Wildfires have been increasing in frequency and severity , and this is only expected to further increase because of climate change. On top of destroying lives, livelihoods and forests, wildfires in Canada in 2023 and in the Amazon in 2024 have contributed significantly to GHG emissions. However, under the Paris agreement there is a commitment by the Parties to reduce their emissions and increase their NDCs.

At Tropenbos International we have been effectively working on reducing wildfire risks in the tropics through the Fire Smart Landscape Governance Programme, implemented in Indonesia, Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia and Bolivia. Building on our experiences and lessons learned, we see the importance of including integrated fire management in the NDCs, as opportunity for Parties to increase their ambitions for both mitigation and adaptation in the 2025 review process.

During this side event, we will share an assessment on how some tropical countries are currently including forest fires in their NDCs, followed by learning about TBI's approach to reducing wildfire risks. Lastly, we will discuss how this approach can support stronger and more ambitious NDCs, inspiring countries to include such an effective fire management approach in their NDCs.

>>> Watch the recording of the session

>>> Read the Summary report of our upcoming publication

Agenda

1. Welcome
   Humberto Gomez and Rosalien Jezeer
   Tropenbos International
   
   
2. Opening address
   Wampie Libon
   Director Inclusive Green Growth at Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
   
   
3. Presentation
   Humberto Gomez
   Tropenbos International
   
   
4. Panel discussion facilitated by Tropenbos International
   
   Mercy Owusu Ansah
   Director of Tropenbos Ghana
   
   María Saralux Valbuena López
   Director of Climate Change at Colombia's Ministry of Environment
   
   Arief Wijaya
   Managing Director of World Resource Institute Indonesia
   
   Claudia Ortiz
   Climate Change Specialist at UNDP
    
5. Interactive Q&A session
   
   
6. Closing remarks
   
   

Join us for other events from our Network

• November, 12th: Apport de la foresterie communautaire à la mise en œouvre de la CDN de la RDC: Expériences d'une ONG dans la Tshopo | 8:45 - 9:45 am (UTC+4) | Pavillon Climatique | Watch the recording here.

• November, 15th: Contribution of community forestry to the implementation of the NDC | 1:00 to 2:00 pm (UTC+4) | CCBC Pavilion (Congo Basin Climate and Blue Fund Commission) 
  

• November, 18th: Local knowledge for sustainable forest management | 9:00 - 10:00 am (UTC+4) | CCBC Pavilion
   

Meet our delegation at COP29

		Alphonse Maindo Director Tropenbos DR Congo
		Mercy Owusu Ansah Director, Tropenbos Ghana
		Humberto Gomez Thematic lead on Participatory Forest and Landscape Restoration and Programme coordinator Fire-smart landscape governance, Tropenbos International
		Dr. Rosalien Jezeer Programme coordinator Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) and Fire-smart landscape governance, Tropenbos International