On this page you can find all frequently asked questions about Forest Day 3
Forest Day 3 is an international conference in Copenhagen on the interaction between forests and climate. Forest Day 3 focuses on the challenges and possibilities faced by the forests under the expected future climate changes and the possibility for signing of a new climate agreement in Copenhagen under COP15.
Forest Day 3 covers two events: A large international conference on the Radisson Blu Falconer Hotel and Conference Center on Sunday 13. Dec 2009. The following day, Monday 14. Dec., there are field trips to forest areas in North Zeeland (see Q13).
No. Forest Day 3 is intentionally coinciding with COP15, since many of the issues addressed on Forest Day 3 are central to the climate negotiations. However, Forest Day 3 is not a part of COP15.
Forest Day 3 is organised by the Danish government in collaboration with a number of international forest and environmental organisations – the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF).
The primary organisers inDenmark are the Danish Ministry of the Environment,Forest and Nature Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate and Energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
In CFP, the organisation is lead by CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research).
The other Forest Day 3 stakeholders are: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), The Global Environment Facility (GEF), The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), The Global Network for Forest Science Cooperation (IUFRO), The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The united nations environment programme (UNEP), United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), The Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD), The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), The World Bank, and The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Danish Ministry of the Environment,Forest and Nature Agency organises Forest Day 3.
The Danish Minister of the Environment hosts Forest Day 3 and will open the conference. He will also contribute to the further communication of the outcome of the conference.
Up to 1500 participants are expected, including representatives from intergovernmental organizations, governments, research, environmental organisations and private companies.
The purpose is to discuss – and bring solutions – to the most eminent global challenges in forest management. This will be based on the expected climate changes and the possibilities, which may arise from any new climate agreement in Copenhagen.
Trees and forests bind CO2 and store it in wood. This reduces the green house effect. When trees are harvested, a part of the carbon will still remain stored in the wood, and if a new tree is planted, the growth of the new forest will absorb even more CO2 from the atmosphere. Especially the tropics are deforested, without following reforestation. In many cases, the forest is cleared by burning the old forest to clear land for cultivation of for example oil palms, cattle or soy beans. Consequently, large amounts of CO2 are released to the atmosphere, increasing global warming.
It has been estimated that deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics accounts for up to 17 to 20 percent of the global green house gas emissions. This is actually more than the total contribution from transport.
Globally the areas covered by forest decrease. The latest assessments from The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicate that a total area of 12.9 mio hectares is deforested yearly. This corresponds to 3 times the area ofDenmark. The majority of this deforestation takes place in the tropics.
In some countries, however, the forest area increases. In these countries, there is a total increase of 5.6 mio hectares. It happens because of afforestation and natural growth (succession) primarily in the northern hemisphere.China creates most new forest.
So while 12.9 mio hectares of forest is lost every year in some countries, 5.6 mio hectares is added in others. Thus, the global net loss of forest is 7.3 mio hectares. These numbers are the latest available. New data is currently being gathered by FAO and is expected to be published soon.
Yes, but it is over booked, so registration is closed.
1500 participants are expected.
The Danish Ministry of the Environment, Forest and Nature Agency has organised Forest Day 3 Field Trips, on Monday 14 December 2009. Participants can choose of three tours, all going to forests near Copenhagen. They will highlight different challenges and opportunities for sustainable forest management in Denmark, in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation. All field trips will end with a visit and a reception at the historic castle of Kronborg in Elsinore.
Registration for field trips is still open. There are only few places left – so be alert!
The programme and other information about Forest Day 3 is found on CIFORs web page. CIFOR is the main collaborative partner of the Danish Ministry of the Environment on Forest Day 3 together with a number of international organisations.