2013年林业应对气候变化

政策与行动白皮书

 

国家林业局

2014年2月

 

 

2013年林业应对气候变化

政策与行动白皮书

White Paper -- China’s Forestry Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change(2013)

国家林业局

2014年2月

State Forestry Administration，P.R.China

February 2014

 

目  录

一、加强宏观指导 1

二、强化组织领导 2

三、增加森林碳汇 3

四、减少林业排放 4

五、推进全国林业碳汇计量监测体系建设 6

六、突出林业应对气候变化技术规范建设 6

七、加强林业应对气候变化政策研究 7

八、抓好林业应对气候变化科技支撑 8

九、积极参与履约谈判 9

十、切实开展机关节能 10

十一、认真抓好宣传培训 11

后记 13

2013年林业应对气候变化

政策与行动白皮书

2013年，是贯彻落实党的十八大精神的开局之年，是全面完成“十二五”规划任务的关键之年。按照党中央、国务院决策部署，国家林业局紧紧围绕《“十二五”控制温室气体排放工作方案》和《林业应对气候变化“十二五”行动要点》，扎实推进林业应对气候变化工作并取得新的进展，为实现林业“双增”目标、增加林业碳汇、服务国家气候变化内政外交工作大局作出了积极贡献。

一、加强宏观指导

2013年7月20日，习近平总书记在给生态文明贵阳国际论坛的贺信中指出，“保护生态环境，应对气候变化，维护能源资源安全，是全球面临的共同挑战”。这为进一步做好新形势下林业应对气候变化工作指明了方向。5月24日，国家发展改革委解振华副主任应邀到国家林业局，以“建设生态文明、应对气候变化”为主题作了专题辅导报告，从宏观战略层面深入分析了建设生态文明和应对气候变化的形势任务，为进一步做好林业应对气候变化和林业推进生态文明建设提出了目标要求。国家林业局印发了《2013年林业应对气候变化重点工作安排与分工方案》，明确了2013年的重点任务和工作分工，启动了REDD+行动年，从减缓和适应两个层面统筹部署林业应对气候变化各项工作。

二、强化组织领导

根据多哈气候谈判大会后国内外新形势，国家林业局及时组织召开了应对气候变化领导小组第八次会议。为落实领导小组会议精神，认真研究提出了《关于建立林业应对气候变化工作框架的报告》。调整重组了领导小组组成，明确由赵树丛局长担任领导小组组长，印红副局长、张永利副局长担任副组长，国家林业局气候办继续设在造林司，由造林司司长担任主任兼部门联络员。领导小组下设工作组，实行以工作组为责任主体的组长负责制，形成了职责分工更加明确、协调运转更为高效的组织架构。

三、增加森林碳汇

围绕实现“森林面积净增4000万公顷”的目标，加紧组织实施《全国造林绿化规划纲要（2011-2020年）》，稳步推进造林绿化。2013年，全国完成造林面积9138万亩、义务植树25.2亿株，分别占全年计划101.5%和100.8%。碳汇造林稳步推进，截至2013年，累计在18个省（区、市）完成碳汇造林30多万亩。围绕实现“森林蓄积量净增13亿立方米”的目标，积极推动森林抚育补贴试点转向全面开展森林经营。下达2013年森林抚育计划1.05亿亩，其中争取中央财政森林抚育补贴资金58亿多元。实际完成森林抚育1.19亿亩，超额完成全年计划任务。按照国务院统一部署，组织制定了森林增长指标监测评估实施方案和森林增长指标中期评估评分手册，开展了国家“十二五”规划纲要中确定的省级森林覆盖率和森林蓄积量两项约束性指标中期评估。结果显示，全国森林面积增加约750万公顷、森林蓄积量增长约6亿立方米，分别超中期预期目标值20%和1倍。在国家控制温室气体排放地方政府试考核评价中，27个省（区、市）森林增长指标获得满分。森林面积进一步扩大，森林质量进一步提高，森林碳汇能力进一步增强，为确保实现林业“双增”目标及为实现国家“40%-45%”目标作出贡献奠定了坚实基础。

四、减少林业排放

全面加强森林管理、湿地保护和荒漠化治理力度，努力减少林业领域的碳排放。一是强化森林资源保护管理。严格实施林地保护利用规划，积极推进林木采伐管理改革，强化森林资源管理和监督执法，坚决遏制林地流失势头，努力减少林地流失和森林资源破坏导致的森林碳排放。二是强化森林防火。2013年，全国发生森林火灾次数、受害森林面积、人员伤亡与前三年同期均值相比，分别下降33.2%、55.1%和23.6%，火灾次数、受害森林面积连续五年下降，有效降低了火灾导致的森林碳排放。三是强化林业有害生物防控。严格落实重大林业有害生物防控责任制，着力应对外来重大有害生物入侵，积极推进有害生物无公害防治，有害生物成灾率连续四年控制在5‰以下，大力减少了林业虫灾导致的森林碳排放。四是强化湿地保护恢复。投入调查人员2.2万多人、资金近4亿元，完成第二次全国湿地资源调查，新增国际重要湿地5处，制定了第一部国家层面的部门规章《湿地保护管理规定》，全面加强自然湿地保护，推进退化湿地恢复，维护湿地碳库总体稳定，减少湿地碳排放。五是强化荒漠化防治。2013年，在7省（区）30个县启动了沙化土地封禁保护补助试点，遏制人为破坏，促进封禁保护区内植被恢复。启动实施了京津风沙源治理二期工程，扎实推进石漠化综合治理工程，严格实行禁止滥开垦、禁止滥放牧、禁止滥樵采的“三禁”制度，保护林草植被，巩固治理成果，减少人为植被破坏引起的碳排放。

五、推进全国林业碳汇计量监测体系建设

2013年，林业碳汇计量监测体系建设实现全国覆盖，取得重大进展。一是完成了森林碳汇计量监测基础数据库和参数模型库建设，出台了主要乔木树种的立木生物量模型及碳计量参数，初步建成了全国森林碳汇计量监测体系，具备了运用调查实测成果科学测算我国森林碳储量和碳汇量的能力。二是启动实施省级体系建设试点，编制了《土地利用变化和林业碳监测试点技术方案》，制定了林业应对气候变化相关活动基础数据指标体系，为解决土地利用变化和林业活动引起的碳汇核算奠定了基础。三是编制了《红树林湿地碳监测技术方案》，启动了红树林湿地碳储量调查工作，完成了全国重点省份泥炭沼泽湿地碳库调查准备。四是组织编制了全国林业碳汇计量监测体系建设年度报告和全国林业碳汇计量监测总体方案。五是积极协调推进陆地生态系统碳监测卫星项目立项，取得了积极进展。

六、突出林业应对气候变化技术规范建设

加强技术标准规范建设，建立健全林业应对气候变化技术制度体系。一是为加强林业碳汇相关技术标准规范组织研究和制修订工作，积极协调筹建全国林业碳汇标准化技术委员会。二是组织完成了《碳汇造林技术规程》、《造林项目碳汇计量监测指南》、《立木生物量建模样本采集技术规程》、《立木生物量建模方法技术规程》4项林业行业标准的制定工作。三是积极协调各方，组织完成了《碳汇造林项目方法学》、《竹子造林碳汇项目方法学》、《森林经营碳汇项目方法学》三个林业碳汇项目方法学的备案发布。四是《林业碳汇项目审定核查指南》获得林业行业标准立项。

七、加强林业应对气候变化政策研究

积极探索政策创新研究，努力构建林业应对气候变化政策支撑体系。一是加强林业碳汇交易政策研究。集中力量研究新西兰碳排放交易计划，开展政策调研，提出了《借鉴新西兰碳排放交易经验，积极推进我国林业碳汇交易工作》的政策建议报告。为加强林业碳汇交易的宏观指导和规范管理，组织起草了《国家林业局关于推进林业碳汇交易工作的指导意见》。二是加强林业应对气候变化立法研究。积极参与国家应对气候变化立法进程，组织开展了应对气候变化立法林业问题深化研究，加快《森林法》修改进程，在已形成的《森林法修改草案》中拟增加发展碳汇造林、开展碳汇计量监测、推进林业碳汇交易的相关规定。三是积极参与《国家适应气候变化战略》编制。配合国家发展改革委完成了《国家适应气候变化战略》编制工作，明确了林业适应气候变化的重点建设任务和试点示范工程。

八、抓好林业应对气候变化科技支撑

加大科研力度，做实林业应对气候变化科技支撑。一是加强林业响应技术研究。组织开展了森林生态系统对气候变化的响应规律研究、典型湖泊沼泽湿地生态系统服务功能评价研究，科学识别气候变化情景下森林和湿地生态系统生产力变化趋势。二是加强碳汇测算方法研究。开发了区域森林土壤碳储量估算模型，完成了暖温带主要人工林碳估算方法研究，引进了林业碳收支模型、森林生态系统碳循环遥感模型等，进一步完善林业碳汇测算技术。三是加强林业增汇技术研究。完成中国木质林产品碳流动机制研究，筛选和优化增加森林植被与土壤碳储量、减少森林碳排放的经营技术措施。四是加强碳汇管理支撑政策研究。启动了林业适应气候变化对策研究，积极推进REDD+国家战略、森林碳汇产权问题深入研究，取得阶段性成果。五是加强生态观测研究平台建设。成立了国家林业局生态定位观测网络中心，2013年新建生态站24个，已建站点达到140个，其中森林生态站90个、湿地生态站30个、荒漠生态站20个，为开展相关评估和科学研究提供了重要依据。

九、积极参与履约谈判

积极参与气候变化国际履约谈判工作，服务国家气候外交大局。一是建设性参与REDD+议题谈判，为华沙气候大会通过的由7个决定组成的“华沙REDD+行动框架”做出了积极贡献，体现了资金和技术问题的平衡，标志着REDD+议题完成了主要问题的谈判，为发展中国家全面实施REDD+行动奠定了基础，被誉为华沙气候大会的重要成果之一。二是准确把握LULUCF议题谈判方向，参加LULUCF全面核算方法相关讨论，为应对发达国家统一2020年后土地利用核算方法研究提出谈判策略，并积极建议将森林管理和植被恢复作为2013-2020年间合格的CDM项目，得到许多国家的支持。三是积极开展林业应对气候变化履约战略研究，完成研究初稿。四是参与开展IPCC第五次评估报告编写、讨论，为第五次评估报告三个工作组报告审评及《2013年京都议定书中经修订的补充方法和良好做法指南》和《2006IPCC国家温室气体清单2013增补指南：湿地》两个重要技术文件出台做出了积极贡献。

十、切实开展机关节能

贯彻落实中央国家机关节约能源资源工作会议精神，组织制定了《国家林业局公共机构节能工作实施意见》和《国家林业局公共机构能源资源消费统计制度实施方案》，确保节能工作落到实处。贯彻落实国管局《关于开展中央国家机关节约能源资源工作考核的通知》要求，抓好国家林业局机关本级和有关直属单位的节约能源资源工作考核检查。继续做好日常节约能源资源工作，加强公共机构用油、用电、用水、用气管理和资源循环利用管理。积极开展能源紧缺体验活动、节能学习宣传工作，组织参观节能环保展览，增强机关节能低碳意识。

十一、认真抓好宣传培训

组织举办了第一届海峡两岸林业碳管理研讨会、第五届中国生态文明与绿色竞争力大会，在华沙气候谈判大会“中国角”举办了首场边会“林业碳汇的产权与标准化”，受到有关方面高度关注。成功举办了第七期全国林业碳汇计量监测技术培训班，参训人员近130人。组织开发了两门林业应对气候变化远程培训课件，实现在线远程授课，成为普及应对气候变化、低碳绿色发展的理念和知识、政策和行动的重要平台。密切跟踪国际生态治理进程和应对气候变化新情况，认真编写《气候变化、生物多样性和荒漠化问题动态参考》，截至2013年已刊出59期，共发布数百条有参考价值的政策信息，影响日益扩大。

后  记

应对气候变化是当前国际社会普遍关注的重大全球性问题。林业兼具减缓和适应气候变化的双重作用，是应对气候变化国家战略的重要组成。按照党中央、国务院决策部署，在国家林业局党组正确领导下，林业应对气候变化工作扎实推进，取得积极进展。

为全面客观地总结宣传2013年我国林业应对气候变化工作及成效，国家林业局造林司（气候办）组织编写了《2013年林业应对气候变化政策与行动白皮书》。

今后，林业应对气候变化工作将按照建设生态林业民生林业、努力实现林业治理体系和治理能力现代化的总体要求，认真谋划，加大力度，突出造林绿化和森林经营，强化森林和湿地资源保护，努力增加林业碳汇，为维护气候安全、促进绿色增长、建设生态文明做出新的更大贡献。

国家林业局气候办

2014年2月25日

 

 

White Paper

 

-- China’s Forestry Policies and Actions

for Addressing Climate Change

(2013)

State Forestry Administration,P.R.China

 

February 2014

Table of Content

1. Strengthening Macro Guidance 17

2. Enhancing Organization and Leadership 18

3. Increasing Forest Carbon Sinks 19

4. Reducing Emission of the Forestry Sector 20

5. Stepping up Development of a National Accounting and Monitoring System for Forestry Carbon Sequestration 22

6. Strengthening Standardization of the Forestry Sector for Addressing Climate Change 23

7. Enhancing Policy Study for Addressing Climate Change by Forestry Actions 24

8. Ensuring Forestry Scientific and Technological Support for Addressing Climate Change 25

9. Actively Participating in Negotiations on Implementation of Climate Change Conventions 27

10. Saving Energy in Forestry Departments 28

11. Strengthening Publicity and Training 29

Postscript 31

White Paper

 

-- China’s Forestry Policies and Actions

for Addressing Climate Change (2013)

The year 2013 was the first year for the implementation of the decisions of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and a critical year for accomplishing the mission set in the 12th Five-year Plan. In compliance with the policy decision and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the State Forestry Administration had worked effectively to address climate change to fulfill targets set in the Program for Controlling Greenhouse Gas Emission during the 12th Five-year Plan Period and the Points of Action by the Forestry Sector for Addressing Climate Change. Progress in this regard would contribute to the national endeavors to reach the goals of increasing the forest cover by 40 million hectares and the forest stock volume by 1.3 billion cubic meters by 2020 on the 2005 basis, as well as increasing forestry carbon sinks.

1. Strengthening Macro Guidance

In his letter of congratulations to the Guiyang Eco- Forum Global on 20th July 2013, President Xi Jinping pointed out that "it is a common challenge facing people across the globe to protect the environment, address climate change and safeguard security of energy and resources". This has charted the course for the forestry sector to address climate change in a new situation. On 24th May 2013, Vice Minister Xie Zhenhua of the National Development and Reform Commission, at the invitation of the State Forestry Administration, gave a lecture on "Advancing Ecological Progress and Addressing Climate Change". From a macro and strategic perspective, he gave an in-depth analysis of the situation and tasks in advancing ecological progress and addressing climate change, and made the requests for goal setting for the forestry sector in terms of addressing climate change and advancing ecological progress. The State Forestry Administration worked out a Master Plan for Priority Arrangements and Division of Work of the Forestry Sector for Addressing Climate Change in 2013, which identified the priority tasks and division of work for 2013, launched the REDD+ Action Year, and made an integrated plan for the forestry sector to mitigate the effects of and adapt to climate change.

2. Enhancing Organization and Leadership

In light of the new developments at home and abroad following the Doha Climate Change Conference, the State Forestry Administration convened the 8th meeting of the Leading Group for Addressing Climate Change. To implement the decision of the meeting, the Report on Establishing a Framework for the Forestry Sector to Address Climate Change was proposed. Adjustment was made to the composition of the leading group to clearly identify Minister Zhao Shucong as the head of the leading group, and Vice Minister Yin Hong and Vice Minister Zhang Yongli as the deputy heads. The Climate Change Office of the State Forestry Administration would continue to be affiliated to the Afforestation and Greening Management Department, with Director General of the Department acting as head of office and inter-agency liaison officer. Under the leading group there shall be working groups to carry out the main tasks and the heads of the working groups shall be responsible for the operations of their respective groups. This has resulted in an organizational structure featuring clearer division of work and responsibilities and greater efficiency in coordination and operation.

3. Increasing Forest Carbon Sinks

To reach the target of "a net increase of forest area by 40 million hectares", great efforts were made to implement the Program Guidelines for National Afforestation 2011-2020, and steady steps were taken to promote afforestation. In 2013, about 91.38 million mu of forests were established nationwide and 2.52 billion trees were voluntarily planted, accounting for 101.5% and 100.8% of the planned targets for the whole year. Carbon forestry was advanced steadily. By the end of 2013, an accumulative total of more than 300,000 mu of carbon forests were established in 18 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. To achieve the goal of "a net increase of forest stock volume by 1.3 billion cubic meters", the State Forestry Administration worked vigorously to shift from pilot projects of forest tending subsidies to the roll-out of  forest management. A tending plan of 105 million mu of forest in 2013 was implemented, and over 5.8 billion yuan of central budget subsidies for forest tending was applied. As a result, 119 million mu of forest were tended by the end of the year and the accomplishment was more than what was originally planned. According to the arrangements of the State Council, an implementation plan was formulated for monitoring and assessment of forest growth indicators, a handbook on the mid-term evaluation of forest growth indicators was published, and the mid-term evaluation of the two compulsory indicators of provincial forest coverage and stock volume as identified by the 12th Five-year Plan of the nation was undertaken. The results showed that the  forest area in China increased by about 7.5 million hectares, forest stock volume increased by about 600 million cubic meters, or an increase of 20% and 100% over the expected targets respectively. Governments of 27 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities gained full scores in the national examination and evaluation on local governments' efforts for greenhouse gas emission control. The increase of forest area, improvement of forest quality and strengthened capacity for forest carbon sequestration have laid a solid foundation for the forestry sector's contribution to the achievement of the goals of increasing forest area by 40 million hectares and forest stock volume by 1.3 billion cubic meters, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45% by 2020 on the 2005 basis.

4. Reducing Emission of the Forestry Sector

Forest management, wetland protection and desertification control were strengthened to reduce carbon emission of the forestry sector. First, protection and management of forest resources were enhanced. The plan for protection and utilization of forest land was strictly implemented, reform of forest harvesting management had been progressing, and forest resources management and supervision and law enforcement were strengthened, to curb the trend of forest land loss and reduce carbon emission caused by loss of forest land and destruction of forest resources. Second, prevention of forest fire was enhanced. In 2013, the number of forest fires, affected forest area and casualties fell by 33.2%, 55.1% and 23.6% nationwide compared with the same period in the previous three years, indicating a consecutive fall of the number of forest fires and affected forest area for the last five years. As a result, carbon emission caused by forest fires was effectively reduced. Third, forest pest control was enhanced. The responsibility system was introduced to forest pest control and priority was given to addressing the invasion of disastrous pests from foreign countries. With promotion of environmentally friendly pest control measures, the rate of pest-borne disasters was effectively kept below 5‰ for four consecutive years and carbon emission caused by forest pest disasters was significantly reduced. Fourth, wetland protection and restoration was enhanced. The second national wetland resources survey was completed, which involved more than 22,000 investigators at a cost of nearly 400 million yuan. Five new wetlands of international importance were added to the national list. The Regulations on Wetland Protection and Management was formulated, which is the first sectoral regulation at the national level. Integrated efforts were made to protect natural wetlands, promote restoration of degraded wetlands, maintain overall stability of wetland carbon sink, and reduce carbon emission from wetlands. Fifth, desertification control was enhanced. In 2013, pilot projects on closure and protection subsidies for sandified land were carried out in 30 counties of seven provinces or autonomous regions to curb destruction of wetlands and promote restoration of vegetation in the closed and protected areas. The second phase of the Programme on Sandification Control for Areas in the Vicinity of Beijing and Tianjin was launched, the Programme for Integrated Control of Stony Land Desertification was propelled, and excessive reclamation of land for farming, excessive grazing, and excessive firewood collection and logging were strictly prohibited to protect forest and grass coverage, consolidate existing achievements and reduce carbon emission caused by destruction of vegetation.

5. Stepping up Development of a National Accounting and Monitoring System for Forestry Carbon Sequestration

In 2013, significant achievement was made in securing the national accounting and monitoring system for forestry carbon sequestration to cover the whole country. First, the basic database and a series of parameter models for forest carbon sequestration accounting and monitoring were developed, tree biomass allometric growth equation and carbon accounting parameters for major arbor species were published, a preliminary national accounting and monitoring system for forest carbon sequestration was established, and the capability was secured to give a scientific account of China's forest carbon stock and carbon sink by using survey results. Second, the pilot projects on development of a provincial system were launched, the technical program for pilot projects on change of land use and forestry carbon monitoring was developed, and a basic database indicator system for forestry activities to address climate change was formulated. These efforts laid the foundation for carrying out carbon sequestration accounting caused by land use change and forestry activities. Third, the technical program for monitoring mangrove wetland carbon was compiled, a survey over mangrove wetland carbon stock was conducted, and the preparation for investigation of swamp wetland carbon pools in key provinces was completed. Fourth, the annual report on the development of the national forestry carbon sequestration accounting and monitoring system and the overall plan for national forestry carbon sequestration accounting and monitoring were compiled. Fifth, positive progress was made to approve and initiate the project on satellite observation of global terrestrial ecosystem carbon.

6. Strengthening Standardization of the Forestry Sector for Addressing Climate Change

Standardization was strengthened to establish and improve the technical system of the forestry sector for addressing climate change. First, coordination efforts were made to prepare for the establishment of a national technical committee for forestry carbon sequestration standardization to enhance study, formulation and revision of standards related to forestry carbon sequestration. Second, four forestry sectoral standards were developed, namely, the Technical Regulations on Afforestation for Carbon Sequestration, Guidelines on Carbon Accounting and Monitoring for Afforestation Project, Technical Regulations on Sample Collection for Standing Tree Biomass Modeling, and Technical Regulations on Methodology of Standing Tree Biomass Modeling. Third, coordination was made to file and publish the methodologies of three forestry carbon sequestration projects, namely, Carbon Sequestration Methodology for Afforestation Projects, Carbon Sequestration Methodology for Bamboo Afforestation Projects, and Carbon Sequestration Methodology for Forest Management. Fourth, the Guideline on Approval and Verification of Forestry Carbon Sequestration Projects was approved to be compiled as a standard of the forestry sector.

7. Enhancing Policy Study for Addressing Climate Change by Forestry Action

Efforts were made to seek for policy innovation and strive to establish a policy supporting system for addressing climate change. First, the study of forestry carbon trading policy was strengthened. Priority was given to New Zealand's carbon emission trading scheme, and through policy study and research, a policy paper: Promoting China's Forestry Carbon Credit Trading with Reference to New Zealand's Experience in Carbon Emission Trading was submitted. To step up macro guidance, regulation and management of forestry carbon trading, the State Forestry Administration drafted the Guiding Opinions on Promoting Forestry Carbon Trading. Second, legislative study related to climate change was strengthened. The State Forestry Administration took an active part in legislation concerning national efforts to  address climate change, carried out in-depth study of the forestry issues related to legislation for addressing climate change, accelerated the process of amendment of the Forest Law, and proposed the inclusion of stipulations on afforestation for carbon sequestration, carbon sequestration accounting and monitoring, and promotion of forestry carbon trading into the Draft Amendment to the Forest Law. Third, the State Forestry Administration took active part in the compilation of the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change, which was hosted by the National Development and Reform Commission and which identified key development tasks and pilot and demonstration projects concerning forestry's adaptation to climate change.

8. Ensuring Forestry Scientific and Technological Support for Addressing Climate Change

Scientific research was enhanced to secure forestry scientific and technological support for addressing climate change. First, study on technologies of forestry response to climate change was enhanced. The State Forestry Administration organized researches on the response of forest ecosystem to climate change, evaluation of the service functions of typical limnetic wetland ecosystems, and scientific identification of the changes of the productivity of forest and wetland ecosystems under the scenarios of climate change. Second, research of carbon sequestration measuring methods was strengthened. The model for evaluating regional forest soil carbon stock was developed, the study of methods for evaluating carbon of the major plantations in warm temperate zone was completed, forestry carbon  balance models and the model for remote sensing of carbon circulation in forest ecosystem was introduced, and  the measuring techniques for forest carbon sequestration were further improved. Third, study of technologies for increasing forestry carbon sinks was strengthened. The study of carbon circulation mechanism for China's wooden forest products was completed, and management and technical measures for increasing forest vegetation and soil carbon stock and reducing  carbon emission were selected and optimized. Fourth, study of supporting policies for carbon sequestration management was strengthened. An initial success was achieved in launching countermeasure study of forestry's adaptation to climate change, promoting the REDD+ national strategy, and carrying out in-depth study on forest carbon sequestration property rights. Fifth, development of ecological observation and research platforms was strengthened. Ecosystem positioning observation network of the State Forestry Administration was set up. In 2013, twenty four new ecological stations were established and, the total number of ecological stations rose to 140, including 90 forest ecological stations, 30 wetland ecological stations and 20 desertification ecological stations. This had provided an important basis for evaluation and scientific research.

9. Actively Participating in Negotiations on Implementation of Climate Change Conventions

The State Forestry Administration took an active part in negotiations on implementation of climate change international conventions to serve the overall interests of China's diplomacy concerning climate change. First, the State Forestry Administration participated in the REDD+ thematic negotiations in a constructive way, making due contribution to the Warsaw REDD+ Action Framework which is composed of seven decisions adopted at the Warsaw climate change conference. This action framework struck a balance between financing and technical issues, symbolized the conclusion of the negotiations on major issues under the REDD+ themes, and thus laid the groundwork for comprehensive implementation of the REDD+ action by developing countries, which was lauded as one of the important outcomes of the Warsaw conference. Second, efforts were made to secure precise understanding of the direction of the negotiations on LULUCF topics, and to take active part in LULUCF discussions about comprehensive accounting methods and proposed inclusion of forest management and vegetation restoration into the list of qualified CDM projects for the period from 2013 to 2020, which gained the support of many countries. Third, the State Forestry Administration carried out research on convention implementation strategy for forestry to address climate change, and a draft report was completed. Fourth, the State Forestry Administration participated in the drafting and discussion of the fifth IPCC evaluation report, and made contribution to the review of the three working group reports and to the release of two important technical documents, namely the 2013 Revised Supplementary Methods and Good Practice Guidance Arising from the Kyoto Protocol, and the 2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands.

10. Saving Energy in Forestry Departments

The State Forestry Administration implemented the decisions of the conference of the central government on conservation of energy and resources, formulated the Opinions on Implementation of Energy Conservation Plan by Public Institutions under the State Forestry Administration and the Implementation Program for Energy and Resource Consumption Accounting System for Public Institutions under the State Forestry Administration, to ensure effective results in energy saving. The State Forestry Administration also implemented the Notice on Examining and Assessing Energy and Resource Conservation by Central Government Departments issued by the National Government Offices Administration of the State Council and carried out examination and inspection on energy and resource conservation efforts by the departments of the State Forestry Administration and agencies under its direct jurisdiction. The State Forestry Administration continued to practice energy and resource conservation in its daily operations, strengthen management of recycled use of oil, electricity, water, natural gas and other resources by public institutions. The State Forestry Administration carried out energy shortage experience activities, publicity of energy conservation, and organized visits to energy-saving and environmental protection exhibitions to raise the low-carbon awareness of the public institutions.

11. Strengthening Publicity and Training

The State Forestry Administration hosted the First Symposium on Forestry Carbon Management across the Taiwan Straits, the Fifth Conference on China's Promotion of Ecological Progress and Green Competitiveness, the First side event entitled "Property Rights and Standardization of Forestry Carbon Sequestration" at the China Corner of the Warsaw climate change conference, which attracted great attention from the parties concerned. The State Forestry Administration successfully organized the Seventh Training Course on National Forestry Carbon Sequestration Accounting and Monitoring Techniques, which trained nearly 130 participants.   Two distance training course wares on forestry actions to address climate change were developed and on-line distance courses were offered, which became an important platform for raising the public awareness of efforts to  address climate change, popularizing the concept and knowledge, implementing policy and taking actions related to low carbon green development. As of 2013, fifty issues of Carbon Sequestration Weekly were published, with subscribers approaching 100,000. The State Forestry Administration closely followed the latest developments of the international processes of ecological governance and the endeavors to address climate change, and compiled the Reference on the Developments in the Fields of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification. By the end of 2013, 59 issues had been published, which had released hundreds of pieces of valuable policy information with increasing impact.

Postscript

Currently, addressing climate change is a major global issue of common concern to the international community. Forestry has combined functions of climate change mitigation and adaptation. It has become an important part of the national strategy for addressing climate change. In compliance with the policy decision and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and under the correct leadership of party members of the State Forestry Administration, the forestry sector has worked effectively to address climate change and has achieved positive progress.

To summarize and disseminate the results of the forestry sector’s effort in addressing climate change, the Afforestation and Greening Department (Climate Change Office) of the State Forest Administration has prepared the White Paper – China’s Forestry Policies and Action for Addressing Climate Change (2013).

In order to promote ecological functions of forestry and livelihood of the forestry community, to achieve the general requirement of modernization of the forestry system and   governance capability, the forestry sector needs to increase its effort in addressing climate change with careful planning and vigor. The protection of forestry and wetland resources should be enhanced and forest carbon sinks also should be increased, to make new and greater contribution to climate security, green development and ecological civilization.

The Climate Change Office of the State Forestry Administration

February 25th, 2014.

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