Mitigation and adaptation: Managing forest conflicts in the context of climate change
Course focus
Climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts can increase the risk for conflict over forests and land, particularly when new policies affect tenure arrangements and rights. Newly introduced climate-related measures have led to increased claims over forests and land. Especially with the expected progress of REDD+ in the coming years, attention must be paid to multiple stakeholder interests, and the potential conflicts that may arise over forestlands.
This five-day course explores this nexus of forestry and conflict management in the context of climate change. Putting people at the heart of forest management, the course aims to build the capacity of forest sector stakeholders and conflict management practitioners to prevent and manage conflict in support of community forestry development.
Course objectives
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the scope and nature of conflicts regarding natural resource management, including impacts of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
- Analyze natural resource management conflict;
- Assess and develop strategies for managing conflict and options presented by mitigation and adaptation measures; and
- Communicate, mediate, and negotiate to build long-lasting agreements.
Course content
The course will be built around the following pillars:
- Understanding the context of conflict in community forestry in Southeast Asia;
- Defining and analyzing forest conflict and the risks of conflict emerging from climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts;
- Developing alternative approaches to conflict management, and increasing capacity in negotiation and mediation.
A wide range of methods will be used, including examination of case studies, group discussions, role-play, expert presentations, and a field visit to a site where climate change mitigation is piloted.
Facilitators
Experienced trainers from RECOFTC and local trainers will facilitate the course activities.