Developing government and governance capacities for sustainable development REC Caucasus Experience in Promoting Sustainable Development in South Caucasus: Policy and Practice Nune Harutyunyan REC C Director Yerevan 9 th October, 2014
Regional environmental center for Caucasus The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus) is an independent, non-for-profit organization, established to assist in solving environmental problems in the countries of the South Caucasus. Mission: REC Caucasus is determined as to assist in solving of environmental problems in the Caucasus region through the promotion of co-operation at national and regional levels among environmental stakeholders, promoting free exchange of information in line with Aarhus convention and sustainable development priorities REC Caucasus has been established: to serve environmental stakeholders within and outside the South Caucasus region: national and local governments, NGOs, media, business, local communities, science, international community, to contribute to the improvement of the Caucasus environment by facilitating introduction and implementation of global, regional and national environmental policies; to provide a gateway for dialogue, networking and cooperation among environmental stakeholders and partners at global, regional, national and local levels;
REC C Focal Areas REC Caucasus has strong capacity to address environmental issues related to Rio Conventions, Local Agenda 21, and other international covenants at national and regional levels. REC Caucasus has been addressing environmental challenges in the region through implementation of local and regional initiatives and projects based on a regional approach and SD priorities identified in the region RECC strengthens capacity regarding preservation of biodiversity, climate change (mitigation and adaptation), management of transboundary water resources, sustainable management of natural resources, fighting land degradation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable forest management, capacity development and research learning. Biodiversity and forests, Water, Land, Disaster risk reduction, Green Economy, Climate Change mitigation and adaptation, Waste governance, Cleaner production and resource /energy efficiency (our website www.rec-caucasus.org, reccaucasus.am)
REC C vision, targets and products in support to SD SD goals Strengthen international environmental governance within the context of the institutional framework for sustainable development, Promote a balanced integration of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development coordination Eradication of poverty - via creation of enabling environment, economic opportunities and sustainable solutions based on real needs of local population, Enabling conditions and strengthened capacities for practical, targeted participation of communities in decision-making, improved management of natural resources, providing access to information, knowledge-based decision making, cumulative local expertize and sustainable solutions for poverty reduction and economic opportunities
REC C s initiatives in Support to Sustainable Development of Communities, including Climate change and green growth For local communities: Supporting the development of biodiversity conservation policies and practices in mountain regions, introducing economic valuation of ecosystem services (TEEB) in South Caucasus (Government of Norway) enabling local communities with new stronger capacities for sustainable conservation and economic benefits conserving forest ecosystems Fostering Community Forest Policy and Practice in Mountain Regions of the Caucasus (EU) (improved public participation, sustainable management and conservation of forests, coping with CC, improved capacities in NRM) Developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in South Caucasus countries (BMU GIZ) realistic planning for coping CC negative impact Identification and implementation of adaptation response to Climate Change impact for Conservation and Sustainable use of agro-biodiversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of South Caucasus (EU) (food, nutrition, sustainable agriculture based on climate change adapted methodologies)
REC C s initiatives in Support to Sustainable Development, including Climate change and green growth Fostering Green Growth in South Caucasus: Strengthen cleaner production policy and practice in the South Caucasus countries through applying integrated and preventive environmental strategy (VROM) CP for SMEs, improved capacities and innovative approaches for entrepreneurs based on green growth principles Establishing a structured approach towards training of environmental inspectors in Armenia and Azerbaijan (Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Strengthening capacities of Government, inspectors, staff of Protected areas Improving the environmental liability regime: introduction of methodology for valuation of environmental damage in Armenia and Georgia (Government of Netherlands) economic tools EaP Green Programme Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production Demonstration Project serving as a new hub of national RECP expertize for small and medium enterprises targeting improved resource efficiency, environmentally viable technologies and solutions, improved waste management and energy efficiency (EU UNIDO), www.recp.am
Developing biodiversity conservation policies and practices in mountain regions, introducing TEEB in South Caucasus (Government of Norway) TEEB Study for South Caucasus comprising methodological approaches on economic valuation of ecosystem services (forest) were elaborated and presented during national and regional meetings; National reports on TEEB are currently being revisited to elaborate practical approaches/application of TEEB adapting it for South Caucasus country conditions providing options for conserving biodiversity and improving socio-economic conditions of community dwellers Reports on forest resource use case study for pilot communities in Armenia (Koghb-Jujevan), Azerbaijan (Shahriyar- Yeniyol) and Georgia (Ghebi, Chiora, Glola) and recommendations on economic valuation of forest ecosystem services, sustainable use of forests and community forest management were elaborated; In order to increase capacities of local communities local population, foresters, local self government bodies were trained to recognize values of biodiversity, participatory planning of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of forests and community forest management and planning; More than 400 villagers participated in forest planting activities. Villagers were equipped with on-job practical skills and knowledge on forest planting and sustainable use of forests;
Fostering Community Forest Policy and Practice in Mountain Regions of the Caucasus The overall objective - fostering community forest policy and practice in mountain regions of the Caucasus to address deforestation and climate change issues, secured land tenure and forest rights, rural poverty reduction, conservation and sustainable development needs of local communities. Regional Model Guideline as well as 4 National CFMP guidelines for Armenia, Azerbaijan Georgia and RF adapted to the local needs and policies were elaborated in consultation with local communities, published and submitted to the relevant ministries, local self-governance bodies and forestry agencies Four Packages on amendments to national legislations (for Armenia, Azerbaijan Georgia and RF) on institutional, legal and technical set-up for sustainable community forest management Demonstration of best approaches/methods of immediate reforestation and landscape restoration in areas affected by land-slides, mudflows, avalanches and other natural disasters undertaken and was finalized in all project countries Reforested areas covered include: 22.1 ha area in Koghb community and 8,4 ha in Djujevan communities in Armenia, 21 ha of pilot area of Shahriyar in Azerbaijan, 4.3 ha underwent afforestation and 62 ha supported natural regeneration in Racha, Georgia, 8 ha underwent reforestation and 3 ha natural regeneration in pilot communities in Adygeya (Dakhovskaya, Khamyshki, Uts- Sakhrai and Sakhrai), Russian Federation.
Enabling community for improved participation in forest resource management
Development of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in South Caucasus (BMU GIZ) To support the South Caucasus countries in their efforts to develop a lowcarbon pathway, a capacity building series on the Development of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in South Caucasus countries was conducted from 9-19 July 2013. This capacity building series consisted of a regional workshop and three national trainings in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia organized by the Regional Environmental Center Caucasus (REC C). The regional workshop in the context of the project: Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) in South Caucasus countries on July 9-10, 2013 - International Partnership on Mitigation and MRV, organized by REC C and supported by ECN through the Mitigation Momentum Project, funded by the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Environment Ministry (BMU). Main objective of the workshop was to introduce on the concept of NAMAs, to strengthen knowledge for the development of NAMAs with focus on national contexts and encourage regional exchange on common challenges within the NAMA development process in the South Caucasus region.
Regional NAMA workshop Tbilisi, Georgia, 2013
Energy sector recommendations Draft NAMA Roadmap Step 1: Creation of NAMA subcommittee within the inter-agency coordinating council on implementation of requirements and provisions of the UNFCCC NAMAs stakeholders meeting, presentation of developed projects and submission of developed projects to the approval of government of RA Step 2: Additional trainings - Inter-agency coordinating council on implementation of requirements and provisions of the UNFCCC particularly NAMA subcommittee or working group Step 3: Projects database - Project proposals on NAMAs, Establishment of NAMA sub committee or working group Step 4. Development and introduction of financial mechanisms, submission of the draft mechanisms to the Nama working group Agricultural sector recommendations Step 1: Creation of working group and expert team Step 2: Creation of community forests (as a pilot project) Transport /Urban Development sector recommendations Step 1: Technical and economic analysis /Determination of priorities/ - Establishment of Inter-agency coordinating council and working group with participation of international expert (chaired by minister of urban development) Step 2. Potential of GHG emissions/ assessment of investment needs/ assessment of cofinancing capacities Step 3: NAMA proposal development and submission
Identification and implementation of adaptation response to Climate Change impact for Conservation and Sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of South Caucasus (EU) Overall objective: To build adaptive capacities in the South Caucasus countries to ensure resilience of agro-biodiversity of especially vulnerable arid and semi-arid ecosystems and local livelihoods to climate change. Specific objectives: 1. To promote agro-biodiversity conservation and adaptation to Climate change through introduction of supportive policy framework at national and local level 2. To improve institutional and individual capacity for sustaining agro-biodiversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems and increasing livelihood level in face of climate change 3. Support in development and implementation of coping mechanisms to improve resilience of local communities to future climate change through introduction of sustainable agricultural practices in selected regions
Identification and implementation of adaptation response to Climate Change impact for Conservation and Sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of South Caucasus (EU) Multi-sectorial steering committees in all three countries are functioning as well established national platforms in the area of climate change and agrobiodiversity conservation and by this project contributes to cooperation, establish good regional think tank promoting cross-border dialogue and multi-sectorial technical exchange of information to incorporate the lessons learned and experience of our project into development and implementation of other donor activities, The work on development of quantify vulnerability profiles have been pioneering in 10 municipalities. Located in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of South Caucasus. Comprehensive statistical data over the last 50 years on agriculture, climate, biodiversity and socio-economic conditions have been collected and analyzed using unified methodology elaborated by international expert. Valuable information and knowledge obtained as a result of studies and provided to national decision-makers founds significant basis for development of appropriate policies and strategies for climate change adaptation and agro-biodiversity conservation; Common methodology and software model for vulnerability assessment was elaborated and the same approach is being applied in all three South Caucasus Countries for vulnerability assessment and analyses.
Identification and implementation of adaptation response to Climate Change impact for Conservation and Sustainable use of agro-biodiversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of South Caucasus (EU) The review of traditional farming practices being used in arid and semi areas and the list of priority agro-biodiversity species (ranked in accordance to their resistance, market demand and conservation priorities) are available for National responsible entities, local authorities and farmers. The common methodology of public monitoring system for assessing climate change impact on ecosystems for all three South Caucasus countries elaborated. Testing the innovative approach to involve schoolchildren and youth group from CBOs in organisation of voluntary green patrol for monitoring and early warning for assessing climate change impact into agro-biodiversity in progress; 17 innovative project proposals for 6 selected communities of South Caucasus countries is elaborated. 4 of them have been implemented. 4 climate change resilient species (3 varieties of wheat on 44 ha in total and 2 varieties of pomegranate on 2 ha) have been tested in 4 communities located in arid and semi-arid zones.
Local Environmental Action Plan (LEAP) Environmental Management: Build local environmental management capacity enabling communities to achieve environmental improvements while considering social and economic impacts. Develop and approve (by each local government) environmental action plans in at least three pilot communities and implement at least one priority action in each community. Networking and Information-Sharing: Raise awareness about the benefits of LEAPs and stimulate new interest in implementing them. Develop a network of existed and new LEAPs cities municipalities focused on best practices in local environmental management. Support replication by broadly sharing the results of LEAP implementation in pilot communities, and provide LEAP training for additional communities interested in conducting LEAPs. Public Awareness and Participation: Improve involvement of citizens, NGOs, businesses, and industries in environmental decision-making. Integrate citizen participation into local government decision-making in at least three pilot communities. Increase citizen, industry, and NGO participation through involvement in activities associated with the LEAP process and through environmental actions supported by an NGO small grant program. Increase public awareness of local environmental issues in demonstration communities.
Local Environmental Action Plan (LEAP) Improved environmental situation Improved ability to develop local environmental policy and action plans Improved environmental conditions Strengthened environmental governance Increased public awareness and access to information on environmental issues, Improved stakeholder involvement in community decisions, Increased incidents of citizen environmental activism. Increased long-term capacity to develop and implement community-based programs Professionals trained in LEAP methodology and with experience working at the community level, New communities implementing LEAPs and network of LEAP communities established
Europe's Environment Assessment of Assessments" full report and summary Regional Environmental Center for Caucasus and European Environment Agency http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/europesenvironment-aoa
Recommendations - Green Economy AoA Renewable energy (including hydropower, biofuels and biomass); Energy efficiency; Mobility (air quality, emissions and noise); Industry (emissions and waste); Innovation; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Impact Assessment (SIA); Governance (including institutional arrangements and multilateral environmental agreements) and environmental performance reviews; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and environmental reporting; Mining.
Priorities as presented by national authorities and other stakeholders Increase of the share of industry in GDP up to 30%which could become an opportunity for the introduction of modern or more environment friendly technologies, - Promotion of export (mainly agricultural products), - Energy safety (through increased energy efficiency), - Balanced regional development (reduction of regional disparities), - Improvement of waste management (development of infrastructure), - Improvement of water management (development of infrastructure). Specific needs for assistance, specified by national authorities and other stakeholders: - Transfer of know-how in the field of climate change adaptation measures (mainly impacting on the water sector and agriculture) and natural risks (related to climate change) prevention, - Methodology for advanced environmental impact assessment (including the modelling techniques).
"We cannot just add sustainable development to our current list of things to do but must learn to integrate the concepts into everything that we do." and You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi