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Sierra Leone The Clearing-House Mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity Document status Draft Generated on 14 FEB 2020 15:56 TH National Report for the Convention on 6Biological Diversity 1 Table of contents Section I. Information on the targets being pursued at the national level ............................................ 3 Section II. Implementation measures, their effectiveness, and associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets ..................................................................................... 30 Section III. Assessment of progress towards each national target ..................................................... 61 Section IV. Description of national contribution to the achievement of each global Aichi Biodiversity Target ...........................................................................................................................................112 Section V. Description of the national contribution to the achievement of the targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation .....................................................................................................129 Section VI. Description of the national contribution to the achievement of the targets of indigenous peoples and local communities .......................................................................................................134 Section VII. Updated biodiversity country profile.............................................................................137 2 Sixth National Report Section I. Information on the targets being pursued at the national level Country Sierra Leone National Targets Strategic Output A1 - Effective ublicP Education and Awareness Programs Delivered and Improving People’s Attitudes and Behavior Towards Biodiversity Conservation. Rationale for the National Target One of the greatest challenges to biodiversity conservation in Sierra Leone is the lack of knowledge and awareness about the benefits of managing biodiversity, especially amidst the difficult economic situation the country finds itself. It is among the least developed economies in the world and a large majority of its people depend on the natural systems for their survival. For instance over 60% of the country's population are engaged in subsistence slash-and-burn agriculture and unemployment rates are high, especially among the young people. Consequently, resource exploitation is indiscriminate and sometimes driven by greed. This strategic output would ensure that people at all levels acquire the basic understanding on the importance of biodiversity to the survival of current and future generations, and how they can contribute to conserving biodiversity and sustaining the services it provides. Aichi Targets being addressed EN Target 1 By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably. Target 2 By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems. Level of application Jurisdiction National / Federal 3 Relevance of National Targets to Aichi Targets Aichi Target components 1. Awareness of biodiversity values Sub-Aichi Targets or Target components 2. Integration of biodiversity values Relevant documents and information As applicable to all others, this strategic output was developed and agreed upon during the NPSAP (2017-2026) consultations, including an all-inclusive stakeholders validation process. All relevant ministries, departments and agencies, together with NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) were involved in the consultation process. EN Other relevant website address or attached documents Tacugama website Awoko News Website EPA-SL website Strategic Output A2 - Ensure that Sound Policy, Legislative and Institutional Measures for Biodiversity Conservation, including International Conventions are in place and Operational Rationale for the National Target Over several decades, Sierra Leone has developed policies and legislation geared towards proper management of biodiversity and genetic resources, but some of these are now outdated and out of phase with current approaches in conservation. The indiscriminate and illegal exploitation of genetic resources has been perpetrated because of the weakness in policies, legislation and regulations that govern the conservation of biodiversity in the country. The target is aimed at ensuring that the necessary regulatory mechanisms are put in place and implemented by government and partners EN are effective and yielding the desired results for biodiversity. Aichi Targets being addressed Target 2 By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development 4 and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems. Target 3 By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations, taking into account national socio economic conditions. Level of application Jurisdiction National / Federal Relevance of National Targets to Aichi Targets Aichi Target components 2. Integration of biodiversity values Relevant documents and information As applicable to all others, this strategic output was developed and agreed upon during the NPSAP (2017-2026) consultations, including an all-inclusive stakeholders validation process. All relevant ministries, departments and agencies, together with NGOs and CBOs were consulted during the EN consultation process. Other relevant website address or attached documents World Bank website World Bank website Strategic Output A3 - All Development, Extractive and Related Projects are Preceded by Sound Environment and Social Impact Assessments Rationale for the National Target Although the pace of national development is comparatively slow, there is a need for current and future infrastructural development initiatives to be backed by strong environmental considerations EN in terms ensuring that the conservation needs of species and ecosystems are incorporated into 5 these development plans. The same applies to mining, logging and other extractive investments that affect species and ecosystems. Theget tar will ensure that all development and extractive investments are designed with serious consideration on their adverse impacts on the environment and how these could be limited or mitigated. The Environmental Protection Agency Sierra Leone is taking the lead in ensuring that this target is achieved. Aichi Targets being addressed Target 4 By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits. Target 5 By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly educed.r Level of application Jurisdiction National / Federal Relevance of National Targets to Aichi Targets Aichi Target components 4. Use of natural resources Sub-Aichi Targets or Target components 5. Loss of habitats Relevant documents and information As applicable to all others, this strategic output was developed and agreed upon during the NPSAP (2017-2026) consultations, including an all-inclusive stakeholders validation process. All relevant ministries, departments and agencies, together with NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) were involved in the consultation process. EN Other relevant website address or attached documents EPA-SL website 6 Strategic Output A4 - A Workable Mechanism for Mobilizing Incentive Measures for Biodiversity Conservation Established and Being Implemented. Rationale for the National Target It is a fact that Sierra Leone is a poor country and is among the least developed countries of the world. There is therefore a high dependence of the rural population on natural systems for survival. Most of the people living close to the biodiversity resources are poor peasant farming communities who have very little livelihoods options. Implicitly, incentive for biodiversity conservation is a must, if a balance between livelihood needs and conservation is to be achieved. Aichi Targets being addressed Target 3 By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased EN out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations, taking into account national socio economic conditions. Target 4 By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits. Level of application
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