UNEP Newsletter Latin America and the Caribbean March - April 2012

IPBES: The next step in science-based policy making 5

© Alejandro Laguna INDEX Highlights p.2 The Caribbean explores the possibilities of a green economy p.9 Achim Steiner visits Brazil ahead of Rio+20 p.3 The Parlatino sets its sights on Rio+20 p.9 Preparations for Rio+20 p.3 “Contributing from the New World to the creation of a new world” p.10 Dialogue on Green Economy p.4 Placing economic value on a national park in Honduras for its conservation p.11 Sustainable Public Procurement and Green Economy p.4 The book on environmentally sustainable traditions and customs p.11 Uruguay, advancing in the Río+20 agenda p.4 Working for more sustainable agricultural production in Panama p.12 IPBES: The next step in science-based policy making p.5 UNEP assists Suriname in phasing out HCFCs p.12 Barbados charts its path to a green economy p.6 On the road to Rio+20: Workshop to Solidify Concepts on the In quest of a formula for the sustainability of cities p.7 Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development p.13 Sustainable Development Centre: Seeking green economic growth in UNEP and the Supreme Audit Institutions work side by side for good Mexico p.7 governance p.13 Cinema and debate on World Water Day p.7 Countries draw nearer to consensus on environmental justice and law Mexico makes progress in the fight against illicit traffic in ozone p.14 depleting substances p.8 Schools lead a campaign to create awareness on climate change Water, a priority for the region p.8 p.14 Panama on the green path p.9 Upcoming Events p.15 UNEP Newsletter - Latin America and the Caribbean Highlights

Cuba. As part of a cabinet reshuffle, Elba Rosa Perez Montoya was appointed as new minister of Science, Technology Mexico. and Environment. - Mexico´s Senate approved the St.Vincent and the Climate Change Grenadines. Clayton General Law, which B u r g i n w a s establishes guidelines to reduce appointed Minister Green House Gas emissions and of Health, Wellness and the includes public policies towards Environment. the sustainable development of the country.

- The National Chamber of Transformation Industries (CANACINTRA, by its Spanish acronym) officially launched a Green Economy Sector. Brazil. CANACINTRA represents some - Brazil's lower 50,000 entrepreneurs. house of Congress approved the Forest Code, a bill that environmental activists say will lead to increased deforestation in the Amazon and other Chile. Chile's areas. Supreme Court removed the last - Brazilian Defence Minister legal obstacle to the Celso Amorim announced that construction of a hydroelectric his country would increase its complex in the Patagonian military presence in the region, despite calls by Amazon region to protect its environmentalists to block it. natural resources. The plan envisages the flooding of 6,000 hectares.

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Achim Steiner visits Brazil ahead of Rio+20 On 14 April, UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, participated in the seminar “Towards Rio+20: Debate on Environmental Governance”. A group of high-level experts took part as panellists in the event, organized by the Ministry of the Environment of Brazil. Achim Steiner was invited by the Minister of the Environment, Izabella Teixeira, to participate as the keynote speaker.

The following day, the UNEP Executive © Amanda Talamonte Director and UNEP’s Representative in Brazil, Denise Hamu, visited the Instituto Janeiro. The cooperative is also Doe Seu Lixo. Mr. Steiner and his responsible for the operation of the first Preparations for delegation were received by the founder Sorting and Recycling Plant of Rio de of the Institute (Brazilian actress Isabel Janeiro (Usina de Triagem e Reciclagem/ Rio+20 Fillardis), by its Secretary-General and by UTR-RJ), a center of excellence in sorting the president of Socitex. recyclable solid waste. Denise Hamu, UNEP’s Representative in Brazil, met with the United Nations In 2003, the Socitex Cooperativa, a Coca-Cola Brazil is one of the greatest Under-Secretary-General for Economic cooperative of recyclable material supporters of these cooperatives through and Social Affairs and Secretary- General collectors, was incubated by the Instituto the programme “Reciclou, Ganhou”, of Rio+20. Sha Zukang’s visit to Brazil Doe Seu Lixo (“Give Away your Waste which started in 1968. In partnership aimed to make sure that the preparations with FIRJAN —the Federation of for the United Nations Conference on © Amanda Talamonte Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro— Sustainable Development were Coca-Cola Brazil came up with the idea of progressing at an adequate rate. One of promoting technical courses for waste his priorities was to accelerate the collectors, operated by the Instituto Doe negotiations on the host-country Seu Lixo. Those courses have already agreement, which was signed later, on 5 trained more than 200 collectors as April, in New York. environmental agents and approximately 20 supervisors with the basic Sha Zukang underlined that sustainable training for managers. The collectors are development is the only way forward and building up a basic knowledge to initiate, that he sees the Sustainable develop and establish themselves in the Development Goals (SDG) as a potential Institute”) to work into achieving management of cooperatives, thus and significant outcome of Rio+20 and a administrative, financial and operational generating jobs and income for the complement to the Millennium efficiency of the recycling business by region dwellers. Development Goals after 2015. He added providing the members of the that other relevant and possible Achim Steineer stated that their work cooperative with better working outcomes would be the roadmap to was a perfect example of Green Economy conditions and incomes. Throughout the achieving a Green Economy and the being implemented at a local level. years, the Instituto has developed strengthening of UNEP. management methodologies for the © Alejandro Laguna whole productive process of the cooperative. It has invested in high technology, such as a satellite tracking system of the collected waste, and has built capacity among collectors involved in the process, thus making Socitex a pioneer in efficiency and participation in reverse-logistics in the State of Rio de

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Dialogue on Green Uruguay, advancing Economy in the Rio+20 A Dialogue on Green Economy was Andre Correia do Lago, from the Brazilian agenda organized in Rio de Janeiro in the context Ministry of Foreign Relations; economists In March, the capital of Uruguay, of a visit by European Union Environment and key Brazilian opinion makers, as well Montevideo, was the site of a Commissioner, Janez Potočnik. Also in as respected environmental journalists. governmental workshop held in the attendance were UNEP’s Representative The event was hosted by Minister of the framework of the strategy to build a in Brazil; Ambassadors Figueiredo and Environment, Izabella Teixeira. country vision for Rio+20. The Ministry of Housing, Land Use and Environment (MVOTMA) organized the event with support of UNEP and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNEP and UNDP have been supporting the preparation of a government agenda for Rio+20 by assessing the progress made in the 20 years since the Rio Summit and producing a report on future challenges. The preparation process includes supporting civil society actors in their process of agenda development, and involving the different government entities in the production of a final report that will serve as input for the “zero draft”, and later for Uruguay’s country document for Rio+20. Bruno Maia © Naturezafotos.org The workshop centred on issues of energy, waste, social policy, natural resources and the productive sector. Participating in the event were 25 representatives of various ministries and Sustainable Public other government entities. The conclusions from the workshop were Procurement and presented to the Ministry of Foreign Relations as a contribution to the broader Green Economy discussion being coordinated by that Ministry. On April 26th, Margarita Astrálaga, Director and Representative of UNEP’s Also noteworthy is the consensus that Regional Office for Latin America and the was arrived at on the need to continue Caribbean, delivered a speech in the Procurement (SPP). the process beyond Rio+20, so that opening of the event “Sustainable Public government and civil society can identify Since 2005, UNEP and the Swiss-led Procurement: delivering sustainable and address the points together and Marrakech Task Force on SPP, together development and enabling the transition resolve differences with regard to the with a number of partners, have been to a green economy”, which took place in country’s vision for sustainable actively developing and rolling out a Brasilia. The workshop was promoted by development. methodology to implement sustainable UNEP and the Ministry of the public procurement at the national level. Environment, aiming at bringing together © Alejandro Laguna representatives from governments, local Farid Yaker, UNEP Programme Officer authorities, the business sector and civil from the Division of Technology, Industry society interested in promoting the and Economics (DTIE), analyzed the supply and demand of sustainable lessons to be drawn from worldwide SPP products through Sustainable Public experiences.

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“I would like to congratulate Germany for IPBES: The next step in science-based having been voted the host of the Secretariat of this new science-policy policy making platform. UNEP looks forward to working with partners within and outside the UN system to make this new body the success

New intergovernmental biodiversity and degradation of platform established to ecosystem service by bridging the gap accelerate global response between accurate, impartial and up to date science and policy-making. towards sustainable The core functions of IPBES will The governments attending the meeting encompass the following areas: management of world’s requested UNEP to continue to facilitate

biodiversity and ecosystems the platform on an interim basis, in collaboration with the United Nations  To identify and prioritise key After several years of international Educational, Scientific and Cultural scientific information needed for negotiations, the final operational design Organization (UNESCO), the United policymakers and to catalyse efforts to of the Intergovernmental Platform on Nations Food and Agriculture generate new knowledge; Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Organization (FAO) and the United  To perform regular and timely (IPBES) was agreed in a meeting held in Nations Development Programme assessments of knowledge on Panama City at the end of April. (UNDP).One or more of these UN bodies biodiversity and ecosystem services and The German city of Bonn, which hosts the will administer the IPBES Secretariat, their interlinkages; secretariats of treaties such as the once it is finally established.  To support policy formulation and implementation by identifying policy- Convention on Migratory Species and the Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary United Nations Framework Convention General and UNEP Executive Director, relevant tools and methodologies. on Climate Change (UNFCCC), won the said, “Years of often complex debate and  To prioritise key capacity-building bid to host the secretariat of the new political negotiations have today reached needs to improve the science-policy independent body. South Korea, Kenya, a positive conclusion and a milestone in interface, and to provide and call for France and India had also put forward terms of humanity’s future response to financial and other support for the proposals to host the secretariat. reversing biodiversity loss and the highest-priority needs related directly to its activities. IPBES aims to tackle head-on the degradation of ecosystems from forests accelerating worldwide loss of to freshwaters”.

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IPBES: Various Bodies Welcome New Institutional Arrangements

Representatives from the scientific community, non-governmental © IPBES organizations, indigenous peoples and the business sector met in © IPBES Panama prior to the intergovernmental meeting to debate the © IPBES modalities needed for the establishment of the new body.

The group of stakeholders conveyed a joint statement to the government representatives on the first day of the meeting. They re- affirmed their “strong interest in IPBES, both as contributors of knowledge and end users of IPBES products”. The stakeholders also recommended that “procedures be established for the independent review and evaluation of the platform’s efficiency, effectiveness and © IPBES impact on a periodic basis and act on its recommendations”. The participants stressed “the importance of building capacities at international, regional, sub-regional, national, sub-national and local levels for the knowledge generation, assessments and policy support functions of the platform”.

Barbados charts its path to a © Marta Sarramian green economy

The Prime Minister of Barbados unveiled More specifically, it analyzes five key a new study in March with the aim of economic sectors –agriculture, fisheries, accelerating the country’s transition to a building, transport and tourism—, as well green economy, and challenged other as four cross-cutting issues —waste, Caribbean Small Island Developing States water, energy and land. to work together on creating a socially Margarita Astrálaga, Director of UNEP’s inclusive, low-carbon, resource-efficient Regional Office for Latin America and the region. Caribbean, said that “Barbados’ actions At the opening of the two-day Caribbean serve as a beacon for the international Green Economy Forum hosted by the community, which is set to discuss the government, Prime Minister Freundel issue of a green economy in the context Stuart said the new study by experts of sustainable development and poverty from government, the University of West eradication at the upcoming UNCSD Indies-Cave Hill Campus and the United Conference, or Rio+20, this June. UNEP Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) applauds the Government of Barbados highlights elements for developing a for its courage, determination and roadmap to further Barbados’ pursuit of leadership. This report is a critical step building a green economy. on the road to a sustainable and green Barbados, and the Caribbean as a whole”. The Green Economy Scoping Study – Barbados Synthesis Report examines To download a copy of the Green alternatives in order to strengthen the Economy Scoping Study – Barbados country’s policies and to harness its Synthesis Report, visit: www.unep.org/ greeneconomy/ © Asad Naqvi investments, while enhancing its social equity and environmental protection.

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In quest of a Sustainable Development Centre: Seeking formula for the green economic growth in Mexico sustainability of cities The Sustainable Development Centre triangular cooperation as fundamental (Centro Desarrollo Sustentable A.C.), a pillars for furthering the implementation Seminar on Sustainable Cities foundation that seeks to restore of the work programme. organized by the Global Institute for sustainability in the world —that is, a At the inauguration ceremony, President Sustainability of the Tecnológico de balance among economic, social and Calderón stressed that the Centro is a environmental considerations— was Monterrey, Mexico public-private agency that works to make inaugurated on 23 March by Mexican steady progress towards a new type of Last 5 March, in Mexico City, the UNEP President Felipe Calderón, who was economic growth, compatible with Representative in Mexico, Dolores accompanied by the chair of the environmental conservation and, Barrientos, participated as a panellist in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate therefore, vital for Mexico's transition the international seminar “Sustainable Change (IPCC) and other authorities. Cities: What are they, and how do we towards a green economy. The creation of the Centre was supported achieve them?”, which was organized by Mexico's progress in environmental by UNEP, which, in collaboration with the the Global Institute for Sustainability of matters was recognized, and President Ministry of the Environment and Natural the Tecnológico de Monterrey. Calderón was given the Sustainable Resources (SEMARNAT) and in Development Leadership award, created The objective of the meeting was to coordination with the Government of by the Energy and Resources Institute explore the factors that define a city as Denmark and the Climate Works (TERI). sustainable: reduced disaster risk, Foundation, helped to frame its strategic adaptation to climate change, reduced plan. UNEP will promote South-South and greenhouse gas emissions, integral urban development, citizen security and harmony, access to water and sanitation as well as waste management, urban planning, transportation systems, energy Cinema and debate International Film Festival in Guadalajara efficiency and fiscal sustainability. The in 2012. The film deals with the constant seminar served as an opportunity to on World Water Day struggle of a Mexican village against share experiences and success stories draught. from various cities, as well as to analyse Afterwards, the topic of water and food impediments to formulating and funding © Laura Vallejo security was analysed by Dolores plans and sustainable practices. Barrientos, UNEP representative in The event enjoyed the participation of Mexico; Nuria Urquía, representative of representatives of the World Bank, the FAO; Martha Orozco, the producer of Siemens company, the National Center Cuates de Australia; Marta Luisa López, for Atmospheric Research, the Clinton director of Environmental Culture of the Foundation and the Mexican office of Ministry of the Environment and Natural Local Governments for Sustainability Resources (SEMARNAT); Luis Rendón, (ICLEI), among other institutions. irrigation district manager for the National Water Commission (CONAGUA); and Rafael Val of the Universidad UNEP, along with the Food and Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Subsequently, the floor was opened to © UNEP Mexican Cinema Institute (IMCINE) and public discussion. the National Cinemateque, held a cinema -round table discussion on 22 March, in commemoration of World Water Day. The event, which was open to the public, featured a showing of Cuates de Australia, directed by Everardo González, which won the award for Best Full-Length Mexican Documentary at the 18th

7 UNEP Newsletter - Latin America and the Caribbean © Laura Vallejo

Mexico makes progress in the fight against illicit traffic in ozone depleting substances

Workshop on the Green Customs Initiative

Fifty experts from Latin America and the controlled under environmental Caribbean participated in a workshop agreements. held in Mexico in early March to update The opening session featured remarks by and harmonize information on ozone Ana María Contreras, Director General of depleting substances (ODS). The meeting Air Quality Management at SEMARNAT; was organized by Mexico’s Secretariat of Kai Bethke, UNIDO Representative; Troels Environment and Natural Resources Vester, Regional Crime Prevention (SEMARNAT), UNEP and the United © Laura Vallejo Advisor from the United Nations Office Nations Industrial Development on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Enrique Organization (UNIDO). Herón Jiménez Ramírez, Administrator of The workshop also addressed the quest Customs Regulations at the Tax for mechanisms to strengthen links Administration Service of the Secretariat between the Mexican customs authority of Finance and Public Credit; and Dolores and the other institutions involved in Barrientos and Artie Dubrie of UNEP. transborder movements of substances

Water Programme's objectives is to have up-to-date information and data understanding of the benefits and on water availability and quality, which UNEP and the Water Program of the requirements of the GEMS/Water Global is needed for the integrated Global Environment Monitoring System Network and database and allowed management of aquatic ecosystems and (GEMS/Water), with the support of national and regional agencies to renew for national and regional decision- Canadian government agency Canada their commitment to specific, novel making. Environment, held a workshop in late participation actions. April for agencies from Spanish-speaking Accordingly, the workshop helped One participant, Mauricio Rosales countries of the region involved in identify the most important obstacles to Estupiñán, undersecretary of Potable monitoring water quality. The aim of the the acquisition and transfer of water Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste of workshop was to exchange opinions, quality data at the national level, as well Ecuador, noted: “This has been a great ideas, points of view and as options for overcoming these opportunity to learn of new recommendations for meeting common obstacles. Emphasis was placed on the developments in water-quality challenges, in both technical and policy need to improve the global coverage information systems, and I believe that matters related to water quality. and the accuracy of water quality data, it is our duty to receive training and to facilitate users' access to data, Over the years, environmental disseminate this information in order to contribute to global evaluations and assessments and reports have stressed raise the community's awareness of the enhance countries' capacity to monitor the need to make fresh water quantity current situation in terms of water water quality. and quality in Latin America and the quality at the local, regional and global Caribbean a priority. One of the GEMS/ The workshop gave participants a better level”. 8 UNEP Newsletter - Latin America and the Caribbean

The Caribbean explores the possibilities of a Green Economy During the 39th Session of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Environment and Sustainable Development, which took place in Georgetown, Guyana, 17-20 April, Ministers of Environment of the © Idoia Aurrecoechea Caribbean countries agreed to establish an Open-Ended Working Group to facilitate inputs and revise, as provide the information needed to Panama on the appropriate, based on contributions from decide what REDD+ designs are most national governments, the development appropriate for the country. green path of the full project proposal for the “Analysis of options and cost of Participating in the workshop were project entitled “Advancing Caribbean REDD+” members of the technical team of the States’ Sustainable Development Agenda UNEP World Conservation Monitoring through Green Economy Policies: A As a part of work to define the national Centre (WCMC), who have substantial Concept Note for a Green Economy REDD+ strategy for Panama, the second experience in defining the crucial issues Initiative in the Caribbean Region (ACSSD “Analysis of options and cost of REDD+” that need to be addressed in creating -GE)”. They also agreed that UNEP was held from 6 to 8 March in the REDD strategies in the Region. Also should take the lead in further Panamanian capital. present were members of the national developing the ACSSD-GE project team of the UN-REDD programme in proposal in close collaboration with the REDD+ goes beyond Reducing Emissions Panama, representatives of UNEP, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from Deforestation and Forest United Nations Development Programme Secretariat and the Open-Ended Working Degradation, in that it includes the (UNDP) and the Organization for Food Group. conservation and sustainable and Agriculture of the United Nations management of forests, and an increase (FAO), as well as international institutions in the forest-based carbon reserve. such as the Water Centre for the Humid This workshop cleared up questions Tropics of Latin America and the about the different magnitudes of Caribbean (CATHALAC), the Centre for economic, environmental and social Tropical Agricultural Research and benefits generated by applying a REDD+ Teaching (CATIE) and the World strategy in the country. Thus, the UN- Agroforestry Centre/Alternatives for REDD program for Panama seeks to Slash-and-Burn (ICRAF/ASB).

The Parlatino sets invited to deliver a presentation on its sights on Rio+20 Green Economy and the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development, Last 22 and 23 March, the Environment which constituted an important input for and Tourism Commission of the Latin the deliberations and for the adoption of American Parliament (Parlatino) and the declaration of the meeting. Through © Alejandro Laguna UNEP experts, met in Panama City to this declaration, the Commission agreed discuss the main themes of the Rio+20 that the main outcome of the Rio +20 subsumed under the "Sustainable Conference. conference should be to maintain the Development", as the latter also includes Margarita Astrálaga, Director and concept of sustainable development. In the dimensions of social development of Representative of UNEP’s Regional Office this sense, the concept of "Green the people and the care and protection for Latin America and the Caribbean, was Economy” is a dimension that should be of the environment. 9 UNEP Newsletter - Latin America and the Caribbean “Contributing from the New World to the creation of a new world”

Discussion Group: Panama Canal Authority, and Jorge Environment and Development put the “Panama in the Arosemena, Executive Director of the then new concept of “sustainable Ciudad del Saber Foundation. development” on the table of Context of Rio+20" international discussion. Panama reflects change, and approaches The entire planet today has its hopes Rio+20 from a situation unique in its Since then, environmental legislation and pinned on Rio+20, which provides a history, according to Guillermo Castro, institutions have become progressively unique opportunity to “contribute from who stressed that for the first time stronger, and sustainable development the New World to the creation of a new Panama is a fully sovereign State has been included in national policies and world” and to “define the course of responsible for its actions, achievements programs. But according to Andrea future conflicts”, in the words of and mistakes. “Participating in a huge Brusco, the level of implementation is Guillermo Castro. As Academic Director global debate will enrich the country’s generally low. Rio+20 is a point of of Panama’s City of Knowledge, he was vision, and is a unique opportunity to inflexion, and “must be a conference of one of the presenters at the “Panama in enrich the re-founding of the country action”. the Context of Rio+20” discussion group, that we are”, the City of Knowledge Those attending the event participated held on 22 March at the City of Academic Director stated. with questions and comments that Knowledge. Ángel Ureña, an expert at the Panama featured words such as “collective”, The event was the first Canal Authority, spoke “cooperation”, “interconnection”, in a series of seven such, “We do not live alone, we do in similar terms, “balance” and “solidarity”, central points entitled “Panama on the not save ourselves alone, we do explaining that the in the discussion leading to the Road to Sustainable not succeed alone, we do not country had changed conference, which is scheduled for June Development” die alone” enormously since the 20th in Rio de Janeiro. As Andrea Brusco organized by UNEP, the Canal was made a part stated, “We do not live alone, we do not City of Knowledge Foundation and the of the domestic economy, where it save ourselves alone, we do not succeed Panama Canal Authority (PCA). “Panama contributes 70% of the country’s GDP. He alone, and we do not die alone”. is a special country” and has the ability to also underlined the importance of the Guillermo Castro summarized the event “define what future it wants for its integrated management of the Canal’s in saying that “it is not a question of inhabitants”, according to speaker basin, and the effort to make it the choosing among advantages, but of Margarita Astrálaga, UNEP “world’s maritime greenway”, reducing choosing among problems” – among the Representative and Director of the CO2 emissions while helping to protect problems, that is, with which we are Regional Office for Latin America and the and regenerate the basin’s forests. disposed to live. The most important Caribbean. UNEP Officer Andrea Brusco reminded task, he said, is to imagine the Also present at the opening of the event, the gathering that many hopes and differences between the society that we which took place on World Water Day, expectations went into the agreements have – an unsustainable one – and the were Esteban Sáenz, Executive Vice- that made the Rio de Janeiro event of 20 one that we desire, which must be based President of the Department of years ago an historic landmark. The 1992 on human development and Environment, Water and Energy of the United Nations Conference on sustainability.

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Placing economic representatives of international value on a national cooperation agencies. These workshops included visiting the park in Honduras area under study, identifying the best place to begin the research, and listening for its conservation to workers and leaders from the area One of the most significant activities of expressing their concerns about the the Mangrove Conservation Project in threats to the PNJK’s ecosystems: Honduras, implemented on the development speculation, expansion of Caribbean coast by UNEP with the areas devoted to cattle raising and collaboration of the national African Palm cultivation, disorderly government, is a study of the economic growth of tourism, and the danger that value of the Jeannette Kawas National illicit activities represent. Park (PNJK), in Tela Bay. The consulting team for this study, scheduled to conclude in October, will The study, which is designed to evaluate © Lucia Scodanibbio the wealth of the PFJK and translate its assess the park’s most significant value to the nation into monetary terms, Honduras (SERNA); the Foundation for ecosystem services, and will analyze a began last 5 March with an initial the Protection of Punta Sal, Lancetilla and series of economic instruments that workshop to elicit the opinions and Texiguat (PROLANSATE), which is the could contribute to its financial, interests of the main actors who will take NGO in charge of administering the park; ecological and social sustainability, in part in the work: the Secretariat of and various national, local and academic order to promote its long-term Natural and Environmental Resources of institutions; as well as NGOs and management and protection.

The Biocultural Community Protocol order to give exposure to local The book on (BCP) of Alto San Juan, Colombia, which communities' contributions to was presented in late March, compiles biodiversity conservation. environmentally traditional community practices that CBPs are envisioned in the “Nagoya encourage the maintenance of Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources sustainable biodiversity and describes the main and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of challenges facing the area. The Benefits Arising from their Utilization" as traditions and publication also reflects the community's part of the Convention on Biological expectations regarding development Diversity. The Nagoya Protocol was customs projects that affect its territory. In approved in Nagoya in 2010. addition, it proposes mechanisms to facilitate dialogue between the The concept of Community Bicultural community government and public and Protocols is a recently created tool that private institutional stakeholders, in has found an increasingly broad order to coordinate a development acceptance, especially among indigenous process that will be in line with the communities and peoples. It is an priorities of Afro-descendant instrument that gives written expression communities of the upper basin of the to the interests, expectations and desires San Juan River and take into account of peoples and communities regarding their rights. how, and under what conditions, they should tap and use both the natural Contributions to this document were resources (including biodiversity and its made by the Alto San Juan Peasant components) that are in their territories Association (ASOCASAN), with the and the traditional knowledge associated support of UNEP, the NGO Natural Justice with those resources. (NJ) and the Pacific Institute for Environmental Research (IIAP). The Community Biocultural Protocol of Alto San Juan is available at the following The initiative is part of the global work of link on the UNEP webpage: http:// UNEP to support new proposals for www.pnuma.org/publicaciones.php. © Johanna von Braun Biocultural Community Protocols, in 11 UNEP Newsletter - Latin America and the Caribbean

UNEP assists Suriname in phasing out HCFCs The National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS), in cooperation with UNEP and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), launched Suriname's national plan to gradually eliminate the use of © Jordi Pon Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chemicals that deplete the ozone layer and that continue to be used, for example, in the refrigeration sector. It is the first joint UNEP-UNIDO mission to Working for more sustainable agricultural implement HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) in the English-speaking production in Panama Caribbean sub-region.

While UNEP is the lead agency, UNIDO, as Workshops to publicize the new each Panamanian uses some six pounds the cooperating agency, is responsible for national regulations on the use of of agrochemicals a year, six times the pesticides in two pilot areas. Central American average. the investment component of the HPMP. The current stage 1 of the HPMP will March marked the beginning of the This project to disseminate knowledge assist Suriname in meeting the following workshops taking place in the context of and orientation on the new regulations the project entitled “Promotion of the attempts to provide training to the two targets: freeze at the baseline by 1 new regulations on the land use of relevant sectors regarding the scope, January 2013, and 10% reduction against pesticides in Volcán and Cerro Punta to limitations and restrictions applying to the same baseline by 1 January 2015. The foster implementation”. The project is pesticide use, which will go into effect in baseline is determined as the average being conducted by the Ministry of Farm 2015 in order to reduce harm to health annual consumption of HCFCs in 2009 Development (MIDA) with support from and environment. and 2010. An implementation plan has UNEP and coordination with two other Two of the country’s principal farming been prepared by NIMOS with guidance international agencies: the Pan American areas have been chosen for the project, Health Organization (PAHO) and the Food from UNEP and UNIDO. and approximately 20 training sessions and Agriculture Organization of the will be held there for around 500 Different activities will take place in the United Nations (FAO), as well as individuals, including producers, technical coming months. These include training Panamanian health and environment people from the country’s public farm authorities. workshops for refrigeration servicing sector, and distributors and sellers of technicians and customs officers, as well agrochemicals. The distribution of copies This work is a response to needs as technical and policy support for the identified in the country analysis that led of the new regulations has also begun, as recently established Air-conditioning, to the new UNDAF 2012-2015 (United have distributions of three-fold Nations Development Assistance brochures and pamphlets. Finally, with Refrigeration, and Venting Association of Framework). The proliferating use of support from the University of Panama, Suriname (ARVAS), and the National agrochemicals, with the concomitant the project also plans to conduct technical Institute (NATIN). Within the threats to the population’s welfare, is specialised training on the issue of same implementation plan and in one of the problems analysed in the GEO pesticides for a group of professionals cooperation with other Caribbean Panama 2009 environment report. from the fields of agriculture, health and nations, a technology exposition on According to data from the year 2000, the environment. alternatives to HCFCs is envisaged for the English-speaking Caribbean subregion.

institutional framework for sustainable On the road to development. In order to solidify concepts and knowledge on this issue, Rio+20: Workshop UNEP held a workshop on Strengthening to Solidify the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development through the Concepts on the Environmental Pillar, on April 16th in Guyana for the English-speaking Institutional Caribbean countries, and on the 19th and 20th of that month in Chile for the rest of © Alejandro Balaguer Framework for the countries of the region. Sustainable The workshops served as an opportunity process for Rio+20 regarding the future to explore the characteristics and institutional framework for sustainable Development implications of the different options that development. are being negotiated in the preparatory Barely two months remain before the Rio+20 Sustainable Development © Alejandro Balaguer Conference. One of is themes will be the

UNEP and the Supreme Audit Institutions work side by side for good governance A meeting organized by the Office of the Comptroller General of Panama as Technical Secretariat of the Latin American Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS, by its initials in Spanish) was held at the end of March. The German cooperation agency (GIZ) warn of possible problems in the The two-day meeting identified five areas supported the meeting in the context of a management of public funds. on which cooperation efforts should programme to strengthen OLACEFS while focus: access to important environmental That is why it is important to work with contributing to the development of information, technical assistance and the SAIs in creating an institutional Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in Latin advice for conducting environmental support network that helps strengthen America and the Caribbean. audits, training in environmental law, their capacities in areas relevant to their valuing environmental goods and The Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) are oversight functions. One of these areas is services, green purchasing, and good key institutions for national governance, the environment, and UNEP therefore practice guidelines, as well as promotion since they help to strengthen the was invited to participate in the network of participation by civil society. democratic system, increase society’s in collaboration with the OLECEFS confidence in its organizations, reduce Technical Commission on the the opportunities for corruption and Environment.

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Countries draw nearer to consensus on environmental Schools in leadership role in campaign to justice and law Environmental justice is placed on the create awareness on climate change Ibero-American Judicial Summit agenda for the first time “To the adults, I say think about the On the 23rd and 24th of April, In the Cusco and Apurímac regions of future of your children” Argentina’s capital city of Buenos Aires Peru, children and young people are hosted the Second Preparatory Meeting thoughtful citizens with numerous of the World Congress on Justice, © Flor de María Villa Governance and Law for Environmental concerns and proposals, and are capable Sustainability, organized by UNEP. More of participating actively in the society in than 100 people were in attendance, which they live – and capable, too, of including members of the Supreme changing it. Court, as well as Certified Public Accountants and prosecutors from During the awareness campaigns around the world. UNEP was represented conducted by the municipalities in the by Bakary Kante, Director of the district of the Santo Tomás River sub- organization’s Division of Environmental basin, as part of the United Nations’ joint Law and Conventions. programme on climate change, the The meeting used the Kuala Lumpur children and young people of the area Declaration, developed at the First showed that they have a very important “I am the drop of water. When I speak in Preparatory Meeting held in the Malay role in addressing and taking decisions on capital, as its point of reference. The public, I tell them all that we must care environmental and climate change issues. main objective of the April meeting was for the water, the rivers, the springs and Their activities in their localities to gain greater consensus on key issues everything that Mother Earth gives us”, of social justice, governance and demonstrated notable enthusiasm, said Edgar Bolívar Astete, a 12-year-old environmental law, in order to prepare a imagination and energy. draft document for the World Congress student at the Centro Educativo Mixto These young actors took advantage of on Justice, Governance and Law for Agropecuario (Coeducational Farming Environmental Sustainability, to be held their communicational abilities to Educational Centre) in the district of on 18-19 June. The document will capture the attention of the public, Mara-Apurímac. “To the adults, I say subsequently be presented at the Rio +20 provoke reflection on the potential think about the future of your children. Conference. effects of climate change, and promote What will happen if the earth continues This second preparatory meeting was adaptation and mitigation measures. getting sick?”

held in the days immediately preceding Through theatre, information events, the Ibero-American Judicial Summit, radio shows and film festivals in public The schools of the Santo Tomás sub-basin which took place on 25-27 April and at plazas, among other activities, they are important venues for working on which UNEP participated in an observer created awareness among children and issues related to climate change, because capacity. That summit established close adults. cooperation and collaboration among the the children are the first to offer and judicial branches of the twenty-three “I am very glad, because I realized that it commit their time and efforts to countries of the Ibero-American is important to promote opportunities for participate in concrete action, such as Community of Nations, bringing together participation so that children and reforestation, or measures to save in a single forum the most senior energy and water at school and at home. government officials and legal adolescents can encourage awareness and articulate their perceptions of institutions from the various Ibero- © Flor de María Villa American judicial systems. For the first climate change, and above all their ideas time, environmental justice was included and proposals to protect our in the summit’s agenda. The progress environment and thus mitigate climate achieved reflected the leadership role change”, commented José Ramírez, head being assumed by the region’s judiciaries of the Environmental Management Unit on the issue of environmental justice, as well as the commitment to ensure the at the Municipality of Haquira-Apurímac. right of citizens to a healthy environment and to exercise those rights through the legal systems in their respective jurisdictions. 14 UNEP Newsletter - Latin America and the Caribbean Upcoming Events

The Inter regional Workshop on Broad-scale Marine Spatial Planning of Mammal Corridors. Date and venue: 21-24 May 2012 in Panama City

GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop for South America. Date and venue: 22-24 May 2012, Lima, Peru.

Workshop for the preparation of the “Coastal Development Plan for the Laguna de Perlas Municipality”. Date and venue: 24 May 2012, Nicaragua.

First technical strengthening workshop “Training of trainers workshop on the Integrated Management of Mangrove Ecosystems-Caribbean Coast”. Date and venue: 4-8 June 2012, Caribbean Coast, Guatemala.

World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability. Date and venue: 17-20 June 2012. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Training of trainers workshop on the restoration of mangrove ecosystems”. Date and venue: 26-30 June 2012, La Ceiba, Honduras.

Meeting of the Ozone Action Networks for Mexico, Central America, South America and the Spanish Speaking Caribbean. Date and venue: date to be confirmed, Chile.

Inauguration of the Propagation Centre in Haiti, in the framework of the Caribbean Biological Corridor. Date and venue: To be confirmed June/July, place to be confirmed.

Launch of the “Your Change for a Better Environment” Campaign in countries of the Caribbean. Date and venue: to be confirmed.

Validation Workshops of the Results of Estimating Costs, Prices and Trends of Land Use Change in Areas of Interest for UN REDD Panama Programme. Date and venue: During May and June in the cities of Darien, Veraguas, Bocas del Toro and Colón in Panama.

15 For more information please contact: [email protected]