Joint Knowledge Event on Managing Natural Capital to Ensure Food, Energy, and Water Security Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar 25 March 2014

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Joint Knowledge Event on Managing Natural Capital to Ensure Food, Energy, and Water Security Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar 25 March 2014"

Transcription

1 Joint Knowledge Event on Managing Natural Capital to Ensure Food, Energy, and Water Security Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar 25 March 2014 Opening remarks by Javed H. Mir, Director of Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Division, Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank Honorable U Win Tun, Union Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Myanmar Honorable U Khin Zaw, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation, Other deputy ministers Distinguished colleagues and friends. Good morning to you all. On behalf of the Asian Development Bank, it is my pleasure and privilege to deliver these opening remarks at this at this knowledge event Let me begin by thanking the Honorable Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry and vice ministers from MOECAF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for gracing this event with their presence, and the Government of Myanmar for hosting this important event. We believe the theme of managing natural capital to ensure Food, Energy and Water Security is critical for realizing the shared vision of GMS countries of a future that is prosperous, equitable, and environmentally sustainable. I would like to focus my opening remarks on three areas of relevance and importance to today s knowledge sharing event as well as to the GMS Working Group on Agriculture and GMS Working Group on Environment deliberations when they meet tomorrow. 1

2 The three areas I will focus on are (i) the development context, the timing of this event, and the fact this event is being held in Myanmar, (ii) for what and whom we are aiming to improve the condition and management of GMS s natural capital; and (iii) how we see the GMS Core Agriculture Support Program and GMS Core Environment Program help us translate and scale up the knowledge shared and generated at this event. Let me start with the development context: Currently the development community, globally as well as in the Asia-Pacific, are facing three key challenges 1) how to address the persistent, and in some cases, growing inequity that is putting at risk economic growth and prosperity globally; 2) the growing environmental sustainability and climate change challenges, which were also highlighted by the Honorable minister in his welcoming remarks; and 3) that national and household budgets are increasingly squeezed and in response will require all of us to find innovative and more cost-efficient solutions to our food, water and energy security issues. An inevitable consequence is that natural capital management will have to become increasingly knowledge intensive rather than financial capital intensive. Let me also note, that interestingly, unlike in the past, these challenges and the remedies therein cut across developing and developed economies. First, we are just turning the corner from two decades of successful GMS economic cooperation. GMS countries now have launched a very ambitious GMS economic cooperation strategy for that is complemented by a $50 2

3 billion regional investment framework. This offers great opportunities but also challenges for the GMS countries, particularly regarding inclusivity as well as sustainability. GMS countries as part of ASEAN are also at the cusp of the 2015 ASEAN economic union. Again, this offers great hope and potential for GMS countries and its peoples, but also brings to the fore challenges that integration poses on the socio-economic as well environmental sustainability fronts. Now, in terms of both timing and location, the holding of this event in Myanmar signifies that like rest of the GMS, Myanmar s economic development, particularly of its agriculture, is at a crossroads. Myanmar, like other GMS countries, is well positioned to once again become a major regional and global player both in agriculture and environment. Let me try to share a few thoughts on why we believe the sound and sustainable management of land and water resources are important factors that will determine the performance of the GMS economic cooperation program in general, and the GMS agriculture and environment sectors in particular. Later today and tomorrow you will hear a lot more on this issue. Therefore, let me briefly layout for you how we in the Asian Development Bank see the link between natural capital management and the inequity and environment sustainability challenges GMS is facing, and will face in the coming decades. We will need to work more proactively and with more vision, starting now. As we are all into nexus terminology these days, let me briefly point out the natural capital-inequity nexus as I see it. As many of you know, GMS Gross 3

4 Domestic Product (GDP) has grown at around 9% annually during last decade or so. During the same period, Agriculture Sector GDP growth in the GMS has hovered 3.7% annually. Now, considering that 35 to 40% of the workforce in most GMS countries is associated with agriculture, unless and until, the agriculture sector growth rate is accelerated and keeps up with the overall growth rate, it should come as no surprise to anyone that we will be experiencing even greater inequity within as well as between countries. We also know that the future annual GDP growth rate for GMS countries is projected at around 7.5% for the coming decade. So, if we are to avoid greater inequities and related undesirable social and economic consequences, it is imperative that the agriculture and rural sector improves performance in terms of physical productivity, profitability and sustainability. Now, how are we doing on this front? I am afraid not very well. We have seen slower agricultural productivity growth, in many cases declining profitability, and declining transmission of benefits from retail and border prices to the farm gate and producer. On the natural capital front, we continue to see declining soil fertility and moisture retention capacities in GMS. Many of our farm lands are losing their carbon content. This is not only bad for our food security, but also is a clear indicator of reduced water/moisture retention capacity, and reduced soil carbon stock and sequestration - the latter further complicating the climate change situation. 4

5 Because of poor management of natural capital and poor agriculture and water resource management practices, we are seeing new food security and safety challenges arising across the region. These range from arsenic accumulation in many rice growing areas in the GMS, and bacterial blight and blast threatening rice yields and production in many important rice growing areas of the GMS, particularly upland rice areas, which can easily push many upland communities back into poverty and hunger. Therefore, the need for improving competitiveness of agriculture through adopting an integrated approach is more critical than ever in the GMS. The response is needed on multiple fronts: (i) enhancing climate resilience of production systems including natural infrastructure of land and water resources, (ii) reducing reliance on fossil fuels by promoting and increasing agri-energy linkages such as between biomass-based clean energy for irrigation, transportation and bio-fertilizers, and (iii) improving energy efficiency and climate resilience of aggregation, processing, storage, marketing and logistics infrastructure to ensure delivery of safe and value-added agri-food. It is important to note that this cannot be accomplished by the public sector alone. We need more proactive participation of the private sector, and for that to happen, the public sector needs to create an effective enabling environment. We need to enhance resource use efficiencies, we need to look at the agriculture sector from a systems perspective, and look at improvements in all stages not only production but also post-harvest stages. As many of you know, post-harvest 5

6 losses in the rice sector in GMS are typically 15-20% in terms of weight loss and an additional 10-30% loss in terms of market value due to quality deterioration, part of which is associated with climate-related vulnerabilities. In these losses are embedded water and energy losses as well. Now, let me briefly highlight a few other threats to natural capital in the GMS. An estimated 10 12% of gross domestic product in the subregion is lost every year through the over-exploitation of forests, land, wildlife, fisheries, as well as through ecosystem pollution. Forest cover loss since 1990 totals 8 million hectares an area equivalent to almost one third the size of Lao PDR. During the same period, total greenhouse gas emissions increased 76% from 1990 levels in the subregion. In terms of land use change, the subregion accounts for close to 6% of forestryrelated global greenhouse gas emissions even though it has only 3% of the world s forest area. The subregion s rich fishery resources are at great risk due to increasing energy demand, particularly from hydropower development that is yet to be supported by sound economic, social and environmental cost benefit analyses. As energy demand growth runs ahead of the economic growth rate, given the economic growth projections for the GMS, we are likely to see water demand for energy production increase. This will put further stress on water resource allocation for food production, as well as for domestic and industrial use. Unfortunately, from the supply side, ground and surface water sources are depleting and degrading. 6

7 It is imperative that GMS countries take steps to more effectively integrate natural capital considerations into economic development. Otherwise, managing the subregion s natural capital in order to ensure food, energy, and water security is going to be difficult, if not impossible. The very reason we are holding this knowledge event indicates this is not an easy task. This task is characterized by the complex challenge of optimizing allocation of scarce resources across agriculture, energy and water sectors. Effective integration of natural capital considerations into sector development policy, planning and management processes requires reliable, up-to-date data and information on the extent and condition of natural stocks and the demands on these stocks. A complicating factor is the need to value these stocks and translate and integrate this information into national fiscal and investment planning systems. Uncertainties, associated with the non-linear behaviour of most ecosystems and the changing climate make the task, technically and institutionally all the more challenging. Therefore, we need to carefully identify institutional structures, as well as analytical and decision support systems that can support integrated sector planning such as energy and water. Similarly, land use change simulation applications and spatial multi-criteria analysis can smartly inform assessments of agricultural land use potential, reveal the dynamics of land use change, and aid projection of land use change scenarios and alternatives for use and investment. There is much to learn from regional and international experiences in this regard, 7

8 determining what innovative tools and processes exist, what is working, and what is not working. CONCLUSION In closing, I would like to reiterate my conviction that managing the food-energywater resources in an integrated, collaborative and cooperative manner poses the most critical challenge to today s policy makers and development practitioners. I am reassured, therefore, by the concrete work that is being undertaken in response to this challenge. We will hear today about current and possible strategies for integrating food, energy and water security in the GMS. Additional insights will be shared on promoting multi-sector planning to provide some insights into how to do this kind of integrated planning without succumbing to institutional inertia and capacity deficits. We will conclude our deliberations by identifying priority actions for natural capital management to enhance foodenergy-water security in the GMS.. Lastly, I draw your attention to highly relevant work being undertaken through the GMS Core Agriculture Support Program and GMS Core Environment Programs to sustain and secure natural capital for improving the economic and human welfare in the GMS. CASP is promoting productivity and food safety enhancing technologies and institutional arrangements to make the agriculture sector more competitive and resilient. 8

9 Likewise, the GMS Core Environment Program (CEP) is focused on conservation and sustainable utilization of the GMS s vital natural assets for sustainable and inclusive growth and development.. Working in seven transboundary biodiversity landscapes, CEP actions are contributing to protection of critical habitats and the enhancement of ecosystem services through improved land use planning and environmental monitoring. The program is also supporting local community initiatives on reforestation and forest protection, aimed at building more sustainable and resilient livelihoods. The challenge is great, but the potential for gains is undeniable. I firmly believe that the GMS is ready to take on this challenge, and the benefits will be felt for generations to come. It is with this positive thought that I conclude my remarks. Thank you for your attention. 9

Seeing the Forest for the Trees Making the Most of Synergies to Achieve SDGs in a Constrained Environment By Mahmoud Mohieldin and Paula Caballero

Seeing the Forest for the Trees Making the Most of Synergies to Achieve SDGs in a Constrained Environment By Mahmoud Mohieldin and Paula Caballero Goal 15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Seeing

More information

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE (GACSA)

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE (GACSA) GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE (GACSA) FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT Version 01 :: 1 September 2014 I Vision 1. In today s world there is enough food produced for all to be well-fed, but one person

More information

Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change A Triple Win?

Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change A Triple Win? Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change A Triple Win? Dr. Andrew Steer Special Envoy for Climate Change The World Bank Group Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me begin

More information

SPEECH BY MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, MS EDNA MOLEWA, AT THE DBSA KNOWLEDGE WEEK SESSION, MIDRAND

SPEECH BY MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, MS EDNA MOLEWA, AT THE DBSA KNOWLEDGE WEEK SESSION, MIDRAND SPEECH BY MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, MS EDNA MOLEWA, AT THE DBSA KNOWLEDGE WEEK SESSION, MIDRAND 14 October 2011 Programme Director Chairperson of the DBSA Board Distinguished guests

More information

SECTOR ASSESSMENT (SUMMARY): AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES 1

SECTOR ASSESSMENT (SUMMARY): AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES 1 Country Operations Business Plan: Philippines, 2013 2015 SECTOR ASSESSMENT (SUMMARY): AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES 1 A. Sector Performance, Problems, and Opportunities 1. Sector importance and growth

More information

The Greater Mekong Subregion at 20. Progress and Prospects

The Greater Mekong Subregion at 20. Progress and Prospects The Greater Mekong Subregion at 20 Progress and Prospects The Greater Mekong Subregion at 20 Progress and Prospects 2012 Asian Development Bank All rights reserved. Published in 2012. Printed in the Philippines.

More information

Technology For Adaptation. Forestry Conservation Management. Dr. Javier Aliaga Lordemann

Technology For Adaptation. Forestry Conservation Management. Dr. Javier Aliaga Lordemann Technology For Adaptation. Forestry Conservation Management Dr. Javier Aliaga Lordemann Forests has more carbon store than the currently carbon free atmosphere. By contrast, are important sources of emissions

More information

Climate and Environment Advisers Competency Framework

Climate and Environment Advisers Competency Framework Climate and Environment Advisers Competency Framework Climate Change and Environment issues are fundamentally linked. Climate change causes and exacerbates the loss of biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity

More information

Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading. Business Plan

Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading. Business Plan Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading Business Plan April 1, 2011 - March 31, 2014 Table of Contents Message from the Premier...3 1.0 OVERVIEW...4 2.0 MANDATE...5 3.0 LINES

More information

Ecosystem Services and Rural Poverty Reduction

Ecosystem Services and Rural Poverty Reduction Ecosystem Services and Rural Poverty Reduction Issues, Challenges and Opportunities Balakrishna Pisupati United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Focus Poverty Poverty-Environment Linkages Poverty Biodiversity

More information

Statement. Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya

Statement. Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya Please Check Against Delivery United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) Statement

More information

FOOD AVAILABILITY AND NATURAL RESOURCE USE

FOOD AVAILABILITY AND NATURAL RESOURCE USE FOOD AVAILABILITY AND NATURAL RESOURCE USE Nadia El-Hage Scialabba Natural Resources Management and Environment Department, FAO FAO/OECD Expert Meeting on Greening the Economy with Agriculture Paris, 5

More information

Conclusions. Towards a green economy

Conclusions. Towards a green economy Conclusions Towards a green economy Conclusions Moving towards a green economy has the potential to achieve sustainable development and eradicate poverty on an unprecedented scale, with speed and effectiveness.

More information

National Accounting Systems, Agricultural Statistics for Policy Analysis

National Accounting Systems, Agricultural Statistics for Policy Analysis National Accounting Systems, Agricultural Statistics for Policy Analysis Workshop on Measuring Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation for enhancing Accountability in the Post 2015

More information

Speaker Summary Note

Speaker Summary Note 2020 CONFERENCE MAY 2014 Session: Speaker: Speaker Summary Note Building Resilience by Innovating and Investing in Agricultural Systems Mark Rosegrant Director, Environment and Production Technology Division

More information

Creating Green Jobs within the Environment and Culture sector.

Creating Green Jobs within the Environment and Culture sector. Creating Green Jobs within the Environment and Culture sector. Matilda Skosana Environmental Programmes (ILO Definition): 1. DEFINITION OF GREEN JOB. Jobs are green when they help reduce negative environmental

More information

CLIMATE ACTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 2014 PROGRESS REPORT

CLIMATE ACTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 2014 PROGRESS REPORT CLIMATE ACTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 2014 PROGRESS REPORT B.C. is continuing to work towards an economy that is prepared for climate change, and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale.

More information

DRYLAND SYSTEMS Science for better food security and livelihoods in the dry areas

DRYLAND SYSTEMS Science for better food security and livelihoods in the dry areas DRYLAND SYSTEMS Science for better food security and livelihoods in the dry areas CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Agricultural Production Systems The global research partnership to improve agricultural

More information

Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, distinguished Governors, ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, distinguished Governors, ladies and gentlemen, Statement by Mr. Jun AZUMI, Minister of Finance of Japan, at the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (Manila, Philippines, May 4, 2012) 1. Introduction Mr.

More information

Business as Usual is Not an Option: Trade and Markets

Business as Usual is Not an Option: Trade and Markets Issues in Brief Business as Usual is Not an Option: Trade and Markets Underinvestment in developing country agriculture including in local and regional market infrastructure, information and services has

More information

Speech at the High-Level Conference on World Food Security

Speech at the High-Level Conference on World Food Security Speech at the High-Level Conference on World Food Security SUN Zhengcai Minister of Agriculture People s Republic of China Rome, June 2008 Distinguished Chairperson, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

More information

Republic of South Sudan

Republic of South Sudan 1 Page Republic of South Sudan Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (Draft) Introduction 1. The Republic of South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011 after more than 50 years

More information

Sustainable Land Management in the Global Environment Facility. GEF Role as Financial Mechanism of the UNCCD

Sustainable Land Management in the Global Environment Facility. GEF Role as Financial Mechanism of the UNCCD Sustainable Land Management in the Global Environment Facility GEF Role as Financial Mechanism of the UNCCD GEF as Financial Mechanism of the UNCCD Land Degradation Focal Area as main GEF financing window

More information

GMS Economic Cooperation Program

GMS Economic Cooperation Program GMS Economic Cooperation Program In 1992, six countries bordering the Mekong River Cambodia, People s Republic of China (specifically, Yunnan province and later, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Lao

More information

NATIONAL ACCOUNTS VS BIG DATA

NATIONAL ACCOUNTS VS BIG DATA NATIONAL ACCOUNTS VS BIG DATA Enrico Giovannini, University of Rome Tor Vergata Department of Economics and Finance enrico.giovannini@uniroma2.it Big Data (Wikipedia) Big data is a blanket term for any

More information

ARIMNet 2 Call 2014-15

ARIMNet 2 Call 2014-15 Coordination of the Agricultural Research In the Mediterranean Area Call i text ARIMNet 2 Call 2014-15 SUBMISSION Pre-proposal by December 1 st, 2014 Full Proposal by May 11 th 2015 on http://arimnet-call.eu/

More information

Brief on Climate Change Finance

Brief on Climate Change Finance Brief on Climate Change Finance Introduction Climate change is a complex policy issue with major implications in terms of finance. All actions to address climate change ultimately involve costs. Funding

More information

Climate-Smart Agriculture - Science for Action 24-26 October 2011 - Ede / Wageningen - The Netherlands

Climate-Smart Agriculture - Science for Action 24-26 October 2011 - Ede / Wageningen - The Netherlands The Wageningen Statement: Climate-Smart Agriculture - Science for Action 24-26 October 2011 - Ede / Wageningen - The Netherlands The Wageningen Statement: Climate-Smart Agriculture Science for Action The

More information

ACCOUNTING FOR ASIA S NATURAL CAPITAL

ACCOUNTING FOR ASIA S NATURAL CAPITAL ACCOUNTING FOR S NATURAL CAPITAL DRIVING THE TRANSITION TO A RESOURCE-EFFICIENT GREEN ECONOMY Asia s rapid economic growth during recent decades has been accompanied by serious depletion of the region

More information

Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ethiopia intends to limit its net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2030 to 145 Mt CO2e or lower. This

More information

Tracking Tool for SFM/REDD- Plus Projects. Guidance Note v0.2

Tracking Tool for SFM/REDD- Plus Projects. Guidance Note v0.2 Tracking Tool for SFM/REDD- Plus Projects Guidance Note v0.2 Introduction The SFM/REDD- plus tracking tool (TT) aims to measure progress in achieving the impacts and outcomes established at the portfolio

More information

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE. Executive Summary

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE. Executive Summary CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE Sourcebook Executive Summary Why is climate-smart agriculture needed? Between now and 2050, the world s population will increase by one-third. Most of these additional 2 billion

More information

Statement by Union Minister for Education at the Conference on Development Policy Options

Statement by Union Minister for Education at the Conference on Development Policy Options Statement by Union Minister for Education at the Conference on Development Policy Options Draft with Special Reference to Education and Health in Myanmar (14-2-2012, MICC, Nay Pyi Taw) Excellencies, Union

More information

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR IMMEDIATE PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A GLOBAL AGREEMENT

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR IMMEDIATE PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A GLOBAL AGREEMENT PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR IMMEDIATE PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A GLOBAL AGREEMENT Forging an effective response to climate change is one of the international community s highest priorities.

More information

Energy Projections 2006 2030 Price and Policy Considerations. Dr. Randy Hudson Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Energy Projections 2006 2030 Price and Policy Considerations. Dr. Randy Hudson Oak Ridge National Laboratory Energy Projections 2006 2030 Price and Policy Considerations Dr. Randy Hudson Oak Ridge National Laboratory There is perhaps no single current topic so potentially impacting to all life on this planet

More information

Driving Sustainable Development: the role of Science, Technology and Innovation

Driving Sustainable Development: the role of Science, Technology and Innovation G-SCIENCE ACADEMIES STATEMENTS 2013 Driving Sustainable Development: the role of Science, Technology and Innovation 1. Introduction The framework of Millennium Development Goals has led to several in-depth

More information

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY SCOREBOARD DATA CENTRE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY SCOREBOARD DATA CENTRE ON NATURAL RESOURCES RESOURCE EFFICIENCY SCOREBOARD DATA CENTRE ON NATURAL RESOURCES NETGREEN thematic policy workshop 'Maximizing resource efficiency throughout the EU economy' 11 March 2015, CEPS, Brussels Evi Ford-Alexandraki

More information

Perspective. The Hanoi Communiqué

Perspective. The Hanoi Communiqué The Hanoi Communiqué The Ministers, representatives of countries, practitioners, scientists, civil society, private sector, and all other participants present at the 2 nd Global Conference on Agriculture,

More information

Green Development Support Program. For BAPPENAS (Indonesia s Development Planning Ministry) World Bank March 2014

Green Development Support Program. For BAPPENAS (Indonesia s Development Planning Ministry) World Bank March 2014 Green Development Support Program For BAPPENAS (Indonesia s Development Planning Ministry) World Bank March 2014 Background: Bold initiatives of Indonesian Government 26-41% Voluntary emission reduction

More information

The Copenhagen Decisions. Submission on the outcome of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action under the Convention under item 3

The Copenhagen Decisions. Submission on the outcome of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action under the Convention under item 3 The Copenhagen Decisions Submission on the outcome of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action under the Convention under item 3 Proposal by the African Group Rev.1 (Copenhagen Denmark,

More information

Climate Change Impacts in the Asia/Pacific Region

Climate Change Impacts in the Asia/Pacific Region Climate Change Impacts in the Asia/Pacific Region Global CC threat CC in the A/P region The Stern Review and IPCC 4 th Assessment Report both state that climate change will have adverse impact on people

More information

Global water resources under increasing pressure from rapidly growing demands and climate change, according to new UN World Water Development Report

Global water resources under increasing pressure from rapidly growing demands and climate change, according to new UN World Water Development Report WWDR4 Background Information Brief Global water resources under increasing pressure from rapidly growing demands and climate change, according to new UN World Water Development Report As demand for water

More information

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Funding Highlights: Provides $23.7 billion in discretionary resources for the Department of Agriculture to invest in rural communities; nutrition assistance for vulnerable populations;

More information

Co-creation progress update and an invitation to respond. Overview of ideas from co-creation activities towards a Climate Ready UK...

Co-creation progress update and an invitation to respond. Overview of ideas from co-creation activities towards a Climate Ready UK... Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Climate Ready Co-creation progress update and an invitation to respond July 2012 Contents Overview of ideas from co-creation activities towards a Climate

More information

FAO-Adapt. Framework Programme on Climate Change Adaptation

FAO-Adapt. Framework Programme on Climate Change Adaptation FAO-Adapt Framework Programme on Climate Change Adaptation Food security and climate change FAO s vision for the future is a world free of hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contribute

More information

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY DRAFT REVISED NATIONAL FOREST POLICY OF MALAWI

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY DRAFT REVISED NATIONAL FOREST POLICY OF MALAWI DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY DRAFT REVISED NATIONAL FOREST POLICY OF MALAWI July, 2013 1. Foreword 2. Preface 3. Introduction 4. Policy linkages 5. Broad Policy Direction 6. Policy Priority Areas Provides the

More information

SUBMISSION BY THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

SUBMISSION BY THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SUBMISSION BY THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 22 October 2015 Intended Nationally Determined Contribution of the United Arab Emirates In the post-2020 period the United Arab Emirates will continue to expand its

More information

A Guide to Woodland Carbon for Business

A Guide to Woodland Carbon for Business A Guide to Woodland Carbon for Business Contents: 1. Investing in Woodland Carbon: an overview 2. Why Woodland Carbon? 3. How much does it cost? 4. Woodland Carbon Code 5. Woodland Carbon compliance 6.

More information

NREGA for Water Management

NREGA for Water Management National Rural Employment Guarantee Act NREGA for Water Management 30 th October, 2009 Dr. Rita Sharma Secretary to Government of India Ministry of Rural Development NREGA objective supplement wage-employment

More information

ASEAN Framework for Tackling Climate Change and Food Security

ASEAN Framework for Tackling Climate Change and Food Security REGIONAL EXPERT FORUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN ASEAN 2 nd - 3 rd May 2013 Nai Lert Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand ------------------------------------------------------------

More information

Climate Change and. Environment Position. Statement. and 2017 Action Plan. action. Statement. Action Plan. September 2014

Climate Change and. Environment Position. Statement. and 2017 Action Plan. action. Statement. Action Plan. September 2014 1 action September 2014 Westpac Group has a long-standing commitment to operating sustainably. 3 Helping future generations For us, this is about helping future generations live better lives in a healthy

More information

Regional cooperation in the IGAD sub-region: of transboundary water resources

Regional cooperation in the IGAD sub-region: of transboundary water resources Regional cooperation in the IGAD sub-region: Using science to secure political commitment and financial support for joint management of transboundary water resources M. BABA SY Sahara and Sahel Observatory

More information

PRESENTATION 2 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

PRESENTATION 2 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS UNEP GLOBAL JUDGES PROGRAMME APPLICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW BY NATIONAL COURTS AND TRIBUNALS PRESENTATION 2 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION A) Major environmental issues B) Responses

More information

Research to improve the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity for smallholder farmers

Research to improve the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity for smallholder farmers Research to improve the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity for smallholder farmers Agricultural biodiversity the variability of crops and their wild relatives, trees, animals, arthropods,

More information

Intended Nationally Determined Contribution

Intended Nationally Determined Contribution Department of Environment Islamic Republic of Iran Intended Nationally Determined Contribution 19 November 2015 National Climate Change Committee: Iran INDC, page 1 1. Introduction The Islamic Republic

More information

The Intended Nationally Determined Contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the UNFCCC

The Intended Nationally Determined Contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the UNFCCC The Intended Nationally Determined Contribution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the UNFCCC Riyadh, November 2015 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is pleased to submit its Intended Nationally Determined

More information

SECTOR ASSESSMENT (SUMMARY): CLIMATE CHANGE. 1. Sector Performance, Problems, and Opportunities

SECTOR ASSESSMENT (SUMMARY): CLIMATE CHANGE. 1. Sector Performance, Problems, and Opportunities Climate Resilience Sector Project (RRP TON 46351) Sector Road Map SECTOR ASSESSMENT (SUMMARY): CLIMATE CHANGE 1. Sector Performance, Problems, and Opportunities 1. Tonga is being affected by climate change,

More information

OVERVIEW of the ETHIOPIA S CLIMATE RESILENT GREEN ECONOMY STRATEGY

OVERVIEW of the ETHIOPIA S CLIMATE RESILENT GREEN ECONOMY STRATEGY FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA OVERVIEW of the ETHIOPIA S CLIMATE RESILENT GREEN ECONOMY STRATEGY Wondwossen Tadesse 1. Introduction Like most countries,ethiopia is experiencing the effects of

More information

FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES (COFI) - 30th SESSION OPENING STATEMENT BY THE FAO DIRECTOR-GENERAL. 9 July 2012

FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES (COFI) - 30th SESSION OPENING STATEMENT BY THE FAO DIRECTOR-GENERAL. 9 July 2012 FAO COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES (COFI) - 30th SESSION OPENING STATEMENT BY THE FAO DIRECTOR-GENERAL 9 July 2012 SALUTATIONS TO BE CONFIRMED Mr Chairperson, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Observers,

More information

MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE BLUE WEEK 2015

MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE BLUE WEEK 2015 5 JUNE 2015 MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE BLUE WEEK 2015 We, Ministers responsible for Ocean/ Fisheries/ Maritime Affairs, having met in Lisbon on June the 5 th, 2015, at the invitation of the Minister of

More information

Communiqué Global Bioeconomy Summit 2015

Communiqué Global Bioeconomy Summit 2015 Communiqué Global Bioeconomy Summit 2015 Making Bioeconomy Work for Sustainable Development Communiqué of the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2015 Making Bioeconomy Work for Sustainable Development The first

More information

Intervention on behalf of Denmark, Norway and Ireland on the occasion of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals meeting on

Intervention on behalf of Denmark, Norway and Ireland on the occasion of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals meeting on Intervention on behalf of Denmark, Norway and Ireland on the occasion of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals meeting on Sustainable Consumption and Production, including Chemicals and

More information

How can an Ecological Footprint Contribute to Green Economy in Africa?

How can an Ecological Footprint Contribute to Green Economy in Africa? RIO+20 AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK How can an Ecological Footprint Contribute to Green Economy in Africa? Introduction Fundamentally we all depend on nature, the ecological infrastructure of the planet that

More information

Tracking Well-being in Australia The Genuine Progress Indicator 2000

Tracking Well-being in Australia The Genuine Progress Indicator 2000 THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE Tracking Well-being in Australia The Genuine Progress Indicator 2000 Clive Hamilton Executive Director, The Australia Institute Richard Denniss Research Fellow, The Australia Institute

More information

Food Security in a Volatile World

Food Security in a Volatile World Issues in Brief Food Security in a Volatile World Developments in agriculture over the last fifty years have increased yields sufficiently to provide on average more than enough food for every person on

More information

FUTURE CHALLENGES OF PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY WATER - Vol. II - Environmental Impact of Food Production and Consumption - Palaniappa Krishnan

FUTURE CHALLENGES OF PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY WATER - Vol. II - Environmental Impact of Food Production and Consumption - Palaniappa Krishnan ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION Palaniappa Krishnan Bioresources Engineering Department, University of Delaware, USA Keywords: Soil organisms, soil fertility, water quality, solar

More information

August 11, 2009 MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES. Developing Effective Place-Based Policies for the FY 2011 Budget

August 11, 2009 MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES. Developing Effective Place-Based Policies for the FY 2011 Budget THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON August 11, 2009 M-09-28 MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES FROM: SUBJECT: Peter R. Orszag, Office of Management and Budget Melody Barnes, Domestic

More information

Doing Business, Small & Medium Enterprise Support and Information Access

Doing Business, Small & Medium Enterprise Support and Information Access Doing Business, Small & Medium Enterprise Support and Information Access Vietnam, a nation of 92 million people, aspires to be more fully integrated into the global economy and community and an industrialized

More information

action plan water for life water for life action plan 1

action plan water for life water for life action plan 1 action plan water for life water for life action plan 1 ISBN 978-0-7785-7672-3 November 2009 2 water for life action plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 3 Alberta Water Council renewal recommendations

More information

Latrobe City Council Submission Emissions Reduction Fund Green Paper February 2014

Latrobe City Council Submission Emissions Reduction Fund Green Paper February 2014 Latrobe City Council Submission Emissions Reduction Fund Green Paper February 2014 For further information in relation to this submission please contact Allison Jones General Manager Economic Sustainability

More information

Will there be enough water?

Will there be enough water? Will there be enough water? What the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture says. Deborah Bossio, David Molden International Water Management Institute Will there be enough water?

More information

INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS (INDCs)

INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS (INDCs) UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS (INDCs) 1. Introduction The United Republic of Tanzania, which comprises of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, brings forth her Intended

More information

Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on Our National Forests

Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on Our National Forests United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service February 2012 Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on Our National Forests USDA Forest Service Executive Summary Restoration of our

More information

Convention on Climate Change entered into force over 20 years ago, Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping. President of the People's Republic of China

Convention on Climate Change entered into force over 20 years ago, Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping. President of the People's Republic of China Work Together to Build a Win-Win, Equitable and Balanced Governance Mechanism on Climate Change Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China At the Opening Ceremony of The Paris

More information

GREAT BARRIER REEF. Climate Change Action Plan

GREAT BARRIER REEF. Climate Change Action Plan GREAT BARRIER REEF Climate Change Action Plan 2007 2011 Climate change is now recognised as the greatest long-term threat to the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is internationally renowned as

More information

April 2015 C 2015/31 E. Thirty-ninth Session. Rome, 6-13 June 2015. Global Soil Partnership - World Soil Charter

April 2015 C 2015/31 E. Thirty-ninth Session. Rome, 6-13 June 2015. Global Soil Partnership - World Soil Charter April 2015 C 2015/31 E CONFERENCE Thirty-ninth Session Rome, 6-13 June 2015 Global Soil Partnership - World Soil Charter Executive Summary The FAO Conference adopted the World Soil Charter (WSC) at its

More information

Planning Policy Statement 2015

Planning Policy Statement 2015 Planning Policy Statement 2015 Introduction It is just over 50 years since national planning legislation was first implemented in Ireland. The Government wishes to reaffirm its strong belief in the value

More information

Stream 1 Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change

Stream 1 Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Stream 1 Regional Natural Resource Planning for Climate Change in the Lachlan in the Southern Rivers NRM Lachlan This project will build on the strengths of the Lachlan (Kalare) Action Plan by providing

More information

valuing wetlands as infrastructure: examples from Asia Lucy Emerton Environment Management Group

valuing wetlands as infrastructure: examples from Asia Lucy Emerton Environment Management Group valuing wetlands as infrastructure: examples from Asia Lucy Emerton Environment Management Group valuation is a means to an end, not an end in itself valuation is a means to an end, not an end in itself

More information

Keeping below 2 degrees

Keeping below 2 degrees Keeping below 2 degrees Avoiding dangerous climate change It is widely recognised that if the worst impacts of climate change are to be avoided then the average rise in the surface temperature of the Earth

More information

The current institutional and legal context for biodiversity conservation and management is characterised by the following features:

The current institutional and legal context for biodiversity conservation and management is characterised by the following features: National BiodiversityStrategyandActionPlan (NBSAP),St. Lucia page 8 Resource tenure and access Most agricultural lands, and a majority of forest lands, are privately owned. Two significant trends can be

More information

DRAFT PROPOSAL on Science and Technology for Development. Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention

DRAFT PROPOSAL on Science and Technology for Development. Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention DRAFT PROPOSAL on Science and Technology for Development Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention A. Draft resolution for adoption by the Council 1. The

More information

How To Help Oceans

How To Help Oceans The World Bank & the Ocean A Healthy & Productive Ocean to Help Reduce Poverty Why oceans matter to the World Bank NUTRITION Seafood provides 16% of the world s animal protein 1 billion people in developing

More information

AG R I C U LT U R E GREEN ECONOMY

AG R I C U LT U R E GREEN ECONOMY THIS IS THE STORY OF AG R I C U LT U R E GREEN ECONOMY We need to make the global economy green. provides significant opportunities for growth, investment and jobs to help make this happen. $ Everyone

More information

E VIRO ME T Council meeting Luxembourg, 14 October 2013

E VIRO ME T Council meeting Luxembourg, 14 October 2013 COU CIL OF THE EUROPEA U IO EN Conclusions on Preparations for the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 19) to the United ations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 9th session

More information

Madagascar: Makira REDD+

Madagascar: Makira REDD+ project focus Madagascar: Makira REDD+ Madagascar is considered to be one of the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world due to more than 75% of all animal and plant species being endemic while less

More information

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL S ASKS FOR UNFCCC COP21

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL S ASKS FOR UNFCCC COP21 Background BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL S ASKS FOR UNFCCC COP21 The climate change talks in Paris (UNFCCC COP21) are the culmination of several years of negotiations towards the adoption of a global climate

More information

Post Conflict Agricultural Development in Ethiopia: General Overview. Jemal Yousuf, Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Post Conflict Agricultural Development in Ethiopia: General Overview. Jemal Yousuf, Haramaya University, Ethiopia Post Conflict Agricultural Development in Ethiopia: General Overview Jemal Yousuf, Haramaya University, Ethiopia Context of conflict Ethiopia was engulfed with conflict all through the 1980s The conflict

More information

Plan for the Establishment of ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center

Plan for the Establishment of ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center 2011/05/04 Plan for the Establishment of ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center I. Background As one of the fundamental natural resources and strategic economic resources, and a key component

More information

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: INNOVATIONS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: INNOVATIONS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE 1 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: INNOVATIONS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Deadline for receipt of applications: December 1 st at midnight - Paris time. L Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

More information

Facts on biodiversity

Facts on biodiversity Facts on biodiversity What is biodiversity? Biological diversity (biodiversity) comprises diversity of species and habitats as well as the genetic diversity within the individual species of fauna and flora.

More information

Fire Management needs assessment and priority actions

Fire Management needs assessment and priority actions Needs Assessment Questionnaire Fire Management needs assessment and priority actions In the introduction of the guidelines it is said that the Principles and Strategic Actions can serve as a checklist

More information

12 ENERGY. 12.1 Introduction

12 ENERGY. 12.1 Introduction 12 Energy 12.1 Introduction Otago is a hydro-electric power producing region and a major exporter of electricity in New Zealand today. The two large existing hydro-electric schemes in the region, Roxburgh

More information

U.S. SOYBEAN SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE PROTOCOL

U.S. SOYBEAN SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE PROTOCOL US SOYBEAN SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE PROTOCOL A Sustainability System That Delivers MARCH 2013 Since 1980, US farmers increased soy production by 96% while using 8% less energy US SOYBEAN SUSTAINABILITY

More information

Horizon 2020. 14 October 2013. DG Agriculture and Rural Development European Commission

Horizon 2020. 14 October 2013. DG Agriculture and Rural Development European Commission Horizon 2020 14 October 2013 DG Agriculture and Rural Development European Commission Agriculture faces increasing challenges Challenges Economic Environmental Territorial Economic challenges Food security

More information

2 WATER FOR FOOD SECURITY VI World water forum

2 WATER FOR FOOD SECURITY VI World water forum 2 WATER FOR FOOD SECURITY WATER FOR FOOD SECURITY 3 CONTENT I SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 4 SECTION 2 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE OF TARGET 5 SECTION 3 TARGETS AND TARGET ACTION PLAN 9 SECTION 4 SOLUTIONS SECTION

More information

FAO and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

FAO and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals FAO and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals FAO/Asselin Key FAO messages: The Sustainable Development Goals offer a vision of a fairer, more prosperous, peaceful and sustainable world in which no one

More information

Supportive public policy is required to solve Asia s climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience challenges

Supportive public policy is required to solve Asia s climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience challenges Supportive public policy is required to solve Asia s climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience challenges Against the backdrop of international climate negotiations, this statement is a call for ambitious

More information

Concept Note and. Call for Papers

Concept Note and. Call for Papers Concept Note and Call for Papers AFRICAN ECONOMIC CONFERENCE 2015 ADDRESSING POVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN THE POST 2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 2-4 November, 2015 1 1. Introduction

More information

Inclusive Development in Myanmar: Learning from Neighbours. Thangavel Palanivel UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia-Pacific

Inclusive Development in Myanmar: Learning from Neighbours. Thangavel Palanivel UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia-Pacific Inclusive Development in Myanmar: Learning from Neighbours Thangavel Palanivel UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia-Pacific Outline Myanmar vis-à-vis its neighbours Economic reforms in selected Asian countries

More information