Safeguarding

Posts Tagged ‘Safeguarding’

Safeguarding the Jewels in the UK’s Biodiversity Crown

Posted by admin on February 22nd, 2013

The investment needed to conserve biodiversity in the UK’s Overseas Territories (UKOTs) is three to five times higher than that spent by the UK Government currently to protect the endemic species and threatened habitats in these unique ecosystems. That is one of the points raised in a recent briefing note from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). Invasive alien species, climate change, over-development and tourism, combined with patchy environmental governance are all contributing to the loss of biodiversity from these isolated island administrations.

The scope of the POSTnote is the 11 inhabited Overseas Territories. Here the OTs own governments are responsible for the protection and conservation of their natural environment. A 2012 UK Government White Paper described the OTs as having an ‘exceptionally rich and varied natural environment, containing an estimated 90 percent of the biodiversity found within the UK and Territories combined.’ The Environmental Audit Committee has also concluded that the largest single contribution the UK Government could make to halting global biodiversity loss would be to support to a greater extent the conservation of biodiversity in the UKOTs. Given that there are almost double the number of threatened species in the OTs as are found on the mainland UK (517 versus 194), and the large number of these that an endemic (found nowhere else), it is hard to justify why the UK Government spent only £2.97 million on biodiversity conservation in the UKOTs in 2012, compared with £495.4 million in 2011/12 in the UK.

Threats to biodiversity in the UKOTs vary with the geographical location of the territory, human population pressure and local environmental conditions. For example, in the Caribbean, which is more densely populated than OTs in some other areas, the major risks are unfettered development, with associated tourism, pollution and the over-abstraction of water. In addition, climate change and sea-level rise pose significant risks to habitats and species, causing the inundation of freshwaters, coastal erosion and ocean acidification, affecting corals. In contrast, in the less densely populated and more isolated South Atlantic, major threats are posed by invasive alien species; primarily rats, feral cats and plants. Projects run by NGOs, for example by the RSPB on the Pitcairn Islands, have been partially successful in removing plants and rats. When eradicated however it is vital that the UKOT governments have put in place biosecurity measures to prevent the re-introduction and re-establishment of these organisms.

Very few UKOTs have in place sufficient biocontrol measures, symptomatic of wider problems of environmental governance in these regions. In addition, the UK Government’s own lack of a strategic approach to environmental management in the UKOTs has been criticised by NGOs. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has overall responsibility for maintaining relationships with the UKOT governments. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible then for supporting biodiversity conservation in the UKOTs and supporting their governments in meeting obligations under international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). However, these agreements do not apply universally across the OTs (the CBD doesn’t apply to the Pitcairn Islands for example). The Environment Charters negotiated between the UK and UKOT governments set out the environmental responsibilities of the OTs but are not enforced and progress against these is not reported routinely by the UKOTs.

A ‘Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the UKOTs’ does exist, drawn up by Defra, the FCO and Department for International Development (DfID). This provides the over-arching policy framework for action on the part of the UK Government, its agencies and the governments of the UKOTs. Yet this does not include priorities for conservation action, only headline biodiversity themes, as the actions are to be decided by the UKOT governments themselves. This lack of a strategic overview and failure to identify priorities for action hampers practical measures to tackle biodiversity loss in the OTs.

Practical measures can be difficult to implement in any case, due to a lack of baseline biodiversity data across the UKOTs. Most OTs lack basic survey data for some species. Often population-level data for vertebrates, such as seabirds, exists but that for plants and invertebrates is often based on presence/ absence only. Data for the marine environment is very patchy. Although there is no overview of biodiversity data gaps across the OTs, the FCO is currently funding the RSPB to conduct a ‘biodiversity risk assessment’ across the territories.

The POSTnote suggests that a central repository for biodiversity data from the UKOTs could be developed and maintained in the UK, along with a repository for samples. Alternatively, regional hubs or focal points holding the data and samples could be established for the OTs to access. However, the POSTnote makes clear, many OTs currently lack the capacity to access the data and to make use of it for practical conservation and management.

The acquisiton of data therefore needs to be accompanied by investment in developing the skills of individuals in the UKOTs, which may require long-term systematic support from the UK Government, possibly funding people to undertake Masters-level qualifications outside of the territories themselves.

Whilst there is no doubt that greater efforts are needed, a number of positive initiatives are underway. In addition to the eradication and other projects supported by the RSPB, efforts are underway to scope the feasibility of assessments similar to the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) in a number of OTs. In additon, the UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) are currently involved in projects building capacity in the enforcement of fisheries and biocontrol in the UKOTs. Projects aimed at biodiversity conservation in the UKOTs can also apply to the ‘Darwin Plus’ (or ‘Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund‘) scheme, created by bringing together funds from the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) and Darwin Initiative. Funding is also available to support UKOT conservation efforts through the EU BEST programme, although it is not certain whether this pilot funding mechanism will continue.

In its White Paper, the UK Government clearly acknowledges the value and importance of biodiversity in the UKOTs. As the POSTnote makes clear, this recognition now needs to be backed up by a strategic approach to biodiversity conservation in these under-resourced but internationally significant administrations, building on the positive efforts which are taking place on the part of the Government and charitable sector. Investment in the science base underpinning conservation and in the skills needed for effective terrestrial and marine management and enforcement could pay dividends for safeguarding these valuable natural assets.

Tags: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, POSTnote, UK Overseas Territories

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Local Government Association: Safeguarding children peer review

Posted by admin on January 29th, 2013

The Children’s Improvement Board will fully fund a Safeguarding children peer review until 31 March 2013 for any council.

Research and feedback in 2011/12 indicates that the Safeguarding children peer review is making a significant contribution to sector-led improvement, creating capacity and confidence in the sector and having a positive impact even in those councils facing the most serious challenges:

100 per cent of directors of children’s services who received a review agreed that it provided a basis for improvement in their safeguarding partnership
94 per cent of directors of children’s services who received a review said that they would recommend a review to a colleague and be willing to take part in a review themselves.

Safeguarding children flyer (PDF, 4 pages, 594KB)

Eric Robinson, Deputy Chief Executive and Director for People, Staffordshire County Council, received a review in January 2012

“The peer review process was a really positive experience for us. The team were highly credible, currently active in the field; they brought an expert, insightful and realistic perspective to reviewing our progress. Because of this gravitas, their feedback was welcomed and has enabled us to continue our improvement journey at pace.”

The peer review team

We take a flexible approach to the composition of the peer team.

team leader – director of children’s services
member peer – senior councillor with safeguarding experience
officer peer – senior safeguarding managers
health peer – clinical or managerial health leads for children
off-site peer – assistant director with operational-performance-policy background
LGA review manager
voluntary and community sector colleagues, where agreed
other sector specialists, where agreed, for example, chair of a Local Safeguarding Children Board, police, early years, looked-after children.

How the peer review works

Some work will be undertaken prior to the team’s visit. The peer challenge team will study documents, policies and performance information. This will include questionnaires completed by frontline staff. A case-mapping exercise will be undertaken challenging the success and challenges of inter-agency collaborative work in safeguarding cases. As part of the new approach an ‘audit validation’ option will be offered.

The onsite phase of the challenge takes place over five days in the authority. The process begins with a meeting of senior managers from partner agencies. The review team will talk to a cross-section of senior officers, elected members, partners and frontline staff. This onsite work is a key aspect of the peer review process. Those interviewed are encouraged to be as open and honest as possible. All information provided will be treated by the challenge team as non-attributable.

The team will feed back their observations and recommendations and or findings from all the elements of the peer review at the end of the site visit. they will facilitate an action planning-prioritisation workshop based on its findings. This will be followed a few weeks later by written feedback that the council will have time to consider.

Read:

Book a review

There is a strong demand for this peer review and a 12-week lead in is recommended. For more information please contact:

Paul Curran, Children’s Improvement Advisor (Safeguarding)
Telephone: 07738 600101
Email: [email protected]

Further information

Contact:

Peter Rentell, Programme Manager, Peer Support Team, LGA
Telephone: 07919 374582
Email: [email protected]

Caroline Bosdet, Senior Advisor, LGA
Telephone: 07876 106183
Email: [email protected]

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8 October 2012

info4local Subject Documents

World Migratory Bird Day 2012 highlights multiple benefits of safeguarding bird habitats

Posted by admin on May 12th, 2012

Black Storks, on migration: Upper Akkar, Lebanon ( R Porter)

Migratory birds undertake some of the most daring journeys in the animal kingdom, often covering thousands of kilometers to migrate. And the growing fan base of these winged adventurers is now presenting economic opportunities through sustainable tourism.

On 12-13 May 2012, the economic benefits of supporting the world’s migratory bird species will be one of the key themes of celebrations to mark World Migratory Bird Day 2012 (WMBD).

Under the slogan Migratory birds and people – together through time, WMBD will also emphasize the important cultural and environmental role played by birds.

There is also a growing trend among bird tour operators to practice sustainable and socially responsible ecotourism, while relying on local goods and services or supporting local conservation projects.

Indeed, the UNEP Green Economy Report shows that global spending on all areas of ecotourism is increasing by about six times the industry-wide rate of growth.

A survey by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service puts the annual economic value generated by bird watchers (or ‘birders’) and other wildlife watchers at around US$ 32 billion per year in the United States alone. This amount corresponds to the GDP of Costa Rica, which, coincidently, is a popular destination for US birders.

In Scotland, the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) found that between GBP 5 – 8 million (US$ 8 – 12 million) is spent annually by tourists wishing to see White-tailed Eagles on the Isle of Mull alone.

The equivalent of at least 110 full-time jobs – 4 per cent of jobs in Scotland associated with wildlife tourism – is supported by this expenditure every year. Economic benefits delivered by White-tailed Eagles on the Isle of Mull have more than tripled since 2005.

“Birding plays a significant and growing part in the tourism industry, and creates direct and indirect economic benefits for many countries and communities, also amongst developing countries. Wildlife watching appeals to a wide range of people, and opportunities to participate in wildlife watching are and should increasingly be a factor in tourists’ holiday choices today,” said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

World Migratory Bird Day is organized by CMS) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) – two intergovernmental wildlife treaties administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). BirdLife International, Wetlands International and the Secretariat of the Partnership for the East Asian – Australasian Flyway (EAAFP) are also main partners of the global campaign.

CMS and AEWA bring together governments and other stakeholders to address threats to migratory birds and the world’s other migratory animals. A key aspect is raising awareness among local communities and involving them in safeguarding endangered species. They provide tour guides, accommodation, transportation and necessary infrastructure. In addition, local people might engage in long-term monitoring which is crucial for designing an efficient conservation strategy.

“The scale of the problems and the actions required to reverse the fortunes of our migrant birds is daunting, but international collaboration offers the best chance of achieving effective conservation for these species,” said BirdLife’s CEO, Dr Marco Lambertini. “World Migratory Bird Day is an opportunity to raise our heads from the problems and issues that preoccupy everyone who works for the conservation of migratory birds, and to remind ourselves that bird migration is a miracle that should be celebrated – not on one day alone, but every day.”

Events to mark WMBD 2012 are due to take place in 70 countries, including bird festivals, education programmes, presentations, film screenings and bird watching trips, run by hundreds of volunteers and organizations. WMBD is an opportunity to both celebrate the phenomenon of bird migration and to take collective action to raise awareness on some of the threats migratory birds face.

“Conserving migratory birds is highly challenging because their annual migration often spans several countries, each governed by its own jurisdiction and national conservation strategies. AEWA was created to bring governments together in order to facilitate the international coordination of conservation action for migratory waterbirds among the many countries found in the African-Eurasian Flyway”, said Ms. Mrema.

World Migratory Bird Day will be closely followed by an AEWA intergovernmental conference on migratory waterbirds, which will take place on 14-18 May in La Rochelle, France. The 5th Meeting of the Parties to AEWA will focus on wetlands, particularly their role as a vital habitat for migratory birds and people, as a provider of other important ecosystem services, and as a source of livelihoods for communities, particularly in Africa.

The AEWA meeting is being hosted by the government of France and will be held under the theme Migratory waterbirds and people – sharing wetlands.

“The World Migratory Bird Day 2012 theme highlights that migratory birds and people have been closely linked throughout history and that migratory birds continue to play a very significant cultural, aesthetic and economic role in the lives of people around the world today. The upcoming AEWA intergovernmental meeting will focus on the habitats we share such as wetlands. It is absolutely critical that governments use the forthcoming meeting, to continue to do all they can to work together to try to safeguard, retain and where feasible restore high quality habitats – and to begin to link the conservation of migratory birds to human development and livelihoods on a flyway scale”, said Dr. Marco Barbieri, Acting Executive Secretary of AEWA.

See Spotlight on Flyways in BirdLife data zone

Notes to Editors

World Migratory Bird Day

The World Migratory Bird Day 2012 campaign is made possible through part of the voluntary contribution given to the CMS and AEWA Secretariats by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).

Initiated in 2006, World Migratory Bird Day is an annual campaign backed by the United Nations and is devoted to celebrating migratory birds and promoting their conservation worldwide.

For more information and an overview of all registered World Migratory Bird Day events, please see the Global Event Map:

www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/events

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) works for the conservation of a wide array of endangered migratory animals worldwide through the negotiation and implementation of agreements and action plans. CMS is a fast-growing convention with special importance due to its expertise in the field of migratory species. At present, 116 countries are Parties to the Convention. For more information, please visit: www.cms.int

African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)

The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty developed under the auspices of CMS dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds using the African-Eurasian Flyways. The Agreement covers 255 species of birds ecologically dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. The treaty covers a large geographic area, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia and Canada. So far 65 out of the 118 countries in this area have become Contracting Parties to the Agreement.

For more information please contact:

Francisco Rilla, Information Officer, UNEP/CMS Secretariat on Tel: +49 (0) 228 8152460, E-mail: [email protected]

Florian Keil, Information Officer, UNEP/AEWA Secretariat on Tel: +49 (0) 228 8152451, Mobile: +49 (0)151 14701633, E-mail: [email protected]

Veronika Lenarz, Public Information, UNEP/CMS Secretariat on Tel: +49 (0) 228 8152409, E-mail: [email protected]

UNEP Newsdesk (Nairobi) on Tel. +254 207623088 or E-mail: [email protected]

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BirdLife Community

Environment Agency: Safeguarding future of river for angling and wildlife

Posted by admin on March 12th, 2012

Wildlife and anglers are to benefit from a project to improve and protect an important wildlife and course fish habitat on the River Nene.

The Environment Agency is working with local landowners to reduce the impact of erosion on the Castor backwater, a 1km stretch of the River Nene, near to the villages of Castor and Ailsworth.

Work during the three-week project includes repairing and re-profiling the river’s banks, installing fencing and cattle-drinkers and creating two fish-refuge ponds to provide areas for fish to shelter from high flows.

Hugh Bunker, Fisheries and Biodiversity Officer, said: “The Castor backwater is well known to local anglers as an important spawning area for chub and barbell. But, despite holding specimen fish, it is currently under pressure from bank erosion.

“High levels of silt entering the river from eroded banks can have a devastating effect on fishery habitats and can result in extensive weed growth. When combined with the current drought conditions – including low water levels and flow rates – this can lead to low dissolved oxygen levels and a reduction in fish spawning and juvenile fish survival.”

The Castor backwater project follows a survey carried out by the Wildlife Trust in 2010. New clean gravel will be used to improve spawning sites and the river margins will be improved for fry and juvenile fish. Careful placement of over-hanging trees and bushes will improve the river margins for fish providing cover and shade.

An area will also be created for dogs so that they are able to access the water to swim or drink without having to climb up and down the bank.

In addition to the works which are taking place within the river, native trees such as willow and alder are also being planted to provide shade over the channel, nesting sites for birds and a food source for fish and invertebrates.

Clare Freeman, of the Nene Park Trust, said: “We are pleased to be working with the Environment Agency on this project which will improve the wildlife habitat of the river and help to protect the distinctive landscape of the river valley.

“The backwater scheme will compliment our management of the surrounding meadows which are farmed in an environmentally sensitive way to preserve and enhance the landscape and environment. The sight of cattle grazing the flood meadows is a traditional view that many local people enjoy and these works will help to ensure that this continues.”

Hugh said: “The Castor project will help to bring this part of the River Nene to life. It will provide a welcome boost for fish and other wildlife which we hope anglers, as well as other people in the area, will be able to enjoy for years to come.”

The Environment Agency is asking dog-walkers, anglers and others to report where the ongoing drought may be posing a risk to wildlife. Indicators may include fish in distress, gasping at the water’s surface. Reports can be made by contacting the 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

info4local Subject Documents

Ugandas petroleum legislation – Safeguarding the sector

Posted by admin on March 5th, 2012

Read ‘Ugandas petroleum legislation – Safeguarding the sector’ here.

Uganda has recently discovered oil reserves that have the potential to double the government’s revenue within six to ten years, worth an estimated US$ 2.4bn per year.

To manage the industry, the Government of Uganda has recently introduced two petroleum bills to the Parliament. Every clause in this new legislation is potentially crucial for the future management of the country’s petroleum assets. Between them, the Bills will set the parameters for how the country’s oil sector will be governed, covering the allocation process, transportation and refinement and how revenues from the sale of oil will be managed.

The Bills are currently being considered by the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, which will have 45 days to look at each piece of legislation from the day of receipt. After this, the Bills will return to Parliament for second reading, and at this stage they can be passed into law.

Global Witness welcomes the introduction of the Bills and congratulates the Government on its efforts to bring in sound legislation to govern the industry. However, while the Bills display a number of positive aspects and some good detail, there are still big gaps. Many of the concerns raised in response to the last draft Bill in May 2010 are not addressed. Tight ministerial control, absence of parliamentary oversight and a lack of guarantees on contract and financial transparency remain key features of both Bills. The legislation will need to be carefully considered and substantive amendments made if it is to meet international best practice and provide a solid foundation for Uganda’s petroleum sector.

The top five Global Witness recommendations are:

1. Reduce direct ministerial discretionary control of the sector by:

Strengthening the independence of, and better defining, institutions and their roles.
Leaving less to secondary regulations and contracts, and ministerial discretion.
Clarifying what kind of system the GoU will use for partnering with international companies and provide further information about this process.

2. Provide a strong role for Parliament in the management of the petroleum sector by giving them the explicit power in the legislation to approve new acreage, regulations, licences and contracts and play a greater oversight role. Consider other oversight bodies.

3. Commit to making all documents relating to the petroleum sector public unless they fall within tightly and specifically defined exemptions.

4. Commit the GoU to financial transparency in the management of petroleum revenues and bidding processes. Present revenue management legislation to be considered alongside these two Bills, before passing them into law.

5. Commit to, and set out a process for, careful consultation with all relevant stakeholders at each stage of petroleum development. This could include licence allocation and renewal, drawing on the free, prior and informed consent model of best practice.

Safeguarding REDD+ Finance: Ensuring transparent and accountable international financial flows

Posted by admin on February 29th, 2012

Funding forest protection in developing countries poses numerous financial risks. From inefficient allocation through to mismanagement of funds, misappropriation and corruption.

Financial flows from donors to developing countries under the REDD+ forest protection mechanism will need to increase significantly over the coming years if greenhouse gas emissions from forest loss are to be reduced. Detailed measures will be needed to ensure effective, transparent and accountable financial flows.

In our report: Safeguarding REDD+ Finance: Ensuring transparent and accountable international financial flows, Global Witness has reviewed international multilateral mechanisms that channel funding from donor countries to developing countries and drawn best practice lessons for future REDD+ finance.

External briefing on Safeguarding REDD+

Posted by admin on December 1st, 2011

This briefing, carries out by consultant group LTS International, examines existing systems for ensuring that finance for the UN’s Reducing Emissions through Deforestation and Degradation scheme, under which rich countries pay developing ones to preserve rather than harvest their forests, is used effectively and transparently, and outlines what still needs to be done to ensure this.

Read Global Witness briefing on this issue.

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Safeguarding REDD finance – Global Witness briefing

Posted by admin on November 30th, 2011

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30th November 2011

This briefing examines the multilateral bodies which send finance to the UN's Reducing Emissions through Deforestation and Degradation scheme (REDD+), under which rich countries pay developing ones to preserve rather than harvest their forests. Global Witness checks for how transparent and accountable the finance tracking systems are and makes recommendations for what could be improved, as policy makers discuss funding for REDD+ in Durban.

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This briefing examines the multilateral bodies which send finance to the UN’s Reducing Emissions through Deforestation and Degradation scheme (REDD+), under which rich countries pay developing ones to preserve rather than harvest their forests. Global Witness checks for how transparent and accountable the finance tracking systems are and makes recommendations for what could be improved, as policy makers discuss funding for REDD+ in Durban.