DRAFT ONLY
DRAFT ONLY
Trial consolidated reporting template for PacificIsland countries to the biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements
Word Version
CAVEAT: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TEMPLATE HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY ENDORSED FOR USE AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE SUBMITTED AS A NATIONAL
REPORT TO ANY OF THE MEAS.
REPORTING TEMPLATE GUIDANCE………………………………….Page 3
Introduction and Background
Purpose of Reporting and Use of Information
Guidance for Completing the Reporting Template
Glossary of Terms
REPORTING TEMPLATE…………………………………………………Page 10
SECTIONS
1. General Information
2. Introduction
3. Ecosystems– Status, Trends and Threats
4. Species Information – Status, Trends and Threats
5. Protected Areas
6. Management and Recovery
7. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Genetic Diversity
8. National Biodiversity Legislation, Policies, Strategies and Action Plans
9. National Implementation, Targets and Indicators
10. Communication, Education, Participation and Public Awareness
11. Indigenous and Local Communities
12. Information Management, Data and Resources
13. Research and Monitoring
14. Capacity-building and Training
15. Collaboration with other Conventions, International Co-operation, and Cross-Sector Engagement
16. National Finances
17. Comments and Recommendations
18. Annex I: Supplementary Information - CBD
19. Annex II: Supplementary Information - CITES
20. Annex III: Supplementary Information - CMS
21. Annex IV: Supplementary Information - Ramsar
22. Annex V: Supplementary Information - WHC
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
(1)This consolidated (single) reporting template (the ‘reporting template’) was prepared in 2008 by the Australian Government’s Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), in consultation with the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), as part of an Australian Government funded project to streamline reporting by Pacific Island countries (PICs) to the biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Please note that the terms ‘multilateral environmental agreements’ and ‘conventions’ have been used interchangeably in this document.
(2)The reporting template is designed to be used as a tool for PICs to report to the following five biodiversity-related conventions:
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – Biennial report only
- Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
- Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)
- World Heritage Convention (WHC)
(3)The objective of the reporting template is to:
- facilitate reporting and reduce the resources required for PICs to meet their reporting obligations to the biodiversity-related conventions
- improve the ability of PICs to report to the biodiversity-related conventions by making the reporting process more efficient
- improve the ability of PICs to monitor their country’s progress on biodiversity issues by promoting and facilitating regular reporting.
(4)The reporting template is a practical example of how national reporting can be streamlined and harmonised. Further collaboration and consideration of processes to streamline and harmonise national reporting has been mandated for four of the five biodiversity-related conventions:
- CBD:Decisions V/19, VI/25 and VII/25 of the Conference of Parties
- CITES: Decision 14.38 of the Conference of the Parties
- CMS: Resolution 7.9 of the Conference of Parties, and the Information Management Plan adopted by Resolution 6.5
- Ramsar:Resolutions VII/4, VIII/26 and X/11 of the Conference of Parties, and the Strategic Plan 2003-2008.
PURPOSE OF REPORTING AND USE OF INFORMATION
(5)National Reports from Contracting Parties are official documents required for all five of the biodiversity-related conventions in accordance with the following Articles:
- CBD:Article 26
- CITES: ArticleVIII, paragraph 7 (b) (Biennial Reports)
- CMS:Article VII, paragraph 5d
- Ramsar:Article 3.2
- WHC: Article 29.
(6)There are a number of purposes for national reporting, including:
- to provide data and information on how conventions are being implemented
- to help identify major achievements, significant developments, and trends, gaps or obstacles as well as possible solutions relating to the implementation of conventions
- to capture lessons learned or experiences to allow Contracting Parties to develop future actions
- to identify emerging issues and implementation challenges faced by Contracting Parties that may require further attention under convention processes
- to provide a means for Contracting Parties to be accountable against their obligations under the conventions
- to provide each party with a tool to help it assess and monitor its progress in implementation, and plan for its future implementation and priorities
- to provide an opportunity for Contracting Parties to draw attention to their achievements. It can be used as a means for communicating achievements to the general public that your country has made in meeting the objectives of the biodiversity-related conventions. It can be an important tool to communicate positive outcomes for biodiversity, and any obstacles or challenges that need to be addressed.
GUIDANCE FOR COMPLETING THE REPORTING TEMPLATE
(7)The reporting template has been designed to incorporate elements from all five of the biodiversity-related conventions. There are seventeen sections in the core reporting template and five ‘Supplementary Information’ sections (one for each of the biodiversity-related conventions). As not all PICs are Contracting Parties to the five conventions, PICs are only required to complete the Supplementary Information for the convention/s to which they are party.
(8)In the reporting template, Contracting Parties are requested to emphasise, where possible, the following information:
- outcomes and impacts of actions or measures taken to implement the convention/s
- success stories and case-studies
- major obstacles encountered in implementing the convention/s
- actions that could be taken to improve outcomes with implementation of the convention/s.
(9)Contracting Parties are encouraged to use relevant national, regional or global biodiversity indicators in their report. Biodiversity indicators are important tools for monitoring the status and trends of biodiversity as they can serve to summarise data on complex biodiversity issues and can be used to signal key issues that need to be addressed.
(10)Contracting Parties are requested to involve stakeholders in the preparation of their reports, including non-government organisations (NGOs), civil society, indigenous and local communities, business, and the media. Collaboration between focal points for the biodiversity-related conventions is also encouraged to enable information sharing and project analysis opportunities. This collaboration is important to recognise synergies in the national implementation of the biodiversity-related conventions.
(11)All sections of the reporting template that are relevant to your country should be completed in one of the official languages of the conventions (English, French, Spanish).
(12)The reporting template should be completed in the current format where possible. It should be completed in either Arial or Times New Roman type (12 point font).
(13)Parties are encouraged to respond to all questions where possible. If no information is available for certain questions, please state this in your response. Parties are encouraged to supplement their narrative responses with any tables, figures or graphics that may support their responses. In cases where there may be overlaps in your responses to questions, Contracting Parties are encouraged to cross-reference to previous responses to avoid repetition.
(14)A sample report will be made available to assist Contracting Parties with their reports.
Glossary of Terms
This glossary has been developed using a number of sources, including from definitions provided by each of the conventions.
Please note:In many of the questions in this report, the functions of each of the conventions are referred to broadly as follows;
- CBD functions are referred to as ‘biodiversity’
- CITES functions are referred to as ‘wildlife trade’
- CMS functions are referred to as ‘migratory species’
- Ramsar functions are referred to as ‘wetlands’
- WHC functions are referred to as ‘heritage’.
Alien Invasive species-a species that has been transported by human activities, intentional or accidental, into a region where it does not naturally occur, also known as an exotic, introduced, non-indigenous, or non-native species; species occurring in an area outside of its historically known natural range as a result of intentional or accidental dispersal by human activities.
Biological diversity (biodiversity) - the number and variety of all life forms in your country; the different plants, animals, micro-organisms, and ecosystems in your country.
Biological resources - includes genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, populations, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with direct, indirect or potential use or value for humanity. (Syn.: biotic resources).
Biome - a major portion of the living environment of a particular region (such as a coniferous forest or grassland), characterised by its distinctive vegetation and maintained by local climatic conditions.
Bioregion - a territory defined by a combination of biological, social, and geographic criteria, rather than geopolitical considerations; generally, a system of related, interconnected ecosystems.
Biosphere Reserve - areas of terrestrial, costal and marine ecosystems or a combination thereof, which are internationally recognised within the framework of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) program on Man and the Biosphere, which integrates biodiversity conservation with economic development.
Biota - all of the organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, found in a given area.
Biotechnology- any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use; any technology that is applied to living organisms to make them more valuable to people.
Climate change- is any long-term significant change in the “average weather” that a given region experiences.
Conservation - judicious use and management of nature and natural resources for the benefit of human society and for ethical reasons; artificial control of ecological relationships in an environment in order to maintain a particular balance among the species present; the management of human use of the biosphere so that many yield the greatest sustainable benefit to current generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.
Ecosystem-a dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal, and micro-organism communities and their associated non-living environment interacting as a functional unit; the organisms living in a given environment, such as a tropical forest, a coral reef or a lake, and the physical part of the environment that impinges on them; a complex of organisms and their environment, interacting as a defined ecological unit (natural or modified by human activity, e.g. agro-ecosystem), irrespective of political boundaries; a community of organisms in their physical environment.
Ecosystem Approach -*A full definition and description of the ecosystem approach is provided under decision V/6 of the CBD; a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way.
Endangered - in relation to a particular migratory species, means that the migratory species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Endemic- native to and restricted to a specific geographic area.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)- process by which the consequences of proposed projects or programs are evaluated as an integral part of planning the project, alternatives are analysed, and the general public has ample opportunity to comment.
Ex-situ- the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats; keeping components of biodiversity alive away from their original habitat or natural environment.
Extant - still living at the present time.
Extinct - no longer surviving.
Focal Point- designated contact for conventions.
Forest-land that is covered with trees and shrubs; vegetation that is dominated by trees and shrubs of any sort.
Global Environment Facility (GEF) -established by the World Bank, UNDP and UNEP in 1990. It operates as a 'financial mechanism' on an interim basis and funds developing-country projects that have global biodiversity benefits.
Genetic Resource - genetic material of plants, animals or micro-organisms, including modern cultivars and breeds, primitive varieties and breeds, landraces and wild/weedy relatives of crop plants or domesticated animals, of value as a resource for future generations of humanity; genetic material of actual or potential value.
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) - the modification of the genetic characteristics of a micro-organism, plant or animal by inserting a modified gene or a gene from another variety or species; GMOs may be micro-organisms designed for use as bio-pesticides or seeds that have been altered genetically to give a plant better disease resistance or growth.
Habitat- the place or type of site where an organism or population naturally occurs; the space in which an organism, population, or species lives.
In-situ-in the original location.
In-situ conservation - the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings and in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties.
Indicators-Environmental indicators can include physical, biological and chemical measures that show what is happening in the environment.
Indigenous community -a group of people who have been born in or are native to a land or region, especially before an intrusion of persons from another culture or ethnic background.
Island biodiversity -the biodiversity (i.e. the number and variety of all life forms) that are found within the terrestrial and marine surrounds of the island.
Local community - of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular locality, region or neighbourhood.
Migratory species- the entire population or any geographically separate part of the population of any species or lower taxon of wild animals, a significant proportion of whose members cyclically and predictably cross one or more national jurisdictional boundaries.
Monitoring-surveillance to ascertain the extent of compliance with a predetermined standard.
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) -under Article 6 of the CBD, Contracting Parties are required to develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity or adapt for this purpose existing strategies, plans or programmes which shall reflect, inter alia, the measures set out in the CBD relevant to the Contracting Party concerned.
National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA)- support provided to GEF programme countries to assist them with a self-assessment of their capacity needs and to prepare a national capacity action plan.
National Inventory-an itemised list, report, or record of environmental assets.
Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) - the cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. As such, the permanent protection of this heritage is of the highest importance to the international community as a whole.
Precautionary approach -where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation (Rio Declaration: Principle 15, Report of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 5-16 June 1972).
Protected areas- an area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.
Protected Species - plant and animal species that are listed as protected under international conventions and agreements and/or are listed as protected under state or national legislation.
Range - all the areas of land or water that a migratory species inhabits, stays in temporarily, crosses or over flies at any time on its normal migration route.
Range State - in relation to a particular migratory species, any State (and where appropriate any other Party referred to under subparagraph (k) of this paragraph) that exercises jurisdiction over any part of the range of that migratory species, or a State, flag vessels of which are engaged outside national jurisdictional limits in taking that migratory species.
Recovery Plan- a plan established which develops protocols for the protection, conservation and management of threatened species, threatened ecological communities and habitats.
Satellite Telemetry- satellite telemetry is the use of satellite tagging to track movements and the whereabouts of species.
Secretariat- staffed by international civil servants and responsible for servicing the Conference of the Parties and ensuring its smooth operation, also makes arrangements for meetings, compiles and prepares reports, communicates with the Convention Parties, and communicates with other relevant international bodies.
Species- group of organisms, sharing common features (similar phenotype) and being isolated from other groups in terms of reproduction.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) - is a system of incorporating environmental considerations into policies, plans and programmes. It is sometimes referred to as Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment.
Sustainable use- the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.
Targets- a desired or set goal.
Threat - an action or process that has a negative impact on biodiversity, such as human population growth, urban sprawl, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, climate change, invasive alien species, etc.
Threatened species - species that are, often genetically impoverished, of low fecundity, dependent on patchy or unpredictable resources, extremely variable in population density, persecuted or otherwise prone to extinction in human-dominated landscapes.
Trade - export, re-export, import and introduction from the sea. Introduction from the sea means transportation into a State of specimens of any species which were taken in the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any State.
Traditional Knowledge- the knowledge, innovations and practices of local and indigenous communities. As used in the CBD, any elements of traditional knowledge that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Twinning- where one organisation helps another and vice versa.
Wise use- sustainable utilisation of resources in such a way as to benefit the human community while maintaining their potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.
1.General InformationPurpose of Information: