Conservation at multiple scales in the lower Mekong : an integrated approach to the threat from agro-industrial development

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1 Conservation at multiple scales in the lower Mekong : an integrated approach to the threat from agro-industrial development The Phou Pha Maen escarpment in the Nam Kading National Protected Area, Lao PDR Christopher Holmes Wildlife Conservation Society March 4, 2015 Siem Reap, Cambodia

2 WCS crafts on-the-ground solutions to regional problems to sustain wildlife and habitats in the Mekong basin Our long-term relationships at all levels build trust and motivation among partners and ensure longevity of results

3 Multi-scale approach Cross-scale threats driven by regional and global factors Cross-cutting Strategies Landscape-level Strategies climate change unchecked large-scale development expanding wildlife trade global demand for commodities weak EIA / concession regulations globally important landscapes that will help conserve much of the iconic biodiversity of Southeast Asia weak community land rights nascent management capacity unsustainable agriculture unregulated NTFP perverse incentives illegal hunting illegal logging Site-specific threats driven at the local level On the ground solutions with regional impact

4 Overall objective: Develop a long-term strategy for addressing the threats from agroindustrial development and undertake targeted actions to reduce these threats at key landscapes for biodiversity conservation and local people

5 Project framework UNDERSTAND PLAN ACT TODAY: WEAK ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE & LAND RIGHTS Inability to value ecosystem services Few alternatives to land conversion Weak EIA and community land rights Key information unavailable to many stakeholders Easy access to finance for agroindustrial development Poor grasp of commodity value chain and demand drivers Build the Knowledge base on: dynamics and drivers of agroindustrial expansion & ecosystem service values Develop Decision-support tools and replicable processes to: empower governments, local stakeholders, private sector and finance sector to implement climate-smart planning Promote Practical alternatives to: unchecked expansion of agro-industrial development into areas of high biodiversity value or environmental importance Better Planning dynamic, climatesmart Better Incentives working PES schemes Better information increased transparency, engagement, stewardship Better Economic Drivers link to environmental goals Better Corporate Behavior: public/private partnerships TOMORROW: BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE & RIGHTS

6 To understand we will build a robust knowledge base on the dynamics and drivers of agro-industrial expansion, together with other threats, and the distribution of ecosystem service values and biodiversity. Concession mapping Commodity Chain analysis Chinese OFDI mapping Company profiles

7 UNDERSTAND : We mapped commodity chains associated with the key crops, threatening integrity of forest in the target landscapes. This information allows for developing approaches at both community and company scales to reduce future environment impact

8 To plan we will empower governments, local stakeholders, and the private sector with replicable tools and processes to implement climate-smart planning that will help to optimize the outcomes for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, economic development, and local livelihoods. Community participatory land use planning Participatory sub-national spatial planning Models for REDD+ and PES

9 PLAN : Habitat and conversion analyses are part of the FOOTPRINT process and have already highlighted areas of high importance for biodiversity and areas under threat from development in the Tonle Sap floodplain Analysis of spatial drivers to understand future scenarios Future-smart conservation plans will be developed by integrating information on development plans, projections of the impacts of climate change and flood regime change

10 To act we will promote practical alternatives to the expansion of agroindustrial development into areas of high biodiversity or environmental importance. Community tenure and user rights Incentive-based conservation enterprise Private sector partnerships

11 ACT : Development of a PES model for hydropower with a private sector partner Buyer: THPC Payment: To Village Dev. Fund, based on % participation & if any infractions occurred Seller: Nam Gnouang Villages Reduce sedimentation & increase forest cover Monitoring: 1. Sat. imagery - Sediment & Forest Cover 2. Land Use Committee 3. Ranger Patrol teams 4. Certifying Body Intervention: Agrofor ext. & marketing cash crops Buyer/Seller Contract: Clearly define responsibilities & benefits Maintain watershed protection and services for environmental, social and economic benefits

12 We empower governments, local communities and the private sector with the Opportunities knowledge and tools to make decisions and act on those decisions that sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services Over 40,000 hectares protected from land grabs and small-scale conversion by farmers Over 100,00 hectares of protection through new and/or expanded protected areas Over 5,000 households engaged in land-use planning to secure user rights Over 1,000 households benefiting from incentive-based conservation enterprise Over 210,000 in revenue generated at the village/household level from incentive-based conservation enterprise Through understanding the dynamics and drivers of threats and the trends in biodiversity we plan future-smart conservation that optimize outcomes for conservation, ecosystem services, economic development and local livelihoods

13 Acknowledgements Cambodia - Communities of KPWS, PVPF, Prek Toal, Ang Trapeang Thmor, BFCAs; Photographs: Eleanor Briggs/WCS Lao PDR - communities of Nam Theun, Nam Kading watershed; Photographs: WCS/IEWMP

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