The Amazon Network Initiative

Conserving the Legacy of a Living Amazon

Daniel ArancibiaWWF

October 20, 2009

Amazon: Geographic Scope

6.7 million square kilometers in size

Shared by 8 countries & 1 overseas territory

> 33 million people living in the Amazon

The Amazon Biome: Importance

>90-140 billion tons of carbon – significant for climate change mitigation

40% of the Earth’s remaining Tropical Forests

20% of world’s freshwater flows through the Basin

> 10% of the known species on Earth found here

350 indigenous groups dependent on its resources; > 60 still living in voluntary isolation

WWF in the Amazon

> 40 years of experience in the region

Presence in 8 out of 9 countries

Work with partners across scales – local to global

Thematic expertise on footprint & biodiversity issues

Climate Change

Amazon: a regional and global climate regulator

Links between deforestation and climate change

Potential tipping points

Extensive Cattle Ranching

80% of deforestation in the Amazon Biome brought about by cattle ranching

Low productivity cattle ranching pervasive

Mechanized agriculture

Amazon increasingly integrated into national and global demand

Booming demand for animal feed and biofuels

Soy

Sugar cane

Palm oil

Drivers of change in the Amazon

Market demand for agro-commodities and energy

Transport infrastructure

Amazon as critical provider of ecosystem goods & services not factored into development paradigm

Comparatively low economic value of natural ecosystems

Opportunistic land use

Amazon Network Initiative: Vision

We envision an ecologically healthy Amazon Biome that maintains its environmental and cultural contribution to local peoples, the countries of the region, and the world, within a framework of social equity, inclusive economic development and global responsibility

Amazon Conceptual Model

Sustainable Commodities

Market demand (agro-commodities)

Mechanized Agriculture

Ecological Systems

Environmental Flows

Regional climate patterns

Deforestation / Conversion

Free Flowing Rivers & Forest Friendly Roads

Transport Infrastructure

Market demand (energy)

Water Infrastructure

Lack of planning / land grabbing

Landscape Planning &

Conservation

River flow changes

Extensive Cattle

Ranching

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Climate Change

Lack of Ecosystem Value

Weak Governance / lack integrated

vision

Bolstering the Value of Natural

Ecosystems

Main StrategiesMain Threats

Main drivers

Main pressures

Conservation Targets

ANI Strategies

Shifting the Paradigm

Bolstering the Value of Natural Ecosystems

Sound Land Planning and Conservation

Sustainable Agro-Commodities

Free-flowing Rivers and Forest-friendly Roads

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ANI Strategy 1: Shifting the Paradigm

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Amazon ecosystem services incorporated as critical ingredient of development

Amazon’s regional & global contribution understood as vital

Responsibility fostered at all levels

By:

Showing policy / economic

benefits of healthy Amazon

Building committed & informed

constituencies for the Amazon

ANI Strategy 2: Bolstering the Value of Natural Ecosystems

Increased market value of natural ecosystems by:

Promoting Carbon Credits

Payment for Environmental

Services (other than carbon)

Advocating for comprehensive

forest policies

Promoting demand for

sustainable forest products

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ANI Strategy 3: Land Planning & Conservation

Secure the foundations of a healthy ecosystem through a landscape approach by supporting:

Land-use plans in priority landscapes

Strengthening of land tenure and resource rights

Creation of Protected Areas

Effective management of critical

protected areas, indigenous lands

& key areas without legal

protection

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ANI Strategy 4: Sustainable Agro-Commodities

Influence markets to signal need for improved performance through :

Adoption of socio-environmental standards & better management practices

Designation of “go” vs. “no-go” zones

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ANI Strategy 5: Forest Friendly Roads & Free-Flowing Rivers

Infrastructure development recognizes importance of ecosystem and local residents’ needs by:

Improving social & environmental criteria

Influencing national and regional transportation and energy policies

Enhancing civil society capacity & participation during infrastructure design & implementation

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ANI Multi-Scale Approach

Source: Folke et al.(1998)

WWF Presence in Amazon

Potential WWF Priority Landscapes

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Thank You