Transcript What is IUCN? The International Union for Conservation of Nature

Biodiversity Target in
EU Development Cooperation:
Key Challenges for the Future
Jean-Claude Jacques
Head IUCN Representation to the EU
[email protected]
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
What is IUCN?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
An International Organisation
with hybrid membership
80 States
- 115 Governmental Agencies
- 850 NGOs
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A presence in 160 countries
worldwide
A unique expertise through its
6 thematic commissions and
11,000 experts
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
What is IUCN doing?
• Providing scientific expertise on biodiversity
issues
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- IUCN Categories of Protected Areas
- Natural World Heritage Sites (for UNESCO)
• Implementing large scale programmes on key
biodiversity issues such as:
- Water: Water and Nature Initiative (WANI)
- Forestry: Livelihoods and Landscape Strategy
- Ocean: Protect Planet Ocean
• Advising governments and environmental
conventions (UN observer status)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
The importance of Biodiversity in
ACP Countries
All plants and animals used in agriculture
are derived from wild species
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Genes of wild species can be instrumental in
protecting crops and cattle against pests and
diseases
Many other species could have a potential interest but
are not known yet
Agriculture could not survive without key
ecosystem services such as:
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Fertility of soil: provided by 6,600 kg/ha of living
organisms
Pollination: 90% of flowering plants need animal
pollinators
Water: provided by forest cover in the upper part of
river basins
Shadow for coffee or cocoa plantations, …
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Ecosystem Services
(Millenium Ecosystem Assessment Findings – 2005)
Status of Biodiversity
IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species
Total number of species: 8-14 millions
Species described: 1.8 million
Species assessed: 45,000
Species in danger: 17,000 (38%)
Species Extinction Rates: 100 to 1000
times higher now
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Status of Ecosystems
Millenium Ecosystem Assessment
• 60% of ecosystem services are degraded
• Regions facing the greatest challenges in
achieving the MDGs coincide with regions
facing the greatest problems of ecosystem
degradation
• The total economic value associated with
managing ecosystems sustainably is often
higher than the value associated with
conversion
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Conservation versus Conversion
(The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity – 2009)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
What can be done?
An ecological paradigm:
Diversity = Stability
Keep a diverse environment
• Set up a network of protected areas and
corridors ensuring the protection of:
- 10% of major ecosystems
- 80% of species
- All critical ecosystem services (water,
wood, pollination, soil fertility, breeding)
• Diversify the farming landscape:
Agroforestry
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Improve the long term
management of
biodiversity
• Develop land use planning
and resolve land tenure
• Decentralise the management
of biodiversity to local
communities
• Give incentives to sustainable
management: Ecocertification
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Mainstreaming Biodiversity in
Development Cooperation
A complete set of policy commitments
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The European Consensus on Development –
2005
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The EU Biodiversity Action Plan to 2010 – and
beyond – 2006
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The EU Council conclusions on the Message
from Paris – 2006
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The EU Council conclusions on integrating
environment in development cooperation – 2009
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OECD Policy Statement on integrating
biodiversity into development cooperation
(under preparation)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
But an Implementation Gap
• No substantial increase in EC
development funds for
biodiversity from 9th to 10th
EDF
• Concentration of EU ODA on
focal areas and budget support
• Very limited human capacity in
EC Delegations
• Very limited involvement of
environmental CSOs in the
EDF Mid Term Review
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
The Road Ahead
Build on long term commitments
• Conservation Trust Funds
• Success stories:
- ECOFAC -Programme de conservation et
valorisation des écosystèmes forestiers d’Afrique
centrale
- Plan de convergence de la COMIFAC –
Commission ministérielle des forêts d’Afrique
centrale
Engage more with local/indigenous
communities
• Set up a European Small Grant Facility to support
local NGOs as well as community-based
organisations
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Mainstream Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services in EU
Development Cooperation
• Allocate sufficient funding to
biodiversity: minimum 1% of ODA
• Make biodiversity a compulsory
component of the programming
dialogue (Strategic Environmental
Assessment - SEA)
• Involve Civil Society Organisations in
the programming and implementation
phases
• Set up a monitoring mechanism with
relevant performance indicators
The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Thank You
Jean-Claude Jacques
Head IUCN Representation to the EU
[email protected]
The International Union for Conservation of Nature