WE ARE SOLDOUT

Days
Hrs
Mins
Secs

Blog

10 Opportunities to Build Resilience to Climate, COVID and Economic Crises in Asia

By

David Ganz

Share

3 min read

In June, a forest community in northern Thailand was awarded the prestigious Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). With some support from RECOFTC and our partners, the Wetland Forest Conservation Group of the village Boon Rueang convinced the government to conserve the largest wetland forest in the Ing River basin rather than develop a special economic zone. Since that momentous achievement, made through advocacy and dialogue, the Group has pioneered a community forestry model that is successfully protecting biodiversity, storing carbon, providing food and livelihoods, and enabling the community to preserve its identity and culture. This model even helped the community successfully weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pioneering models for sustainable development

I look forward to celebrating this amazing achievement with the community and to helping the people of Boon Rueang share their knowledge and experiences with the broader region and the world.

The lesson I want most to share is this: Forest communities are resilient, versatile, adaptable, knowledgeable and terrific organizers. They can be our steadfast partners in resolving the most complex and intractable social, economic and environmental problems we face today—even the twin crises of COVID-19 and climate change.

Indeed, Boon Rueang points to a way forward. The people of Boon Rueang have demonstrated the power of nature-based solutions for tackling climate change, environmental issues and poverty.

Nature-based solutions

As partners for impact investors, forest communities have the knowledge and motivation to bring about lasting changes that will benefit all of society. The forest is their home. They want to protect it.

But where and how do we invest?

At RECOFTC we are working with thousands of communities in the Asia Pacific region. Here, more than 450 million people depend on forests to survive. They are Indigenous Peoples, ethnic groups, women, youth, migrants and others. By empowering them, we build the planet’s and humanity’s resilience to crises. To give you some idea of scale, in 2018 and 2019 RECOFTC’s investments benefited more than seven million households and 20 million hectares of forest. Those forests, the places where these communities live, are our buffer against climate change, our reservoirs of biodiversity and the sources of water for millions downstream.

Building back better

If you want to combat climate change and achieve the SDGs through impact investments, and build back better in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, these communities can be your steadfast partners too.

There are many resilience-building entry points for investment. Here are 10 opportunities:

1. De-risking investment

2. Securing supply chains

3. Developing inclusive forest-based businesses for women and other marginalized groups

4. Diversifying products, food systems and markets

5. Formalizing tenure rights

6. Restoring forest landscapes

7. Building legitimate partnerships, transforming conflict into collaboration

8. Strengthening forest governance

9. Combating illegal activity

10. Bridging the digital divide

I recommend that we not just invest in a commodity, but invest in a whole landscape of goods and services that can come from community forests and lands. Ultimately, this will help build long-term resilience within the community, the forest and the world.

I see resilience, safety and security in diversification from the forest to consumer. But we need to provide the right incentives for a broader basket of goods and services coming from our forests. And the price must reflect the true value of the forest to the world, especially as we aim to prevent the transfer of zoonotic diseases.

AVPN members, like those of us who work at RECOFTC, are investing in and working toward a future where people live equitably and sustainably in and beside healthy, resilient forests. I invite you to join us in engaging with and investing in forest communities in the Asia Pacific. As the trusted broker of communities, governments and civil society organizations in this region, we can connect you and provide expert support.

References

A. Environmental Stewardship
To protect the environment, we organize programmes like mangrove nursery and Reforestation, Coastal and River Clean-Up, Community Based Environmental Solid Waste Management, Environmental IEC Campaign and Eco-Academy

B. Food Security and Sustainable Livelihood
To ensure a sustainable livelihood for the community, eco-tourism include Buhatan River Cruise Visitor Center Buhatan River Mangrove Boardwalk are run by the community. Others include Organic Vegetable and Root crops Farming, Vegetable and Root crops Chips and by-products Processing and establishing a Zero waste store.

C. Empowered Communities
To empower the community, we provide product and Agri-Enterprise Development Training, Immersion and Learnings Exchange Program, Earth Warrior Training and Community Based Social Entrepreneurship Training

Author

David Ganz

David is Executive Director of RECOFTC. He joined RECOFTC amid growing recognition that securing the land and resource rights of forest communities lays the essential foundation for peace, economic development and climate change mitigation and adaptation. David is a strong advocate for community forestry as an entry point for achieving the SDGs and for path-breaking private sector models that respect local rights and deliver lasting and tangible benefits for people and forests in the Asia Pacific region. David joined RECOFTC in 2017 from SERVIR-Mekong, a joint USAID NASA Initiative, where he was Chief of Party since 2014. Previously he was Chief of Party for Winrock International?s Lowering Emissions in Asia?s Forests (USAID LEAF) Program, which strengthened the capacity of developing countries in Asia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry. David served as a director with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and a technical officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). David has a Ph.D. in environmental science, policy and management.

Did you enjoy reading this?

You might also be interested in

Blog

The Utility of Blended Teaching and Learning

Blog

Asia’s premier Social Investing & Philanthropy conference – Video, Photos and Reports Out Now!

Blog

What Social Change Looks Like When Communities Decide for Themselves