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Challenges and Lessons Learnt from the Lake Natron Advocacy Challenges

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Challenges and Lessons Learnt from the Lake Natron Advocacy Challenges Recommended citation BirdLife International (2012). Environmental Advocacy at Work: Lessons Learnt from the Campaign to Save Lake Natron from Plans to Build a Soda Ash Factory. BirdLife International, Africa Partnership Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya. Written and Compiled by: Ken Mwathe, Joan Kabugu and Jane Gaithuma Contributions and review by: Victoria Ferdinand, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania Dr Hazell Shokellu Thompson, Former Regional Director for Africa, BirdLife International Dr Chris Magin, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Sarah Sanders, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Lota Melamari, Former CEO, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, BirdLife International Maaike Manten, BirdLife International Paul Mugo, Publications Consultant, BirdLife International Njeru Njagi, Private Consultant Design and Layout: Irene Ogendo – Dezine Creationz Ltd. About BirdLife International BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organisations striving to conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity, working with people, towards sustainable use of natural resources. Currently, the partnership works in more than 116 countries through 117 national grassroot conservation NGO’s. In Africa, the BirdLife Africa Partnership is a growing network of 23 such organisations plus one Country Programme, covering 24 countries, with a combined total of more than 300 staff and 30,000 members. Partners are involved in research, conservation action, environmental education and sustainable development through a broad agenda focusing not only on birds but also on other fauna and flora and social issues such as poverty alleviation. The Lake Natron Consultative Group The Lake Natron Consultative Group is an informal coalition of 56 organisations from across the globe formed to spearhead advocacy to save Lake Natron following the proposal to construct a soda ash plant. The Group’s goal is to ensure that the integrity of Lake Natron is not compromised so that Lesser Flamingos can continue to find a haven for their breeding. The importance of the lake in supporting the lives and livelihoods of local communities must also be respected. The Group which is housed at the BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat is committed to continue campaigning until the soda ash plan is shelved permanently. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. It is the largest wildlife conservation organisation in Europe with over one million members. RSPB’s work is driven by a passionate belief that human beings have a responsibility to protect birds and the environment and bird populations reflect the health of the planet on which our future depends. RSPB supports conservation work in Africa and other parts of the world. © 2012 BirdLife International, Africa Partnership Secretariat ISBN No.: 978-9966-7191-5-7 P.O. Box 3502 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (20) 2473259 | +254 (0)722 200538 | +254 (0)734 600905 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.birdlife.org Cover photos credits: Lake Natron © Francis Makari and Lesser Flamongos © James Warwick Contents Foreword .................................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... vi Dedication .................................................................................................................................vii List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1: Introduction How it all started .........................................................................................................................1 The Precautionary Principle ..........................................................................................................2 Lake Natron Consultative Group Institutions .................................................................................3 Purpose of this Case Study ...........................................................................................................4 Lake Natron ................................................................................................................................4 Lake Natron Flamingos ...............................................................................................................5 The People ..................................................................................................................................7 National and international importance .........................................................................................8 Biodiversity ..................................................................................................................................9 CHAPTER 2: THE THREAT Tata’s Soda Ash Factory Plan at Lake Natron ..............................................................................10 Tata Chemicals Limited .........................................................................................................10 Lake Natron soda ash facility ................................................................................................11 The four main concerns .............................................................................................................13 Disturbance to breeding of Lesser Flamingos .........................................................................13 A risk to local communities and regional economies ..............................................................13 Disregard for International Conventions ................................................................................14 Anxiety over the ESIA process ...............................................................................................15 CHAPTER 3: THE GATHERING STORM The beginnings of the Campaign ...............................................................................................17 Identifying allies and desperate information search ................................................................18 Lake Natron Consultative group formed ................................................................................19 Kicking off the Campaign .....................................................................................................20 Publicity galore ....................................................................................................................21 The global petition against Tata’s Plans .................................................................................23 Growing local and international support ....................................................................................24 CHAPTER 4: THE ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL IMPACT AssEssMENT SAGA Investor plays hide-and-seek ......................................................................................................28 Flamingo ‘Judgment Day’ ..........................................................................................................31 The Public Hearing ....................................................................................................................32 Tata’s withdrawal .......................................................................................................................33 CHAPTER 5: KEY STRATEGIES AND IMPACts OF THE CAMPAIGN What is advocacy? ....................................................................................................................35 Assembling a core team ............................................................................................................35 Intensive awareness and publicity ..............................................................................................36 Lobbying of key entities ..............................................................................................................39 iii Letter advocacy ....................................................................................................................39 Signed petitions .........................................................................................................................40 High level meetings ...................................................................................................................41 Input into key processes .............................................................................................................42 Reaching out to the local community ..........................................................................................43 Reaching out to the international community ..............................................................................44 Fundraising ...............................................................................................................................44 CHAPTER 6: CHALLENGES AND LEssONS LEARNT FROM THE LAKE NATRON ADVOCACY Challenges ...............................................................................................................................46 Dealing with politicians .........................................................................................................46 Availability of information .....................................................................................................47
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