Number of questions: [7]
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Posted on 09/06/2007 08:45:11 |
Dear Ms. Bragante,
How do you emphasis the involvement of the NGOs in decision-making of the GEF and what impacts would it generate on North-South dimension?
Thank you.
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Kokila Konasinghe (from Sri Lanka)
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Dear Ms. Kokila Konasinghe,
Thank you for your question. NGOs at all levels are usually involved as key stakeholders in the development and implementation of GEF funded projects and programmes through a participatory approach. NGOs have always played an influential role in promoting north-south and south-south cooperation, and stimulating debates on global environment and sustainable development related issues. The GEF, which contributes to the strengthening of such a role underlines that "today, participation by NGOs, both local and international, is crucial, not only at the project level but also in GEF policy dimensions." Accredited NGOs constituting the GEF-NGO network usually participate in consultations preceding the GEF Council, held twice a year. GEF-NGO consultations represent an important tool for NGOs to further interact with the GEF and share their concerns and views about emerging topics and policy programming. You will find further information on GEF accredited NGOs and GEF-NGOs consultations at:
http://www.thegef.org/interior.aspx?id=114&ekmensel=c580fa7b_48_50_114_5
UNEP also enhances collaboration with the civil society including NGOs to further catalyze action to protect the environment. "UNEP's strategy is based on engagement at the policy level to take into account civil society expertise and views at the intergovernmental level." For further inputs, you may wish to consult
http://www.unep.org/civil_society/
Best regards.
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Posted on 08/06/2007 16:55:03 |
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For school, I participate in public speaking. One of the tournaments which I will participate in, focuses on the topic "environment". I would like to write or read a speech. Becaude of your expertise in this atea, I was wondering if you had any suggestions or ideas to which points I should hit on when writing or any good speeches to read. Thank you.
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Eileen (from United States of America)
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Hi Eileen,
Since the mentioned topic "environment" is quite broad, you may choose a specific theme such as the World Environment Day (WED), which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 (the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was created the same year). WED is commemorated each year on 5 June. The slogan selected for 2007 is "Melting Ice - a Hot topic?" focusing on the impacts of climate change on polar ecosystems and communities. For further information, please consult http://www.unep.org/wed/2007/english/
In case you decide to select this theme, I would suggest you read the message of Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director on WED 2007, you could also use it as a source of inspiration for your writing. You will find it at:
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=513&ArticleID=5604&l=en
Good luck!
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Posted on 08/06/2007 11:29:05 |
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Hello, in Africa the degradation of soils does not know respite. Desertification concern near total of the ecosystems. Today it is known well that the climate change is a serious problem for the planet. My question is has there links between climate change and desertification? which are the references which treats problem. Are there possibilities to finance specific projects?
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Ben Ahmed CHIHAB (from Morocco)
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Hello,
Indeed, desertification and climate change are interlinked. Most countries in Africa are affected by desertification, often exacerbated by droughts. The majority of 'extremely degraded' soils are found in Africa according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment below mentioned, leading to food insecurity of the local communities -including farmers and pastoralists- who depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Land use change is an important driver of climate change. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD, www.unccd.int) refers to 'desertification' as 'land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities'. Land degradation related processes such as biomass burning, dust storms, soil erosion also have impacts on climate change.
In terms of 'references', a special paper on "Land Degradation as a global environmental issue: a synthesis of three studies commissioned by the Global Environment Facility to strengthen the knowledge base to support the land degradation focal area " prepared by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) and available at : (http://www.thegef.org/Documents/council_documents/GEF_30/documents/C.30.Inf.8STAP_LandDegradationasaGlobalEnvironmentalIssue.pdf) highlights the fact that " land degradation interrupts the regulating and provisioning services of ecosystems, in particular nutrient cycling, the global carbon cycle and the hydrological cycle....the impact of land degradation on climate change goes beyond greenhouse gases (GHG) emission. Land surface change, especially deforestation, may have an effect on climate of a similar order to that of GHGs."
Furthermore, the revised GEF strategy for the land degradation (LD) focal area that will be discussed by the GEF Council next week and available for consultation at: (http://www.thegef.org/uploadedFiles/Documents/Council_Documents__(PDF_DOC)/GEF_31/C.31.10%20Focal%20Area%20Strategies.pdf) underlines strong linkages and synergies with other focal areas' objectives such as adaptation to climate change. The two proposed strategic objectives of the LD focal area "seek to build a policy and institutional environment conducive to prevention and control of land degradation and effective actions on the ground". Priority areas will address "the three major direct drivers for terrestrial ecosystem degradation identified by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (see www.millenniumassessment.org) : land use change, natural resources consumption and climate change. All project proposals will incorporate the effect of climate change as an integral part of measures for sustainable land management." If the strategy is approved by the Council, GEF investment on sustainable land management (SLM) would focus on innovative approaches to SLM and, projects and programmes aimed at critical agro-ecological zones. SLM prioritized actions aimed to reduce the vulnerability of rural people to environmental disturbances could target those areas particularly vulnerable to climate change, at future risk of land degradation due to impact of climate change. The proposed strategic programmes under the LD focal area would comprise: 1. a programme supporting sustainable agriculture and rangeland management including activities related to : a. dryland management in areas of intense competition for land resources (regional priority would include Northern Africa and the Sahel of Africa), b. management of semi-arid to sub-humid mixed land uses in areas prone to severe soil erosion and loss of soil fertility, c. sustainable management of mountainous ecosystems; 2. a programme supporting sustainable forest management in production landscapes; and 3. a programme on investing in new and innovative approaches in SLM. You will find further information about funding related modalities on the GEF website (www.thegef.org).
Hoping this will be of help.
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Posted on 08/06/2007 08:57:28 |
Based on your experience, what are the main challenges related to the implementation of GEF funded projects on sustainable land management and the recommendations you would propose?
Thank you,
Violetta
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Violetta (from Chile)
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Actually, no project does look like another one, therefore the expression that could be used here to summarize both challenges and recommendations about project implementation would be "adaptive management". Indeed, this flexible approach proves useful and necessary to increase timely reactivity and address unexpected changes in project teams and priority activities -among others- during the lifetime of the project as well as risks generated by climatic extremes such as droughts and floods and ethnic unrest.
Main challenges encountered and proposed remedial measures :
- attention has to be paid during the project design to the selection of appropriate indicators in the project logical framework that could be really used to assess the progress of implementation of outcomes and activities;
- addressing time sensitivity of project issues and expectations in terms of achievement of impacts on the ground by establishing realistic time milestones and linking them up to above mentioned indicators;
- scope and scale of the projects: projects implemented include national, regional and global projects of different sizes and involving different levels and types of institutional frameworks for intervention. We need to identify all key executing partners and beneficiaries to make the overall process as participatory as possible and define effective institutional arrangements for long-term sustainability;
- lack of an open and transparent dialogue between all partners can be very detrimental during the implementation phase, permanent communication and information sharing are essential throughout the project duration. Organization of regular consultations using different means (teleconferences, meetings, field visits) is useful to raise awareness and ensure follow-up on possible constraints or unexpected complications;
- be creative and explore further partnerships with a wide range of parties to increase cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the project. Encourage the development of different supports such as documentaries, brochures to publicize the project and raise interest as well as disseminate related information in international fora;
- build on lessons learnt and use results of mid-term reviews to re-direct implementation if need be. In addition to scheduled meetings and consultations, annual workshops specifically focusing on synergies between different GEF SLM projects implemented in a same country, region or at a same specific pilot site, would help in stimulating further exchange and dissemination of experiences and SLM practices. They would be accompanied by subsequent field visits from project teams to different projects.
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Posted on 08/06/2007 08:23:19 |
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hello again you should remeber me about asking a question about the climate of my country ,my new question is about our driking water in my town tehran while all drity water and sanitery water drains in ground we take tha drinking water from deep of about 100 meters and clorinated and than drink it my question is it legal to do such and, do you think this water would be clean to drink ?nice to have your reply.bye....
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parviz babaei (from Iran, Islamic Republic of)
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Hello again,
Thanks for your interest in this session. Well, if I well understood your question, you may wish to further consult the national and municipal legal and regulatory frameworks for water treatment and supply, standards and regulations might differ from one site to another one, depending on existing public/private partnerships. In relation to SLM, land use plans are usually helpful to further protect groundwater resources from different types and sources of pollution. Municipalities would usually take necessary measures to prevent pollution and contamination of water resources intended for human consumption. In most cases water would be treated using different technologies such as chlorination (based on specific measurements of residual chlorine at the tap for appropriate doses) to make it potable and completely safe. They would also use robust and sealed pipelines for water distribution to avoid contamination and leakage.
Best wishes.
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Posted on 08/06/2007 07:41:55 |
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hello i,am parviz from iran i,am very glad to have my response abuot my question it is the climate in future of my country for instanse in 2050 how it would be nice to have your reply.
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parviz babaei (from Iran, Islamic Republic of)
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Hello Parviz,
I can understand your concern and question on how the climate will look like in your country in 2050 in light with Gonu cyclone, described as the 'strongest cyclone to threaten the Arabian peninsula since 1945', which has also affected Iran and claimed a high number of casualties in Oman in the last few days. Unfortunately, this type of natural disasters might be exacerbated by climate change and happen on a more frequent basis in the next future. However, nowadays the international community is fully aware about the risks and impacts of climate change and is pursing its efforts to tackle this issue of paramount importance. Yesterday, as you may know, the G8 agreed to call for substantial global emissions reductions to fight global warming and cited a goal of a 50 percent cut by 2050, a "breakthrough" using the words of UNFCCC Executive Secretary "in terms of making progress towards an enhanced future climate change regime". For further information on the G8 Summit Declaration and climate change related topics, kindly consult the website of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change www.unfccc.org. You may also wish to read previous UNEP's expert sessions devoted to climate change. You will also find useful information in relation to the GEF strategy on climate change at www.thegef.org.
If you may allow me, I would like to briefly extend your question to linkages between climate change and sustainable land management in the framework of GEF. The revised strategy for the land degradation focal area confirms strong linkages and synergies with other focal areas' objectives such as adaptation to climate change.
Hoping this helps.
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Posted on 08/06/2007 06:22:54 |
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What strategies do you propose for educating policy-makers in your area of specialization?
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Centre for Environment Education (from India)
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Education of policy-makers in sustainable land management (SLM) can be addressed in different ways.
As you may know, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) serves as financial mechanism for four conventions including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and collaborates with other agreements. For further information kindly refer to the GEF website : www.thegef.org as well as to DGEF portal of UNEP at http://dgef.unep.org. The GEF provides funding to help developing countries in meeting the objectives of these multilateral environmental agreements through the implementation of strategic programmes and related projects. UNEP as GEF Agency assists the countries in this endeavor.
SLM projects funded by the GEF that address land degradation related issues including desertification and deforestation usually take into consideration the need of the countries to address policy and institutional gaps in view to generate global environment benefits while supporting local and national, social and economic development. These projects often involve the development and implementation of decision-support tools and sub-regional cooperation frameworks as well as activities related to institutional capacity building aimed at strengthening decision-making process at all levels and mainstreaming of SLM in national policy frameworks. Project outcomes usually respond to priorities expressed in national, sub-regional and regional policy frameworks such as the National Action Programmes (NAPs), Sub-Regional Action Programmes (SRAPs) and Regional Action Programmes (RAPs) of the UNCCD but also contribute to other national strategies and programmes focused on poverty alleviation, natural resources management and cross-cutting areas. For your information, my colleague Mohamed Sessay will have an expert session on implementation of the UNCCD on 15 June 2007.
Several projects and initiatives have been contributing to the 'education of policy-makers' in SLM through knowledge management and training of national focal points for the UNCCD and the GEF on key issues that could be addressed by the GEF and related ways of action. These training sessions facilitated by the GEF Secretariat and GEF agencies including UNEP have proved very useful for raising awareness of stakeholders who have a say in policy making and involving them in an interactive dialogue with other key partners. The GEF Country Support Programme aims to strengthen the capacity of GEF political and operational focal points to effectively carry out their mandates for supporting global environmental programs in their countries and constituencies, through use of information/knowledge for further engagement of stakeholders and integrated programming. For further information, please consult the related knowledge facility at www.gefcountrysupport.org.
Joint sessions for representatives of different Ministries concerned by SLM would indeed encourage further collaboration in view to adopt a coherent and participatory approach towards the development of policy frameworks and natural resources management action plans. This would help them in enhancing further coordination in a decentralized context. In the case of the Mt. Marsabit Ecosystem Project located in Kenya, the project team has undertaken several exchanges with policy-makers, presenting to them data gathered on key issues and proposed measures, assisting their representatives on site, organizing stakeholders' workhops where they could further interact with the local communities, which are the main beneficiaries of the project. This has generated a very important result: key institutions including the water sector, the forest department, the National Management Environment Authority (NEMA), the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) will be joining their forces in formulating and implementing a resource management action plan for the conservation of Marsabit ecosystem and services, avoiding duplication and lack of consistency, and promoting optimization of results.
GEF is putting a stronger emphasis on a programmatic approach that would contribute to make the life of policy-makers much easier and since you are writing from India, you may wish to know that India is currently developing with GEF agencies a framework for an SLM partnership focusing on a long-term, participatory and sustainable investment strategy. Therefore, I would say that a three-pronged approach emphasizing information sharing and communication using available technologies, training on emerging topics based on tailor-made modules for targeted users, and creation of creative and innovative partnerships and initiatives, could be adopted to further enhance education of policy-makers in SLM.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need any further information.
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