DATE / TIME:

2015•06•03    18:30 - 20:00

Location:

Bonn

The United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability’s (UNU-IAS) Traditional Knowledge Initiative (TKI), in conjunction with the Australian Government and relevant partners, held a side event at the UNFCCC’s Bonn Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany on 3 June 2015.

The side event titled “Preliminary Results of the International Savanna Fire Management Initiative“ looked at using traditional fire management to reduce emissions and build sustainable livelihoods in savannas and dry tropical forest lands. This UNU-IAS Initiative is funded by the Australian Government through its international aid budget.

Photo: UNclimatechange Creative Commons

The project is assessing the potential global emissions savings and the feasibility of using similar approaches to reduce emissions in savanna landscapes in other parts of the world, including Southern Africa, Asia and Latin America. The side event presented on the preliminary results of this assessment of the potential of this technology globally.

The side event involved a range of partners involved in development and implementation of the project, and provided an opportunity for other countries to seek input and share information as to their own fire management context, as well as become involved in the project.

The side event addressed:

1. Lessons from Australian experience of using traditional fire management for emissions reductions, biodiversity and community livelihoods.
2. Preliminary results from the assessment of the feasibility of using this technology in other fire dependent landscapes around the world.