Harmonization of Information for Multilateral Environmental Agreements

1
Harmonization of Information for Multilateral
Environmental Agreements
Mark Collins Chief Executive World Conservation
Monitoring Centre 14 July 1999

• Inter-Linkages Conference, Tokyo 14-16 July 1999

2
Implementation of MEAs
Set objectives

• Inter-Linkages Conference, Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

3
Implementation of MEAs
Establish targets
Set objectives

• Inter-Linkages Conference, Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

4
Implementation of MEAs
Establish targets
Set objectives
Implement actions

• Inter-Linkages Conference, Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

5
Implementation of MEAs
Establish targets
Set objectives
Monitor results
Implement actions

• Inter-Linkages Conference, Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

6
Solution

• Establish clear and measurable environmental
  targets
• Identify indicators of success
• Monitor them through the MEAs by dividing up the
  work focusing reporting procedures

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

7
Constraints

• Gaps not covered by any treaty
• Duplication
• Different party constituents
• Lack of agreed baseline data and indicators
• Poor capacity for monitoring reporting

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

8
Lessons from the Private Sector

• Hostile or friendly take-overs
• Specialise create network organisation
• Pay attention to customer needs pressures
• Provide proper reports to shareholders
• Act upon those reports to improve performance

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

9
Tactics

• Review treaties and establish potential for
  greater cooperation
• Be clear about what is needed from MEAs as a
  whole
• Establish proper reporting standards and success
  indicators

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

10
Conference Themes

• Information management
• Finance
• Issue management
• Scientific mechanisms
• Synergies for sustainable development

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

11
Difficulties in monitoring

• Parties lack the capacity to do baseline studies
  or monitor environmental change
• Reporting is inconsistent cannot be aggregated
• Some treaties lack enough parties to provide a
  global picture

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

12
Role of Information Working Group
Find ways to

• Harmonise information in MEAs
• Identify complementarity and gaps
• Identify ways to share datasets
• Harmonise reporting
• Improve collection, organisation and
  dissemination of information

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

13
Achievements so far

• UNEP identified as the lead in environmental
  assessment and early warning
• WCMC Feasibility Study on Shared Information
  Management for Biodiversity Treaties
• UNDP/SEED Expert Meeting on Synergies in National
  Implementation of Rio Agreements

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

14
Non-MEA Environmental Reports

• Global Environmental Outlook (UNEP)
• World Development Report (UNDP)
• World Resources Report (UNDP/UNEP/World Bank/WRI)

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

15
Shared Information Requirements Across MEAs
Information CBD CITES CMS Ramsar WHC ECOSYSTEMS
Ecosystems and habitats ecosystems ?
habitat types ? ? ? traditional
use ? SPECIES Classification, names
and identification higher
taxonomy ? ? ? scientific name ? ? ? ? ? com
mon names ? ? ? identification
materials ?
16
Modular Reporting Reduces Duplication
17
Building Capacity at National Level

• Systematically assess national needs across all
  countries
• Devise appropriate training programmes
• Transfer information technology

The UNEP/GEF project Biodiversity Data Management
has made a good start should be extended

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

18
Helping the Secretariats

• Build IT capacity
• Outsource services to specialists
• Regular coordination of conventions

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999

19
Time for Action

• Improve national monitoring and reporting
  procedures
• Systematically build capacity for information
  management
• Harmonise the work of the Secretariats

• Inter-Linkages Conference Tokyo, 14-16 July 1999