ASEAN Environmental Challenges: Green Issues of Biodiversity 2nd ASEAN Chief Justices Roundtable Discussion on the Environment7-10 December 2012, Melaka, Malaysia

Ms. Clarissa C. AridaDirector, Programme Development and ImplementationASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Biodiversity – the variety of life on earth; the amazing life forms

Includes all plant and animal species on earth including their homes –

mountains and forests, rivers and seas, the air – the full range of

ecosystems, their component species and genetic variety of species

Biodiversity - Global Context and the Convention on Biological Diversity

Biodiversity challenges – Transboundary Issues

Regional Cooperation and National Imperatives Southeast Asia – small in Size

but home to globally Ssgnificant biodiversity

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

CBD – an international legally-binding treaty

Conservation of biological diversity Sustainable use of its components Fair and equitable sharing of benefits

arising out of the utilization of genetic resources (ABS)

At the Natinal level: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action

Plans – Updating of NBSAPS in line with the CBD Strategic Plan (2011-2020) and Aichi Biodiversity Targets

ASEAN Heritage Parks

By 2020, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and

delivering benefits essential for all people. (CBD Vision)�

Drivers of Biodiversity

Loss in Southeast

Asia

Habitat Change

Pollution

Over Exploitation

Invasive Alien Species

Climate Change

Poverty

Drivers of Biodiversity Loss In Southeast Asia

Target 5 CBS Aichi TargetBy 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced

Illegal Wildlife Trade, Deforestation, Large scale mining, Pollution, Climate Change

Green Issues Biodiversity Challenges

Loss of habitat for many birds, mammals and other animals

Reduced pollinator activity Decline in species richness and

populations Overall reduction in

biodiversity Target 12 CBD Aichi Target

By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.

Biodiversity Challenges

INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES is estimated to have caused environmental and economic damage at US$ 1.4 trillion per annum (Global Invasive Species Programme, 2008).

-Valuing biodiversity and ecosystems services and good in economic terms – ASEAN TEEB – also as basis for compensatio n and damages

   

ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE – Southeast Asia is a hotspot in the multi-billion dollar global trade of wildlife. Illegal wildlife trade valued at about 10 to 20 billion U.S. dollars.

Wild species including illegally cut timber, birds, reptiles, and mammals are traded in the region

Other key biodiversity issues Creation of an access and benefit

sharing scheme on utilizing genetic resources

Nagoya Protocol – responding to the 3rd objective of the CBD on benefit sharing

National ABS Policies – Institutioanl and legal

Examples: Philippines – Executive Order 247 and Wildlife Act - Prescribes the guidelines and procedures for the prospecting of biological and genetic resources; NIPAS and Wildlife Laws

Malaysia – Sabah and Sarawak ABS policies and on-going develkipment of national ABS legislation

Biodiversity Challenges

o ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme 32 sites now

o Support to sub regional programmes such as the Coral Triangle Initiative, Heart of Borneo Initiative, Greater Mekong Sub-Region, Sulu-Sulawesi Seas , and others

o Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin

o ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution

o ASEAN Framework Agreement on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits

Regional Cooperation and National Imperatives

Regional Cooperation and National Imperatives

Sustained awareness raising and capacity building among the 3 branches of governments on CBD related national legislations like Protected Area law and Wildlife laws; involving scientific experts like biologists, zoologists, foresters, taxonomists to promote LEGAL and SCIENCE & POLICY INTERFACE

Continuous dialogue amongst ASEAN Member States in regard to CBD related implementation of national laws; e.g., CBD and ABS policies including indigenous and local communities as keepers of traditional knowledge (TK) leading to benefit sharing

Cooperation with neighboring countries with respect to transboundary protected areas Policy and Legal Forum and Technical

Training for Protected areas and forest guards and law enforcement officers

Wildlife seminars for transboundary areas – common threatened and endangered species

Use of information technology in the dissemination of the latest

information about CBD related legislation, technologies and management techniques

ACB Clearing House Mechanism of Biodiversity Information and national CHM/websites – linking to legal issues on environmental challenges to foster knowledge sharing and learning.

Regional Cooperation and National Imperatives

www.aseanbiodiversity.orgTerimah kasi!