COUNTRY: SAINT LUCIA Enabling Activity Proposal in Biodiversity

Transcription

1 1 COUNTRY: SAINT LUCIA Enabling Activity Proposal in Biodiversity Country : St. Lucia Project Title : Assessment of Capacity Building for Biodiversity Conservation, participation in the Clearing House Mechanism and preparation of second national report GEF Focal Area : Biological Diversity Country Eligibility : St. Lucia ratified the CBD on 28 July 1993 GEF Financing : USD $450,000 Government Contribution : Project Management and Steering Committee US$ 30,000 Working Groups US$ 50,000 Project Staff US$ 10,000 Office Space, Equipment US$ 20,000 Total US$ 110,000 Estimated Total Budget : US$ 560,400 GEF Implementing Agency : Ministry of Planning, Development, Housing and the Environment National Implementing Agency: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Endorsement by GEF Operational Focal Point : Letter of Endorsement Attached CBD Focal Point : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Estimating Starting Date : January 2001 Project Duration : 18 Months EA Status : The implementing agency for the NBSAP is UNEP/GEF. The GEF Chief Executive Officer on February 3 rd 1998 approved a grant of US$169,000. The NBSAP is completed and was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on September 14 th, A draft First National Report has been submitted to the CBD in March 2000.

2 2 100% of the UNEP/GEF grant of US$ 169,600 has been disbursed to St. Lucia. Maintain participation in the CHM process Participation in a trial of the CHM allowed St. Lucia to enhance competence in the use of electronic mail and the Internet, and have access to biodiversity information not otherwise available in the country. Out of the GEF grant received, the CHM has been implemented. Currently a biodiversity web site has been established at and is maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Arrangements have been put in place for the site to be continuously updated for the benefit of the international community. Background In November 1997, a Steering Committee (the composition of which see Appendix 1) established by the Government of St. Lucia and comprising representatives from all relevant sectors began work on the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. A National Steering Committee was assembled under the direction of a Coordinator to assess the status of biological resources in St. Lucia and to identify important management, policy, and information needs. National experts were commissioned to conduct country studies in six main sectors (forest ecosystems, fresh water ecosystems, coastal and marine ecosystems, agricultural biodiversity, tourism, and socio-economic factors) to assess the current status of biological diversity, and identify issues, needs, gaps and actions. Four public consultations were held involving a wide range of stakeholders, leading to two broad-based national consultative meetings held in March and August It is on the basis of these studies and consultations, augmented by the contributions of individual experts and agencies and by the deliberations of the National Steering Committee, that the strategy and action plan has been prepared. The NBSAP outlines a vision for St. Lucia with reference to biodiversity and describes the current status of local ecosystems. Recommendations for effective action for sustainable use and management are presented. The Vision for the future of St. Lucia s Biological Diversity requires that policy-making processes at all levels contributes to the integrity of the country s biological diversity and is maintained and, whenever possible, restored. In order to achieve its vision and address the issues that are likely to adversely impact on biodiversity, the National Steering Committee, guided by recommendations arising out of the NBSAP consultations has determined that local capacity needs to be strengthened in order to facilitate the programmes recommended by the NBSAP. Human resources, supported by appropriate information, tools and infrastructure must be enhanced to facilitate full national involvement at all stages and levels of conservation, sustainable use and management. Project Objectives 1. To support the Steering Committee to obtain national consensus on mechanisms to raise the national capacity to manage the use of biodiversity and ensure its conservation. 2. To assess key capacity building requirements identified by the NBSAP

3 3 3. In accordance with the Decision V/19 of the Conference of the Parties, prepare a second national report for submission to the Secretariat CBD by the deadline May15, To maintain participation in the CHM Priorities for assessing capacity building needs The project will focus on assessing all key capacity-building requirements, which were identified by the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. For the purpose of this proposal, these actions have been grouped under the following categories, namely: assessment of capacity building needs for (1) General measures for ex situ and in situ conservation: policy, institutional and legislative review; (2) assessment and monitoring of local biodiversity; (3) preservation/maintenance of biodiversity related knowledge : education, public awareness and participation in the CHM. The project will also focus on the production of the Second National Report mandated by the Convention on Biodiversity. Consultations with various publics to provide the necessary information will be conducted as part of this component. The NBSAP and other policy processes carried out over the past few years in St. Lucia have allowed for the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of current policy and institutional arrangements. While the NBSAP provides clear policy guidance in all relevant sectors, this policy now needs to be operationalized at all levels. The primary purpose of this component of the project will be to identify the specific implications of the policy directions contained in the NBSAP, and to assess the development of the capacity required for the commencement of institutional and legal reform that is necessary to permit the effective implementation of the NBSAP. Review of national and other herbaria, all biodiversity collections and assessment of the indicators for the limits of acceptable change will also be undertaken. St. Lucia has developed a System of Protected Areas which has identified twenty seven areas worthy of conservation on the island. Assessment of the capacity building needs to implement measures for in-situ and ex-situ conservation and sustainable use is therefore critical for the sustainable development of these areas.this component of the project will involve a review and analysis of past and current experiences, as well as an analysis of the effectiveness of various approaches, to ensure that the solutions are tailored to local needs and conditions. A work plan will be developed for institutional and legal reform, as well as an identification of lessons learned (what works and what does not work for biodiversity conservation in St. Lucia) and of best practices suited to local conditions. A working group will be established that will carry out investigations and consultations to produce a report to chart the way forward in this matter for the island.

4 4 The NBSAP has also recognized that there is need to build the information and knowledge base in the country, as this is an essential requirement for effective management. Capacity thus needs to be built at various levels, including the design of assessment and monitoring programs which are fully suited to local situations, the training of staff, the strengthening of organizations involved in information gathering and management, and the mobilization of all available human, technical and financial resources. This component of the project will assess the capacity building needs to develop an effective and efficient system for assessment and monitoring. A working group will be established to undertake the necessary consultations and investigations, and to compile a report. The folklore and culture in St. Lucia has produced extensive traditional knowledge to enable St. Lucia to use it in the conservation of its biodiversity. This component of the project will establish a working group to undertake community and national consultations and investigations to assess the capacity building needs required to preserve and maintain this important aspect of the natural patrimony. Included in this activity will be assessment of the formal and informal local knowledge available, the societal capital, the institutions available, the traditions/maintenance of culture related to biodiversity knowledge preservation and the assessment of public awareness on this local knowledge. This component of the project will be tied in with the promotion of and participation in the Clearing House Mechanism. Participation in the CHM process This proposal includes provision for St. Lucia s CHM Focal Point to expand upon its pr esent CHM Internet access and links to the CHM mechanism. In addition to meeting recurrent CHM costs the project will enhance an Internet site to incorporate pages on: St. Lucia s biodiversity. Contact details for organisations in St. Lucia responsible for biodiversity management Information page for international biodiversity researchers Information page for importers and exporters of living things and their derivatives. Environmental information of interest to visitors to the St. Lucia: conservation areas; fishing resources, sites to observe, species of note etc. Another component of that aspect of the project will focus on building the basis for education, public awareness and participation to promote the CHM and to build national consensus on mechanisms to raise national capacity to manage the use of biodiversity and ensure its conservation. St. Lucia has extensive experience in the field of environmental education and participation. There is now need to build on that experience to assess the capacity building needs to define a comprehensive education and communication strategy dealing with all aspects of biodiversity conservation, and capable of reaching all target audiences in an effective and efficient manner, in order to promote the CHM and build national consensus. This is particularly critical as there are a large number of groups and agencies involved in the field of education and communication, and that the effectiveness of their work depends, to a large extent, on proper coordination. The project will therefore focus on the assessment of capacity building needs to develop a comprehensive biodiversity education strategy and the establishment and implementation of a suitable coordinating mechanism to promote the CHM and build national consensus. A working group will be established to undertake the necessary consultations and investigations and to compile the report on that component as well as initiate the promotion of the CHM.

5 5 The CHM budget also provides for on-the -job training in use and manageme nt of the CHM Internet site, sequenced training in the use of the CHM to staff of other government departments and relevant non-government organisations and to assist the webmaster to be oncall to assist and advise all users on CHM access needs. The project will also produce a CD- ROM on St. Lucia s biodiversity, and linkages with existing databases. The webmaster will be trained in further aspects of development of the biodiversity website under this component. Another important aspect of this component would be to ensure that public awareness of the website/chm is targetted at various publics via the use of the mass media. Preparation of the 2 nd National Report to the COP The budget includes provision of USD$5,000 to assist with preparation of a second national report to the COP, due with the CBD secretariat on 15 May The project shall establish a working group to formulate and implement participatory approaches to completion of Second National Report. Draft reports will be developed with a one-day workshop of national-level stakeholders in association with the Steering Committee. The report will be prepared in accord with the format and guidelines issued by the CBD secretariat so as to measure the state of national implementation of the CBD and review national priorities and actions. Time Plan and Sequencing The project is designed to be completed over 18 months to ensure effective consultation processes. Establish a National Biodiversity Steering Committee Contract of Project staff Establish working groups Working Groups operationalise work on: Policy, Institutional and Legislative Review Assessment and monitoring Education and Public Awareness National Report CHM National/regional workshops organized by the working groups Public awareness initiatives to promote CHM and raise awareness of mechanisms adopted Host consultations to produce the necessary responses for Second National Report

6 6 Institutional Framework and Project Implementation Responsibility for managing the assessment of capacity building needs in the various areas, promotion and maintenance of the CHM, production of the Second National Report and reporting to UNEP / GEF will rest with the national CBD Focal Point, the St. Lucia Government through its Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Enabling Biodiversity Project will be managed by a National Biodiversity Steering Committee (NBSC) chaired by a Project Coordinator. The committee will be composed of representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Tourism and Civil Aviation; Health and Gender Affairs; Planning, Development, Housing and the Environment; Community Development, Culture, Local Government and Co-operatives; as well as from the Government Information Service, the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards and The St. Lucia National Trust. The NBSC will primarily be responsible for assessing capacity building needs and coordinating activities geared towards addressing these needs as well as assisting in the production of the Second National Report and promoting and maintaining the CHM. In order to achieve its mandate, the NBSC will contract project staff who will be based in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and who will be responsible for the provision of technical, secretarial and administrative support to the NBSC. Project staff will also prepare information for dissemination to ensure stakeholder understanding and participation. The NBSC will also establish a number of working groups that will provide more detailed inputs and advice on the programmes identified and conduct all necessary assessments. It will liaise with relevant agencies and bodies and undertake participatory approaches to produce the necessary responses to the Second National Report. Working groups will be expected to work closely with the NBSC and report, as required, on all ongoing enabling activities. As such, working groups will draft discussion papers on a regular basis and submit these to the NBSC for appropriate action. At all times public involvement in all major enabling programmes will be sought. This will occur through a series of consultations. At all levels, working groups will be comprised mainly of St. Lucian nationals, since there is extensive experience and expertise in the country, and since it is felt that participation in these working groups will constitute a capacity-building activity in itself. However, external expertise will be sought when necessary to maximize the output from the various enabling programmes. Consistency of Approach and Procedures The Implementing Agency and the GEF National Focal Point have satisfied themselves that the proposal for additional funding complies with the Operational Criteria for the expedited financing of biodiversity enabling activities.

7 7 TABLE 1 PRIORITY RATIONALE WORK TO BE D0NE EXPECTED OUTPUTS Notes GENERAL MEASURES FOR EX SITU AND IN SITU CONSERVATION: POLICY, INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE REVIEW Implementation measures for in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable use There are critical gaps and overlaps in institutional arrangements. Legal framework is inadequate to achieve the objectives of the strategy and action plan. The policy reflected in the NBSAP now needs to be clearly articulated, adopted and operationalized. Working groups and consultants to review and advise on legal, institutional and policy issues regarding Biodiversity. Identification of Policy Implications of NBSAP. Draft policy statement, developed through stakeholder participation, on Biodiversity for submission to the Cabinet of Ministers. Assessment of capacity of relevant agencies for effective implementation of policies. Identification of appropriate institutionalarrangements required for effective biodiversity management. Recommendations for improving legislative framework for biodiversity management. Assessment of capacity building needs for Programme to build national capacity for management of protected areas. Assessment of indicators for Limits of Acceptable Change evaluation in protected areas identified through pilot studies. Analysis report of lessons learned

8 8 from local experience to guide future policy and insitutional development. ASSESSMENT & MONITORING Initial There is need for serious and assessment and effective assessment and monitoring monitoring of of biological diversity and the biodiversity, trends affecting its components as including this information is indispensable for taxonomy management. 1. Technical team/ consultants to assess capacity building needs to identify and select tools and methodologies including baseline variables and indicators, necessary for effective assessment and monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. 2. Assessment of capacity building needs for training of relevant personnel in the application of prescribed methodologies. Assessment of capacity building needs for Biodiversity assessment and monitoring procedures manual performed. Assessment of capacity building needs for Baseline indicators for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems identified through pilot surveys. Assessment of capacity building needs for Persons from stakeholder bodies to be trained in the application of key and tools/methodologies as defined in the procedure manual. 3. Assess infrastructural capacity to undertake effective assessment and monitoring of biodiversity. PRESERVATION/ MAINTENANCE OF BIODIVERSITY RELATED KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES: BIODIVERSITY KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION Preservation/ maintenance of biodiversity The objectives of the NBSAP cannot be achieved in the absence of a high level of awareness among 1. Establish Working Group to identify and elaborate the elements of a comprehensive Assessment of capacity building needs for comprehensive national biodiversity awareness, education

9 9 related knowledge of local communities all members of the public. This will ensure that all citizens are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for maximum contribution to the conservation and management of the country s biodiversity. National Biodiversity Education and Awareness Plan and Strategy. 2. Assess capacity building needs for Biodiversity Education and awareness Network to be established between Gov t, NGO s, CBO s and the private sector. and social marketing approaches. Network committee and coordinating body established, functioning and promoting CHM and building consensus on mechanisms to preserve and maintain local biodiversity related knowledge

10 10 APPENDIX 1 St. Lucia National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) Team National Coordinator Dawn Pierre-Nathaniel, Department of Fisheries National Steering Committee Former Department of the Environment (Chair): Cornelius Fevrier and Anita James Ministry of Planning, Development, Housing and the Environment: Crispin d Auvergne, John Calixte, Christopher Corbin and Bishnu Tulsie Ministry of Tourism: Jacqueline Alexander Ministry of Health: Harold Andrew Department of Agriculture: Alicia Daniel George Department of Forestry: Brian James St. Lucia Bureau of Standards : Thomas Edmund St. Lucia National Trust: Charmaine Nathaniel International Consultant Nels Johnson, World Resources Institute Consultants Michael Andrew, Forest ecosystems Dunstan Campbell, Socio-economic factors Marie-Louise Felix, Freshwater ecosystems Agnes Francis, Tourism Joan Norville, Agriculture Biodiversity Susanna De Beauville- Scott, Coastal & Marine ecosystems Elizabeth Charles-Soomer, Andrina Abraham, Geographic Information System Deborah Lambert, Editing Yves Renard, Facilitating and Writing Lucius Doxerie, Public Outreach