Enhancing Ecosystems and Livelihoods Delivering Nature-based Solutions to Development Challenges

Enhancing Ecosystems and Livelihoods Delivering Nature-based Solutions to Development Challenges

Our Vision A just world that values and conserves nature Our Mission To influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world To conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and To ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable Our Approaches Integrating ecological benefi ts with socio-economic rights and interests of the people Participatory and partnership approach to programme/project planning and implementation Our Programme Objective To promote biodiversity conservation, environmental justice and sustainable livelihoods 1

About IUCN IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world fi nd pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. Founded in 1948 as the world s fi rst global environmental organization, it brings together states, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations in a unique global partnership. With over 1200 Institutional Member Organizations including 200+ government and 900+ nongovernment organizations and around 11,000 voluntary scientists and experts, grouped in six Commissions in some 160 countries, IUCN is the largest and most important professional global conservation network. The Union s headquarters is located in Gland, Switzerland and Asia Regional offi ce in Bangkok, Thailand. We offer: a neutral platform, bringing stakeholders together to develop unifi ed approaches for collective action on conservation; a link between policy and practice that enables to give practical advice and build skills for good environmental governance and sustainable development; an authoritative global network, dedicated to building and disseminating knowledge and best practice for the conservation of natural resources. IUCN has been operating in Nepal since the 1970s initially by assisting the government efforts in planning and implementing sustainable conservation strategies and policies. In 1973, Nepal became a state member of IUCN represented by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). In 1995, IUCN signed an agreement with the Government of Nepal to set up a Country Offi ce with the objective to promote biodiversity conservation, environmental justice and sustainable livelihoods in the country. There are at present 17 member institutions from Nepal representing the government and various national and international NGOs as well as community organizations, and over 90 individual scientists, researchers, educationists and development practitioners associated with different IUCN World Commissions. 2

The Niche and Programme Purpose of IUCN IUCN is the world s authority on conserving nature and natural resources for people s livelihoods. It sets standards, fosters policies and brings together a diverse membership of States, government agencies, civil societies, academia and research institutions, private sectors and community based organizations. IUCN focuses on nature-based solutions to global challenges and environmental governance, aimed at sustainable development and biodiversity conservation on the ground. IUCN aims to integrate the work of communities engaged in biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions and sustainable development. More specifi cally, the programme will: Expand efforts to minimize the loss of biodiversity and link-up with poverty reduction and sustainable development initiatives. Develop and promote nature-based solutions to local, sub-national and national development challenges, enhancing livelihoods and ecosystem services. Support and infl uence the implementation of the National Strategic Framework for Nature Conservation, National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA), National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and various relevant sectoral strategies, and use them to advance national development goals and objectives such as Millennium Development Goals (MDG). IUCN s approach as a Union: IUCN generates and disseminates credible and trusted knowledge on conservation and sustainable development IUCN convenes and builds partnerships for action across government, non government and civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, private sectors as well as community based organizations IUCN bridges national, regional and global policy and action on the ground IUCN develops standards, infl uences practices and strengthen capacity for conservation and sustainable development 3

Major Achievements in Nepal IUCN has been assisting Nepal s conservation efforts since the early 1970s. With strong support from government, civil society, donors, members and partners, IUCN has been able to link conservation benefi ts with livelihoods, mobilize local communities and generate tangible results. Over the years, IUCN has been providing support to the government and various environmental and development organizations, research and educational institutions concerned for sustainable use, management and governance of natural resources. IUCN has also played a vital role by providing support for government to design and implement national policies, strategies and guidelines relating to environment and development. Our contributions at the field level: improved conservation of important biodiversity enhanced local natural resource management capacity improved livelihood security for the natural resource dependent poor greater awareness of conservation and sustainable livelihood strategies increased knowledge development and policy feedback Major contributions at the Policy level: National Conservation Strategy National Environmental Policy and Action Plan I and II National Environmental Impact Assessment Guideline Environmental Protection Act and Regulations National Wetlands Policy Environmental Education Curricula and Materials Churia Area Programme Strategy Guideline on Monitoring Indicators for Gender, Poverty and Social Equity (GPSE) 4

IUCN Nepal Programme Framework 2013-2016 IUCN Nepal Programme Framework 2013-2016 aims to support and mobilize communities working for sustainable development in common efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services and apply nature-based solutions to reduce poverty, conserve biodiversity and ecosystems, enhance resilience, strengthen equity and improve the wellbeing of people in Nepal. The Framework, which builds on the Asia Component of the IUCN Global Programme Framework, has three Programme Areas: 1. Valuing and Conserving Nature enhances IUCN s heartland work on biodiversity conservation, emphasizing both tangible and intangible values of nature. 2. Effective and Equitable Governance of Nature s Use consolidates IUCN s work on people-nature relations, rights and responsibilities, and the political economy of nature. 3. Deploying Nature-based Solutions to the Challenges in Climate, Food and Development expands IUCN s work on nature s contribution to tackling problems of sustainable development, particularly in climate change, food security and social and economic development. The Programme is implemented through the combined force of the IUCN Nepal Secretariat, working together with key partner and collaborating institutions and individuals, including IUCN Institutional and Commission members who provide critical knowledge for Programme planning and implementation. IUCN achieves its results through infl uence on policies and institutions at all levels with its extensive network of regional and national offi ces and Institutional and Commission members all over the world. Impact on the ground in the form of biodiversity conservation and use of nature-based solutions, to the benefi t of people and nature, is the ultimate rationale of IUCN. IUCN Programme Areas 2013 2016 5

Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Priorities IUCN Nepal Programme Framework aims to ensure that the efforts are targetted in the right way to bring lasting change. We will, therefore, align our programme with different sector specifi c (e.g. agriculture, forest, water, energy, tourism, education, industry, land etc.) and cross-sectoral (e.g. livelihood, biodiversity, climate change, gender/social inclusion, use rights/benefi ts, rural/urban planning, law/peace, wetlands, protected area, knowledge management/ communication etc.) priorities. These will guide the way IUCN works at all stages of the project cycle from design to final review. We will measure our programme activities with these sector specifi c and cross-sectoral priorities to ensure that the key issues in Nepal are tackled. Beneficiaries and Target Groups The most disadvantaged groups in Nepal are heavily dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. The ultimate benefi ciaries of IUCN programmes and activities are the people and communities living in and around the natural resources, with emphasis on the most needy and vulnerable, including the poor, women, and children. Immediate target groups include: Representative of community groups, networks and federations. Non-government and civil society organizations directly working with natural resource dependent communities. Representatives of relevant government agencies and institutions. International non-government and multilateral organizations concerned with people and natural resources. Funding agencies. The Strength of IUCN Nepal for Programme Implementation 6

IUCN Commissions in Nepal Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) CEC is a network driving change for sustainability. Members volunteer their professional expertise in learning, knowledge management and strategic communication to achieve IUCN goals. www.iucn.org/cec Commission on Environment, Economics and Social Policy (CEESP) IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, is an inter-disciplinary network of professionals whose mission is to act as a source of advice on the environmental, economic, social and cultural factors that affect natural resources and biological diversity and to provide guidance and support towards effective policies and practices in environmental conservation and sustainable development. www.iucn.org/ceesp Commission on Environmental Law (CEL) With a worldwide membership, CEL not only takes the lead in projects of its own, but also provides a source of expertise for the Environmental Law Centre and other parts of IUCN. The Commission thus serves as the principal source of legal technical advice to the Union, its members and its collaborating institutions on all aspects of environmental law. www.iucn.org/cel Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) The Commission on Ecosystem Management is a network of volunteer experts from around the world working on ecosystem management related issues. CEM and its individual members are involved in a wide range of Ecosystem Management activities. www.iucn.org/cem Species Survival Commission (SSC) Working in close association with IUCN s Species Programme, SSC s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods. www.iucn.org/ssc World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) The World Commission on Protected Areas is the world s premier network of protected area expertise. WCPA works by helping governments and others plan protected areas and integrate them into all sectors; by providing strategic advice to policy makers; by strengthening capacity and investment in protected areas; and by convening the diverse constituency of protected area stakeholders to address challenging issues. www.iucn.org/wcpa 7

Join IUCN......as a Member organization: IUCN believes that conservation can only succeed where there is capacity to act collectively and where actions are based on best available science. Today, the Union brings together more than 80 States, more than 100 Government Agencies and over 900 NGOs from about 160 countries, working jointly to develop and negotiate solutions to environmental and development challenges. Our membership is headed by an elected Council and is organized into Regional and National Committees. As IUCN member organization, you can: Become part of a collective global voice on important issues of our age. Develop partnerships through our alliance of government agencies, NGOs and experts. Strengthen your credibility and capacity as part of a respected conservation alliance of key scientists, decision-makers and managers....as a Commission member: More than 11,000 voluntary scientists and experts from a wide range of disciplines are grouped in IUCN s six Commissions. These networks assess the state of the world s natural resources and provide the Union with sound know-how and policy advice on conservation issues, playing an important role in implementing IUCN s work programme. In Nepal, we have around 90 scientists and experts associated with six Commissions. If you have expertise and are not already involved, consider joining one of our Commissions: Exchange ideas and experiences with leading scientists and practitioners. Find opportunities for practical collaboration with IUCN in Nepal. Gain access to information and publications on conservation and sustainable development. as a Partner: We have a wide range of government agencies, national & international organizations, local NGOs and CBOs as our partners. They are involved whether by helping to develop and implement our programmes; benefi ting from interventions or cooperating on shared objectives. If, as an organization or as an individual, you would like to support or get involved in IUCN s work, please contact us at the below address. International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN Nepal Kupondole, Lalitpur P. O. Box 3923, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977 1 5528781, Fax: +977 1 5536786 Email : info-np@iucn.org www.iucn.org/nepal 8

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