IUCN – Nature + people & governance: Can conservation tackle poverty?

10. september 2012

Nature + people & governance: Can conservation tackle poverty? – den fjerde af fem “World Leaders Dialogues” ved IUCNs biodiversitetskonference i Korea 10.09.2012 – 91:13 min. video.

Oplægget til nature + people & governance

People everywhere depend directly or indirectly on nature for their wellbeing. From food, fuel and freshwater, to crop pollination, flood protection and climate regulation, nature provides the fundamental infrastructure needed for our societies to survive and prosper. Nature’s benefits, however, are not equally shared. Richer countries are better placed to reap benefits from nature, while poorer nations bear the cost of biodiversity loss and see little benefit. All too often, nature is absent from development aid.

♦ Can we strike a better balance?
♦ Can we achieve conservation without sacrificing social justice?
♦ What can we change in our current model for nature’s benefits to be properly reflected
♦ in national economies and individual incomes?
♦ How can we ensure that the rights of indigenous and other vulnerable communities
♦ are truly taken into account?
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Key messages from the dialogue¹

Good governance is essential to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems that are necessary to meet the needs of people.

This was the main message from the Forum, as reflected in these trends:

Local involvement is crucial for conservation and management of biodiversity and ecosystems to meet peoples’ needs

Locally managed approaches to conservation recognize traditional knowledge. Management and monitoring of natural resources by local stakeholders is a long-term and sustainable approach to conservation.

Locally managed marine areas (LMMA’s), an island-based solution, are a bright spot in conservation. They are being replicated and scaled across coastal communities globally. The networks of LMMA managers are providing important linkages for sharing experience and lessons. Peer-oriented learning networks also provide valuable tools and support for resource managers.

“It’s not just about the ecosystems but also the society that lives in those ecosystems” — Bill Jackson, Parks Victoria.

Indigenous peoples and local communities play important roles in developing meaningful environmental policy

Indigenous peoples and local communities are working with governments and civil society to develop conservation policy at local, national, regional and global levels. Involvement of indigenous and rural communities promotes greater understanding of local issues and the role traditional/historical rights play in stewardship of natural resources. Involvement of such groups also facilitates sharing of information and approaches as well as more effective partnerships and connections across landscapes to manage and conserve natural resources.

Needs and rights of indigenous peoples and local communities are influencing decision-making and policies today. Local institutions are providing links between local resource managers, government agencies and scientific organizations that enhance understanding of policy needs and actions.

“Conservation is an entry point to democracy” — Russ Mittermeier, President of Conservation International.

Political will is fundamental to valuing natural and social capital

Conservation does contribute to poverty alleviation. Government leaders and their institutions are crafting policies that value natural and social capital. These policies are integrating human and conservation rights-based approaches, with gender and social equity. Socially integrated and cooperative approaches are reducing threats to sustained delivery of ecosystems services.

Visionary and powerful leaders at the local, national and global levels are having an impact. Policies provide the underpinning for private sector institutions, non-government organizations, and government agencies in multiple sectors to work together to address the breadth of issues affecting biodiversity and ecosystems. At the same time these policies are creating a climate for leaders in other countries to promote policies that value natural and social capital.¹
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Panellists

Mr. Luc GNACADJA – Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Mr. Emmanuel ISSOZE-NGONDET – Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie, Gabon.
Dr. Suk-Chae LEE – Chairman & CEO, Korea Telecom.
Mr. Richard SAMANS – Executive Director, Global Green Growth Institute.
Colonel Samuela A. SAUMATUA – Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Fiji.
Mr. Erik SOLHEIM – Former Minister of Environment and International Development, Norway.
Ms. Victoria TAULI-CORPUZ – Executive Director, Tebtebba Foundation.
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