Human Development Report 2007/2008: fighting climate change: human solidarity in a divided world

https://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2014/nrs_2014_stanturf_002.pdf

Contemporary forest restoration: A review emphasizing function

One of the fundamental questions in the global climate
negotiations is: what level of “ambition”, in terms of collective
emission reductions, is needed to protect global climate? To
help answer this question UNEP and the scientific community
have published a series of reports on the “emissions gap1”
since 2010. Of particular interest to the ambition question is
the gap in 2020 between emission levels consistent with the
2oC climate target and emissions levels projected if country
reduction pledges are fulfilled. If there is a gap, then there is
doubt that the ambition of countries is great enough to meet
the agreed-upon 2oC climate target
In the 2010 Emissions Gap Report, scientists indicated that
there would likely be a substantial emissions gap in 2020,
although estimates of this gap ranged widely, depending on
assumptions about how country pledges would be complied
with. In the 2011 Bridging the Emissions Gap Report,
scientists noted that enough technical potential existed
to close the gap in 2020, but fast action by countries was
needed.
UNEP has now convened a group of 55 scientists and
experts from 43 scientific groups across 22 countries to
produce this third emissions gap report which covers the
following:
• An update of global greenhouse gas emission estimates,
based on a number of different authoritative scientific
sources;
• An overview of national emission levels, both current
(2010) and projected (2020) consistent with current
pledges and other commitments;
• An estimate of the level of global emissions consistent
with the two degree target in 2020, 2030 and 2050;
• An update of the assessment of the emissions gap for
2020;
• A review of selected examples of the rapid progress
being made in different parts of the world to
implement policies already leading to substantial
emission reductions. These policies could contribute
significantly to narrowing the gap if they are scaled up
and replicated in other countries.

The Emissions Gap Report 2012

Ecosystems provide important services that can help people adapt to climate variability and change. Recognizing this role of ecosystems, several international and nongovernmental organizations have promoted an ecosystem-based approach to adaptation. We review the scientific literature related to ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) with forests and trees, and highlight five cases in which forests and trees can support adaptation: (1) forests and trees providing goods to local communities facing climatic threats; (2) trees in agricultural fields regulating water, soil, and microclimate for more resilient production; (3) forested watersheds regulating water and protecting soils for reduced climate impacts; (4) forests protecting coastal areas from climate-related threats; and (5) urban forests and trees regulating temperature and water for resilient cities. The literature provides evidence that EBA with forests and trees can reduce social vulnerability to climate hazards; however, uncertainties and knowledge gaps remain, particularly for regulating services in watersheds and coastal areas. Few studies have been undertaken on EBA specifically, but the abundant literature on ecosystem services can be used to fill knowledge gaps. Many studies assess the multiple benefits of ecosystems for human adaptation or well-being, but also recognize trade-offs between ecosystem services. Better understanding is needed of the efficiency, costs, and benefits, and trade-offs of EBA with forests and trees. Pilot projects under implementation could serve as learning sites and existing information could be systematized and revisited with a climate change adaptation lens.  2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

/pdf/forests-and-trees-for-social-adaptation-to-climate-31mya75mx4.pdf

Forests and trees for social adaptation to climate variability and change

https://www.bioversityinternational.org/uploads/tx_news/Vinceti_ManagementofTreeGeneticResources_1868.pdf

The management of tree genetic resources and the livelihoods of rural communities in the tropics: non-timber forest products, smallholder agroforestry practices and tree commodity crops

Eric Haglund

Papers

Dry land tree management for improved household livelihoods: farmer managed natural regeneration in Niger.