The International Union for Conservation of Nature

Biodiversity Target in EU Development Cooperation: Key Challenges for the Future

Jean-Claude JacquesHead IUCN Representation to the EU

Jean-claude.jacques@iucn.org

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

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

• 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:

• 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, …

Ecosystem Services(Millenium Ecosystem Assessment Findings – 2005)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature

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: Eco-certification

The International Union for Conservation of Nature

Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Development Cooperation

A complete set of policy commitments

• The European Consensus on Development – 2005

• The EU Biodiversity Action Plan to 2010 – and beyond – 2006

• The EU Council conclusions on the Message from Paris – 2006

• The EU Council conclusions on integrating environment in development cooperation – 2009

• 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 JacquesHead IUCN Representation to the EU

Jean-claude.jacques@iucn.org