D.2: At-Risk Environments
Conservation, rehabilitation and development of environments at the greatest risk Other Information:
Focused actions to support conservation, rehabilitation, and development of environments at the greatest risk are required
to ensure a balance between immediate human needs for food and livelihoods and the need to prevent unnecessary and irreversible
degradation of resources in these environments. Adequate monitoring of fragile ecosystems and identification of trends and
threats to these systems are major challenges that need to be addressed. Particularly in developing countries, there is also
an urgent need to assess and address the economic, social and environmental costs of managing and developing these ecosystems.
Strategy components: The components include: monitoring and assessing the state of fragile ecosystems, developing criteria
and indicators for their sustainable management and building capacity for environmental impact assessment and risk analysis;
enhancing institutional and planning capacity at the local, national, regional and international levels and incorporating
consideration of the social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of natural resource use into polices and programmes,
in order to respond to degradation and competition for natural resources in fragile ecosystems; promoting the sustainable
development, conservation and rehabilitation of fragile ecosystems and areas (dryland, mountain and coastal and marine ecosystems);
and assisting in the practical implementation of those chapters of Agenda 21, and of international conventions and agreements,
relevant to fragile ecosystems (e.g. desertification, mountain development, responsible fisheries). Comparative advantages
and partnerships: FAO is well positioned to address conservation and rehabilitation concerns with a multidisciplinary perspective
and help public and private sector and civil society institutions and organizations in member countries adopt practical solutions
for fragile ecosystems. As a result of its institutional capacity and expertise for monitoring natural resources, FAO can
also ensure compatibility of natural resource data with other related food and agricultural data. In advising on practical
measures to deal with environments at risk, FAO can rely also on its institutional role as depositary for a number of international
conventions such as the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, as well as the fact that it is a task manager or major
partner in the implementation of the chapters of Agenda 21 relevant to fragile ecosystems (e.g. deforestation, mountains and
drylands). Within the UN system, it has leadership on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. Particular
emphasis will be given to international, regional, national and local partners that are involved in the implementation of
Agenda 21 chapters on fragile ecosystems and the related international conventions. A strong partnership will be required
with major UN agencies, such as UNEP and UNESCO, and IFIs such as IFAD, working in the areas of conservation and rehabilitation
of fragile ecosystems. FAO will also collaborate with research and academic institutions in developing methodologies for monitoring
and assessment of fragile ecosystems. Because of its neutrality, FAO can work closely with NGOs and civil societies in balancing
conflicting demands on resources and fostering the participation of local communities in conservation and development.
Indicator(s):
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