POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENT INTIATIVE ANNUAL MEETING, 13-14 th MAY 2008,

1. POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENT INTIATIVE ANNUAL MEETING, 13-14th MAY 2008, Government of Malawi Nairobi, Kenya

2. Structure • Country Profile • Main Poverty-Environment Linkages • National Planning Process • Institutional Set-Up • Expectations of the PEI Programme

3. Country Profile • Landlocked country • Climate: Sub-tropical • Total area: 118,480 sq. km; land(94,080 sq km); water (24,400 sq.km) • Neighbours: Zambia (west); Tanzania (north & northeast); Mozambique (south, southeast & southwest) • Population: About12 million; 85% in rural areas; • Political system: Multi-party since 1994 • Poverty Head Count: 52.4% (IHS2, 2005) • Economy: Agro-based (40% of GDP); engages 82% of the popu.; aver agri growth 1970-2005: 4.35%; MGDS target: 6%; aver GDP growth 1996-2005: 3%; MGDS target: 6%; GDP growth rate 2005/06: 7.9% & 06/07: 7.4% • Natural resources: land, water, forests, fisheries, wildlife, some mineral deposits e.g. limestone, uranium, coal, and bauxite

4. Main Poverty-Environment Linkages • Due to lack of alternative livelihood opportunities the poor depend on natural resources e.g. depletion of fish stocks, charcoal, poaching • The poor mostly use wood fuel for cooking (MW:89.9%; rural poor: 97.0%). Only 7.5% of the population has access to electricity (MGDS Review, 2006/7) • The high population growth rate (3.2%) and density (112 per sq.km) exert pressure on land & other natural resources, etc • Low mean land holding size (fell from 1.53 ha/hh in 1968 to 0.80ha/hh in 2000); the poor: 0.23ha – low productivity & food insecure - can hardly afford chem. fert, low usage of organic fert, poor farming practices, etc

5. Main Poverty-Environment Linkages (cont’d) • Emergence of squatter areas due to rising urban migration in search for better opportunities – urban growth rate MW: >6%; SA:1.2%; Govt addressing issue • The poor use water from unsafe sources – unprotected wells and springs – increasing incidences of water borne diseases • High incidence of poverty has placed health facilities under pressure, as they provide free services • Poor farming practices are worsening soil erosion reducing agricultural productivity and incomes • Deforestation is causing siltation in Shire River and hydroelectricity generation is below potential; ESCOM spending heavily on dredging

6. National Planning Processes National Development Strategy • long term plan – Vision 2020 • MGDS Key Entry Points • MGDS Annual Reviews – integrate ES • ADP – assess thorough integration ES & develop M&E & align to National M&E • Support the committee overseeing coordination in formulating & implementation of policies & programmes – composed of OPC, MEPD, MoF, MoJ • Climate change and linkage with environment Planning Linkage • sectors plan and budget and submit to central budget department • Planning and budgeting not fully devolved to the districts

7. National Planning Process (cont’d) Budget • Environment and natural resources budget is usually inadequate. Example: In 2006/07 Fiscal year, Environment Protection got only 9% and 26% of the budgeted resources for recurrent and development expenditures respectively (MGDS Review 2006/07). • However, for the sector to implement and coordinate activities, budget allocation to the sector should be increased

8. Institutional Set-Up 1 - Institutions Central Level: • Cabinet Committee on Agri & Nat Resources-policy guidance • Parliamentary Committee on Agri & Nat Resources – legislation and lobbying environment issues National Level: • National Council on Environment – a group of PSs, Managers and • PS Committee on envir, natu res & climate change • Technical Committee – composed of Directors, technical experts District Level: • District Assembly – composed of the District Commissioner/Chief Executive and Councillors/politicians

9. Institutional Set-Up (cont’d) • District Executive Committee (DEC) • District Environment Sub-committee – composed of technical experts & advises the DEC Community Level: • NRM committees established • Community empowerment in project identification, monitoring 2 - Planning and Budgeting • Line ministries and departments - plan and budget on their own • District assemblies – planned and budgeted at the centre (financial powers not fully devolved)

10. Institutional Set-Up (cont’d) Other institutions involved: • NGOs, Wildlife & Environment Society of Malawi, Coordination Unit for Rehabilitation of Environment, Malawi Environment Endowment Trust • Journalists -Malawi Journalist Network Conservation Trust, Coordination of Journalists on Environment and Agriculture, Forum for Environment Communication • Lawyers – Green Wigs • University programmes – BSc and MSc • School Clubs • Regional and/or International Organizations – UNDP, UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank, JICA, EU, DANIDA

11. Expectations for the PEI programme • Stimulate more commitment on envir issues – address incongruence of policies, low funding & inadequate capacities • Improved policy implementation, coordination and harmonisation • Analysis on economic benefits of ENR conservation vs economic costs of ENR degradation • Support the preparation of NSER – the last was in 2002 • Support the MEPD and Envir Affairs Depart including National Council on Envir to improve policy and programme coordination • Development of clear indicators for comprehensive & effective M&E • Strengthen NGO and Civil Society coordinating structures - for improved advocacy and community outreach on environmental

12. ZIKOMO