UNDP RBA Workshop on MDG-Based

National Development Strategies

Module 6:MDG-based Environmental Strategies

UN Millennium Project February 27-March 3, 2006

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The MDGs and the Environment

Goal 7:Ensure environmental sustainability

Target 9: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources

MDG 7 provides no clear operational objectives

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The Challenge of Sustainable Development

Ensuring environmental sustainability poses operational challenges

Need for context-specific responses Management of trade-offs across all sectors Integration across different disciplines and actors Country-specific institutional arrangements International cooperation is sometimes needed

Operational responses have been hampered by:1. Poor integration into national development strategies2. Absence of operational outcome objectives3. Neglect of direct investments in environmental management4. Weak links between strategies and national budgets5. Human resource and financial constraints compounded by

weak environmental institutions

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A Needs-based Approach to Environmental Sustainability

1. Define priority areas

2. Specify outcome targets

3. Identify direct and indirect drivers

4. Identify needed interventions and policy reforms

5. Estimate resource needs

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The Process of Preparing a Needs-based Environmental Strategy

The importance of politics Environmental objectives can only by achieved through

coordinated and integrated strategies across key sectors Trade-offs exist and need to be carefully managed Choice of environment objectives and strategies requires

high-level political decisions

A possible process1. Technical environment working group proposes long-term

environment objectives and outlines strategies for achieving them

2. Objectives and strategies are reviewed and become binding through high-level political approval

3. Environment working group reviews sectoral strategies to see if they are consistent with environment objectives

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Step 1: Identify Priority Areas

Land degradation

Marine/coastal degradation

Freshwater degradation

Solid waste / air pollution

Biodiversity

Salination, waterlogging, desertification, erosion, deforestation

Coral bleaching, eutrophication, fisheries depletion, destruction of mangroves

Pollution, eutrophication, overabstraction, falling groundwater tables, saltwater intrusion

Solid waste, particulates, NOx, SOx, POPs

Alien invasive species, habitat loss, overexploitation

Extent of environmental degradation and impact on human well-being documented by 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Examples for priority areas include:

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Step 2: Specify Outcome Targets

Outcome targets are time-bound, measurable, and include interim milestones – they differ from process targets

Science can inform choice of targets but does not obviate need for political decision

Targets must be set as national objectives to be achieved by all sector strategies

Step 3: Identify Drivers

MDG strategies act on direct and indirect drivers of environmental degradation

Drivers need to be carefully analyzed and understood

Step 3: Identify drivers

Step 3: Identify Drivers

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Step 4: Identify Interventions and Policy Reforms

For each driver identify the investments and policies required to achieve the outcome targets set in Step 2

Every investment needs coverage targets

Example: Land degradation– Investments in prevention & adaptation to climate change, e.g.

Agricultural extension services Development and dissemination of improved crops Infrastructure to prevent erosion (check bunds, wind breaks, terracing)Infrastructure for improved water management (drip irrigation)

– Investments in rehabilitation, e.g.Reforestation, drainage, desalination

– Accompanying policy changes, e.g.– Review of land tenure system

Review of irrigation tariffs and subsidies

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Step 5: Estimate Needed Resources

Develop an investment model quantifying human resources, infrastructure, and financial resources required to meet outcome objectives

Compare interventions with other investment clusters to avoid double counting

Specify items not covered in the Needs Assessment

Identify drivers not fully addressed by environment needs assessment

Ensure inclusion in other sectors’ needs assessments

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One Important Aspect of Sustainability: Disaster Risk Management

Reduce vulnerability of target populations.

Natural disasters can derail poverty reduction strategies.

Managing risks to minimize socioeconomic impacts ought to be explicitly incorporated into the NEGDS, PRSPs.

Investments on prevention, early warning and preparedness are key considerations to avoid catastrophes.