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Highlights and images for 10 November 2016
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Side Events
IISD Reporting Services is providing coverage of selected GCC Pavilion events at the 2nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including written, digital and video coverage.
Creating Value from CO2
Building Resilience and Adaptation Measures with Co-mitigation Benefits in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf
Photos by IISD/ENB | Liz Rubin
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Creating Value from CO2Presented by the Gulf Cooperation Council
Nouf Aburas, Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, moderated this event, which focused on: sharing of efforts; progress and perspectives regarding future market potential for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS); and transportation and conversion into alternative industrial uses, including chemicals, cement manufacturing, food and waste treatment.
Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco, described: a past initiative, which transformed methane from waste, avoiding 80 million tons of CO2 annually since 1980; and an energy management programme that fosters energy efficiency due to cogeneration capacity and flaring reduction, savings 127 million tonnes of CO2 since 2000. He highlighted challenges that need to be overcome regarding CCS, including: high capital and operating cost; availability of storage capacity; lack of tailored-policy mechanisms; and the need to raise public awareness. Niass explained that instead of storing the captured CO2, it can be used in many applications, such as fuel production, chemicals, enhanced oil recovery, food, power and energy resources, carbonates, and polymers. He said many small start-up companies are being developed to use captured CO2.
Abdulaziz Al-Jodai, Director, Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), talked about his company’s investments in extracting flue gas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon purification processes and applications in different industries, including chemicals, polymers, agri-nutrients and metals. He noted that SABIC developed the first complete commercial technology to purify CO2 in its world biggest plant. He outlined SABIC’s purification process flow and concluded that new uses for captured CO2 have been made possible via the pipeline system that delivers it to industrial consumers such as urea plants.
Nafisi Al Nafisi, Greencarbon Initiative of the Al Nafisi Industries, Kuwait, outlined the roadmap to CO2 mitigation in his region. He noted his work focuses on assisting private and public sectors to develop business models that overcome CCS challenges to use captured CO2 in sustainable applications, including beverage carbonation, anti-microbial preservation, food freezing and in-transit refrigeration. He noted captured CO2 is being used as a substitute for chemicals that treat wastewater.
Mubarak Malhiya, Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (QAFAC), explained his company’s use of methane recovery, which can be used to produce inputs to be used as a fuel additive. He outlined QAFAC’s environmental programmes, including flare management, leak detection and repair, and a green belt development and zero-treated wastewater discharge. He highlighted the new QAFAC project started in 2014 to recover 500 MT per day of CO2 and inject it back into a methanol plant to increase production and minimize CO2 emissions.
In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed: technological CCS challenges for carbon capture, storage and reuse; the cost of recovery and purification, which depends on CO2 concentration, the utilities available and the capacity of the plant; and the importance of lifecycle analysis and carbon footprint to help decide if an application for captured CO2 is climate-friendly.
(L-R): Abdulaziz Al-Jodai, Director of SABIC; Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco; Nouf Aburas, Ministery of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia; Nafisi Alnafisi, Greencarbon Initiative of the Al Nafisi Industries, Kuwait; and Mubarak Malhiya, QAFAC
Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco
Nafisi Alnafisi, Green Carbon Initiate of the Alnafisi Industries, Kuwait
Mubarak Malhiya, Qafac showcase CCS
Nouf Aburas, Ministery of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia
Participants listen to panelists
Abdulaziz Al-Jodai, Director of SABIC
Contacts:
Abdulhadi Nasser Almarri
| analmarri@mme.gov.qa
More Information:
http://www.sabic.com/corporate/en/
http://www.saudiaramco.com/en/home.html
http://greencarbon-me.com/about/
https://www.qafac.com.qa/
Building Resilience and Adaptation Measures with Co-mitigation Benefits in the Red Sea and the Arabian GulfPresented by PERSGA
Ali Qasem, Saudi Aramco, moderated the event that showcased the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions’ efforts in their adaptation actions through ecosystem solutions.
Khaled Al-Abdulkader, Saudi Aramco, outlined the potential to increase seafood supply via small and medium-size enterprises in Saudi Arabia. He summarized policies to avoid overexploitation and habitat degradation and to ensure fisheries sustainability in the Arabian Gulf, while increasing production. To establish a framework for managing fisheries resources, he highlighted the importance of: assessing commercial fisheries stocks; identifying relevant habitats; determining the impacts of current fishing practices; and deploying artificial reefs.
Faisal Alshuayl, High Commission of the Development of Arriyadh, Saudi Arabia, presented his city’s storm water drainage strategy, which was completed in 2014. To address rapid urban development and increased urban runoff and flooding, he outlined the city’s updated masterplan to mitigate current risks. He cited some environmental solutions, including the use of sustainable urban drainage systems and green roofs.
Hashem Al-Sada, Energy Conservation Department, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Qatar, described the energy intensity of water pumping, desalination, consumption and re-use. He outlined various measures used to manage and save water, reducing the carbon footprint in both the supply and demand sides. He explained that some policies focused on the highest consumption consumers in each economic sector to achieve water savings of 35% in 2015.
Ahmed Khalil, The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), explained that PERSGA supports alternative livelihoods for vulnerable coastal communities with projects on: sustainable fisheries; ecotourism; diversification of commodities; pollution control; and ecosystem approaches to fisheries management and aquaculture development. He noted the importance of monitoring and coordinating regional conservation actions, and sharing experiences and knowledge among member states.
Maher Amer, PERSGA, highlighted the global conservation value of marine ecosystems for local communities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. He also noted the economic benefits derived from marine protected areas, including: sustaining food resources and livelihoods; promoting poverty reduction; creating jobs; and generating tourism revenue. He noted the importance of effective management to: create resilience; replicate representative habitats; protect critical areas to serve as replenishment of ecological functions; and maintain biodiversity and ecological connectivity among and between habitats.
Hussien Al-Kisswani, Jordan, summarized the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Aqaba. He described adaptation measures recommended to combat climate change: coral re-planting in less impacted sites; monitoring systems for ecosystems and species; increased understanding fishing activities; guidelines for implementation of integrated coastal zone management; and training and building capacity regarding such measures.
In the ensuing discussion, participants addressed: re-use of water for irrigation systems; GHG emission scenarios used by Jordan to develop its adaptation strategy; local community participation in fisheries management of protected areas; use of sustainable urban drainage systems; and ways to reduce the carbon water footprint per capita in Qatar.
(L-R): Hashem Al-Sada, Energy Conservation Department, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Qatar; Hussien Al-Kisswani, Jordan; Faisal Alshuayl, High Commission of the Development of Arriyaadh, Saudi Arabia; Khaled Abdulkader, Saudi Aramco; Ali Qasem, Saudi Aramco; Ahmed Khalil, PERSGA; and Maher Amer, PERSGA
Hashem Al-Sada,
Kahramaa Energy Conservation Department
Faisal Alshuayl, High Commission of the Development of Arriyaadh, Saudi Arabia, presented the city of Arriyaadh storm water drainage strategy.
Ahmed Khalil, PERSGA, noted the coordinating and networking of regional conservation actions and sharing of experiences and knowledge among member states.
Maher Amer, PERSGA, highlighted the limited but valuable living resources in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Participants during the event
Contacts:
Hamoud AlOtaibi
| otaibihr@yahoo.com
More Information:
http://www.persga.org/
Highlights and images for 8 September 2017
1st Asia-Pacific Ministerial Summit on the Environment
Ministers continued and concluded their deliberations on Friday, the final day of the Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. In the morning, they provided further comments on the UNEA-3 draft ministerial declaration, after which a ministerial dialogue took place on ‘Policy perspectives on a pollution-free planet’. Delegates provided suggestions on practical ways to tackle pollution and build partnerships.
Side events were organized at lunchtime on: gender, the environment and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific; and lessons from the Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth (SINGG), a regional cooperation framework supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea government and endorsed by ESCAP in 2005. A special event on Strengthening regional ocean governance and partnerships towards clean seas took place after lunch.
At the end of the day, ministers adopted several outcome documents: the report of the senior officials and a Chair’s summary of the second UN Environment Programme Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific; and the ministerial declaration on environment and development for Asia and the Pacific (E/ESCAP/MCED(7)/L.4). They also adopted the report of the seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific (E/ESCAP/MCED(7)/L.3), after incorporating several amendments proposed by Iran and Japan. They agreed that the Secretariat would review the text of this report to include a mention of the Rio Principles, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).
In closing, Shamshad Akhtar, ESCAP Executive Secretary, and Dechen Tsering, UN Environment Regional Director, thanked all delegates for their active participation and their presentation of best practices and policies for achieving a resource-efficient and pollution-free planet. The meeting closed at 4:41 pm.
The Summit sought to be a climate-neutral and low-impact event. Besides encouraging delegates to estimate and offset their carbon emissions, the conference took a low-waste approach to paper and printing, drinking-water containers, and catering. Participants were provided with their own biodegradable, reusable cups, and dined on meals made from organic and rescued ingredients. Around the venue, participants viewed exhibits about UN Environment and ESCAP campaigns, including information about regional implementation of the SDGs, and actions to reduce acid rain.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, is producing daily photographic coverage of the meeting proceedings, as well as of key side events, and also produced a summary report, which is available in HTML and PDF.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page.
Morning Session
(L-R) Raza Bashir Tarar, Vice-Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UN Environment, Pakistan; Suho Seong, Director of International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea; and Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore
Delegates watch a video message from Edgar Gutiérrez, UNEA President and Minister of the Environment, Costa Rica.
Yeshey Dorji, Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan
Eiji Tanaka, Deputy Director, International Strategy Division, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of Environment, Japan
Tu Ruihe, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Environmental Protection, China
Srisuda Jarayabhand, Thailand
Delegates listening to a presentation
Cristina Martinez, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Julius Cainglet, Vice President, Federation of Free Workers - International Trade Union Confederation
Ministers engage in dialogue on ‘Policy perspectives on a pollution-free planet’.
Lee Minho, Deputy Minister of Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
Ramon Paje, Vice President for Asia Pacific, UNEA, the Philippines
Meena Praful Bilgi, Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN)
Anish Shrestha, Advocacy Coordinator, Karnali Integrated Development Centre (KIDC)
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore; and Subrata Sinha, Conference Secretary and Regional Environmental Affairs Officer, UN Environment
Abdullah Ziyad, Minister of State for Environment and Energy, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Maldives
Chuthatip Maneepong, Thailand Environment Institute (TEI)
The ENB team taking notes
Closing Session
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore
Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific, UN Environment, and Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary, ESCAP, give the closing remarks.
Special Event - Strengthening Regional Ocean Governance and Partnership Towards Clean Seas
Lisa Svensson, Chief, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Branch, UN Environment, introduced the topic. UN senior officials briefed delegates on UN Environment’s Clean Seas Campaign, and highlighted the outcomes of the UN Oceans Conference of June 2017, urging participants not to lose momentum.
Teenagers Melati and Isabel Wijsen, who founded a campaign to rid the island of Bali, Indonesia, of plastic bags, described their work in raising community awareness and rewarding local businesses that have created plastic bag-free zones.
Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Fiji, drew attention to the Pacific Island Forum’s Pacific Oceanscape Framework, which was initiated by Anote Tong, then-President of Kiribati in 2009 as a catalyst for formulating ocean governance at all levels. Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore, observed that eight out of the top ten countries contributing to marine litter pollution are in Asia, and urged countries to take their own national actions. He described Singapore’s initiatives, such as requiring ships in port to be registered and to comply with regulations. Abdullah Ziyad, Minister of State for Environment and Energy, the Maldives, highlighted Maldives’ national campaigns against dumping of plastics into the sea. Lev Neretin, Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), introduced its regional oceans programs involving 140 countries, and its medium-term strategy, which contributes to action on SDG 14 on oceans.
Lars Svensson, IKEA, noted that the company recycles 70% of the around 10 million kilos of waste it generates annually in the region and is encouraging customers to participate more actively in recycling, including through imposing a charge on plastic bags. The NGO sector called on countries to return to more sustainable and culturally-relevant, reusable packaging, such as banana leaves.
Muhammad Khurshid, Director General, South Asia Co-Operative Environment Programme
View of the delegates during the special event
Side Events
Gender, the Environment and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific
Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary, ESCAP, opened this side event, organized by UNESCAP. She stressed that women work in activities and sectors impacted heavily by impact of climate change, noting 58% of the economically active women are in the agriculture sector and women constitute 54% of the labour force in small-scale inland fisheries in the region. She introduced ESCAP’s publication “Gender, the Environment and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific,” which identifies a strategic entry point for policy interventions.
Kaveh Zahedi, Deputy Executive Secretary for Sustainable Development, ESCAP, moderated the panel discussion. Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Fiji, introduced Fiji’s national initiatives, such as the Markets for Change program, which includes training women in accounting, and encouraging inclusion of women in board members of private companies.
Deepa Liyanage, Director, International Relations, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka, said that environmental policy making can be an arena for enhancing women’s participation. She noted the importance of both institutional and economic instruments, including training programs that will encourage women to enter technical fields of work and access greater opportunities.
Bernadette Resurrección, Senior Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute, reminded participants that “green growth” is not necessarily socially inclusive and just. Muhammad Khurshid, Director-General, South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme, highlighted the potential role of new technologies that are replacing biomass fuels and reducing the dependence of rural women on biomass for cooking, heating and lighting.
A group photo of Shamshad Akhtar (center), Executive Secretary, ESCAP; and
the Panelists
View of the dais during the side event
Towards Resource Efficient Asia-Pacific Through Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth
Stefanos Fotiou, Director, Environment and Development Division, ESCAP, moderated a panel discussion on the potential for learnings from the Seoul Initiative Network on Green Growth (SINGG), a regional cooperation framework supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea government and endorsed by ESCAP in 2005 to assist the Asia-Pacific region’s progress towards resource-efficient practices. Lee Minho, Deputy Minister of Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment, outlined SINGGI’s development since its launch in 2005, noting that projects are now in the final stage of development and offer lessons for green growth opportunities. June-Woo Park (Republic of Korea) gave the keynote presentation about national progress towards shared responsibility for sustainably managing waste. He explained that initially governments had sole responsibility for sanitary treatment; then consumers increasingly accepted responsibility through reducing and recycling; and finally producers have been asked to manage their products over their full life-cycle in a circular economy.
Phub Tshering (Bhutan) outlined a project managing waste glass bottles in Bhutan, which showed that, in a small market, it can be difficult to recycle glass products. Ahmed Murthaza (Maldives) outlined that the Maldives is implementing projects to introduce the 3Rs, but considerable marine transport is involved in managing the waste – which imposes costs and other pollution management challenges. Alma Shalabexdya (Kazakhstan) outlined her country’s efforts to decouple growth and resource consumption. Eujin Kwon (Republic of Korea) discussed how to share green growth learnings with other countries. She noted that the Korea Environment Corporation conducts annual conferences involving over 40 countries to demonstrate the outcomes of a range of green growth projects that Korea has supported.
June-Woo Park, Republic of Korea
Around the Venue
IISD/ENB team: (L-R) Ikuho Miyazawa, Writer; Sean Wu, Digital Editor; Richard de Ferranti, Writer; and Delia Paul, Team Leader, experiencing virtual reality glasses during a coffee break
Summary report 8–9 October 2012
CBD COP 11
Summary report 4–8 October 1999
Experts’ Panel on Access and Benefit-Sharing
Selected other side events coverage for 26 November 2018
2018 UN Biodiversity Conference
A butterfly made from recycled paper
The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Monday, 26 November 2018:
Community Protocols - Lessons Learned for ABS and Launching of the Biocultural Community Protocol Guidelines
China’s Sixth National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
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Community Protocols - Lessons Learned for ABS and Launching of the Biocultural Community Protocol Guidelines
Presented by Natural Justice, in collaboration with the Access and Benefit Sharing Capacity Development Initiative (ABS Initiative), the League for Pastoral People and Endogenous Livestock Development (LPP), and the Local Livestock for Empowerment (LIFE) Network
Participants during the event
This side event discussed experiences in developing community protocols as tools for access and benefit sharing (ABS) under the framework of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.
Presenters shared lessons learned and guidance on the facilitation of community protocols. Two publications were launched at the event:
Community Protocols for Pastoralists and Livestock Keepers
Community Protocols in Africa: Lessons Learned for ABS Implementation.
Barbara Lassen, Natural Justice, moderated the event. Eva Fenster, ABS Initiative, noted that Natural Justice has helped African communities develop community protocols. She highlighted the publication titled “Community Protocols in Africa: Lessons Learned for ABS Implementation,” launched at the event, which incorporates communities’ perspectives on traditional knowledge. She also stressed that community protocols legally empower communities and foster meaningful dialogue.
Jazzy Rasolojaona, Natural Justice, showcased a community protocol facilitated by Natural Justice and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) in Madagascar. He reported that seven villages united to manage similar resources and environmental challenges. The resulting community protocol, he noted, aims to prepare Madagascar for future negotiations on issues regarding ABS and on empowering communities against illegal practices in their regions regarding biological resources.
Netzar Arreortua Martínez, Commissariat of Communal Goods, Capulalpam de Méndez, Mexico, showcased a community protocol in Mexico. He said that a committee was established after the approval of the protocol and highlighted that a participatory process involved drafting, designing and programming of activities, and validation. He noted that the final document, which has the approval from the community and the Mexican government, provides political security and the safeguarding of all natural resources.
Daniel Kobei, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program, Kenya, presented the Ogiek Community Biocultural Development Process. He described the Ogiek as caretakers of fauna and flora in the Mau Forest where they live. Highlighting the challenges they have experienced, he cited forest encroachment and recent efforts to disenfranchise them from their ancestral land through evictions. He presented the community protocol development process, highlighting the participatory nature of the process. The Ogiek people, he reported, have become more aware of their rights over biological and genetic resources and become involved in forest rehabilitation. He said that, even though the government has not recognized the Ogiek’s claim to the Mau Forest, the community protocol would continue to play an important role in advocating for their rights.
Jacob Wanyama, LPP, discussed the development of the Samburu community protocol in Kenay, focusing on the red Maasai sheep. He showed the importance of the sheep to the cultural identity of the community through various stages of life, including: birth, circumcision, transition to manhood, marriage and death. The sheep, he reported, have a unique genetic capability to cope with parasitism. He underscored that the community protocol, in English and Samburu languages, describes the Samburu peoples’ rights over the genetic resources of the red sheep.
Geetha Nayak, GIZ India, highlighted the contents of the guide on “Community Protocols for Pastoralists and Livestock Keepers.” The guide, she noted, aims to provide communities with a legal instrument for their claims for livestock breeds and management systems. She highlighted the main parts of community protocol development, including definitions, institutions involved, management practices, and national and international laws.
Moderator Lassen said all protocols are different and adapted to different communities. She discussed lessons learned, including the need to: address issues from communities’ perspectives; identify main objectives to clarify expectations; and respond to real opportunities and challenges.
In the ensuing discussion, the panelists responded to questions on: the definition of biocommerce; possible safeguards protecting community protocols; migration of communities into an area with an existing protocol and their compliance with its contents; and difficulties of developing a community protocol. Lassen stressed that local communities need to base their protocol on local rules and noted ways for community ownership of protocols, such as using an audio format. She stressed that participatory processes involving most of the community members takes time and that there must be a balance between effective representation, and in-depth community consultation.
Panelists during the event
Eva Fenster, ABS Initiative
Jazzy Rasolojaona, Natural Justice
Daniel Kobei, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program, Kenya
Netzar Arreortua Martínez, Commissariat of Communal Goods, Capulalpam de Méndez, Mexico
Moderator Barbara Lassen, Natural Justice
Jacob Wanyama, League for Pastoral People and Endogenous Livestock Development and the LIFE Network
Translation is provided during the event
Geetha Nayak, GIZ India
Participants during the event
Participants ask questions
Two publications were launched at the event: Community Protocols for Pastoralists and Livestock Keepers, and Community Protocols in Africa: Lessons Learned for ABS Implementation
CONTACT
Tobias Dierks | tobias@giz.de
MORE INFORMATION
www.abs-initiative.info/topics/integrating-iplc/
naturaljustice.org/community-protocols/
China’s Sixth National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Presented by the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science (NIES) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), China
Chengshou Bai, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China, presents China’s Sixth National Report to Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary
This side event, moderated by Yulin Fu, MEE, China, launched China’s Sixth National Report to provide a snapshot of accomplishments, strategies for protecting China’s biodiversity, and efforts towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Chengshou Bai, MEE, China, welcomed participants to the event, underscoring China’s efforts in promoting an “Ecological Civilization” integrated within every aspect of China’s social, political and economic development. He noted that since becoming a party to the CBD, China has increased its protected area coverage to 18% of its total land area and has implemented a series of important ecological projects, including: returning farmland to forest; returning grazing land to grassland; and establishing a national monitoring network for biodiversity. He also highlighted China’s enhanced conservation efforts in improving the status of rare and endangered species, including the giant panda, the Tibetan antelope, and the Père David’s deer.
Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, congratulated China for its leadership role in preserving biodiversity and for taking the presidency of the CBD in 2020 at a critical moment for the world. She stressed that, by 2030, the world must “bend the curve” of biodiversity loss or risk permanent and irreversible consequences. She highlighted China’s success in achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, including on restoring degraded ecosystems, promoting carbon sequestration and implementing its National Report. She concluded by noting China’s leadership role in setting new conservation targets and in shaping the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework.
Yulin Fu, MEE, China, discussed the process of preparing China’s Sixth National Report, explaining that the National Committee for Biodiversity Conservation led the process and described that the report was concluded in one year and four months, with the involvement of around 30 ministries, departments and research institutions. She also explained that the report follows CBD’s templates and is supported by a new process for national data gathering. She noted that an expert consultation reviewed the draft report, supported by technical workshops, and eventually approved and translated it into English in October 2018.
Dandan Yu, MEE, China, spoke on the indicator system of China’s Sixth National Report, focusing on the principles that informed them. She recalled that Article 26 of the CBD and COP Decision XIII/27 require an increase in capacity to produce a “high quality, gender-responsive, data-driven Sixth National Report.” She explained that the development of the Chinese national indicators should: cover all components of biodiversity; be objectively and timely in reflecting changes; be easy to understand and have wide acceptance; balance accuracy and low-cost; be sensitive to changes; and be internationally usable, while responsive to national circumstances. She shared that some indicators have uniquely Chinese characteristics, such as: timber standing stock; percentage of surface water bodies with good quality water; and the number of sites with original habitats for wild agricultural plants.
Haigen Xu, NIES and MEE, China, presented on China’s biodiversity conservation actions and achievements, progress towards the Aichi Targets, and experiences gained. He highlighted China’s megadiverse status, noting that the number of known species and sub-species is 92,302. He reported that, inter alia:
there are 3,767 species of threatened species in China's higher plants, accounting for 10.9% of the total number of species assessed;
the number of threatened species of vertebrates in China is 932, accounting for 21.4% of the total number of species assessed; and
there are 176 species of threatened amphibians, with a threat ratio of 43.1%, which is higher than the global percentage of threatened amphibians (30.6%).
He announced that since 2015, China has adopted a series of policies related to biodiversity conservation, which offer innovative efforts in overall arrangements towards the development of an “Ecological Civilization” through biodiversity conservation. These policies include: recommendations for accelerating “Ecological Civilization” development; recommendations on improving ecological compensation mechanisms; and proposals for mechanisms for wetland conservation and restoration. On further actions, he stated that policy measures for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity require refinement, with priorities to be given to the conservation of vulnerable grassland and marine ecosystems.
In the wrap-up discussion, participants identified, inter alia: the potential to modify targets after 2020 based on national experiences; main challenges faced in developing the report; China’s plans to continue to increase the amounts of data available for future biodiversity reporting; clarifications on data referring to China’s increasing ecological footprint, yet improving biodiversity indicators; and specific indicators that were effective in attracting political support.
Chengshou Bai, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Yulin Fu, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary
Dandan Yu, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Haigen Xu, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China
Participants ask questions during the event
Participants read the newly launched report
CONTACT
Xu Haigen | xhg@nies.org
MORE INFORMATION
www.nies.org
Around the Venue
Traditional Egyptian artefacts on display around the venue sharing stories of Egypt's history
A model of an environmental cultural center using sustainability elements
A photography display highlighting the work done by indigenous people around the world to protect biodiversity
ENBOTS selected side events coverage for 10 December 2016
UN Biodiversity Conference 2016 (Cancún)
The following event was covered by IISD Reporting Services on Saturday, 10 December 2016:
Signature and Launch of the Yucatan Peninsula Agreement on Sustainability for 2030 (ASPY)
Biodiversity-Related Development Finance: Towards Better Tracking
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENBOTS Meeting Coverage, is providing daily web coverage of selected side-events from the UN Biodiversity Conference.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Diego Noguera
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page.
Signature and Launch of the Yucatan Peninsula Agreement on Sustainability for 2030 (ASPY)
Presented by the Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Mexican REDD+ Programme, and the Latin American Conservation Council (LACC)
At this event, moderated by Antonio Godoy, State of Quintana Roo, the state governments of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán in Mexico, together with civil society organizations (CSOs) and over 50 companies committed to green growth and conservation of the Yucatán Peninsula by signing the ASPY.
Aurelio Ramos, Director, TNC Latin America, noted the need to increase food production by 2050 due to population increase, stressing that Latin America is central to addressing this challenge. He underscored the need for private-public partnerships to meet the joint challenges of development and conservation, lauding the partnerships represented within the ASPY. He highlighted that the ASPY aims to, inter alia: achieve zero deforestation by 2030; restore two million hectares of degraded lands; and promote Mayan biocultural landscapes on over five million hectares of land.
Rafael Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, Governor of Campeche, said that the signing represented a step forward in the preservation of the YucatánPeninsula and in biodiversity mainstreaming. Calling the Agreement the “start of the green wave” of Mexico, he stressed that the ASPY will address not only forestry, but also marine and coastal, as well as terrestrial, biodiversity. He highlighted the region’s biocultural heritage, as well as the numerous protected areas, stating that Campeche has the largest mangrove area in the country.
Rolando Zapata Bello, Governor of Yucatán, underscored that the region’s natural wealth is a “treasure,” pointing to the threats posed by climate change. He highlighted that the ASPY is an important strategy for the region and will be essential in achieving zero deforestation, and addressing sustainable consumption and production. He drew attention to Mexico’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Cancún Declaration on Mainstreaming Biodiversity, stressing that the Yucatán Peninsula will be central to achieving both these agreements.
In a keynote address, Carlos Manuel Joaquín González, Governor of Quintana Roo, noted that the signing of the ASPY will drive green growth in the Yucatán Peninsula, and announced that this is the first regional agreement on conservation and sustainable growth in Mexico. He stressed that the ASPY is an opportunity to elaborate new green development strategies, and called for the coordination of efforts in order to meet the strategic goals set out in the Agreement, including on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, coastal zone management, ecosystem conservation, water, sustainable markets and sustainable tourism. He welcomed private sector partnerships to attain long-term sustainability represented in the ASPY, expressing confidence that other entrepreneurs and private sector actors will also join the Agreement.
The Governors then signed the ASPY, which consists of two interlinked agreements: the collaboration Agreement between the three states; and the Private Sector Declaration.
The dais during the event
Aurelio Ramos, Director, TNC Latin America, pointed to the ASPY as a tool to attract resources from the global community and the private sector in order to promote green growth in the Yucatán Peninsula.
Rafael Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, Governor of Campeche, stressed that “we need to leave a better world for our children,” underlining the need for the youth to be involved in the green growth agenda.
Rolando Zapata Bello, Governor of Yucatan, welcomed the ASPY, highlighting that it will make the region attractive to new investments that promote sustainable growth.
Carlos Manuel Joaquín González, Governor of Quintana Roo, promised that he would “restore one coral for each vote,” and called for private investment in green development.
(L-R): Rolando Zapata Bello, Governor of Yucatan, Carlos Manuel Joaquín González, Governor of Quintana Roo, and Rafael Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, Governor of Campeche, sign the ASPY.
Contact:
Nadia Peimbert (Coordinator)
| npeimbert@tnc.org
More Information:
http://www.nature.org/ggc
http://ccpy.gob.mx/agenda-regional/aspy2030.php
Biodiversity-Related Development Finance: Towards Better Tracking
Presented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
This workshop, moderated by Gabriela Blatter, Federal Office of Environment, Switzerland, engaged participants in discussing current methods of tracking biodiversity-related financing.
Markus Lehmann, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat, highlighted the challenges faced by parties in meeting the financial mobilization targets, noting that mainstreaming biodiversity into all sectors makes financial reporting difficult, and pointed to the additional challenge on reporting private assistance.
In the first session, on approaches to tracking biodiversity-related development finance, Galina Alova, OECD, presented the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Creditor Reporting System (CRS) used to monitor development finance targeting the three Rio Conventions. She described the Rio Markers, which are used to capture data to track financing of Rio Conventions’-related activities and goals. She reported bilateral biodiversity-related official development assistance (ODA) of US$8.7 billion in 2014-2015, with the top five contributors being Germany, the US, Japan, France and the EU. In a brief discussion, participants noted difficulties in ensuring data consistency due to the qualitative nature of the Rio Marker.
Luis Antonio Sánchez Perales, Ministry of Environment, Peru, spoke about his country’s approach to tracking biodiversity-related expenditure, stressing that “we must know how much goes to salaries and how much goes to trees and birds.” He presented an online platform where data on both public and private expenditure for biodiversity-related finance can be tracked, noting that an average of US$500 million was spent between 2010 and 2014 on waste management, waste water treatment and in situ conservation of potato breeds.
Bart Missinne, European Commission (EC), highlighted that the EU’s strategy for “biodiversity-proof” development cooperation must ensure that biodiversity is considered in: strategic environmental assessments, to identify and prevent undesired side effects of development projects on biodiversity, and through mitigation measures from development projects; and sector-wide planning, such as for health and infrastructure projects. He demonstrated how the EU has doubled total biodiversity-related ODA to developing countries by 116% against a baseline of average spending from 2006-2010.
Ferdinand Mwapopi, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia, discussed his country’s experience in tracking national biodiversity expenditure. He cited the use of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) approach for public-private expenditure reviews for biodiversity and costing biodiversity-related projects. He reported progress in disaggregating expenditure data based on sources and activities, noting that biodiversity expenditure was highest in 2010, receiving 2.4% of total government expenditure, and lauded the substantial increase in Germany’s contribution since 2015.
Blatter, on behalf of Eva Mayerhofer, European Investment Bank, spoke on the development of a joint methodology to track biodiversity-related multilateral development finance for multilateral development banks (MDBs). She reported reduced biodiversity-related funding and called on MDB member countries to channel more funding towards biodiversity. She noted that the OECD tracking methodology follows a process-related approach to assess the biodiversity relevance of funding, adding that tracking positive impacts of funding on ecosystem management is preferable to tracking financial flows.
In the second session on how the DAC CRS can be used to track biodiversity-related ODA, Guillaume Simon, OECD, presented a biodiversity-related development finance database of the OECD using three examples of project reporting to illustrate information on, inter alia, donor commitments, project descriptions, timelines and geographic specification. He noted the database uses the Rio Markers to specify whether principal objectives of the project are biodiversity-related. He also said the data could be exported and that a data visualization tool, which illustrates project details, can be accessed at: http://stats.oecd.org
Armida Andres, Biodiversity Management Bureau, the Philippines, discussed her country’s experience, noting concerns on the use of the Rio Markers since most projects do not fall directly in the categories proposed. She recommended feedback mechanisms between donor recipient countries and the CRS to refine these categories and to include differentiation of project implementation at national, subnational and local levels. She noted that tracking biodiversity expenditure is contributing to reporting to National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). She underscored her country’s preference for its own public expenditure review processes, saying the EU markers were “oversimplified.”
Matthias Krause, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany, reported on a BMZ report ‘Committed to Biodiversity,’ which tracks Germany’s international cooperation in support of the CBD. He said bilateral funding is channeled through BMZ and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB). He noted that the report focuses on international biodiversity finance, which promotes sustainable production and consumption patterns and ensures biodiversity and ecosystem services are taken into account in economic and political decision-making processes.
In a lively two-part discussion, participants discussed, inter alia: the complexities of reporting particularly against the backdrop of mainstreaming biodiversity; the need to ensure that ODA actually benefits biodiversity; the importance of sharing information to avoid overlaps and improve transparency; the role of BIOFIN in reporting; the need to use biodiversity-relevant coefficients to mainstream biodiversity at the national level; and the need to consider biodiversity finance related to private lands. They also spoke about, inter alia: how to account for the difference between what is reflected in project proposals and what is implemented on the ground; how to practically track financing in the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets; and the danger of basing the ability to achieve all the Targets on Aichi Biodiversity Target 20 (resource mobilization). They also highlighted: the extent of biodiversity-related projects on the database; the importance of assisting recipient countries in using the OECD reporting database; the potential to bridge the gap between the use of datasets in reporting biodiversity-related financing and transparently communicating how this reporting aligns with national commitments for the Rio Conventions; and the use of “commitments” versus “disbursements” in reporting national efforts for biodiversity conservation.
Moderator Gabriela Blatter, Federal Office of Environment, Switzerland
Markus Lehmann, CBD Secretariat, welcomed country perspectives on biodiversity-related financial reporting.
Galina Alova, OECD, said Africa accounted for the highest share of bilateral biodiversity-related ODA commitments in 2014-15, amounting to 31%.
Luis Antonio Sánchez Perales, Ministry of Environment, Peru, noted that “it is not how much we spend on biodiversity, but what we do with the funding.”
Bart Missinne, EC, described how the EU uses performance indicators to track and report on biodiversity investment.
Grégoire Dubois, EC, during ensuing discussions.
Matti Nummelin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
Ferdinand Mwapopi, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia, said Namibia has been tracking biodiversity-related funding since 2006.
Guillaume Simon, OECD Development Co-operation Directorate, described the content of an online database to track biodiversity-related development finance.
Matthias Krause, BMZ, said that since 2012, projects that include the Rio Markers are considered in a country’s biodiversity-related bilateral financing.
Contact:
Galina Alova (Coordinator)
| Galina.Alova@oecd.org
Nicolina Lamhauge (Coordinator)
| Nicolina.Lamhauge@oecd.org
More Information:
http://oe.cd/RioMarkers
Une année d'apprentissage pour les négociations environnementales
Négocier des accords mondiaux sur l'action climatique, la restauration de la biodiversité, le contrôle de la pollution plastique et d'autres crises environnementales n'est pas facile dans le meilleur des cas - et 2021 en était loin. Pourtant, il y a eu des gains alors que le monde naviguait sur des vagues changeantes de COVID-19 et un partage inégal des vaccins.
Notre rapport L'état des négociations environnementales mondiales 2021 explore les faits saillants et les points faibles de l'année écoulée. La lettre d'ouverture de la Dre Jennifer Allan met cette année tumultueuse en contexte tout en envisageant les jalons de négociation possibles en 2022.