INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

IMPROVING GOVERNANCE OF PROTECTED AREAS FOR CONSERVATION AND EQUITY

Gonzalo OviedoSenior Advisor on Social PolicyIUCN Headquarters

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Project Improving Natural Resource Governance for Rural Poverty Reduction

Implemented in 12 countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, through IUCN regional and national offices, with IUCN members and partners

Coordinated from IUCN HQ in Gland, Switzerland

Funded by UK’s DFID (Governance and Transparency Fund)

Apart from national actions, the project includes global and regional actions on key topics, among them protected areas

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Project Improving Natural Resource Governance for Rural Poverty Reduction

Improving governance related

to natural resources that support local livelihoods

Empowering civil society to better

manage natural resources

and influence decision-making

Supporting local governance

for greater community benefits and

livelihood security

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Why Governance of Protected Areas?

Countries of the world have committed to political systems that:

Increase and improve democracy

Respect human rights

Reduce or eradicate poverty

Increase equity and eliminate discrimination

Seek sustainability in development

Need to apply the same principles to PA

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Why Governance of Protected Areas?

• Governance over natural resources is important because it affects the achievement of management objectives (effectiveness), the sharing of costs and benefits (equity) and helps to ensure support (community, political and financial) for the sound management of natural resources

• Decentralized PA governance can help ensure more effective and responsive management,

• The rule of law is essential to protect natural resources.

• Effective governance is vital to secure the poverty reduction potential of natural resources.

• Effective governance helps reduce conflicts and Unsustainable use of natural resources.

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Definition of Governance

For IUCN, governance of natural resources is the complex set of norms, institutions and processes that determine how power and responsibilities are exercised, how decisions are taken, and how citizens participate in the management of natural resources.

Governance is about who has power - influence and decision-making capacity; and how decision-makers are held accountable.

The interpretation of governance and of means to achieve good governance are very varied

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What “good governance” means?

The debate about « good governance »: a model or comparable principles?

The agreed approach: improve governance through implementation of principles

Two key aspects on PA: Principles of good governance

Recognition of a diversity of institutional models

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IUCN 9 governance principles with respect to PAs

• All stakeholders are able to have a say with respect to a PA establishment and management

1. Legitimacy and voice

• Management and responsibility for PAs should be at the lowest level possible

2. Subsidiarity

• All too often the benefits stemming from Pas are reaped by stronger parties

3. Fairness

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IUCN 9 governance principles with respect to PAs

• Local populations will not find themselves more vulnerable or poorer because the establishment of PAs

4. Do no harm

• It is important to have a clear vision for the PAs long term direction which is shared by all key stakeholders

5. Direction

• PA need to strike a balance between achieving biodiversity conservation and being responsive to the concerns of stakeholders

6. Performance

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IUCN 9 governance principles with respect to PAs

• Roles and responsibilities need to be clear, clearly communicated and decision-makers need to be accountable

7. Accountability

• All relevant information is available to all stakeholders

8. Transparency

• Basic human rights, such as the right of freedom of opinion, the right to own property, etc. should be respected

9. Human rights

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IUCN governance principles with respect to PAs

10. Capacities

11. Rule of law

12. Coherence

Bottom end of scale Top end of scale

Legitimacy and voice

Subsidiarity

Fairness

There is no dialogue. Stakeholders are not engaged or consulted. PA decisions are made top-down, There is discrimination and no consensus.

There is significant dialogue. All stakeholders have a say. PA decisions are made collectively and based on consensus. There is no discrimination.

Management & responsibility are centralised and ineffective

Costs & benefits not shared OR not shared equitably. Local communities are very poor and lack livelihood security

Costs & benefits are shared equitably. Communities have improved, sustainable income opportunities and greater livelihood security.

Management & responsibility for PAs are decentralised, more effective and better able reflect local needs

How to use governance principles?

Possible Actions to Improve PA governance

Governance Principle

Actions

Legitimacy and voice

Multi stakeholder Platforms are established to support dialogue Decision-making structures that include various interests are in place Consultation meetings are held Protected area management plans are established/updated further to various

stakeholder group meetings and input A process to include stakeholder concerns in PA management and/or establishment is in

place

Subsidiarity Local institutions to manage PAs are established Institutions that manage PAs include local representation Ethnic minorities are represented on the management authority for PAs and/or their

input has been considered

Fairness A system for assessing costs and benefits of PAs is in place A system for sharing costs and benefits is in place Benefits from well-managed PAs are shared in an equitable manner Legal frameworks are respected and effectively and impartially enforced, particularly

the laws on human rights.

Do no harm Poverty levels remain stable or drop Local people’s living standards remain the same or improve Local people’s options for their livelihoods remain the same or improve Local cultural practices, norms, livelihood strategies and values are respected and not

affected.

Possible Actions to Improve PA governance

Governance Principle

Actions

Direction There is a consistent and inspiring long term vision for the PA Local people are involved in the development of the long term

vision Building compatibility and maintaining a consistent approach

between PA planning instruments and plans and policies at all other relevant levels and sectors. Avoiding conflicts between decisions made in different sectors and levels.

Performance

Resource use follows established standards Management plans are in place and followed Management effectiveness can be measured according to

established tools (such as METT) Good financial planning including a fund raising plan and

implementation of fees and other self financing instruments.

Accountability

Management plan and/or other established document outlines roles and responsibilities clearly

All stakeholders know their respective roles and responsibilities with respect to PAs as demonstrated by surveys

Systems are in place to hold people accountable Reporting demonstrates that all roles and responsibilities are clearly

established

Transparency

All relevant information is available to all stakeholders A process is in place for information sharing at the local PA level

Possible Actions to Improve PA governance

Governance Principle

Actions

Capacities Capacity needs assessments are carried out to develop a base line for different stakeholders.

Capacity is in place for all stakeholders to be involved in relevant decision-making and other aspects of PA governance.

Awareness raising campaigns for government and other actors, using culturally, linguistically appropriate mechanisms.

Promotion of learning exchanges and networks.