CEPNET:a Facilitator in the Better Management

of Environmental Informationfor the Caribbean Environment

Programme (CEP)

LUC ST-PIERRECEPNET Programme Officer

lsp.uneprcuja@cwjamaica.com

Protocol ConcerningCo-operation in

Combating Oil Spills

Adopted in 1983In force since 1986

Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife

(SPAW)

Adopted in 1990In force since 2000

Protocol Concerning Pollution from

Land-Based Sources and Activities

(LBS)

Adopted in 1999

CARTAGENA CONVENTION

Adopted in 1983In force since 1986

The Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP)

www.cep.unep.org

CAR/RCUCAR/RCU

Governments of the Caribbean Region

Caribbean Environment Programme “Cartagena Convention and Protocols”

Regional Seas Programme

Division of Environmental Conventions

UNEP

AMEP

SPAW

CEPNET

ETA

Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (UNEP-CAR/RCU)

• to strengthen capabilities for coastal and marine resources information management in WCR

• to increase access to information through the strengthening of networking mechanisms and database development

• to disseminate information resulting from the projects and activities of the CEP

• to develop the analytical capabilities of the CAR/RCU

CEPNET, a Subprogramme of CEP

Information Systems for the Management of Marine and Coastal Resources

Project for Strengthening the Capabilitiesfor Managing Coastal and Marine Environment

Resources in the Wider Caribbean Region (CEPNET/IDB Project)

• implemented in six countries by the CEPNET programme

• co-funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (US$1,000,000) and UNEP (US$361,000)

• concluded in January 1999

CEPNET, a Project

•established an Internet-based environmental information network

•strengthened the coastal and marine resources management capabilities

•strengthened the central role of the CAR/RCU

•created an internal Information Management System (IMS) infrastructure within the CAR/RCU

•created the CEP website at www.cep.unep.org

Achievements of CEPNET/IDB Project (1)

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Dominican Republic

Jamaica

Trinidadand Tobago

Barbados

• a needs assessment• a country workplan• the IMS on a web server• trained staff• databases• a State of the Coasts report• a program sustainability plan

Achievements of CEPNET/IDB Project (2): Pilot Network Programme

•to improve management of environmental information to increase access and prevent duplication of effort

•to improve dissemination mechanisms of environmental information of CEP

•to strengthen the central role of CAR/RCU

•to provide technical assistance in managing coastal and marine environment information and data

Internal Evaluation (1)Needs Identified

•increased availability of information through metadata catalogues, databases and GIS, and the production of preliminary State of the Coast reports

•CEP website and Intranet at CAR/RCU

•communication mechanisms that take advantage of the Internet

•basis for replication in other countries interested in improving their capacity to manage their coastal and marine information

Internal Evaluation (2)Needs Satisfaction

•created a framework and a starting point

•initiated a change of culture for dissemination of environmental information

•showed that collaboration with other initiatives improves access to information

Internal Evaluation (3)Catalytic Effects of Activities and Ouptuts

•high cost of dedicated line

•delays in equipment delivery

•bureaucracy and personnel rotation impairing efficient decision-making

Internal Evaluation (4)Problems Encountered

•relevant and consistent approach

•useful tools developed (exploration of information technologies)

•large quantity of training materials and a highly successful training

•CEP website well-designed and well-developed but lacking in content

•websites developed (PNP) with limited resources and commitment from the national agencies

•database development was limited because of the “jealousy culture”

External Evaluation (1)Findings

•the level of efforts better documented

•CEP website must remain an important catalyst

•funding bridge to ensure maintenance of outputs and integrate new countries

•metadata catalogues and internet-based GIS components further supported

•national sustainability plans pursued on an on-going basis

•trained professionals part of subsequent projects

•update and promotion of websites (PNP)

External Evaluation (2)Recommendations

• institutional information• workplan• State of the Coast Report• metadata catalogue

• coastal zone, beach access• geophysic• land use, management plan• currents, water levels, winds, waves• shoreline plants, seagrass• etc.

Barbados

•Maintenance of output: none is known

•Use of output: minimal

•Human resources: no core left

•Technical resources: underuse for GIS

•Activity in GIS: minimal (CZMU)

•Internet (sharing) culture: not visible

•Expression of interest: not expressed

Barbados Now?

• institutional information• workplan• State of the Coast Report• metadata catalogue• on-line GIS

• inventario de recursos naturales• programa ambiental costero • departamento de recursos pesqueros• departamento de vidas silvestres• departamento de educacion ambiental

Dominican Republic

•Maintenance of output: minimal

•Use of output: unknown

•Human resources: dispersed but active (GIS)

•Technical resources: still available

•Activity in GIS: not co-ordinated (?)

•Internet (sharing) culture: not promoted

•Expression of interest: very high (indiv. and admin)

Dominican Republic Now?

• institutional information• workplan• state of the Coast Report• metadata catalogue• on-line GIS

Jamaica

http://www.nrca.org/soe_97/index.htm

•Maintenance of output: very high

•Use of output: very high

•Human resources: core developed

•Technical resources: stregthened

•Activity in GIS: integrated & supported

•Internet (sharing) culture: promoted in practice

•Expression of interest: very high

Jamaica Now?

• institutional information• workplan• state of the Coast Report• metadata catalogue• on-line GIS

• coastal zone• risk to natural hazards• land use, population, socio-economy• Currents, biodiversity, fisheries• satellite imagery• etc.

Nicaragua

•Maintenance of output: good

•Use of output: very good

•Human resources: core with multi-tasks

•Technical resources: maintained & integrated

•Activity in GIS: co-ordinated (institution)

•Internet (sharing) culture: room for improvement!

•Expression of interest: very high

Nicaragua Now?

• institutional information• workplan• state of the Coast Report• metadata catalogue

• coastal zone, beaches• wildlife and species• erosion and other marine hazards• fisheries, fish population

Trinidad and Tobago

•Maintenance of output: good

•Use of output: good

•Human resources: core expanded

•Technical resources: GIS and RS Centre (IMA)

•Activity in GIS: integrated

•Internet (sharing) culture: high

•Expression of interest: very high

Trinidad and Tobago Now?

• institutional information• workplan• state of the Coast Report• metadata catalogue

• infrastructure, land use, water supply and treatment• protected areas, admin division• coastline, watershed, soils, vegetation• physical features, natural regions• ortophoto, radar and other images• etc.

Venezuela

•Maintenance of output: minimal

•Use of output: good

•Human resources: minimal

•Technical resources: need strengthening

•Activity in GIS: punctual

•Internet (sharing) culture: unknown

•Expression of interest: very high (individual)

Venezuela Now?

•Maintenance of output: good

•Use of output: very good

•Human resources: not permanent

•Technical resources: supported

•Activity in GIS: to resume!

•Internet (sharing) culture: extremely high

•Expression of interest: by mandate

CAR/RCU Now?

•use the existing resources (even if they do not satisfy the requirements)

•ensure support from the decision-makers

•GIS and Internet technologies more accessible and do not justify huge initial investments

•CAR/RCU must emphasize its role as facilitator and be less involved in implementation

•capacities developed at national level for replication at a lower cost, and more adapted to regional needs

Lessons Learnt (1)Implementation Phase

•resources for funding sustainability at least from one year before end of project

•design activities and raise funds for projects within the original participating agencies and/or with new partners

•steering committee that will exist after project

•train a webmaster to maintain website and co-ordinate database maintenance and development

Lessons Learnt (2)Post-project Follow-up (general)

•small scale and short time-horizon

•multi-sources funding

•take advantage of cost-efficient and more accessible Internet-based technologies for dissemination

•existing human resources in GIS and Internet activities

•integrate to UN/non-UN

•build on experience gained with objectives of replicability within the WCR (emphasis on content)

Lessons Learnt (3)Post-project Follow-up (specific)

1. to strengthen capabilities

2. to increase access to information

3. to disseminate information

4. to develop capacities of the CAR/RCU

Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme

1. to strengthen capabilities for coastal and marine resources information management in WCR

• technical advisory services

• funds for training in remote sensing

• promotion of metadata standards/catalogues

• training for web-GIS: LBS, MPA, GPA, others

• On-line training materials

• GPA clearinghouse

Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme

2. to increase access to marine and coastal resources information through the strengthening of networking mechanisms and database development

• GPA clearinghouse

• CaMPAM, Species database, others

• CEP website

• State of the Coast

• web-GIS on LBS, MPA, others

• WW2BW

Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme

Provide the CEP Member States … with the most complete information … in the most efficient way possible

Internet

Phone, mail

Personalized e-mail

Institutional e-mail

e-group

Clearinghouse

Person to person

Access to network

NETWORKING

CEP meetings

Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme

3. to disseminate information resulting from the projects and activities of the CEP

• CEP website (revamp)

• CEPNews Centre• support to Convention and Protocols (inc. reporting)

• thematic e-groups

• environment Assessments

Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme

4. to develop the analytical capabilities of the CAR/RCU to improve its impacts

• computing and network facilities, training room

• database of Focal Points, Experts and Institutions

• Intranet development

• development of the CEP website

• database development, training and networking with AMEP, SPAW and ETA

Are We Learning?Developing the CEPNET Programme

•partnerships for pilot projects

•on-line training (materials, experience, translation)

•web-GIS technology transfer (training, infrastructure)

•clearinghouse development

•WW2BW

•US/EPA

•IABIN

•EROS Datacentre

•...

Opportunities to Create