One-Day Training Module on Climate Change and Forest Transformation in the Southern Caucasus
\n(20 February, 2014 \u2013 Ilia State University, Block \u201cE\u201d, Room #206, Tbilisi, Georgia)<\/p>\n
Introduction<\/p>\n
WWF-Germany and its partner organizations in the South Caucasus – WWF Caucasus Programme Office (WWF-Caucasus), WWF-Armenia and WWF-Azerbaijan are involved in implementation of EU financed regional Project\u00a0 on Increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems against climate change in the South Caucasus Countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) through forest transformation.<\/p>\n
As part of the Project a one day training module for forestry professionals, students and other interested parties shall be offered. Three one-day-trainings with specific local focus shall be hold in the three participating project countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in February 2014. The training shall give a first insight of the topic to the participants by addressing a theoretical background on climate change, transfer to the adaption in other countries with case studies and a final debating part developing commonly local-specific next steps for the region.<\/p>\n
The module shall be conducted by Dirk Frankenhauser, an international expert and by WWF engaged consultant, who spent three weeks in the region conducting a field trips and a stakeholder-analysis in October 2013.<\/p>\n
Objectives
\nIllustrate the environmental and social risks as a consequence of climate change for the forest sector in Southern Caucasus region. The participants shall be enabled to analyse their situation and develop mechanism to adapt to future challenges due to climate change for the forest sector.<\/p>\n
Content
\nThe training module contains five main topics, such as
\n1) Introduction
\n2) Global Situation
\n3) European Response
\n4) Current Caucasian Situation
\n5) Implementation options in Caucasus
\nThese topics are divided into four key parts:<\/p>\n
1. Introduction
\nThe training shall be initiated with sensitising questions reflecting the opinion of the audience towards climate change. This is followed by a brief description of the scope of climate change worldwide, in Europe \u2013 and finally specifically in the Caucasus region and especially its impact on forestry.<\/p>\n
2. Training exercises
\nThis is the core part of the workshop. Participants are taught to identify potential environmental and socio-economical dangers due to the ongoing climate change in their local region. This should aim at very precise cases in their forest management areas.<\/p>\n
3. Presentation of existing best practice in Europe and case studies
\nParticipants are provided with an insider view to how other countries such as Germany have already developed policies and standard procedures to combat this risk-category, presented with examples of good practice and conducting of case studies.<\/p>\n
4. Outlook and closing debate
\nAt this closing stage of the training participants are invited to brainstorm of what they consider to be needed in future. Next steps shall be developed commonly in order introduce or improve forestry risk management systems.<\/p>\n