habitan en la zona del Alto Wangki, la consulta se efectuará en una asamblea a realizarse en un lugar que deberá ser acordado con el representante de los 3 GTI. Lo trascendental de este derecho es que se respete la decisión de la comunidad quien puede aceptar o rechazar libremente cualquier propuesta, según lo considere conveniente.
La implementación de la PRE , debe estar basada en el respeto a la organización de los pueblos originarios, quienes cuentan con un liderazgo tradicional a través de sus Asambleas comunales, Consejos de Ancianos, Juntas Directivas Comunales, Síndicos, Jueces comunales (Wihtas), Gobiernos Territoriales entre otros, quienes tienen a cargo la representación de sus territorios para la toma de decisión en los asuntos que involucran sus tierras y recursos naturales.
Cada taller de consulta debe efectuarse con el tiempo suficiente para que los protagonistas tomen decisiones, por lo que deberán efectuarse al menos de dos días.
¿Qué se consultará?: Respecto a las temáticas a ser consultadas, los comunitarios han expresado que: todos los temas relacionados con la solución de problemas en los territorios, deben ser consultados. Se plantea que cualquier proyecto, política o programa relacionado con deforestación y degradación forestal, conservación, manejo de recursos naturales, pago por resultados y otros, deben ser temas sujetos de consulta.
Se ha demandado que la consultas deben ampliarse al programa PRE , pues se desea conocer específicamente su origen, justificación, objetivos, origen del financiamiento,
132
período del programa, las formas de aplicación del CLPI a las comunidades, distribución de beneficios y participación comunal, entre otros.
Normas de Procedimiento para el Reasentamiento Involuntario
En este capítulo presentamos de manera resumida el Marco de Política de Reasentamiento Involuntario, que de forma completa se encuentra en http://enderedd.sinia.net.ni/index.php/docpreparacion. Se ha efectuado un análisis de la activación de la política operacional 4.12 Política de Reasentamiento Involuntario partiendo del marco legal vigente desde la Constitución Política de Nicaragua y demás leyes que regulan el reasentamiento involuntario., pasando por los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes y regulaciones de áreas protegidas.
El análisis de las Salvaguardas incluyendo el Reasentamiento Involuntario se realizó de manera participativa, el cual incluyó a las mesas de trabajo de evaluación estratégica social y ambiental (EESA), sesiones de trabajo del equipo técnico de MARENA, la realización de tres talleres con protagonistas líderes de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, sumado a la lo anterior el análisis se compartió en el Taller Nacional de Consulta del MGAS. Llegar a un consenso sobre la activación de la Salvaguarda, requirió de un proceso de análisis y negociación de manera particular, en donde la primera reacción de los líderes indígenas y afrodescendientes, fue de rechazo a la activación de la Salvaguarda, puesto que el tema es muy sensible en sus comunidades. Lo dicho se explica en la aparente vinculación que el tema de esta Salvaguarda puede tener con el proceso de titulación y restitución del derecho a la propiedad comunal que están implementando los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes de la Costa Caribe. Este proceso de titulación contribuye a la sostenibilidad económica, la gobernabilidad y la armonía social en el campo, así mismo fortalece el marco legal institucional y técnico para la administración de los derechos de propiedad y se ha avanzado titulando a 23 territorios de la Costa Caribe y el Alto Wangki y Bocay.
Los Territorios Indígenas enfrentan una problemática relacionada con la presencia de “terceros” en su territorio, los cuales tienen una posesión ilegal y generalmente se han asentado contando en muchos de los casos con la autorización de alguno de los líderes comunitarios. De acuerdo a la Ley 445, le corresponde al Estado, implementar el procedimiento técnico administrativo y jurídico, destinado a garantizar el ejercicio pleno del derecho de propiedad comunal a los Pueblos Indígenas y Afrodescendientes a través de la regularización jurídica o administrativa de terceros (personas naturales o jurídicas), asentados dentro de los territorios indígenas y afrodescendientes. En este contexto, los GTI, han presentado propuestas para resolver esta situación, la cual se denomina “auto saneamiento territorial”, son acciones que se realizan a lo interno y externo por los comunitarios, autoridades comunales y autoridades territoriales con el afán de culminar la última y quinta etapa de saneamiento territorial que establece el inciso 5 del artículo 45 de la ley 445.
133
La gestión del territorio es una función esencial de los Gobiernos Comunales y Territoriales, por lo que el diseño e implementación de acciones de Auto-saneamiento es un indicador de fortaleza en la gestión de los recursos naturales de parte de un GTI y además brinda soporte a la afirmación que no se efectuará Reubicaciones involuntarias en los Territorios Indígenas y Afrodescendientes de la Costa Caribe y en los casos que exista algún tipo de impacto será regido bajo los principios y lineamientos del presente Marco de Política de Reasentamiento.
Regulaciones de las áreas protegidas: Se ha analizado la OP 4.12 del Banco Mundial, la que plantea que durante la ejecución de proyectos de desarrollo se pueden presentar requerimientos de reasentamiento involuntario el cual se produce por efectos de una decisión de parte de alguna institución del Estado, el cual tiene la potestad de aplicar una ley de utilidad pública. A menos que las medidas apropiadas se planifiquen y se lleven a cabo meticulosamente, los reasentamientos involuntarios pueden provocar penurias graves y prolongadas, empobrecimiento y daños al medio ambiente.
La política operacional del BM 4.12, abarca los efectos económicos y sociales directos resultantes de los proyectos de inversión financiados por el BM y se activa cuando se da al menos una de las siguientes condiciones:
a) La privación involuntaria de tierras, que da por resultado: • el desplazamiento o la pérdida de la vivienda; • la pérdida de los activos o del acceso a los activos, o • la pérdida de las fuentes de ingresos o de los medios de subsistencia, ya sea que los afectados deban trasladarse a otro lugar o no. b) La restricción involuntaria del acceso a zonas calificadas por la ley como parques o zonas protegidas, con los consiguientes efectos adversos para la subsistencia de las personas desplazadas. Marco Jurídico: Nicaragua cuenta con un marco legal robusto, que reconoce y garantiza los derechos humanos, derechos a la propiedad, derechos a la autodeterminación y a la participación. La Constitución Política de Nicaragua tutela que las y los nicaragüenses gocemos de un ambiente saludable, protección a los recursos naturales, reconocimiento y protección a los distintos regímenes de propiedad, reconocimiento de la propiedad comunal de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, promoción de un desarrollo económico sostenible en armonía con la madre tierra, reconocimiento al uso y disfrute de los recursos naturales, titularidad de los dueños del bosque y la autonomía de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe.
La implementación de PRE proveerá beneficios sociales y ambientales a las comunidades indígenas, afrodescendientes y rurales, derivados de la mejora de las mejoras en la biodiversidad, las fuentes de agua y acceso a alimentos provenientes del bosque. Sin embargo, se prevén potenciales riesgos, sobre los medios de vida de las comunidades y
134
personas, derivados principalmente de las medidas de protección sobre las áreas protegidas que contempla la Estrategia.
Aplicando el análisis de la Salvaguarda a las líneas estratégicas, se ha identificado que existe alguna posibilidad que al implementar tres de las seis líneas, se afecte a algunas personas o comunidades respecto a restricciones del uso de los recursos que han venido utilizando. Las líneas identificadas son la línea 2, 3 y 4, tal como se muestra en el siguiente cuadro.
Por lo anterior y tomando en cuenta que la PRE, es una Estrategia de carácter nacional y de largo plazo, se ha procedido a la elaboración de un Marco de Política de Reasentamiento Involuntario. Cuando sea inevitable el reasentamiento de poblacionales de acuerdo a la evaluación ambiental que de acuerdo al presente MGAS, es obligatoria realizar en la etapa de diseño del proyecto, se elaborará un Instrumento de Planificación del Reasentamiento, el cual se ha definido será la preparación de Normas de Procedimiento.
En principio deberá efectuarse un censo de la población prevista a ser afectada por reasentamiento involuntario, los cuales pueden ser:
a) Aquellos que tienen derechos legalmente establecidos respecto de las tierras, incluyendo los derechos consuetudinarios y tradicionales. b) Aquellos que no tienen derechos legalmente establecidos respecto de las tierras en el momento de iniciarse el censo, pero que reclaman algún derecho a esas tierras o activos, a condición de que su reclamación esté reconocida en la legislación del país o se reconozca mediante un proceso indicado en el plan de reasentamiento. c) Los que carecen de un derecho legal o una pretensión reconocibles respecto de la tierra que ocupan. En el dado caso que los protagonostas sintiesen un derecho afectado en la activacion de estas salvaguardas, se aplicara el procedimiento establecido en el meecanismo fortalecimiento d ela comunicación, respetando oos preceptos consititucionales del pais. Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación
El acceso a la información, es un derecho esencial para asegurar que los protagonistas involucrados puedan participar de manera efectiva y expresar sus intereses en las instancias de consulta y toma de decisiones de la PRE. En el proceso de implementación se requiere que todas y todos sus ciudadanos, en particular los grupos vulnerables como los pueblos indígenas, y comunidades locales, no sólo tengan acceso a efectuar planteamientos sobre el accionar de funcionarios e instituciones públicas, sino que tengan la opción de que las comunicaciones sean de doble vía y sean culturalmente pertinente.
Por lo anterior el GRUN, se ha planteado la creación de un mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con PRE, que abra el abanico de opciones para obtener información, efectuar planteamientos e incluso quejas, recibir y atender las inquietudes que los
135
protagonistas involucrados tengan con respecto al desarrollo e implementación de la Estrategia.
Objetivo General
Proveer de opciones para recibir y responder solicitudes de información, preguntas, sugerencias y reclamos por las partes interesadas relacionados con el diseño y la ejecución de la Estrategia de Reducción de Emisiones provenientes de la Deforestación y Degradación Forestal y de Programas de Reducción de Emisiones por deforestación y degradación forestal con pagos por resultados.
Objetivos específicos
• Obtener insumos para mejorar los resultados y contribuir a la auditoria social. • Evitar que se generen conflictos, atendiendo reclamos y sugerencias con agilidad. • Aportar a la evaluación del desempeño en la distribución de los beneficios.
Diseño del Mecanismo
El Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación está orientado hacia todos los protagonistas de ENDE-REDD+ y Programas de Reducción de Emisiones, son ellos comunitarios y líderes de los territorios indígenas y afrodescendientes, familias y productores de zonas rurales, mujeres y jóvenes organizados para el cuido de los bosques, productores agropecuarios y población en general vinculada a los esfuerzos de reducción de emisiones por deforestación y degradación de los bosques.
El MFC, ha previsto que las dificultades de acceso o lejanía de centros poblacionales, ausencia de señal de celular o de internet, no sean limitantes para que algún protagonista que requiera expresar sus inquietudes, recomendaciones, inconformidades o quejas las pueda efectuar, ya que integra las vías tradicionales y no tradicionales y ofrece una vía confiable en donde la resolución será colegiada a través de la atención de la comisión interinstitucional.
El Mecanismo para fortalecer a las comunicaciones contiene una variedad de canales para la recepción, de retroalimentación y quejas, se han concebido cuatro puntos de entrada de la comunicación desde los protagonistas hasta las instancias que darán atención, respuesta y seguimiento a los planteamientos o quejas:
1. Autoridades y líderes tradicionales 2. Asambleas 3. Buzones 4. Acceso electrónico (página web)
136
Todos los planteamientos recibidos deberán ser registrados de manera centralizada en el enlace del sitio web de ENDE-REDD+, creado para este propósito, el cual estará vinculado al Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas (SIS). A continuación, los puntos de acceso y el sistema de funcionamiento de cada uno: a. Autoridades y líderes tradicionales El Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+, estará vinculado a los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas, a través de sus autoridades territoriales y comunales, quienes han delegado a sus líderes tradicionales para su aplicación práctica, contribuyendo a una retroalimentación ajustada a la cultura y costumbres de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes de resolución de inconformidades.
Los wihtas, síndicos, guardabosques institucionales del MARENA los cuales tienen como objetivo principal el cuido y resguardo de los recursos naturales y en especial en el área de influencia del programa y mujeres lideresas, de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, serán capacitados sobre el funcionamiento del Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación con ENDE-REDD+ para que posteriormente puedan replicarlo en sus comunidades.
En este sentido se fortalecerán capacidades sobre uso salvaguardas, el uso de los formatos y acceso electrónico a una red de 80 líderes y lideresas de los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas.
b. Asambleas Durante la realización de asambleas efectuadas para el fortalecimiento de capacidades o de diálogo en el marco de ENDE-REDD+, se deberá instalar un buzón para la recepción de los comentarios o lo que se considere pertinente. Este buzón deberá ser presentado al iniciar el taller o asamblea.
En los casos que se presenten quejas sobre ENDE-REDD+, en las asambleas comunitarias o de GTI, deberán ser recogidas en una memoria e ingresarse a la página web, con el lugar y fecha de la asamblea, relacionada con el Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas.
La información recopilada deberá ser ingresada al registro centralizado a través de la página web, relacionada con el Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas.
c. Buzones en oficinas institucionales Los buzones consisten en un depósito de tamaño regular (aproximadamente de 40x20 cm), rotulado y sellado. Se prevé que la ubicación de buzones para ENDE-REDD+ y PRE, se instalaran gradualmente, primero en las oficinas de las instituciones relacionadas al tema, del gobierno central en las Regiones Autónomas y Departamentos (MARENA e INAFOR), posteriormente en los Gobiernos Regionales y GTI quedando de último la instalación en las alcaldías.
137
Para la instalación de los mismos se requiere previamente efectuar acuerdos de entendimiento o de coordinación, que formalicen la ubicación de los mismos y aseguren su resguardo. En el caso de las Regiones autónomas, estos acuerdos serán facilitados por los Gobiernos Regionales. MARENA, será el responsable de efectuar la apertura de los buzones y el reporte al registro central creado para este Mecanismo, en el Sistema de Monitoreo Registro y Verificación a nivel central y Regional.
a. Acceso electrónico ENDE-REDD+, cuenta con un enlace vinculado la página Web del SINIA MARENA, en el que se abrirá una pestaña el enlace de la página web de ENDE-REDD+, dispondrá de una pestaña para recibir las planteamientos y quejas de los protagonistas que dispongan del servicio de internet por computadora o por teléfono.
Este acceso ciertamente presenta limitantes para las comunidades más alejadas, pero tiene la fortaleza de estar disponible en tiempo real, y cada día el país con el avance que está logrando GRUN, en materia de conectividad para internet, este acceso irá adquiriendo mayor peso. Actualmente la mayoría de los Gobiernos Territoriales Indígenas poseen una dirección electrónica y en cada una de las cabeceras municipales hay acceso a internet.
Así también se está trabajando en una aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes (Android), desde la cual se podrá tener acceso al formulario para la presentación de planteamientos y quejas.
Se ha diseñado un cuestionario, en la página web, con los campos necesarios para recopilar la información básica obligatoria que permitirá brindar respuesta y facilitar el monitoreo de los planteamientos y quejas, ver figura 3.
Figura 3 Formato para el Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación Nombres * Apellidos * Correo electrónico Teléfono Departamento/Región * Comunidad Etnia* En representación de : Propia GTI Comunal Tipo de planteamiento (Marque con una X) Sugerencia Observación Queja
Describa su planteamiento
Procedimiento con las inquietudes y reclamos recibidos
138
Todas los planteamientos, inconformidades o quejas recibidos se registraran de manera central y regional, para ello el Sistema de Monitoreo Registro y Verificación, tiene un sub- sistema para Salvaguardas.
Para los buzones, el acceso electrónico y el reporte de los líderes indígenas y lo recibido en las asambleas se registrará en un mismo formato, lo que permitirá estandarizar el seguimiento y reporte. Se utilizará el mismo formato presentado en el cuadro 3.
Para la atención de los planteamientos se contará con la participación de las Comisiones Interinstitucionales que funcionan en las Regiones Autónomas y departamentos para la Gestión forestal y ambiental, o se conformaran donde sea requerido, esta comisión se reunirá una vez por mes para conocer sobre los reportes en las diferentes entradas del Mecanismo, analizarlos y elaborar informe para las instancias de MARENA. El formato para reportar al Mecanismo de Fortalecimiento de la Comunicación será el mismo que se presentó en el cuadro 3.
Todo planteamiento se alojará en el servidor central del SINIA y en los respectivos NODOS Regionales y Departamentales de acuerdo a las categorías para el MFC. Los NODOS Regionales de Costa Caribe de Nicaragua, SIMEAR Y SICOR135, estarán apoyando en la recepción de la información mediante el establecimiento de enlaces con la página web del programa.
Categoría de los Planteamientos y quejas
Los casos recibidos se clasificaran en dos grandes categorías: • “Corresponden a ENDE-REDD+” • “No corresponde a ENDE-REDD+”
En el caso de los que “no corresponden ”, se remitirán a la instancia correspondiente y se notificará a los protagonistas sobre la remisión efectuada. En el caso de las que “Corresponden”: se reclasificaran en las siguientes 4 categorías: 1. Incidencias ambientales 2. Compromisos asumidos por el Programa 3. Cumplimiento de los pagos por resultados 4. Desempeño institucional Para la atención de las categorías 1 y 2 se efectuarán verificación o inspección en campo, la que será realizada por la Comisión Interinstitucional136, una vez efectuada la inspección, la Comisión Interinstitucional analizará lo encontrado y dictamina cuál es la institución que deberá proceder (de acuerdo a la competencia institucional) y gestiona la respuesta de
135 SIMEAR: Sistema de Información, Monitoreo y Educación Ambiental Regional (RACCS) SICOR: Sistema de Comunicación Regional (RACCN) 136 Comisión Interinstitucional: Conformada por MARENA, SERENA, Alcaldías, Instituciones del Estado con presencia en el territorio visitado y los GTI’s correspondiente. 139
cómo proceder para dar atención al planteamiento. El dictamen se informará a los protagonistas por los medios brindados por el protagonista: números de celulares, correos electrónicos o direcciones. La atención a las categorías 3 y 4, las comisiones correspondientes (Comisión interinstitucional). Procederán a revisión administrativa de los casos y dictamina cómo proceder para dar atención al planteamiento. El dictamen se les informará a los protagonistas. Por medio de las direcciones de donde habitan, números de celulares y correos electrónicos. El tiempo para dar respuesta a los protagonistas será no mayor de 30 días. Esquema del Procedimiento con los Planteamientos y Quejas
140
Esquema para el Procedimiento de respuestas con los Planteamientos y Queja Monitoreo del Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social
En alianza con Gobiernos Regionales, Territoriales, Municipales, desde agosto 2016 se está diseñando el Sistema de Información de Salvaguardas (SIS), parte integral del Sistema Nacional de Monitoreo, Reporte y Verificación (SNMRV) del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones. El SIS permitirá reportar el cumplimiento de las salvaguardas, asegurando cubrir todas las acciones y medidas REDD+, independientemente de la fuente de financiación o de la iniciativa. Así mismo, facilitará un marco de indicadores que servirán para monitorear el cumplimiento de las salvaguardas a nivel nacional, sub nacional y a nivel comunitario.
El principal objetivo del Sistema Nacional de Información de Salvaguardas SIS, es proveer y gestionar la información sobre cómo están siendo abordadas y respetadas las salvaguardas durante la implementación del ERPD, conforme el marco legal de Nicaragua.
El SIS incluirá procesos de salida que generarán resúmenes o reportes requeridos por la CMNUCC para el seguimiento al cumplimiento de las salvaguardas activadas.
El GRUN a través del MARENA, en su carácter de institución líder del ERPD, será la institución del Estado de Nicaragua que brindará la información oficial sobre el abordaje y cumplimiento de las Salvaguardas, estableciendo para ellos los convenios de colaboración con las instituciones que registren los indicadores que se establezcan para tal fin. SINIA es la institución que concentra el seguimiento y reporte de los indicadores ambientales y será la instancia encargada de brindar la información oficial.
141
El diseño propuesto para el SIS, es parte integral del SNMRV con característica similares en cuanto a funcionamiento y flexibilidad, permitiendo el manejo de información relevante a salvaguardas para informar a la CMNUCC y al FCPF, a la vez que permite a otros actores nacionales e internacionales acceder a la información sobre la forma en que las salvaguardas están siendo abordadas y respetadas. La información recolectada sobre las salvaguardas será empleada para retroalimentar el proceso y dar recomendaciones a las instituciones involucradas en el ERPD. A continuación se presentan los indicadores que darán seguimiento a las salvaguardas.
142
Cuadro 94: Indicadores identificados para Salvaguardas PRE Cuadro 95: Indicadores identificados para Salvaguardas PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES Salvaguarda Indicadores Responsable Periodicidad Fuentes de información Reporte a generar Número de Evaluaciones de MARENA Evaluación Impactos ambientales aprobados. Dirección de Registro del Sistema de Ambiental, Superficie de proyectos que Calidad Anual Reporte de EIA Evaluación Ambiental OP/BP 4.01 implementan Evaluaciones de Ambiental. Impacto Ambiental (EIA). MARENA Estado de la gestión Estado de la gestión en áreas Dirección de de la áreas protegidas (variables: Áreas Datos de campo y fichas Patrimonio protegidas Protegidas con Planes de Manejo, de reporte de Natural Cantidad de Áreas Protegidas guardabosques y nodos
Demarcadas y Rotuladas, Cantidad regionales. Imágenes de
de Áreas Protegidas con satélite
Infraestructura y Equipamiento,
Cantidad de Guarda-parques en
Áreas Protegidas, Financiamiento
Público ejecutado en Áreas Hábitats --- Protegidas). ---- Naturales ----- OP/BP 4.04 ---- Anual Informe de Aprovechamiento de Recursos Imágenes landsat (30x30 Aprovechamiento de Naturales en Áreas Protegidas mts) y monitoreo en INETER Recursos Naturales (variables: Cantidad de Áreas campo. Dirección de en Áreas Protegidas Protegidas con Cultivos Anuales ordenamiento (Café y Cacao). territorial Superficie de cultivo del Café y
Cacao en Áreas Protegidas. ------Fichas de recolección de
Especies de Fauna información de ---- Reporte de la Amenazadas/Apéndice II CITES, guardabosques MARENA dinámica de la variable: Aves. Dirección de avifauna presente en
143
Cuadro 95: Indicadores identificados para Salvaguardas PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES Salvaguarda Indicadores Responsable Periodicidad Fuentes de información Reporte a generar biodiversidad el área de contabilidad. MARENA -autorizaciones Desechos Químicos Vencidos: Manejo de Dirección ambientales Volumen de Desechos químicos Informe anual de Plagas General de -inspecciones vencidos por tipo de producto. Anual autorizaciones de OP/BP 4.09 Calidad Desechos de plaguicidas (COP137), manejo de desechos Ambiental Desechos de plaguicidas (NO COP).
Avales otorgados por las Gobierno Informes de proyectos de comunidades a Proyectos de Regional instituciones entregado a Pueblos desarrollo. (SERENA y SERENA Informe del Indígenas: ---- SEPLAN) ---- Consentimiento Libre Anual OP/BP 4.10 Organizaciones con de ---- Informes de gestión de los Previo e Informado. capacidades técnicas fortalecidas INAFOR Y gobiernos regionales para el mejoramiento de la MARENA gobernanza forestal a los GTI Instituto nacional Reporte de líderes de cultura (INC) comunales, territoriales y Patrimonio Sitios históricos identificados en la En coordinacion municipales Informe de sitios Cultural y Físico implementación de las Anual con los Gobiernos históricos OP 4.11 intervenciones. Regionales y GTI’s. Número de Evaluaciones de impactos ambiental que Reasentamient Informe de requieren reasentamiento Gobiernos Reporte de Gobiernos o Involuntario Anual Reasentamiento involuntario. Regionales Regionales OP 4.12 Involuntario Numero de Planes de Manejo Conjunto de Áreas Protegidas.
137 COP: Contaminantes Orgánicos Persistentes.
144
Cuadro 95: Indicadores identificados para Salvaguardas PROGRAMA REDUCCIÓN DE EMISIONES Salvaguarda Indicadores Responsable Periodicidad Fuentes de información Reporte a generar Superficie de bosque en el área de contabilidad de carbono Incrementos y INETER Superficie de corredores pérdidas de Dirección de Imágenes landsat (30x30 Bosques biológicos. Anual y cobertura de bosque ordenamiento mts), rapid eyes y OP/BP 4.36 Pérdidas y Ganancias de Bosque bianual en reservas y territorial monitoreo en campo en la Reserva de Biosfera corredores INAFOR BOSAWAS y Reserva de biológicos.
Biológica Indio Maíz, por zonas núcleo y de amortiguamiento. MARENA Registro central (digital) de Informe del Mecanismo de Sistema nacional los planteamientos y mecanismo de Fortalecimiento Número de planteamientos de indicadores Anual quejas. mecanismo de de la recibidos y atendidos. Ambientales- fortalecimiento de Comunicación SINIA comunicación INETER Informe de perdida Imágenes espaciales y Dirección de de cobertura de datos recolectados en ordenamiento bosque ocasionada Superficie de bosque afectada campo Reversiones territorial y Anual por eventos por reversiones Sistema de alerta SERENA naturales extremos o temprana de monitoreo de Monitoreo actividades bosques Comunitario antropogénicas INETER Imágenes espaciales y Cobertura de bosque Dirección de datos recolectados en deforestada y ordenamiento campo degradada en áreas Desplazamient Deforestación y degradación territorial Anual Sistema de alerta dentro y fuera del os desplazada SERENA temprana de monitoreo de área de contabilidad Monitoreo bosques del ERPD Comunitario
145
Emissions Reduction Program to combat climate change and poverty in the Caribbean Coast, BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve An nex 16. Displacement Analysis
Identificación del riesgo de desplazamiento: Los factores que explican la deforestación en Nicaragua se acentúan más en la costa Caribe. Estos incluyen una gran proporción de bosques nacionales (80%), migración de productores pobres a la región, atraídos por tierra barata, condiciones adecuadas para producción de pastos y cultivos todo el año, mano de obra barata, topografía relativamente plana, y una débil presencia institucional. Además, el área de contabilidad incluye más de la mitad de la superficie de las tierras del país. En otras partes del país, la tierra es generalmente deforestada, colonizada, mucho más cara y con condiciones climáticas más secas.
En esencia, la combinación de estos factores sugiere que es poco probable el desplazamiento significativo de la deforestación fuera del área de contabilidad de carbono. Por lo tanto, un riesgo bajo138 de desplazamiento podría asignársele a la mayoría de los impulsores de deforestación, aunque un nivel de riesgo moderado haya sido asignado en dos casos, tal como se explica a continuación.
En general, en caso de desplazamiento, es más probable que éste ocurra en áreas caracterizadas por:
• Bajas tasas de deforestación o bosques en recuperación, • Fácil acceso desde caminos/carreteras o cerca de centros de población, • Débil control institucional del uso de la tierra, • Tierra disponible a bajo precio para alquiler, compra u ocupación por la fuerza139.
Los impulsores y su riesgo asociado de desplazamiento se evalúan en el siguiente cuadro.
138 FCPF: Marco metodológico del Fondo del Carbono, 20 diciembre 2013 139 MARENA 2017. Análisis de desplazamientos debido a la reducción de emisiones originadas por el Programa de Reducción de emisiones de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Proyecto Apoyo a la Preparación de la Estrategia para la Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación Forestal (ENDE-REDD+) -TF099264. Dirección General de Cambio Climático, Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA). 2017. 33 p 0
Cuadro de Riesgo de desplazamiento en el área de contabilidad de carbono asociado con distintos factores o agentes de deforestación
Impulsor de Riesgo de Explicación / justificación de deforestación o desplazamiento la evaluación del riesgo degradación El pastoreo extensivo y la producción de ganado no sostenible son los principales impulsores de la deforestación en la costa caribe de Nicaragua. Ambos mantienen una relación muy estrecha con la expansión de la frontera agrícola relacionada a un uso extensivo de la tierra, sobre todo para actividades de ganadería extensiva, así como cultivos anuales y perennes. Existen, sin embargo, varios factores subyacentes, entre los cuales figuran las migraciones desde las regiones del Pacífico y del Centro Norte de Nicaragua, así como al interno de la misma región del Caribe, debidos a la presión demográfica derivada del crecimiento poblacional anual del 1,4%, de la pobreza, de la disponibilidad de tierras relativamente baratas en la Costa del Caribe, y de las conexiones por carretera hacia y en la costa del Caribe. Estas condiciones son menos probables de encontrar en otras partes del país, así que el riesgo de desplazamiento Producción podría considerarse inexistente o clasificarse como bajo. extensiva de Además, las intervenciones económicas/productivas del ganado y proyecto están dirigidas a generar alternativas más agricultura sostenibles y rentables para los productores locales que no comercial y de Bajo pueden participar en los programas productivos del subsistencia Programa de RE o que se ven forzados a abandonar sus basada en el uso tierras debido a una mayor aplicación y control del uso de la extensivo de la tierra. En estos casos, el empleo agrícola fuera de la finca, tierra. creado por agroindustrias o fincas grandes permite reducir el riesgo de desplazamiento. A la fecha, el aumento de áreas agroindustriales de cultivos perennes (como palma de aceite y de coco) todavía es relativamente bajo, pero es probable que aumente debido a la promoción de inversiones y efectos “de contagio”. Las intervenciones que promueven un mayor monitoreo, control y aplicación de la reglamentación sobre el uso de la tierra podrían disminuir el atractivo de la Costa Caribe para estas intervenciones, que entonces podrían irse a otro lado. Se considera que el riesgo es inexistente debido a los todavía incipientes niveles de producción agroindustrial en la costa Caribe, la promoción de condiciones favorables económicamente para la producción sostenible por PRONicaragua, y la baja disponibilidad de condiciones apropiadas ecológicamente para estos cultivos en otras áreas del país.
1
Impulsor de Riesgo de Explicación / justificación de deforestación o desplazamiento la evaluación del riesgo degradación La deforestación en los territorios de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes es relativamente baja, pero va en aumento, probablemente debido al incremento de la presión económica y el deseo de los habitantes de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes y no indígenas de mejores medios de vida. Esta presión podría desplazar a algunos individuos, especialmente si el uso de la tierra en los Crecimiento de la territorios de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes se población y la Mediano controla con más firmeza. Sin embargo, el aumento de migración empleos a nivel local en empresas forestales o agroindustriales a las que se refiere el componente de promoción de la inversión, o en calidad de monitores locales, en asociación con incentivos dirigidos a evitar la deforestación, reducirá el riesgo de que estas personas sean desplazadas. No obstante, debido a la posibilidad de que el desplazamiento ocurra, el riesgo puede categorizarse como mediano. Los niveles de tala legal son bajos, pero los datos relativos a la degradación sugieren que la tala ilegal puede ser significativa, sobre todo en la RACCN. Un mayor monitoreo forestal y aplicación de la reglamentación de bosques Degradación podrían desplazar a los madereros hacia otras zonas del país, forestal debido a la pero la relativamente pequeña cantidad de bosques Mediano tala y la extracción comerciales en otras partes del país reduce esta posibilidad. de leña La extracción de la leña y del carbón también pueden desplazarse como consecuencia del establecimiento de un marco de reglamentación y de cumplimiento mejorados. Este riesgo es clasificado como mediano, ya que podría ocurrir, aunque la probabilidad sea baja. El bajo valor de la tierra de vocación forestal se debe a la subvaloración de los bienes y servicios producidos por los bosques, la cual no permite que la producción forestal compita con otros usos de la tierra alternativos. Al aumentar el valor de los bosques, los agricultores pobres podrían verse Tierras forestales forzados a buscar tierras más baratas en otros lugares, pero Bajo subvaluadas. el riesgo de desplazamiento es bajo, ya que es poco probable encontrar tierra más barata en otros lugares. Por otra parte, fuera del área de contabilidad de carbono, la disponibilidad de bosques es menor, y las reservas de carbono son menores también. Por consiguiente, se considera que el riesgo de desplazamiento de las emisiones es bajo. Mercados locales y Es poco probable que mejores condiciones del mercado para regionales de bajo Bajo los productores del área de contabilidad de carbono precio que no provoquen desplazamiento dado que los productores
2
Impulsor de Riesgo de Explicación / justificación de deforestación o desplazamiento la evaluación del riesgo degradación demandan calidad continuarán buscando áreas como la Costa Caribe, con bajos del producto. costos de producción. Mejores condiciones de monitoreo y aplicación de reglamentos sobre uso de los bosques y los recursos podrían provocar el desplazamiento entre ciertos sectores sociales. Debilidad Por otro lado, la promoción de tecnologías agrícolas institucional en el mejoradas, mejor disponibilidad del crédito, asistencia Mediano monitoreo y técnica, pagos por conservación, e inversiones generadoras control del suelo de empleos fuera de la finca podrían crear oportunidades económicas que compensen el aumento del riesgo de desplazamiento provocado por un control más riguroso. Por consiguiente, se considera que este riesgo es mediano. El programa de prevención y control de incendios de Incendios Nicaragua está activo en todo el país, lo cual reducirá el Bajo forestales riesgo de desplazamiento de los incendios forestales. Por consiguiente, se considera que este riesgo es bajo.
Actividades del Programa de RE dirigidas a mitigar el riesgo de desplazamiento.
• Producción extensiva de ganado y agricultura comercial y de subsistencia basada en el uso extensivo de la tierra
La estrategia global de intervención se basa en una combinación de incentivos positivos (orientados a la producción, o generadores de un entorno favorable) y de medidas de control (paquetes de conservación y monitoreo y control del uso mejorado de la tierra). Su objetivo es establecer sistemas agrícolas más sostenibles y productivos a través de un mayor acceso a la asistencia técnica, al crédito (en ambos casos condicionados a la conservación forestal en la finca), y de inversiones externas generadoras de ingresos y de empleo. Al mismo tiempo, hace que sea más difícil acceder a y convertir las tierras forestales por con un monitoreo y control más estricto del uso de la tierra a nivel local, así como por medio del cumplimiento de la ley, sistemas de alerta temprana para la deforestación, incentivos para la conservación y uso sostenible del bosque, y una mejor gobernanza forestal, especialmente en los territorios de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes y las áreas protegidas.
El aumento del empleo, de los ingresos, y una mejor gobernanza de la tierra son incentivos adecuados para frenar la migración de la población hacia otras regiones. Esto se logrará a través de:
1) El paquete de producción sostenible, cuyo objetivo es fomentar agroindustrias sostenibles y pequeños sistemas productivos que favorecen la producción y el aumento del
3
carbono, la conservación de los bosques, y contribuyen a la generación de empleos no agrícolas capaces de absorber a los agricultores marginales. Esta etapa incluye: a) fortalecimiento de PRONicaragua/PRONicaribe para reforzar la promoción de inversiones verdes en el campo agroindustrial y forestal en territorios de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes y la propiedad privada, lo que a su vez aumentará el empleo no agrícola, aumentará las reservas de carbono y reducirá la deforestación. b) establecimiento de fondos agroforestales y silvopastoriles para pequeños y medianos productores, empresas anclas, grupos de productores, gobierno e instituciones financieras (administradores fiduciarios) cuyo objetivo es intensificar la producción y comercialización de café, cacao y productos de la ganadería, el aumento del carbono y una mayor conservación de los bosques en la finca. c) reforestación comercial a fin de crear empleo no agrícola y aumentar las reservas de carbono, y d) la reforestación social y la regeneración natural a fin de aumentar las reservas de carbono y la biodiversidad.
2) el paquete de conservación que facilitará una mejor gobernanza de la tierra por los gobiernos comunales y GTI, por medio de incentivos directos a fin de promover la conservación del bosque, la generación de ingresos y de empleos a través de la mejora del manejo forestal comunitario u otras oportunidades económicas comunitarias. Los dos paquetes?? resultarán en una disminución de la necesidad de emigrar hacia nuevas áreas de bosque.
• Crecimiento de la población y la migración El paquete de producción sostenible que busca aumentar el empleo local con la silvicultura o la agroindustria, o en calidad de encargados del monitoreo locales, al aumentar la productividad de la ganadería y de los cultivos agroforestales y utilizar incentivos para la regeneración natural, va a crear mejores oportunidades económicas y empleos capaces de absorber una población en aumento.
• Degradación forestal debido a la tala y la extracción de leña Degradación forestal debido a la tala y la extracción de leña Las acciones propuestas apuntan a fortalecer el marco técnico y comercial (incentivos directos, mejora tecnológica, y mayor mercadeo y diversificación de productos) para la silvicultura comunitaria y la promoción de inversiones en plantaciones forestales comerciales. Ambas medidas generarán oportunidades económicas vinculadas a los bosques para los habitantes locales que y pueden constituir alternativas a la tala ilegal y a la extracción de madera para leña.
• Tierras forestales subvaluadas Aumentar el valor de las tierras forestales por medio de actividades como el manejo comunitario de los bosques, la promoción de las inversiones en las zonas boscosas, incentivos directos para la deforestación evitada o la regeneración natural aumentarán los ingresos y oportunidades de empleo en las comunidades.
4
La intervención de un Manejo mejorado de uso de los bosques y las tierras de parte de los Gobiernos de los Territorios Indígenas (GTI) comprende: - actualización de planes de zonificación des desarrollo territorial y del uso de las tierras, - mejoramiento de las leyes comunales y territoriales, normas y reglamentos internos y procedimientos administrativos y contractuales concernientes el uso de las tierras y los bosques por los miembros de la comunidad o personas externas, - Mejoramiento de la toma de decisión y del control social sobre las decisiones tomadas a nivel comunal, y - Mejoramiento del monitoreo local y del control de uso de las tierras y los bosques y de los permisos forestales (cuyos procedimientos deberían mejorarse a través de actividades descritas en CFM) de parte de grupos comunitarios, incluyendo capacidades de información, equipos y recursos humanos, así como guarda parques y monitores. Se espera que tales medidas mejoren las condiciones de vida a través de un mejor uso de la tierra y mejor control del territorio. tierra. Estas condiciones mejoradas son aptas para mitigar o prevenir los desplazamientos.
• Mercados locales y regionales de bajo precio que no demandan calidad del producto. Las acciones estarán dirigidas al desarrollo de vínculos con mercados para productos “verdes” de mayor calidad, desarrollando al mismo tiempo la capacidad técnica, organizativa y comercial de los productores para participar en estos mercados. Precios de venta más altos, asociados a productos de mejor calidad, se traducirán en un aumento del ingreso y en incentivos para intensificar la producción en vez de migrar a nuevas áreas forestales.
• Debilidad institucional en el monitoreo y control del uso de la tierra. Nicaragua ha desarrollado un marco legal y de políticas robusto para derechos sobre la tierra y los recursos naturales, protección del medio ambiente y desarrollo sostenible. Sin embargo, el país todavía necesita integrar y armonizar plenamente con los planes de desarrollo a todos los niveles y ,a través de sectores,. Asimismo, necesita garantizar un mejor cumplimiento de las políticas existentes sobre deforestación y uso del suelo.
Así, el Programa de RE contempla el fortalecimiento de las capacidades y estructuras de gobernanza forestal institucionales en los niveles nacional, regional, y territorios de los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes a fin de promover acciones para el monitoreo, la protección y la gestión sostenible de los bosques dentro y fuera de áreas protegidas, y la aplicación de las regulaciones forestales.
Las condiciones propicias apuntan a mejorar la coordinación institucional, la armonización de políticas, el uso y diseminación de la información, el uso del suelo y el monitoreo forestal, una mejor aplicación de las leyes, políticas, regulaciones y normas, y recursos institucionales
5
y capacidades a fin de mejorar el monitoreo y control del uso del suelo. Ello, a su vez, reducirá las oportunidades de desplazamientos.
Además de las medidas arriba mencionadas, las actividades transversales que reducirán el riesgo de desplazamiento de la deforestación incluyen:
• Promoción de educación y sensibilización en los ámbitos forestal y ambiental. • La generación de información y la de los riesgos de desplazamiento asociados con factores nuevos o recurrentes en el área de contabilidad. • Documentación de las lecciones aprendidas para mitigar el posible desplazamiento bajo el Programa de RE. • Mapeo de los sitios con el riesgo más alto de desplazamiento desde el área de contabilidad de carbono.
6
Annex 18. FONADEFO operation analysis
ANALISIS DEL FUNCIONAMIENTO DEL FONDO NACIONAL DE DESARROLLO FORESTAL (FONADEFO)
Febrero 2018
7
Tabla de contenido Contenido Presentación 9 Antecedentes 9 Funcionamiento 10 Funciones del FONADEFO 10 Fuentes de financiamiento del FONADEFO 11 Sistematización de experiencias de FONADEFO 12 Experiencias desarrolladas en pago de incentivos 12 Documentos de referencia 16
8
Presentación Nicaragua está preparando un Mecanismo de Distribución de Beneficios (MDB) que comprenderá potenciales inversiones en las políticas, acciones y actividades de la Estrategia Nacional de Bosque y Cambio Climático para Enfrentar la Pobreza en Nicaragua (ENDE- REDD+) y el Programa de Reducción de Emisiones para el combate al cambio climático y la pobreza en la Costa Caribe, reserva de biosfera BOSAWAS y reserva biológica Indio Maíz (RE).
El MDB, reconoce dos criterios principales para su funcionamiento: (i) la distribución de los beneficios, la cual responde a las decisiones soberanas del país, conforme su legislación e inversión pública privada (ii) los pagos por resultados recibidos, a partir del cumplimiento de los requerimientos establecidos por el FCPF.
En el caso del Programa de Reducción de Emisiones, se utilizarán mecanismos de distribución existentes en el país, como: INAFOR a través del Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal (FONADEFO), creado mediante Ley, basado en las experiencias y lecciones aprendidas del Fondo; el MHCP, tiene experiencia en transferencia directa a los pueblos originarios y afrodescendientes, por mandato de la Ley de Presupuesto de la República, Ley 462, Ley Forestal y la Ley 445, Ley de propiedad comunal y los fideicomisos, cubrirá a propietarios privados que desarrollen actividades agroforestales, silviculturales, restauración y deforestación evitada. Los beneficiarios el fideicomiso, harán compromisos sobre áreas identificadas y destinadas para la restauración del bosque.
El presente documento, de manera resumida destaca las funciones y experiencias del Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal FONADEFO, con el fin de dar a conocer el desarrollo del fondo en proyectos dirigidos al incremento de la cobertura forestal, desarrollo de plantaciones forestales en sus diversas modalidades, Manejo forestal, Sistemas agroforestales a través del pago de los incentivos forestales.
Antecedentes El Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal (FONADEFO) fue creado mediante la Ley 462, "Ley de Conservación, Fomento y Desarrollo Sostenible del Sector Forestal", en el año 2003, el rol principal del FONADEFO es financiar los programas y proyectos que se enmarquen en los objetivos de fomento de la presente Ley140. FONADEFO se creó como un órgano Administrativo Financiero descentralizado y administrado por un Comité Regulador y adscrito al Instituto Nacional Forestal (INAFOR).
El Fondo capta y administra recursos financieros para el desarrollo y financiamiento de Programas y Proyectos Forestales que favorezcan el manejo sostenible de los recursos forestales, a fin de incrementar el desarrollo económico nacional, la conservación de los
140 Ley 462, Ley de conservación fomento y desarrollo sostenible del sector forestal, aprobada en junio del 2003 y publicada en la Gaceta diario oficial N0. 168 del 04 de septiembre de 2003. Arto.50 y 51. 9
Recursos Naturales, desarrollar el mercado de pagos por servicios ambientales (PSA) y el mejoramiento del medio ambiente.
En su momento, FONADEFO identificó sus principales líneas estratégicas para financiar y promover acciones dirigidas a i) Aumento de la cobertura forestal; ii) Promover el proceso de restauración de bosques y el manejo diversificado de los ecosistemas forestales; iii) Facilitar el desarrollo del mercado de servicios eco – sistémicos; iv) Fortalecimiento de los procesos de innovación tecnológica de productos eco –sistémicos; v) Incremento de inversión del fondo; vi) Capitalización del recurso humano del fondo.
Para el cumplimiento de sus objetivos FONADEFO, financiaba total o parcialmente programas o proyectos forestales que contribuyeran al mejoramiento del manejo sostenible de los recursos forestales a fin de incrementar el desarrollo económico nacional, la conservación de los recursos naturales, desarrollar el mercado de pagos por servicios ambientales (PSA), contribuyendo de alguna manera al mejoramiento del medio ambiente. En un periodo de diez años de 2006 a 2016, FONADEFO implementó 62 proyectos, beneficiando a Alcaldías municipales, organizaciones de productores, Asociaciones y Pueblos Indígenas. Los beneficios en su mayoría fueron financiados a pequeños y medianos productores:
En el año 2017, se reforma la Ley 462 modificando el funcionamiento del FONADEFO que pasa de ente descentralizado a ente desconcentrado.
Funcionamiento El FONADEFO entra en operaciones en el año 2006, contaba con un personal administrativo y técnicos de seguimiento a los programas y proyectos aprobados mediante un comité regulador con autonomía financiera y personería jurídica propia, hoy FONADEFO con las recientes reformas en la Ley 947141, está dentro de la estructura orgánica, administrativa y adscrito al Instituto Nacional Forestal (INAFOR), como un fondo desconcentrado, teniendo como función la administración de recursos nacionales o internacionales para financiar programas y proyectos forestales que contribuyan a la conservación, fomento y desarrollo sostenible del sector forestal.
El FONADEFO contaba en sus momentos con diferentes instrumentos que operativizaban el accionar del fondo a tal manera que fueron vinculantes estos instrumentos, se contó con: Plan Estratégico, la Ley 462, Ley de Conservación, Fomento y Desarrollo Sostenible del sector forestal, el reglamento de la ley, el reglamento de FONADEFO, los manuales administrativos existentes y documentos de proyectos financiados por FONADEFO, entre los más importantes.
Funciones del FONADEFO
141 Ley 947, Ley de Reforma parcial a la Ley 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y Procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo y Ley 462, Ley de Conservación, Fomento y Desarrollo Sostenible del Sector Forestal, Aprobada el 26 de Abril de 2017.Publicada en La Gaceta No. 87 del 11 de Mayo de 2017. 10
El FONADEFO , tiene definida su visión y misión, en la visión el fondo se destaca como una “Institución líder en el otorgamiento de incentivos a través del financiamiento de programas y proyectos que contribuyan al desarrollo forestal sostenible”. Y en la misión que “Financia programas y proyectos forestales que contribuyan al manejo y aprovechamiento de los ecosistemas forestales del país, con la participación y el protagonismo del sector productivo, familia y comunidad”.
Las Funciones del FONADEFO estaban enmarcadas a: Financiar Programas y Proyectos del Sector Forestal, promover Plantaciones Forestales, Sistemas Agroforestales y Silvopastoriles, Innovación tecnológica en la cadena productiva y Manejo del Sector Forestal, a los que pueden aplicar diferentes gremios como municipalidades, cooperativas, comunidades indígenas, asociaciones gremiales, pequeños y medianos productores, organizaciones no gubernamentales, artesanos del sector madera mueble y universidades. El FONADEFO, toma decisiones colegiadas mediante un Comité Regulador, integrada por: a) El Instituto Nacional Forestal (INAFOR), a través de su Codirector Forestal quien lo presidirá. b) Un miembro del Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público, y c) Un miembro del Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales (MARENA). Actualmente, el INAFOR está actualizando el funcionamiento del Comité Regulador del FONADEFO, que tendrá por objeto regular las actividades técnicas, administrativas y legales del fondo, con fines de financiar programas y proyectos forestales que contribuyan a la conservación, fomento y desarrollo sostenible del sector forestal. En la normativa se propone las iniciativas de los programas y proyectos que potenciales a ser financiados por FONADEFO; entre ellas: 1. Gobernanza e institucionalidad forestal, 2. Reforestación y restauración forestal, 3. Manejo y Conservación forestal, 4. Desarrollo de la industria y comercio forestal, 5. Generación y gestión de conocimiento forestal,6. Adaptación al cambio climático y resiliencia de los bosques, 7. Seguridad alimentaria mediante la promoción de agroforestería y, 8. Energía. Valorando que FONADEFO tiene mucha experiencia en pagos por servicios ambientales, se ha propuesto incluir la modalidad de pagos a proyectos únicamente por resultados verificables dirigidos a la deforestación evitada y restauración en áreas priorizadas por el país.
Fuentes de financiamiento del FONADEFO
La Ley 947, reforma a la Ley forestal No. 462, en su Arto No. 50 enumera las fuentes de financiamiento del FONADEFO, a continuación, lo expresado por la Ley: a) Donaciones que reciba de organismos nacionales e internacionales. b) Los montos acordados en los convenios y acuerdos suscritos a nivel nacional e internacional. c) Las recaudaciones forestales en materia de derechos, multas y subastas por decomiso según la distribución establecida en el artículo 49 de la presente Ley.
11
d) Recursos provenientes de cobros por servicios ambientales que, por su gestión, realicen organizaciones privadas o públicas nacionales. e) Las aportaciones y donaciones de personas naturales o jurídicas de carácter privado, mixto, nacionales e internacionales. f) Otros recursos que pueda captar para cumplir con sus fines El artículo reformado de la Ley 462, ahora establece que “El monto de las recaudaciones que el Estado reciba en concepto de pagos por derecho de aprovechamiento, multas, derechos de vigencia, subastas por decomiso, conforme a lo establecido en la presente Ley y su Reglamento, deberán enterarse en una cuenta especial que para tal efecto llevará la Tesorería General de la República, la que a su vez distribuirá lo recaudado en un plazo no mayor de treinta (30) días de la siguiente forma: 1) En las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Norte y Sur se estará a lo dispuesto en la Ley Nº. 445, Ley del Régimen de Propiedad Comunal de los Pueblos Indígenas y Comunidades Étnicas de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua y de los ríos Bocay, Coco, Indio Maíz, que establece: a) Un 25% para la comunidad o comunidades indígenas donde se encuentre el recurso a aprovechar. b) Un 25% para el municipio en donde se encuentra la comunidad indígena. e) Un 25% para el Consejo Regional y Gobierno Regional correspondiente. d) Un 25% para el Gobierno Central destinados al Instituto Nacional Forestal (INAFOR) a través del Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal (FONADEFO), para la financiación de programas y proyectos forestales
Sistematización de experiencias de FONADEFO FONADEFO desde el año 2006 hasta el 2016 apoyó aproximadamente a 61 proyectos, por un monto total de USD 1.751 millones (C$ 50.63 millones), aportando el 49.3% del monto, lo que representaba USD 0.864 millones (C$ 24.95 millones). El monto aportado por FONADEFO por cada proyecto fue de USD 16.900 (C$ 489,600) y el monto promedio total por proyecto fue de USD 34,349 (C$ 0.992 millones). Por otro lado, solamente el 23.5% del total de proyectos se implementaron en la Costa Caribe, siendo un total de 12 proyectos..
En este mismo período estos 61 proyectos beneficiaron 61,980 personas, de las cuales el 53% han sido mujeres. Los proyectos han intervenido en 3,131 hectáreas en diferentes modalidades de uso de la tierra compatibles con el ambiente, léase; plantaciones forestales, conservación forestal, sistemas agroforestales, conservación de fuentes de agua, entre las principales.
Experiencias desarrolladas en pago de incentivos
FONADEFO desarrolló de manera directa el pago de incentivos forestales dentro estos proyectos ejecutados:
12
Proyecto: Fondo municipal de incentivos forestales del municipio el castillo, departamento de Rio San Juan. Establecimiento de 800 hectáreas de plantaciones puras (295 protagonistas, de los cuales 26 mujeres y 269 hombres).
El pago fue de 100 dólares por ha/año. En un período de cinco años.
Modalidad: Fondos entregados por la Cooperación Austriaca en Administración al FONADEFO mediante Convenio:
Se firma un convenio Protagonista e Institución; los protagonistas establecen sus plantaciones, con asistencia y acompañamiento de parte del personal técnico del proyecto y supervisiones del nivel central, por el establecimiento se les entrega un incentivo, posteriormente cada año de la plantación se les da otro incentivo hasta completar los cinco años programados en el proyecto.
Para poder recibir el incentivo el INAFOR realiza las evaluaciones y avala cuales son los protagonistas que cumplen con los parámetros de evaluación establecidos, posteriormente procedemos a entregar los mismos en efectivo y de manera directa al protagonista en un evento en donde participan autoridades municipales, departamentales, nacionales y protagonistas.
Proyecto: Establecimiento de 200 Has de Sistemas agroforestales(SAF), bajo la modalidad de pago de incentivos en la zona de amortiguamiento de la Reserva Indio Maíz. El Castillo RSJ.
Establecimiento de 200 hectáreas de SAF (84 protagonistas, de los cuales 16 mujeres y 68 hombres).
El pago fue de C$9,000.00 córdobas en los tres años (Cien dólares/Ha/año).
Modalidad: Fondos propios de FONADEFO para institucionalizar la experiencia desarrollada con fondos ADA.
Los protagonistas firman un convenio con FONADEFO, luego establecen sus SAF, con asistencia y acompañamiento técnico del proyecto y supervisiones del nivel central, cada año de la plantación se les da un incentivo hasta completar los tres años programados en el proyecto.
Para poder recibir el incentivo el INAFOR realiza las evaluaciones y avala cuales son los protagonistas que cumplen con los parámetros de evaluación establecidos posteriormente procedemos a entregar los mismos en efectivo de manera directa al
13
protagonista en un evento en donde participan autoridades municipales, departamentales, nacionales y los protagonistas.
Proyecto: Incentivos Forestales a pequeños y medianos productores de la Micro- cuenca TOMABU, Municipio de La Trinidad, Departamento de Estelí.
Establecimiento de SAF (75 protagonistas).
El pago es de U$ 100.00 (Cien dólares/Ha/año), se paga según el porcentaje de prendimiento. Modalidad: Fondos de INAFOR y se realiza transferencia a FONADEFO para realizar los pagos de incentivos cada año. Los protagonistas firman un convenio con INAFOR, luego establecen sus SAF, con asistencia y acompañamiento técnico del INAFOR municipal y central; posteriormente se realizan supervisiones en conjunto INAFOR – FONADEFO para evaluar el estado de los SAF para así pagar los incentivos según los resultados de la evaluación.
Para poder recibir el incentivo el INAFOR realiza las evaluaciones y avala cuales son los protagonistas que cumplen con los parámetros de evaluación establecidos posteriormente procedemos a entregar los mismos en efectivo de manera directa al protagonista en un evento en donde participan autoridades municipales, departamentales, nacionales y los protagonistas.
Proyecto: Apoyo a la cadena de Valor de la Madera (CAVAMA) Pago de incentivos forestales a pequeños y medianos productores de Boaco, Chontales y RACCS.
Establecimiento de SAF y Plantaciones Puras.
Modalidad: Fondos de INAFOR provenientes de UE (Unión Europea), en este proyecto FONADEFO realiza las evaluaciones y certifica el pago de incentivos, recibe apoyo para gastos de funcionamiento.
Los protagonistas firman un convenio con INAFOR, luego establecen sus plantaciones con asistencia y acompañamiento técnico del INAFOR y personal del proyecto; posteriormente FONADEFO realiza supervisiones para evaluar el estado y así pagar los incentivos según los resultados de la evaluación.
La entrega se realiza en efectivo de manera directa al protagonista en un evento en donde participan autoridades municipales, departamentales, nacionales y Protagonistas.
Proyectos financiados por FONADEFO de manera directa
14
Establecimiento de SAF, Plantaciones Puras, protección de zonas de recarga hídrica, conservación de suelo y agua, seguridad alimentaria, entre otros.
Modalidad: Fondos de FONADEFO provenientes de Rentas con Destino Específico Gobierno de Nicaragua.
En estos proyectos FONADEFO firma un convenio con los co-ejecutores (alcaldías u organizaciones), luego desarrollan el proyecto con asistencia y acompañamiento técnico del personal del proyecto; y supervisión de FONADEFO para evaluar el avance y estado de las actividades y así pagar los incentivos según los resultados de la evaluación.
FONADEFO realiza transferencias de manera trimestral a los proyectos, para la ejecución de los mismos y entrega de incentivos económicos.
Con las experiencias antes mencionadas y desarrolladas por el FONADEFO en diferentes áreas del país podemos decir que existen de alguna manera esfuerzos suficientes como mecanismos y pagos así mismo del seguimiento de cada uno de los proyectos a nivel nacional.
El FONADEFO presentaba además de una base legal, un reglamento y una estructura administrativa y técnica suficiente, para operativizar los fondos, adicionalmente se contaba con Estrategia del FONADEFO, que a continuación detallamos. Líneas estratégicas del FONADEFO
Cobertura forestal. Incorporar la Política Nacional de Desarrollo del Sector Forestal y los indicadores del plan estratégico regional de los ecosistemas forestales, en un plan que inicie el año 2012 y poder alcanzar la meta del 2016 con 5,000 has de Regeneración Natural y el establecimiento de plantaciones forestales, agroforestales y Silvo-pastoriles, gestionado con respecto al incremento de la cobertura forestal en Nicaragua.
Deforestación evitada y reducción de degradación de Bosques (ENDE). Promover el proceso de restauración de bosques y el manejo diversificado de los ecosistemas forestales, cofinanciar el manejo diversificado de los bosques en al menos 10 mil Has en comunidades indígenas y rurales. Actualmente el gobierno está promoviendo Estrategia Nacional de Deforestación Evitada (ENDE).
Mercado de servicios y productos eco sistémicos. Facilitar el desarrollo del mercado de servicios eco sistémico (valoración y comercialización de productos y servicios) para efectos de la operatividad del FONADEFO que incluyen regulación hídrica, fijación de carbono, conservación de la biodiversidad, belleza escénica, bio-comercio, producción de oxígeno, ecoturismo, conservación de suelos y estabilización de taludes. Facilitando la incorporación de al menos 2,500 hectáreas de bosque y/o plantaciones al mercado de productos y servicios eco-sistémicos.
15
Desarrollo tecnológico. Fomentar la innovación tecnológica y el desarrollo de la cadena productiva forestal tanto maderable y no maderable al menos 10 proyectos para el quinquenio. Se tiene la meta estratégica de gestionar e intermediar los recursos económicos, para el desarrollo de la cadena productiva y mejorando los ingresos al menos en un 25% de las familias beneficiadas por los proyectos.
Documentos de referencia Ley 462, Ley de conservación fomento y desarrollo sostenible del sector forestal, aprobada en junio del 2003 y publicada en la Gaceta diario oficial N0. 168 del 04 de septiembre de 2003.
Ley 947, Ley de Reforma parcial a la Ley 290, Ley de Organización, Competencia y Procedimientos del Poder Ejecutivo y Ley 462, Ley de Conservación, Fomento y Desarrollo Sostenible del Sector Forestal, Aprobada el 26 de Abril de 2017.Publicada en La Gaceta No. 87 del 11 de Mayo de 2017.
Sistematización de FONADEFO, elaborado por INAFOR. 2018
16