UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre

Annual Report 2007 UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre

he United Nations WCMC 2000 Board of Trustees Environment Programme TWorld Conservation Robert Napier (Chair) Monitoring Centre (UNEP- Sir Rudolph Agnew WCMC) is the biodiversity Mr Alasdair Poore assessment and biodiversity Mr Patrick Haighton policy support arm of the United Nations Environment Dr Ray Gambell OBE Programme (UNEP), the world’s (Company Secretary) foremost intergovernmental environmental organization. The Centre has been in operation for over 25 years, combining scientific research with practical policy advice. UNEP-WCMC provides objective, scientifically rigorous products and services to help decision makers recognize the value of biodiversity and apply this knowledge to all that they do. Its core business is managing data about ecosystems and biodiversity, interpreting and analysing those data to provide assessments and policy analysis, and making the results available to both national and international decision makers and businesses. UNEP Welcome

Achim Steiner Executive Director, UNEP United Nations Under-Secretary-General

or the past 18 months UNEP has been in the midst of UNEP can also deliver expertise and a comparative the most fundamental changes that the organization advantage to progress key areas of international activity in Fhas seen for 25 years and more. UNEP-WCMC has support of its thematic priority concerns. In the area of been very much part of this: in many ways the Centre has climate change, for example, we will focus on the reinvented itself, ensuring that it is fit-for-purpose to address biodiversity and livelihood nexus that is likely to emerge the ever escalating biodiversity challenges faced by national from a fresh international focus on reducing deforestation governments and the global community. This has been and degradation – activities that are responsible for an achieved through the mobilization of the Centre’s own estimated 20 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions. And capacity, taking place largely within its existing budgets and the biodiversity challenges that natural disasters and staffing levels. That the transition was made while producing conflicts can throw up were brought into sharp focus in the best financial performance for many years is an 2007 through the impacts of regional strife on mountain outstanding achievement. Congratulations are due to the gorillas and their forest habitat. whole team. UNEP-WCMC, with its 40-strong team of biodiversity In UNEP’s new Mid-Term Strategy (MTS), developed scientists and technologists, is well-positioned to support the during 2007 and approved by the Governing Council in UNEP-MTS. It is my strong expectation that the gains made early 2008, biodiversity has been mainstreamed into the six in 2007 will provide the springboard for more effective cross-cutting thematic priorities that will be our focus for the integration of the Centre’s outstanding work across all the foreseeable future. These are UNEP Divisions. I will certainly provide a supporting climate change; framework to encourage and facilitate this. disasters and conflicts; Finally, I would like to acknowledge the role of ecosystem management; Sir Rudolph Agnew, member and Chairman of the Trustees environmental governance; of WCMC 2000 for almost 20 years, in the formation and harmful substances and hazardous waste; and current success of UNEP-WCMC. I would like to thank resource efficiency (sustainable consumption Sir Rudolph for helping guide the Centre through some and production). challenging times and assure him and his successor, Robert Napier, of my determination to see our collaboration The whole point of UNEP’s focus on ecosystem strengthened so that UNEP-WCMC can grow and earn management is to address the disjointed approach to natural international acknowledgement as a centre of excellence system management that has led to the loss of biological supporting the global biodiversity agenda. diversity, the fragmenting of habitats and a marked decline in the ecosystem services critical for human well-being.

1 UNEP-WCMC in 2007

Jon Hutton Director UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre

t the end of a financial year, the thoughts of the Director turn first and foremost to the balance sheet – and it is gratifying to be able to report that AUNEP-WCMC has made a modest, but important, surplus for the third year in a row. Thanks must go to all staff for their tremendous efforts in securing and implementing project work, and in particular to Programme Heads who both coordinated this work and helped to ensure that our costs were fully covered. My special thanks are due to our Finance and Administration team whose detailed monthly breakdown of the Centre’s finances, and subsequent production of a suite of performance indicators, provided essential and timely information for the effective management of the Centre. It is even more gratifying that the Centre achieved its financial success in 2007 while completing most of the activities laid out in our Transition Plan, developed by staff in early 2006 shortly after I joined as Director. None of these activities was without cost, if only in terms of staff time, and some were financially ambitious. The rebuilding of our Informatics Server Room is a case in point. With in-kind assistance valued in excess of US$ 250,000 from technology partners including Microsoft and Sun-Microsystems, we managed to reduce our hardware by around 50 per cent, simultaneously upgrading our technology and cutting our greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10 per cent overall. During the year we also successfully introduced a range of other measures that involved significant financial risk, including the creation of two new Centre- wide foci for our activities – the One Ocean and Climate Change programmes – and the re-establishment of an informatics programme bringing together our geographic information systems, databases, web services and other technologies. The new programmes are essential for providing UNEP- WCMC with the capacity to address the key issues of our time, keeping our work on global biodiversity both fresh and relevant. There were a number of other important gains at the Centre in 2007, but here I will just highlight the Proteus initiative, the first phase of which came to an end in 2007. This five-year agreement between the Centre and business leaders in the oil and gas, mineral and mining, and banking and technology

2 UNEP/WCMC

sectors was established to improve the delivery of biodiversity information to decision makers. I am delighted to be able to report that during 2007 this unique partnership was renegotiated and strengthened, with new participants. Proteus 2012 recognizes that more needs to be done to deliver comprehensive protected area information, and that the task of effectively linking different biodiversity datasets has barely begun. The goal is for decision makers in industry and elsewhere to have access, by 2012, to the best possible data and information on the location and distribution of biodiversity of the highest value, Our vision… as determined by globally important priority setting frameworks. a world where biodiversity counts. When Proteus first started it was controversial. Indeed, to this day, the suggestion that UNEP-WCMC sells data still surfaces from time to time. I suppose that this perception grew because we were amongst the first of the biodiversity Our mission… organizations to work closely with the business community. Times change, to evaluate and highlight the however, and nowadays it is normal for business to work in partnership with many values of biodiversity and those who can help it improve its environmental performance. With the benefit put authoritative biodiversity of hindsight, UNEP-WCMC was in the vanguard and we look forward to knowledge at the centre of pioneering other new approaches that will strengthen the business case for decision-making. sustainable development. Finally, I would like to remind everyone that UNEP-WCMC is a hybrid institution, led by UNEP but implemented through WCMC 2000, a UK Charity Our goal… established to support the Centre. The role of WCMC 2000 is often overlooked to be an internationally recognized – which is not necessarily a bad thing from the Director’s perspective because Centre of Excellence for the it implies that the relationship is relatively seamless. Happily, this remains the synthesis, analysis and dissemination case, and over the last year I have yet again been fortunate to enjoy the of global biodiversity knowledge, unstinting support of the Trustees of WCMC 2000, and of its senior staff. During providing authoritative, strategic 2007, Sir Rudolph Agnew stood down after 19 years of outstanding service as and timely information for Chairman of the Charity. He continues as a Trustee but was replaced in the conventions, countries, chair by Robert Napier who recently retired as CEO of WWF-UK. Robert brings organizations and companies his enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and a wealth of relevant experience to the to use in the development and Centre. I look forward to working with him and his team to make 2008 even implementation of their policies more successful. and decisions.

3 Financial report

UNEP-WCMC financial results, year end 31 December 2007

NEP remained the Centre’s largest financial supporter, providing around 50 per cent of funding, made up of 30 per cent of project funding, 16 per cent contributed via UNEP from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and U4 per cent from UNEP Treaties such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Income from intergovernmental organizations and treaties fell to 0.3 per cent from 16 per cent in 2006 because project income from the European Community was not due for payment during 2007, whilst income from the corporate sector remained stable at 21 per cent. The Centre plans to increase its future stream of income from multiple sources, which may INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ reduce the percentage of funding from UNEP. STATEMENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF UNEP-WCMC Financial systems are continually monitored to ensure robustness, and a new

We have examined the summarized financial budgeting process was implemented in 2007, resulting in an improved statements of the United Nations Environment budgeting model. A full review of financial and project management systems Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. was undertaken during the year and the outcome is expected to improve the timely reporting and financial management of projects. Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditors The Director is responsible for preparing the summarized financial statements in accordance UNEP-WCMC intends to build on this positive result in future years to create with applicable law and accounting standards. a more financially stable Centre that is better able to support the world’s Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion decision makers with accurate and timely biodiversity information. Our work on the consistency of the summarized financial depends on the continuing generosity of our funders, who share our vision of statements with the full financial statements and Directors’ Report. We also read the other a better world. We are committed to the ongoing improvement of our services, information contained in the summarized annual report and consider the implications for our whilst ensuring that they remain cost-effective. report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the summarized statements. UNEP-WCMC OURCES OF INCOME Basis of opinion S Rental and miscellaneous income 2.8% We conducted our work in accordance with Bulletin 1999/6 ‘The auditors’ statement on the summary financial statement’ issued by Corporate sector the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. and education 20.8% Opinion UNEP projects In our opinion the summarized financial 29.9% statements are consistent with the full financial statements and the Directors’ Report for the year ended 31 December 2007. Governmental organizations 9.4% Kingston Smith LLP Chartered Accountants Donations and sponsorship 5% and Registered Auditors UNEP GEF projects Devonshire House Intergovernmental organizations 16.2% 60 Goswell Road and non-UNEP treaties 0.3% London EC1M 7AD International non-governmental organizations 11.8% UNEP Treaties 3.8%

4 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE REPORT 2007 2006 £ US$ * £ US$ * Income UNEP directors support in kind 281,407 561,776 311,111 609,202 Donations 63,491 126,748 –– In-kind contribution 106,550 212,707 –– Rental and miscellaneous income 63,582 126,929 128,815 252,239 515,030 1,028,160 439,926 861,441

Restricted project income (UNEP) 920,861 1,838,324 757,643 1,483,579 Restricted project income 1,878,043 3,749,156 2,074,639 4,062,454 3,313,934 6,615,640 3,272,208 6,407,474

Expenditure Personnel 2,286,611 4,564,784 2,292,280 4,488,628 UNEP directors expenses in kind 281,407 561,776 311,111 609,202 Travel 184,999 369,316 186,544 365,281 Operational 123,578 246,700 165,868 324,794 Marketing and outreach 10,075 20,113 9,528 18,657 Establishment 111,571 222,731 102,889 201,472 Office supplies 38,993 77,842 42,800 83,809 Computer equipment 151,753 302,946 81,828 160,231 Professional services 40,009 79,870 (28,664) (56,128) Depreciation 69,066 137,878 104,062 203,769 Bank charges 4,652 9,288 4,593 8,994 Irrecoverable VAT –––– 3,272,839 6,408,710

Operating surplus/(deficit) 11,219 22,396 (631) (1,236) Bank interest receivable 13,861 27,670 4,032 7,895 Surplus on ordinary activities for the period 25,079 50,066 3,401 6,660

BALANCE SHEET 2007 2006 £ US$* £ US$* £ US$** £ US$** Fixed assets Tangible assets 125,187 249,913 110,365 216,111 Current assets 1,546,443 3,087,181 1,597,250 3,127,665 Less: current liabilities 1,299,342 2,593,889 1,360,405 2,663,877 Net current liabilities 247,101 493,292 236,845 463,778

Total assets less liabilities 372,289 743,205 347,210 679,889

Representing: Income and expenditure account Opening balance 347,210 673,230 343,809 673,230 Surplus/(deficit) for period 25,079 50,066 3,401 6,660

372,289 743,205 347,210 679,889

* US$ exchange rate = 1.99631 as at 31 December 2007. ** US$ exchange rate = 1.95815 as at 31 December 2006. Items may not sum due to rounding.

5 Species

NEP-WCMC provides scientific and technical support for the implementation of a range of multilateral environmental agreements U(MEAs), in particular those concerned with the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This includes support for secretariats and the advisory and governance bodies of these agreements, and support to national governments and others in building capacity for improved implementation. Robert Stanger/UNEP/Topham

The Centre focuses primarily on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and some of its daughter agreements, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the World Heritage Convention; the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Highlights of the Centre’s activities in 2007 include:

Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity Under the framework of the joint work programme between the CBD Secretariat and UNEP-WCMC that was created in 2006, UNEP-WCMC provided support to the CBD in various areas aimed at strengthening the capacity of Parties to the CBD in implementing the Convention. Examples include work on biodiversity indicators, protected areas, the Plant conservation report in support of the CBD Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and input to reference material for the CBD 4th national reports. UNEP-WCMC assisted in the implementation of the Trondheim/UN Conference on Ecosystems and People – Biodiversity for Development – The Road to 2010 and Beyond by providing technical support and presenting on the 2010 biodiversity indicators.

Knowledge management among biodiversity conventions Under the UNEP project on knowledge management for the biodiversity-related conventions, UNEP-WCMC has developed a web portal that provides ready access to, and cross-linkages among, strategic documents of the biodiversity- related conventions. The project also established online reporting mechanisms for CMS, African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), and the CITES biennial report, and developed a framework for joint national reporting to the biodiversity- related conventions.

6 M Balan/UNEP/Topham Silvi Reiche/UNEP/Topham J M de Ochira/UNEP/Topham

Wildlife Trade Monitoring and Analysis The Centre helps support the effective implementation of CITES and the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations by providing a range of information management and analysis services to the European Commission, the CITES Secretariat and Parties to the Convention. These services include managing the online database of around 30,000 species covered by the instruments, and the database of all international trade transactions in these species. This information is a vital resource for assessment and effective implementation of those instruments, providing support to the activities of management, scientific and enforcement authorities of each country; as well as information of general interest. We also produced a range of analytical documents, as a resource for policy makers, concerning trade statistics and reviewing the status of species in trade.

Timber trees Many tree species are traded internationally for their timber. This trade is of considerable importance to local and national economies and, if conducted unsustainably, it may threaten the long-term survival of these species, and tthe welfare of the people who depend on them. With support from the Governments of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, UNEP-WCMC is implementing a series of regional workshops to identify timber tree species in international trade that may be of conservation concern, and to develop strategies for their sustainable use. To date, two workshops have taken place, ‘UNEP-WCMC has long the first in Central America in 2005 and a second in South East Asia in 2007. supported multilateral environmental agreements with Reducing emissions from deforestation relevant, timely and forward A significant proportion of greenhouse gases released each year results from looking information. The Centre deforestation, yet this is neither effectively addressed by the UNFCCC nor the continues to work with these Kyoto Protocol. Ways of addressing this are now under discussion, and UNEP- agreements to support the WCMC presented an outline of previous experiences and future opportunities for development of effective collaboration to an expert workshop in Rome, organized by the UNFCCC synergies among them.’ Secretariat. Our submission particularly addressed forest biodiversity assessment and conservation, and the opportunities for achieving multiple benefits through Gerardo Fragoso forest conservation. Species Programme

7 Protected areas

he number of national parks and protected areas continues to grow globally, with many countries meeting their 10 per cent protection target, Tas outlined in various international commitments. However, progress in achieving the 2012 marine target lags far behind.

T Natiano/UNEP/Topham The foundation data and information to conduct analyses and report progress come from the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), a joint project of UNEP-WCMC and IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and managed through the Protected Areas Programme at UNEP-WCMC. The WDPA has undergone considerable infrastructural improvements during 2007 that will culminate in a launch and demonstration of the new system in October 2008 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. The demonstration will include new web search engines, new ways of interacting with the data including viewing them again