Making trees count: MRV of agroforestry under the UNFCCC

Abstract

Agroforestry—the integration of trees with crops and livestock—is not mentioned explicitly in the UNFCCC’s Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture. However, agroforestry generates many benefits directly relevant to the topics addressed, including: (i) building resilience, (ii) increasing soil carbon and improving soil health, (iii) providing fodder and shade for sustainable livestock production and (iv) diversifying human diets and economic opportunities. Despite its significance, agroforestry may not be included in measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems under the UNFCCC. Here we report on a first appraisal of how agroforestry is treated in national MRV systems under the UNFCCC. We examined national communications (NCs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 147 countries, 73 countries’ REDD+ strategies and plans, and 283 Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and conducted interviews with representative of 17 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our assessment found that there is a significant gap between national ambition and national ability to measure and report on agroforestry. Forty percent of the countries assessed explicitly propose agroforestry as a solution in their NDCs, with agroforestry being embraced most widely in Africa (71%) and less broadly in the Americas (34%), Asia (21%) and Oceania (7%). Seven countries have proposed 10 agroforestry-based NAMAs. Of 73 developing countries that have REDD+ strategies, about 50% identify agroforestry as a way to combat drivers of forest decline. Despite intentions, however, agroforestry is still not visible in many MRV systems. For example, though 66% of the countries reported non-forest trees in national inventory, only 11% gave a quantitative estimate of number of trees or areal extent. Interviews revealed a suite of definitional, institutional, technical and financial challenges preventing more comprehensive and transparent inclusion of agroforestry in MRV system. This absence has serious implications. If such trees are not counted in inventories or climate change programs, then in many ways they don’t count. Only if agroforestry resources are measured, reported and verified will they gain access to finance and other support. The paper will discuss finding of the assessment, successes and specific Investments needed to help ability match ambition