Global development and climate objectives enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement require swift, transformative action. There are increasing calls for change to be ‘transformational’ rather than ‘incremental’, characterised by scale, speed and depth. This requires changing power relations, discourse, attitudes, policies and practices from global to local levels. Transformational change is central to the mandates of leading climate finance mechanisms,  including the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Climate Investment Funds (CIF).

At COP25 of UNFCCC, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joined the GCF and the CIF to present some of its latest research on transformational change in land use, which was conducted in collaboration with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

Transformational change is triggered by drivers, short and long-term forces behind lasting change. These drivers relate to resources, legitimacy, processes and norms.

Opening remarks made by Dr Jyotsna Puri (GCF), were followed by an engaging panel discussion which included Joseph Dickman (CIF), Francis Mpampi (National Designated Authority of Zambia), Pranab Jyoti Baruah (Global Green Growth Institute), Archi Rastogi (GCF) and Tiina Vähänen (FAO).

Tiina Vähänen, Chief of Forestry Policy and Resources Chief at FAO,  stressed the importance of understanding the concept of transformational change in development assistance and reflected on how FAO and other organisations can attribute the change to their work. She emphasised the need for better cross-sectoral coordination, strengthened public and private investment, non-linear thinking, and evidence-based decision making in transformational change, highlighting the role of REDD+ in catalysing change for sustainable land-use, including forestry and agriculture. Vähänen offered practical examples of efforts made in supporting countries in the transformation towards a low carbon and climate-resilient economy, including the use of cutting-edge technologies, which allow for cost-effectiveness in data provision, building crucial networks and partnerships, clarifying tenure rights, as well as engagement of local communities in decision-making on forest and land resources that they depend on.

“Joint FAO/CIFOR work provides strategic advice on identifying triggers, drivers and barriers to transformational change in forestry and other land-use sectors,” she said. “It is crucial that diverse voices are brought together to identify concrete solutions which will ensure sustainable and long-lasting sectoral and cross-sectoral transformational change, and accelerate progress toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals."

REDD+ efforts by countries have come a long way, and there is evidence of progress and results. Seven countries have reported emission reductions to UNFCCC representing 8.8 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. These efforts need to be scaled up further for ensuring sustainable and long-lasting sectoral and cross-sectoral transformational change that is indispensable for sustainable development and for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The points addressed during the event will further contribute to the upcoming FAO/CIFOR study titled “Transformational change in land use”, to be launched in early 2020.

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