Forest Carbon Mitigation
FRST 523 (Fall 2014)
Multistakeholder Consultation Exercise
Should carbon be included as a value requiring protection under the Forest Range and Practices Act – November 19
Marking Rubric for Briefs briefMarking Guideline 2011
Guide to writing an advocacy brief 2014
Sample Brief from 2012 Forestry_523_TLA
Objective: A major component of the course is a simulation of a multi-stakeholder consultation on a topical issue in BC forest policy. The objectives of this exercise are to develop practical skills — teamwork, research, and communication — necessary for constructive participation in policy development, while simultaneously developing a deep understanding of one crucial component of forest policy.
Scenario: Committed to being a leader in climate action, and recognizing the contribution of forests to carbon emissions, the Premier has directed the Minister of FLNRO to conduct a multistakeholder consultation on the proposal to add carbon as a value to the Forest Range and Practices Act.
Organization: The class will be divided into groups reflecting different stakeholders involved in the process: Sierra Club of BC, Offsetters, COFI, Forest Fibre Alliance of BC, United Steelworkers, First Nations Forestry Council
Process: Students will be assigned to groups based on random selection. Some class time will be set aside for group meetings. In addition, students are expected to consult “real world” versions of their caucuses. There will be an evening (5-9), mock multi-stakeholder consultation on (Tuesday November 18). Groups are also responsible for selecting their representative (and an alternate) to speak and negotiate for them during the consultation. A set of readings are assigned that provide an overview of the policies in this area. Students are expected to read beyond these to supplement their understanding of the case.
Assessment: The simulation accounts for 30% of your grade, components of which have been allocated and designed to stimulate both effective group and individual effort:
- 10% for the group brief due November 13, not to exceed 2000 words. This is a group project, which clearly and concisely presents the group’s initial position on how to revise the rules. It should contain references.
- 10% for each student’s participation in the group. This grade will be based on the recommendations for grades that students provide for each other.
- 10% for the performance of each group in the consultation.
Note: The group brief needs to be submitted to www.turnitin.com before being submitted the instructor. The class ID number is 5780252, the password is talltrees. If you do not already have a user profile on the site, you will have to create one.
Required Reading for Multi-Stakeholder Simulation Exercise. Note: Here is the beginning of the minimal required readings; several more will be added later. Much useful information is also contained in the recommended readings, and you may want to consult other documents as well.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources Operations. 2013. Climate mitigation potential of British Columbian forests: Growing carbon sinks. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/het/climate/carbon/ClimateMitigationPotentialofBritishColumbianForests.pdf
Auditor General of BC, An Audit of Carbon Neutral Government, March 2013, http://www.bcauditor.com/files/publications/2013/report_14/report/OAG%20Carbon%20Neutral.pdf , Note: you are responsible for the general issues and the details of the Darkwoods case, but not responsible for the details of the Encana case.
Greig, M., G., Bull. 2011. Carbon management in British Columbia’s forests: An update on opportunities and challenges. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 12(3):35-54 http://jem.forrex.org/index.php/jem/article/view/157/100
