Worldwide there is an increasing recognition of the role forests and mountain ecosystems play in providing water services, and the enormous costs associated to their loss due to forest degradation and deforestation. Adequate landscape management and conservation strategies are key for ensuring the provision of water services through a wide range of mechanisms, incentives schemes, funds, agreements and related instruments; both at the local level and through national programs. At a global scale, green infrastructure for water is gaining attention for channelizing additional financing to enhance the benefits ecosystems provide, namely protection and restoration of natural watershed ecosystems in mountainous regions. At the same time, promotion of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) practices by local communities are still hampered by providing sufficient social and economic benefits or offsets.
This side event aims to present the current state of green infrastructure investment for mountain forests conservation and its potential for sustainable forest management. Through case studies and business models, clear articulation of SFM of mountain forests for ensuring water services in the energy sector will be presented; as well as local incentives schemes where communities are key players for the sustainable use of the natural asset and services provision. Progress made as well as remaining barriers for model upscaling will be highlighted by each case study.
Coordination for collaboration between Peru and Chile began in the city of Santiago de Chile, May 25th and 26th.