Introduction to Partnerships for Green Economy in the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserves Network Shahbaz Khan

1. Introduction to Partnerships for Green Economy in the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserves Network Shahbaz Khan UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

2. Outline • About Green Growth and Green Economy • SeaBRnet Perspectives • MAB & WNBR for Sustainable Development (SD) in 2014-2021 • Future Challenges

3. Today WNBR – 621 Sites in 117 Countries Biodiversity and ecosystem services are central to economic, social and cultural development of local populations Asia and the Pacific (124 biosphere reserves in 23 countries)

4. GG1 : (Econ.⇒Env.) GG2 : (Env.⇒Econ.) Economy (Growth) Environ-ment (Green) A Green Cyclic Process betweenEconomy & Environment 1. Decoupling of economic growth and environmental degradation ㅇEco-efficiency which maximizes efficiency of resource utilization and minimizes environmental deterioration 2. Environment as a source of economic growth ㅇMaking green technologyandgreen industry which increase eco-friendliness of economic activities new growth engine

5. Towards Green Growth (OECD) “Green growth means fostering economic growth and development while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services on which our well-being relies.”– OECD (2011) Market & Nonmarket tools Green Growth Tax on energy & CO2, regulatory settings Business as usual Inefficient Costly Unsustainable Economic development Change in behavior, innovation & infrastructure Sustainable use of natural resource & service Green edu., R&D promotion, investment in infrastructure

6. Inclusive Green Growth: the pathway to sustainable development (WB) “Growth that is efficient in its use of natural resources, clean in that it minimizes pollution and environmental impacts, and resilient in that it accounts for natural hazards and the role of environmental management and natural capital in preventing physical disasters.” - World Bank (2012) Green Growth Obstacles Businessas usual Unsustainable Wasteful Political & behavioral inertia Lack of funding instrument Necessary Efficient Affordable Tools to attain GG Green accounting, right pricing, promoting greener behavior, R&D promotion, private financing tools, tailored public financing mechanism, PPP, etc.

7. Green Economy (UNEP) “One that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” - UNEP (2012) International level Green Economy Rich countries Improve market infrastructure, improve trade and aid flows, foster greater international cooperation Low carbon Resource efficient Socially inclusive Toward GE Conflict over environmental assets (Climate change, lack of resource, etc.) National level Reconciliation Greenaccounting, reduction of env. harmful subsidies, new market-based instrument, investment in green sector, env. rules & regulations, etc. Poor countries Rich countries Poor countries

8. Green Growth as Part of Agenda (G20) • January – WEF Annual Meeting • Kick-off of Mexican B20 Green Growth • Task Force with a finance focus • Mexico G20 • Commitment to maintaining • a focus on Inclusive Green Growth • Korea G20 • Green Growth became • international agenda • France G20 • Operationalization of • Green Climate Fund • January – WEF Annual Meeting • Launch of IFC’s Catalyst Fund Catalyzing the agenda to mobilize private finance for green growth Evolution of World Economic Forum Initiatives 2010 Critical Mass Initiative 2011 -12 Green Growth Partnership Initiative 2012 – beyond Green Growth Action Alliance 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: WEF (2013)

9. Shared Perception • Green growth is the pathway to sustainable development • Social issues like equity should be considered • There’s no one-size-fits-all GG strategy Although international organizations have slightly different views, they have been sharing the same perception ofGreening Growth.

10. Biosphere reserves in Green Growth

11. Man and Biosphere (MAB) • Programme • Biodiversity conservation • sustainable and equitable use for • human well being are at the heart • of the programme since the 1970s. • Logistic Support

12. MAB & World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) Biosphere reserves: field tool for interdisciplinary MAB work with a triple function: • Conserve biological and cultural diversity • Propose innovative approaches to sustainable development • Promote research, monitoring, education and training

13. Ecosystem Research Fostering collaboration for research, monitoring and sustainable management of fragile ecosystems: Mountains, Arid/semi-arid areas, Mangroves , Drylands, Marine/coastal areas, Islands , Forests, Wetlands, Urban areas Ecosystem Services From global research to regional knowledge sharing and local benefits.

14. Cultural Dimensions Links between biodiversity and cultural diversity are key basis for biosphere reserve resilience. Integration of: cultural values and perception of biodiversity, andtraditional knowledge and practices diversityin the development of culturally-appropriate and sustainable biodiversity research and management strategies. Participatory Approaches Dialogue plays a central role in reconciling biodiversity conservation and development in biosphere reserves. Strengthening exchanges and partnerships between the research community and other actors, including those in charge of managing habitats and species, is an imperative.

15. Biosphere Reserves – Key Features Zoning – means to meet the challenges of biodiversity management in multi-use areas with the objective of sustainable development. Organizational/governance arrangements– enabling involvement of all actors in management and decision-making processes. New forms of institutional cooperation and links between different levels of economic and political decision making. C B T Engagement of all the relevant stakeholders.

16. BRs and Green Growth • A strategy that fosters economic growth and development, protects natural ecosystems and the resources and environmental services they provide, and enhances socially-inclusive development. • The (growth) concept that emphasizes the role of BRs in terms of achieving economic well-being and social equity coupled with protection and revitalization of ecosystems. Diagram courtesy of Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water)

17. Green Institutional Partnerships Approach Political system BR institutions • Unlike market economics, IE views non-market factors as important as market factors Conservation Development Legal system Green Partnerships Institution (law, policy, administration) Exogenous factors Demography Economic development and policies Socio-Econo-Env performance Resource/ environment Socio-Enviro-Economic Performance Adapted from Saleth & Dinar (2004)

18. Rio+20 Outcome : The Future We Want • Our Common Vision (Preamble) • Renewing Political Commitment • Green Economy in the Context of SD and Poverty Eradication • Institutional Framework of Sustainable Development • Framework for Action and Follow-up • Means of Implementation

19. Framework for Action and Follow-up Thematic Areas and Cross-sectional Issues • Poverty Eradication • Food security & Nutrition • & Sustatinable Agriculture • Water & Sanitiation • Energy • Sustainable Tourism • Sustainable Transport • Sustatinable Cities & Human • Settlement • Health & Population • Promoting fuel & Productive • Employment, Decent work for all • & Social Protection • Oceans and Seas • Small Island Developing States • Least Developed Countries • Africa • Regional Efforts • Disaster Risk Reduction • Climate Change • Forests • Biodiversity • Desertification, Land Degradiation • & Drought • Mountains • Chemicals & Waste • Sustainable Consumption & • Production • Mining • Education • Gender Equality & Empowerment • of Woman

20. MAB & WNBR for Sustainable Development (SD) in 2014-2021 : • Effective Strategic Cycle During 2014-2015 : Period Reflection, • Learning, Adaptation & Fine-Tuning of Structure, working methods, • Goals & Objectives of MAB & WNBR • Cross-Sectoral Opportunities of MAB & WNBR as Learning • Laboratories for SD, Among IHP, IOC, IGCP, MOST, UNDESD • (2005-2014), WHC etc. • Widespread consultation using existing mechanisms & networks • shall be Undertaken in preparation of Strategy

21. Future Challenges • Increase the number of case studies from the WNBR demonstrating the benefits of biodiversity for poverty alleviation and livelihoods towards Green Growth • Improve the communication within and beyond the WNBR • Increase the use of biosphere reserves as learning sites for sustainable development • Harmonize the reporting from WNBR on economic, social and cultural values of biodiversity • Improve the collaboration and partnerships with private sector, particularly in the context of green investments

22. UNESCO Partner in Building The future we want for all Thank You!