About the Joint Initiative on Science and Technology

Major developments of global and regional scale offer opportunities for the forest sector, but also pose serious threats to forests and the quality of life of forest-dependent people. Scientific knowledge is needed to fully understand these developments, and to inform policy makers, practitioners, and stakeholders and thus support decision-making.

The Joint CPF Initiative on Science and Technology provides a mechanism for effectively linking the information requirements of governments and intergovernmental processes related to forests and trees with existing scientific expertise. Rather than conducting new research, the Initiative is designed to consolidate available information and expertise in relevant fields.

The Initiative provides independent scientific assessments and produces reports on issues of high concern that reflect state-of-the-art understanding of the subject matter and are written in a way that is comprehensible for both policy makers and stakeholders.

The assessment reports are prepared by thematic Expert Panels consisting of internationally recognized scientific experts in their field. In October 2007, the Steering Committee agreed to establish an Expert Panel on Adaptation of Forests to Climate Change.

The Initiative is supported through financial contributions by interested governments and in-kind contributions by the participating CPF Members. Operational and technical support is provided by the IUFRO Secretariat and, where possible, by the Steering Committee Members. In 2007, seed funding has kindly been provided by the Governments of Germany and Finland.

To view the Concept Note of the Joint Initiative, click here.