Towards a National Ecosystem Services Strategy for Australia

Transcription

1 Towards a National Ecosystem Services Strategy for Australia Peter Ampt, Simone Maynard, Geoff Gorrie, Philippa Rowland, Allan Dale, Jeremy Thompson, Steve Cork, Bob Douglas, Lynne Reeder

2 Australia 21 non profit; non government; led by a group of Directors, A21 Fellows and Scholars close relationships with diversity of sectors seeks to bridge the gaps between research and policy by creating frameworks of understanding that can be applied to the development of public, corporate and community policy outcomes; an institute without walls ;

3 Australia s Ecosystems unique developed over at least 40 million years in an ancient landscape relatively isolated from the rest of the world characteristics give national and international value complex, mega diverse and resilient providing services to people since we first arrived in the continent 30-65,000 years ago belong to all of us collectively and no interest group can claim exclusive right to them

4 My Country The love of field and coppice, of green and shaded lanes, Of ordered woods and gardens Is running in your veins. Strong love of grey-blue distance, brown streams and soft, dim skies- I know but cannot share it, my love is otherwise. I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of rugged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror- The wide brown land for me! Dorothea Mackellar ( )

5 Evidence of Degradation

6 Ecosystem Services Approach Integral to improving NRM - seeks to integrate the ecological, social and economic dimensions of natural resource management by: explicitly identifying and classifying the benefits that people derive from ecosystems; describing and communicating these benefits in concepts and language that a wide range of people can understand; posing and trying to answer a set of critical questions about sustainable management of ecosystems and human welfare; the answers could involve positive approaches by rewarding people who, by their actions, contribute to the maintenance of ecosystems that provide services.

7 Ecosystem Services is part of society s response to ESD not an alternative is a way of adding value to well established approaches in economics, sociology and ecology not a replacement is a way of framing and communicating planning and policy issues not a new discipline or set of techniques is a meaningful way of community and stakeholders contributing transparently to catchment and land-use planning

8 NATIONAL ES STRATEGY Core Principles Ecosystems provide the vital life support systems people need to survive and prosper. Programs and policies need to be strengthened to maintain these life supports in the face of global changes (e.g. increasing population pressures, climate change, energy security and emerging market opportunities). Ecosystem services should be a primary consideration of decision making at all levels of civil society, private enterprise and government.

9 National ES Strategy Develop and communicate key messages and frameworks Build links between the maintenance of ecosystems and commerce Develop structures, mechanisms and institutions for preservation and enhancement of ecosystem services Acknowledge international obligations and generate opportunities

10 Action Agenda (WRI) Develop and use information about ecosystem services; Strengthen the rights of local people to use and manage ecosystem services; Manage ecosystem services across multiple levels and time frames; Improve accountability for decisions that affect ecosystem services; Align economic and financial incentives with ecosystem stewardship.

11 National ES Network Aim: 1. To broaden national understanding of the ecosystem services approach (communication platform); 2. To develop a framework for ecosystem services that is widely understood and shared; 3. To develop frameworks for valuing and remunerating those who care for and promote ecosystem services; 4. To bring together the interests of landholders, financial institutions, business, government and the community in the preservation and promotion of these services (broker); 5. To undertake regular assessments of the state of the various ecosystem services across catchments and across the nation (monitor and evaluate).

12 National ES Network Role: Overseeing the implementation of the NESS; Incorporate ecosystem services into current natural resource management practices; Oversee data needs, the research activity, and the development of a framework for a coordinated approach; Build a picture, ground up, of the health of Aust. s ecosystems and their services; Develop a understanding of services and how they affect the health and resilience of Aust. s economy and communities across multiple levels and timeframes; Link Aust. with institutions in other countries; Work together to publicise the ecosystem services approach an develop effective regulation, recognition and reward systems for actions taken towards ecosystem services.

13 Proposed Network Structure Peak Network Broad forum and coordinator of national meetings Regional Networks Regional NRM bodies Sectoral Networks Government Network Industry Network Civil society Network Researchers Network Landholders Network Federal State Regional Local Commercial Financial Industrial Agricultural NGOs Media Advocacy Action groups Bio physical Social Economic Cultural Rural Peri urban Urban Indigenous

14 National ES Framework?????????????????

15 Key Notes Words ecosystem services are now embedded in most key documents supporting the environmental and agricultural portfolios; Roles for everyone across society; Strategy should build on previous research (particularly in Aust.); A Network is required to create and engage dialogue, provide stakeholder support and coordinate efforts; Different stakeholders often define ecosystem services in different ways often out of self interest this means that we are often talking across purposes when discussing ecosystem services in a policy context.

16 Key Notes Limits to Govt. they have to use the powers and tools they have access to and that generally means they proceed in a piecemeal fashion; ES focuses on some of the key challenges of modern Aust. Democracy: The inability to consider long term strategic and cross cutting issues different departments no integrative thinking; Aust. s have become expecting of govt. to take care of issues for them rather than responsibility themselves; With mass communication the Aust. Govt. Has become more reactive so many have argued that the is no longer capable of leading for this reason.

17 Thank You Peter Ampt, Simone Maynard, Geoff Gorrie, Philippa Rowland, Allan Dale, Jeremy Thompson, Steve Cork, Bob Douglas, Lynne Reeder Simone Maynard