Promoting Cooperation on Ecosystem-based Approaches in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)

Transcription

1 Promoting Cooperation on Ecosystem-based Approaches in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Ornsaran Pomme Manuamorn Climate Change Coordinator GMS Environment Operations Center (EOC) Asian Development Bank

2 Outline The GMS context The GMS Core Environment Program (CEP) Examples of CEP work on EBA mainstreaming and cooperation in the GMS

3 Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Six countries Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and PR China (Yunnan and Guangxi provinces) One of the fastest growing regions in the world Annual GDP growth averaged 9.5% between 2000 and million people (67% rural)

4 Linear population growth, exponential GDP growth

5 Declining poverty and improved human well-being...

6 ... but still pockets of poverty, especially in rural areas 45 million GMS population is considered poor

7 and rising costs of natural disasters 2011 Bangkok Flood costs US$ 146 billion in losses 4 th costliest disaster after: 2011 Japan tsunami 2005 Hurricane Katrina 1995 Kobe eartquake

8 Abundant natural capital Globally important biodiversity hot spots 6 of the world s ecoregions Carbon reservoirs from 118 million ha of forests 6 major river basins (including Mekong) sustaining fisheries, agriculture and energy Land resources for agriculture and mineral deposits

9 Natural capital drives economic growth in many ways High share of primary commodities in exports and trade Share of agriculture and forestry sector in GDP: 36.4 % in Myanmar 36% in Cambodia 30.3% Lao PDR Source: ADB Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2012

10 Natural capital drives economic growth in many ways 2. Agriculture employs a majority of the population in GMS Countries 80 Agricultural Population as a % of Total Cambodia Laos Myanmar Thailand Viet Nam Source: Selected Indicators, FAO - RAP 2011

11 Natural capital drives economic growth in many ways 3. Other growth sectors also utilize ecosystem services intensively Energy exports Hydropower production

12 GMS ecosystems are under pressures Overexploitation (harvesting of ecosystem products and services) Infrastructure development (energy, transport) Land use change (agriculture, urban development) Ecosystems and ensuring sustainability depends on ability to manage increasing pressures

13 Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line Infrastructure Development in GMS (1992)

14 Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line Infrastructure Development in GMS (2010)

15 Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line Infrastructure Development in GMS ( )

16 Fragmentation of GMS ecosystems Biodiversity landscapes intersected with economic corridors

17 Loss of forest cover and biodiversity

18 . Loss of ecosystem functions and services

19 Climate change threatens GMS landscape and biodiversity conservation Direct impacts Habitat and ecosystem degradation Loss of distinctive vegetation Change in species composition Range shifts Species extinction Indirect impacts Overexploitation of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as climate coping strategy Mounting hunting pressure on species Climate-induced shifts of agro-zones Climate refugees can clear forest land, making ecosystems more vulnerable

20 The GMS Core Environment Program

21 GMS Core Environment Program ( ) Regional Program led by GMS Working Group on Environment (GMS environment ministries), supported by Asian Development Bank IMPACT: Improved biodiversity conservation and climate resilience across the GMS OUTCOME: Environment friendly and climate resilient GMS Economic Cooperation Program COMPONENT 1: Environmental Monitoring, Planning and Safeguards COMPONENT 2: Biodiversity Landscapes and Livelihoods COMPONENY 3: Climate Change COMPONENT 4: Institution and Financing OUTPUT: Environmental planning systems, methods and safeguards improved OUTPUT: Improved management of conservation landscapes for sustainable livelihoods OUTPUT: Climate resilience enhanced and low carbon development promoted OUTPUT: Institutions and sustainable financing for environmental management strengthened

22 CEP at its heart Secure natural capital (ecosystem assets and services) Optimize allocation of scarce resources and manage competition Enhance efficiency of supply chain that is dependent on or affects scarce resources Improve inclusiveness and equitable benefit-sharing Promote integrated management of resources across international borders

23 The case for regional cooperation Landscapes Mekong Headwaters Sino-Vietnamese Limestone Annamites Tri-border forests Eastern Plains Dry Forests Tenasserim Mountains Cardamom Mountains Countries PRC, Lao PDR, Myanmar China, Viet Nam Lao PDR, Viet Nam Lao PDR, Vietnam, Cambodia Cambodia, Viet Nam Myanmar, Thailand Thailand, Camboda

24 CEP Approach in GMS Transboundary Landscapes Key elements of landscape management and climate change adaptation: - Conservation and restoration of ecosystems - Sustainable landscape and resource management - Livelihood diversification - Disaster risk reduction and preparedness - Climate risk financing Implementation approach: - Establishment of transboundary technical working groups - Mainstreaming in policy and plans - Capacity building - Community participation - Partnerships

25 EBA-related Activities Implemented by CEP ( ) Climate-resilient landscapes Conduct climate vulnerability assessments in key transboundary landscapes Apply the EBA framework developed by the World Bank and WWF for landscape-level application Develop climate-integrated conservation strategies Promote collaborative mechanisms for transboundary landscape management (such as working groups, MOUs etc.) Develop regional knowledge base to support climate-integrated conservation Identify investment opportunities in ecosystem assets and services.

26 EBA-related Activities Implemented by CEP ( ) Climate-resilient communities Develop climate vulnerability methodology which integrates an EBA framework Build capacity of GMS practitioners to assess climate risks and plan for adaptation at the community level Identify and pilot adaptation options including EBA measures in rural communities Develop a regional knowledge base to support adaptation planning. Identify investment opportunities to scale up adaptation measures.

27 THANK YOU!