trinidad and tobago, april 2012

Trinidad and Tobago, April 2012

Financing Mechanisms for Sustainable Land

Management and Combat Desertification

Forests and forestry in Small Island Developing States

As a group, SIDS possess extensive forests. However, due to a considerable variation in land area, population density and climatic, geological and topographical conditions, the extent of forest cover differs greatly among the island states. According to FAO, forest cover ranges from 76 to 96% of the total land area in some SIDS to under 10% in many of the smaller island states and zero percent in Bahrain and Malta. Among the island states with a land area of less than 50,000 km2, the combined forest cover was estimated at 38.4% of the total land area in 2000, whereas the world average was 29.6%.


The annual rates of deforestation from 1990 to 2000, ranging from 2.1 to 5.7% The main causes of deforestation include conversion of forests into agricultural land and infrastructure development.But in other SIDS the rates of forest degradation are due to heavy exploitation of timber resources. Forest degradation due to natural causes (e.g. cyclones and forest fires) Some SIDS registered a positive change in forest cover from 1990 to 2000, mainly as a result of afforestation efforts. Forests and trees in Small Island Developing States contribute directly and indirectly to food security by providing forest products.


Income and employment provided by forestry and forest-related activities give people in rural communities the opportunity to purchase food and other basic necessities.Forested watersheds provide soil and water conservation, benefiting downstream agricultural areas. Windbreaks and shelterbelts provide shade and shelter for agricultural crops and animals and reduce soil erosion. Mangroves and other coastal forests protect coastal areas against the effects of strong winds, storm surges and salt spray, and provide nutrients for the marine food web.Forests also act as reservoirs of biological diversity; many of the foods consumed today originated as wild crops in forests and genetic improvement of agricultural crops has much to gain from existing wild species.

Land degradation, which includes both desertification and deforestation, is a worldwide phenomenon that severely affects the poorest rural communities. Sustainable Land Management (SLM) aims to reduce and reverse land degradation. It means managing land without damaging ecological processes or reducing biological diversity. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) aims to use of forests and forest land in a way that keep the balance between society's increasing demands for forest products and benefits, and the preservation of forest health and diversity.

The twin challenge of SFM and SLM

Similar answers to combat deforestation, degradation of natural resources desertification are found:

• Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)• Sustainable Land Management (SLM)

But also the same challenges• Integration in the National Development

Programmes and Strategies, • Mobilization of funding at all levels of

intervention (local, national, sub-regional, regional and global)

The twin challenge of SFM and SLM

UNFF Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests Multi Year Program of Work National Forest Programmes

Global processes related to SFM & SLM

UNCCD International Convention 10 year Strategy Subregional Action Programmes National Action Programmes

Financing Mechanisms Lack of funding (UNFF 8 – UNCCD COP 10) Weak implementation of the SRAP, NAP, MYPOW, etc.

Global consensus and changing resource allocation modalities for development and poverty reduction, demand new approaches and strategies to support affected country Parties’ resource mobilization efforts.

Donors have developed new policies and instruments for allocating resources to promote the national development priorities defined in country development frameworks.

Financial instruments involved (direct budget support, co-financing arrangements and sector-wide approaches);

Country leadership and country-driven identification of development priorities; and

Harmonization of aid and alignment of donors’ and international finance institutions’ priorities with those of recipient countries.

The changing face of international development

WHAT?? Mandate: Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of existing financial mechanisms [and] to promote actions leading to the mobilization and channelling of substantial financial resources [for activities pursuant to relevant provisions of the UNCCD] (article 21 of the UNCCD).

WHERE?? Level of implementation: Global, Subregional and National.

HOW?? Integrated Financial Strategies and Integrated Financial Frameworks

TO WHO?? National Focal Point Authorities and related SLM CCD Stakeholders.

The Global Mechanism of the UNCCD

The IFS seeks to use existing sources and instruments more efficiently and to mobilize new and additional resources, through the creation of an enabling environment. The driving factors for IFS development include:

• cross-sectoral nature of SLM, including forest-related issues

• fact that land degradation requires longer term engagement rather than individual short term projects

• institutional framework;• need for harmonized and streamlined approach for SLM

financing;• emerging aid modalities, in particular budget support

and programme based approaches; and• need to upscale resource mobilization for SLM.

Integrated Financing Strategy IFS

Developing and implementing the IFS is a long-term process, the IFS process flow usually consists of the following:

Preparatory phase• Mobilize stakeholders• Strengthen coordination / consultation• Define a common vision SLM

Analytical phase• Context of financing for SLM (political and institutional

framework)• Sources, mechanisms and funding instruments• Enabling measures for resource mobilization

Phase of implementation• Elaboration and implementation of an action plan• Establishment of an integrated investment framework

Developing and implementing an IFS

ConstraintsNot taking into account the SLM as a national priority Low consultation and coordination frameworkNon suitable Legal/institutional frameworkLow knowledge of existing funding sources, instruments and mechanisms

Opportunities and Constraints in mobilizing resources for SLM

OpportunitiesFramework strategic/policy in place (international, regional, sub-regional, national)Multitude of sources, traditional instruments and mechanisms (national and international levels) Innovative financing mechanisms (climate change, trade/private sector, microfinance)

Sources, Instruments and Financing Mechanisms

InternalNational budgetNational special fundsPrivate sector investmentsLocal budgets

ExternalBilateral cooperationMultilateral cooperationOther external sources (ODA, South-South, Foundations, NGO’s)

InnovativeMarket-based Instruments Taxes Funds related to the Climate Change, REDD+ Microfinance

ConstraintsNot taking into account the SLM as a national priority Low consultation and coordination frameworkNon suitable Legal/institutional frameworkLow knowledge of existing funding sources, instruments and mechanisms

Entry points to mobilize resources for SLM

Action pointsIntegrate SLM among the national priorities Identify sources and funding mechanisms (national and international) Identify and analyze innovative funding mechanismsStrengthen consultation and coordination at all levelsStrengthen the legal and institutional frameworkParticipate in political debates to raise additional funding

Lessons learned The real challenge is the integration of SLM in the

national/political processes The financial context is as important as the financial

resources (coordination – conciliation) IFS development/ implementation a long process Lack of financing not always the issue: enabling

environment key for resource mobilisation Challenge to develop projects and programmes that

cuts across sectors One source of funding may not be enough,

sometimes more than one source is the solution ‘First door’ of finance: domestic budgets and national

investments

Thank you!The Global Mechanism

Alejandro [email protected]

UNCCD Secretariat

Heitor [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]