The new set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and associated targets adopted in September 2015 highlight the diversity, urgency, ambitions and interdependent nature of the challenges to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote sustainable socio-economic development, while safeguarding our finite natural resources and ecosystems. Climate, water cycles and forests are three essential and closely intertwined elements of our natural capital, and that if well-cared for, can provide a stable and secure environment for agriculture, safe water supply, energy and healthy living conditions and livelihoods, amongst others.

The interactions and feedback loops between climate, water and forests are manifold and complex; and some are well understood, whereas others are much less so. In this annual seminar we will take stock of the latest knowledge and insights on the interactions between climate change, water cycles and forested landscapes and what this means for research, management and policy. We will do so particularly from a macro (e.g. global, regional) and meso (e.g. watershed) perspective.

Reputable experts will address such diverse questions as: how do tropical deforestation and land degradation influence rainfall patterns, temperature and atmospheric dynamics? What are the myths and realities of the hydrological roles played by forests in watersheds? How important are forests for the recycling of rainfall or as a ‘biotic pump’ bringing moisture from oceans to inland regions? Do the interactions between climate, water and forests receive the recognition they deserve? Should water become the new carbon? Are we on the right track in translating the latest scientific insights into robust public and private policy agendas, management practices and capacity building for forested landscapes?

Registration

Attendance is free of charge, but you have to register through the following web link: https://goo.gl/knv8gA

Provisional programme

12.30 – 13.15 hrs. Registration and coffee

13.15 – 13.30 hrs. Welcome and introduction
Seminar Chair: René Boot, Director Tropenbos International

13.30 – 15.00 hrs. Climate, water and forests: understanding the bigger picture

• How important are forests and land use in sustaining global rainfall? – Hubert H.G. Savenije, TU Delft
• How forests water our planet: recent advances and current controversies – Douglas Sheil, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
• Tropical forests and water: a fresh look at ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ views in the light of new evidence – L.A. (Sampurno) Bruijnzeel, King’s College London, UK

15.00 – 15.30 hrs.  Break

15.30 – 17.00 hrs. Are we on the right track with policy making and managing the climate–water–forest nexus?
Plenary discussion with panel

• Judith Marinissen – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
• Julie van der Bliek – International Water Management Institute – Sri Lanka
• FAO (Water and Forests Action plan); to be confirmed

Three introductory speakers

17.00 -18.00 hrs. Close and drinks

Organization

This is the ninth in a series of annual seminars on Sustainable forest management in the tropics. Are we on the right track? This year it is jointly organized by Tropenbos International, Utrecht University (Prince Bernhard Chair), Wageningen University (Forestry groups, Centre for Development and Innovation), the Dutch Association of  Tropical Forests (VTB), and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dutch government.