National biodiversity planning: Guidelines based on early experiences around the world
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Synopsis
National Biodiversity Planning: Guidelines Based on Early Experience Around the World offers a method that "biodiversity planners" can use to initiate a national biodiversity planning process that builds upon country studies and other planning efforts.
One hundred and fifty-six governments made a statement at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992: They are prepared to accept responsibility for conserving the full diversity of plant, animal, and microbial life in their countries, to begin using biological resources sustainably, and to seek the equitable sharing of benefits from biodiversity. Rich nations committed themselves to providing technological and financial resources to help poor countries build the capacity to save, manage, and employ their biotic wealth.
The commitment made at Rio had its roots in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council's declaration of the need for concerted international action for effectively conserving the world's biodiversity. Among the earliest steps taken by countries before Rio was initiating country studies--the systematic assessment of their biodiversity. Later, within the text of the Convention, the Parties agreed to formulate national strategies and action plans and to integrate biodiversity activities into all relevant sectors.
National Biodiversity Planning: Guidelines Based on Early Experience Around the World offers a method that "biodiversity planners" can use to initiate a national biodiversity planning process that builds upon country studies and other planning efforts. At the invitation and with the strong support of the UNEP, the World Resources Institute (WRI) initiated this study in 1992. Also, The World Conservation Union (IUCN) contributed its considerable experience with national strategy work in developing countries and its extensive capability in areas related to biodiversity.
National Biodiversity Planning offers background information, case-study examples and analysis, and step-by-step guidelines for planning and implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans. Intended for use by government, communities, business and industry, and nongovernmental organizations, it presents an "illustrative biodiversity-planning process" based on the real-world experiences of seventeen countries or regions--Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, The Philippines, Poland, the South Pacific, United Kingdom, and Vietnam -- already developing national strategies, plans and programs.
Biodiversity planning is an open-ended process that develops continuously as further information and experience is gained. The process is cyclical, with the same steps repeated round after round. It is adaptive because participants learn from past experience about shifts in nature and society, and it also involves multiple stakeholders and sectors. A partnership is needed among all those committed to making choices and taking action, from all parts of society, and from all sectors of government and the economy.
The preliminary lessons learned from the countries that cooperated in this study provide considerable guidance to those countries seeking to undertake a similar process. The array of institutional, scientific, legal, and policy obstacles encountered by these countries were met with actions that show promise and innovation. Among the most potent factors for facilitating biodiversity planning and action are solid political will and commitment by the highest levels of government.
The process of developing guidelines for biodiversity planning will necessarily be an iterative one. Several key components of the planning process await policy guidance from the Parties to the Convention on action. Such topics as project formulation, criteria and priorities for access to the Convention's funding mechanism, technology cooperation, and access to genetic resources can be expected to enter the deliberations and workplans of the Conference of the Parties. But since any attempt to offer guidelines on these topics right now would be speculative and without empirical grounding, users are urged to consider how Parties can clarify policies and criteria. Parties and their subsidiary scientific and technical bodies can set the stage for future documentation. Future guidelines can be expected to address these and other critical topics, again drawing from fieldwork.
Experience already shows how all the countries studied have successfully used an open, participatory approach. Transitional economies have found themselves with outstanding human, scientific, technological, and management capability, but often without clear mandates and political and institutional commitment. Distinctively, small island states have found considerable value in regional collaboration, sharing well-experienced personnel and focusing attention on priorities of common interest. The developing countries may have only limited experience with comprehensive planning and limited funding for planning and implemention, but their expertise in relevant technical fields is typically noteworthy. In contrast, developed countries often find themselves dealing with complex public institutions with overlapping jurisdictions and with no interest in changing how they operate.
It is hoped that this guide will help agency officials, NGOs, communities, indigenous people, and business leaders orient their initial efforts in biodiversity planning. The guide should also help in capacity-building workshops and team planning. No doubt, it will be supplemented by national-level guides as soon as countries develop and formulate materials for dealing with their peculiar issues and opportunities.
National Biodiversity Planning is available in english, spanish and french and can be obtained by contacting the following individuals or groups:
- English: World Resources Institute (http://www.wristore.com/), WRI Publications, P.O. Box 4852 Hampden Station, Baltimore, MD 21211 (1-800/822-0504 or 410/516-6963; fax: 410/516-6998)
- Spanish: Fundación FES, Calle 64N No. 58-146 Centro Empresa L 26 Cali, Colombia (tel: 572/884-5933; fax: 572/883-4706)
- French: Biodiversity Convention Office, Environment Canada, 351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 9th Floor, Place Vincent Massey Hull, Quebec, Canada K1A 0H3 (tel: 819/953-9669; fax: 819/953-1765)
ISBN: 1-56973-025-3
160 pages
1995
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Press Releases
November 6, 1995: National Biodiversity Planning: Guidelines based on early experiences around the world.
A new study, National Biodiversity Planning: Guidelines Based on Early Experiences Around the World, is being launched at the Second Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 6-17, 1995.