Ram Pandit’s Post

Here’s a tree-planting initiative that’s working the way it should. As the article states, many programs to plant trees are not successful: “…after the initial day or two of publicity, there is rarely sufficient irrigation, protection and other follow-up to ensure seeds and saplings grow into trunks and branches. Often such […] initiatives are little more than greenwashing distractions from far greater forest destruction elsewhere.” Moreover, these programs tend to plant monocultures that lack the diversity of species required for a healthy forest. If you’re interested in supporting tree-planting, which is a worthy cause, be sure it’s a program that’s doing it well and isn’t just another vehicle for green-washing. https://lnkd.in/gV-cZR_P

🌐🌲 New Zealand's Planting Numbers Off as New Government Bets Big on Tree Offsets 🚨 New Zealanders have until August 21, 2024, to submit their responses to the draft emissions reduction plan. The Luxon government heavily relies on forest sequestration as a key strategy to meet climate targets, promoting it as the best "low-cost method" for achieving these goals. 🔍 Key Insights: 1️⃣ Discrepancy in Planting Numbers: New Zealand’s tree planting numbers are falling significantly short of the government’s projections for 2024. According to James Treadwell, president of New Zealand’s Institute of Foresters, current planting is about half of what was projected, raising concerns about further declines next year. 2️⃣ Regulatory Focus: The draft emissions reduction plan, published by Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, emphasises forest sequestration as a “least-cost” net emissions approach. While the plan acknowledges the risks associated with relying on forestry, it underscores the economic benefits of using exotic trees like pine trees over more aggressive emission cuts. 3️⃣ Industry Concerns: While welcoming the government's focus on emission reductions, Mr Treadwell advocates for a more realistic approach to afforestation targets and more precise guidelines on restrictions. He stresses the need for transparency and accurate forecasting to ensure that afforestation efforts are not hindered and that New Zealand can effectively meet its climate objectives. 🪵 The draft plan highlights that New Zealand has maximum emissions budgets set for each year until 2035, with a gradual reduction from 71 million tonnes this year to 49 million tonnes by 2035. However, projections indicate that New Zealand will be significantly over budget from 2031 to 2035, partly due to policy changes under the current government. 🔗 Learn more about New Zealand’s planting numbers and the implications of the new emissions reduction plan: https://lnkd.in/gGj8xkR4 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can countries balance the need for cost-effective climate strategies with the risks of relying on forestry offsets? What measures can ensure that afforestation targets are realistic and achievable? Share your insights. 💬 Join the conversation on sustainable climate strategies, regulatory impacts, and the future of afforestation. #emissionsreduction #climatechange #forestry #afforestation #sustainability #nz #environmentalpolicy #woodcentral #climateaction #treeplanting #carbonoffsets #governmentpolicy #woodcentralau1

🌐🌲 New Zealand's Planting Numbers Off as New Government Bets Big on Tree Offsets 🚨 New Zealanders have until August 21, 2024, to submit their responses to the draft emissions reduction plan. The Luxon government heavily relies on forest sequestration as a key strategy to meet climate targets, promoting it as the best "low-cost method" for achieving these goals. 🔍 Key Insights: 1️⃣ Discrepancy in Planting Numbers: New Zealand’s tree planting numbers are falling significantly short of the government’s projections for 2024. According to James Treadwell, president of New Zealand’s Institute of Foresters, current planting is about half of what was projected, raising concerns about further declines next year. 2️⃣ Regulatory Focus: The draft emissions reduction plan, published by Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, emphasises forest sequestration as a “least-cost” net emissions approach. While the plan acknowledges the risks associated with relying on forestry, it underscores the economic benefits of using exotic trees like pine trees over more aggressive emission cuts. 3️⃣ Industry Concerns: While welcoming the government's focus on emission reductions, Mr Treadwell advocates for a more realistic approach to afforestation targets and more precise guidelines on restrictions. He stresses the need for transparency and accurate forecasting to ensure that afforestation efforts are not hindered and that New Zealand can effectively meet its climate objectives. 🪵 The draft plan highlights that New Zealand has maximum emissions budgets set for each year until 2035, with a gradual reduction from 71 million tonnes this year to 49 million tonnes by 2035. However, projections indicate that New Zealand will be significantly over budget from 2031 to 2035, partly due to policy changes under the current government. 🔗 Learn more about New Zealand’s planting numbers and the implications of the new emissions reduction plan: https://lnkd.in/gGj8xkR4 (https://lnkd.in/gGj8xkR4) 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can countries balance the need for cost-effective climate strategies with the risks of relying on forestry offsets? What measures can ensure that afforestation targets are realistic and achievable? Share your insights. 💬 Join the conversation on sustainable climate strategies, regulatory impacts, and the future of afforestation. #emissionsreduction #climatechange #forestry #afforestation #sustainability #nz #environmentalpolicy #woodcentral #climateaction #treeplanting #carbonoffsets #governmentpolicy #woodcentralau1

🌐🌲 New Zealand's Planting Numbers Off as New Government Bets Big on Tree Offsets 🚨 New Zealanders have until August 21, 2024, to submit their responses to the draft emissions reduction plan. The Luxon government heavily relies on forest sequestration as a key strategy to meet climate targets, promoting it as the best "low-cost method" for achieving these goals. 🔍 Key Insights: 1️⃣ Discrepancy in Planting Numbers: New Zealand’s tree planting numbers are falling significantly short of the government’s projections for 2024. According to James Treadwell, president of New Zealand’s Institute of Foresters, current planting is about half of what was projected, raising concerns about further declines next year. 2️⃣ Regulatory Focus: The draft emissions reduction plan, published by Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, emphasises forest sequestration as a “least-cost” net emissions approach. While the plan acknowledges the risks associated with relying on forestry, it underscores the economic benefits of using exotic trees like pine trees over more aggressive emission cuts. 3️⃣ Industry Concerns: While welcoming the government's focus on emission reductions, Mr Treadwell advocates for a more realistic approach to afforestation targets and more precise guidelines on restrictions. He stresses the need for transparency and accurate forecasting to ensure that afforestation efforts are not hindered and that New Zealand can effectively meet its climate objectives. 🪵 The draft plan highlights that New Zealand has maximum emissions budgets set for each year until 2035, with a gradual reduction from 71 million tonnes this year to 49 million tonnes by 2035. However, projections indicate that New Zealand will be significantly over budget from 2031 to 2035, partly due to policy changes under the current government. 🔗 Learn more about New Zealand’s planting numbers and the implications of the new emissions reduction plan: https://lnkd.in/gGj8xkR4 (https://lnkd.in/gGj8xkR4) 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can countries balance the need for cost-effective climate strategies with the risks of relying on forestry offsets? What measures can ensure that afforestation targets are realistic and achievable? Share your insights. 💬 Join the conversation on sustainable climate strategies, regulatory impacts, and the future of afforestation. #emissionsreduction #climatechange #forestry #afforestation #sustainability #nz #environmentalpolicy #woodcentral #climateaction #treeplanting #carbonoffsets #governmentpolicy #woodcentralau1

Massive tree planting in Tanzania started in 1967 by starting a campaign to plant trees in villages. The campaigns continued in the 1980s in areas affected by deforestation and soil erosion (Soil Conservation and Agroforestry Program, SCAPA; Soil Erosion Control and Agroforestry Project, SECAP), and to conserve land (Hifadhi Ardhi Dodoma, HADO; Hifadhi Ardhi Shinyanga, HASHI ; and Hifadhi Mazingira Iringa, HIMA). The projects and programs aimed to conserve land, water sources and restore degraded areas. Also, they were encouraging the planting of trees for fruit, firewood, wood, and other needs collection. In 2006, Tanzania implemented a strategy to reduce the damage of the environment and water sources (Urgent Action on Land Degradation and Water Catchment). This strategy targeted each district to plant 1,500,000 saplings per year and each household was required to plant at least 10 trees per year. During the celebrations of the International Day of Forests and National Tree Planting Day in Same district, Kilimanjaro region on March 21, 2024, The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania Hon. Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango officially launched the National Guideline for Trees Planting and Conservation (Mwongozo wa Kitaifa wa Upandaji na Utunzaji wa Miti). This guideline has been prepared with the aim of explaining the best ways to plant and care for trees in various environments such as; recreational areas live, plantation, urban agriculture, road reserves, water source reserves, housing, and social service areas to combat the effects of climate change, conserve water sources, prevent soil erosion, improve living organisms habitats and ensure the availability of forest products. I invite you to read this guideline and share this information to stakeholders around the world to continue to conserving the environment and achieve sustainable development. WWF, The Nature Conservancy, Carbon Tanzania

🌐🌲 New Zealand's Planting Numbers Off as New Government Bets Big on Tree Offsets 🚨 New Zealanders have until August 21, 2024, to submit their responses to the draft emissions reduction plan. The Luxon government heavily relies on forest sequestration as a key strategy to meet climate targets, promoting it as the best "low-cost method" for achieving these goals. 🔍 Key Insights: 1️⃣ Discrepancy in Planting Numbers: New Zealand’s tree planting numbers are falling significantly short of the government’s projections for 2024. According to James Treadwell, president of New Zealand’s Institute of Foresters, current planting is about half of what was projected, raising concerns about further declines next year. 2️⃣ Regulatory Focus: The draft emissions reduction plan, published by Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, emphasises forest sequestration as a “least-cost” net emissions approach. While the plan acknowledges the risks associated with relying on forestry, it underscores the economic benefits of using exotic trees like pine trees over more aggressive emission cuts. 3️⃣ Industry Concerns: While welcoming the government's focus on emission reductions, Mr Treadwell advocates for a more realistic approach to afforestation targets and more precise guidelines on restrictions. He stresses the need for transparency and accurate forecasting to ensure that afforestation efforts are not hindered and that New Zealand can effectively meet its climate objectives. 🪵 The draft plan highlights that New Zealand has maximum emissions budgets set for each year until 2035, with a gradual reduction from 71 million tonnes this year to 49 million tonnes by 2035. However, projections indicate that New Zealand will be significantly over budget from 2031 to 2035, partly due to policy changes under the current government. 🔗 Learn more about New Zealand’s planting numbers and the implications of the new emissions reduction plan: https://lnkd.in/gGj8xkR4 (https://lnkd.in/gGj8xkR4) 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can countries balance the need for cost-effective climate strategies with the risks of relying on forestry offsets? What measures can ensure that afforestation targets are realistic and achievable? Share your insights. 💬 Join the conversation on sustainable climate strategies, regulatory impacts, and the future of afforestation. #emissionsreduction #climatechange #forestry #afforestation #sustainability #nz #environmentalpolicy #woodcentral #climateaction #treeplanting #carbonoffsets #governmentpolicy #woodcentralau1

Our community sits amidst one of the largest forests in the world – in fact Alberta has more acres that are SFM-certified than almost every other country in the world. That’s impressive. SFM is Sustainable Forest Management. It ensures that the harvesting of trees and use of the forests is done in a way that maintains their biodiversity and regenerative ability, and that how they’re used doesn’t damage other nearby ecosystems. Canada and Alberta are world leaders in SFM forests. Total income from the forestry sector grew by over 100% between 2006 and 2021 in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. It’s a sector that’s innovating to provide valuable new products, decrease waste, and contribute to the economy of the future. Interested in what that looks like? Read this recent report from Alberta Forestry and Parks: Alberta’s Forest Economy. https://buff.ly/3uLPSTU

How can public-private partnerships work for agroforestry? I've been sitting in on the Tompkins County Water Resources Council meetings for a few months now, and today I presented on Agroforestry and Water Quality. 1 acre of parking lot creates the same amount of flood runoff as 36 acres of forest – and it's only a matter of time before Ithaca gets Asheville'd (that's 0% alarmist and 100% candid). Buffers with trees in them absorb 4-5x as much nutrient runoff as grass alone, and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) really stymie the swimming suitability of Cayuga Lake. Ithaca is unique: it's Tompkins County's main municipality, and it has 6+ creeks flowing right into downtown. Flooding is a massive concern, and even with plans to dredge Cayuga Inlet (the choke point for flooding): "Green infrastructure upstream takes the strain off of grey infrastructure downstream." For the ecological economics nerds: Ithaca is ideal for monopsonistic payments for ecosystem services, which is one of the replicable ways society actually pays for nature. Pictured is a small riparian buffer we planted in Danby, on Buttermilk Creek, in one of the two highest-priority watersheds. The next step here is systematizing funding agroforestry for flood mitigation. My take is that a municipal green bond, backed by both PES and timber revenue, is scalable, highly replicable, and can be tailored to diverse local contexts. Open to feedback here, but otherwise: onward. Plant the trees.

Why is it so important to prioritize local engagement and equitable benefits in forestry projects? Because forests do well if people do well. Resilient communities and healthy ecosystems go hand in hand — and restoring our planet means developing projects with both social and ecological integrity. Let's collaborate for a greener, more sustainable future. Read more: https://refore.st/4a2Qe80