The IUCN Facilitated Independent Advisory Panel on Remediation and Rehabilitation of Biodiversity and Habitats of Oil Spill Sites in the Niger Delta

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1 World Conservation Congress, Jeju, Korea, September 2012 The IUCN Facilitated Independent Advisory Panel on Remediation and Rehabilitation of Biodiversity and Habitats of Oil Spill Sites in the Niger Delta Dan Laffoley Vice Chair Marine IUCN s World Commission on Protected Areas Principal Advisor, Marine Science & Conservation Global Marine and Polar Programme, IUCN The World Conservation Union Google Ocean MPA workshop, 4 December, 2007

2 An introduction to the Niger Delta panel The World Conservation Union Google Ocean MPA workshop, 4 December, 2007

3 It is the wish of stakeholders and especially the Nigerian government and oil companies to improve upon remediation activities and to find a sustainable and peaceful approach towards rehabilitation of biodiversity in habitats affected by oil spills. So the findings of this panel marks a new beginning towards developing a framework for a holistic approach that seeks to integrate all stakeholders in a practical and sustainable manner.

4 Main stakeholders for the Niger Delta panel work SPDC - 55% owned by Nigerian Government (IUCN Member) Communities Nigerian regulators NGOs IUCN Nigerian members Other oil companies

5 Niger Delta Panel objectives Develop and provide standards and good practices guidance on remediation and rehabilitation Encourage uptake of the guidance by SPDC and others, Develop a strategy to safeguard the Delta s remaining areas of biodiversity Build capacity with local Nigerian organisations,

6 Background to the Niger Delta independent panel Formed as result of an approach by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to IUCN in January 2011 through the existing Shell / IUCN partnership arrangements administered between Shell International B.V. and IUCN s Business and Biodiversity Programme (BBP). Facilitated by IUCN through the Nigerian Environment Study/Action Team (NEST), an IUCN member, in Nigeria.

7 What do IUCN Independent Panels do? Work directly aligns with the IUCN Principles for Engagement with the Private Sector. Work relevant to the IUCN vision and Mission, is consistent with the general policies of IUCN. Work is responsive to the aspirations of the membership Work is empowering IUCN to implement its Programme and IUCN members to conserve nature.

8 Other IUCN Independent Panels Sakhalin Energy Yemen LNG Photo: Dan Laffoley Holcim

9 Role of the Niger Delta panel Specially constituted to make use of technical expertise from within the IUCN Commissions, relevant academic and research institutions, the IUCN membership (including relevant Nigerian based NGOs), relevant IUCN Programmes, and the Regional Office for Central and West Africa (PACO). The panel will consult Nigerian regulatory agencies as well as key stakeholders in the course of its work.

10 Members of the panel Dr Uzoamaka Egbuche Panel Chair - Expert in Oil Spill Recovery CERASE IUCN member, Abuja, Nigeria Prof Dan Laffoley - Expert on Biodiversity Conservation (Marine) Marine Vice Chair of IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, Peterborough, United Kingdom Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano - Expert on Biodiversity Conservation (Terrestrial) IUCN Species Survival Commission, ex Birdlife International, Nigerian currently based in Cambridge, UK Dr James Kairo - Expert in Restoration Ecology Head Mangrove Sliviculture and Management Unit, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya Dr Victor Obinna - Expert in Environmental Sociology Urban & Regional Planning, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

11 Mode of operation The panel will operate in an independent way and demonstrate transparency in how it carries out its work. It will seek knowledge and views from relevant parties linked to the spills and their remediation and rehabilitation, but will form its own views on best practices, monitoring and the strategy to safeguard remaining areas of biodiversity importance. The panel will maintain its independence to avoid conflicts of interest and will provide advice irrespective of causes or costs of spills.

12 A focus on the Delta Source: UNEP Source:

13 Photo credit: NEST Niger Delta communities

14 Niger delta ecological zones Barrier islands Mangroves Freshwater Lowland Forests

15 Lowland forests Freshwater Photo credit: Alex Chindah Photo credit: Alex Chindah Barrier islands Mangroves Barrier island Mangrove Photo credit: Friday Idogiye Amain Photo credit: nigerdeltarising.org

16 Niger Delta socio-economic values Photo credits: Alex Chindah

17 Oil pollution problems in the Delta Source: SPDC Source: SPDC Source: Reuters

18 Previous work looking at oil spill issues Defining an environmental development strategy for the Niger delta, Volume 1 (1995). Published by the World Bank Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan by the Federal Government of Nigeria (1999) Coping With Climate Change And Environmental Degradation In The Niger Delta By Etiosa Uyighue and Matthew Agho (2007) Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland (2007) UNEP Niger Delta Human Development Report (2008) UNDP Niger Delta Environmental survey - a comprehensive survey by SPDC 2012

19 Challenges to formulating panel advice to make change happen Long history Cumulative effects Vast area Dynamic delta habitats Access Security Trust

20 Building the panel perspective as Science based seen through a biodiversity lens Finding firm ground amongst differing views and perspectives of stakeholders Covering rehabilitation of biodiversity (including socio-economic aspects) in addition to physical remediation

21 Panel establishment and activities so far Mission to consult with IUCN members in Nigeria October 2011 Call for expressions of interest in participating on the Panel November 2011 Panel announcement February 2012 Inaugural Panel meeting April 2012 Second Panel meeting August 2012

22 Current panel activities Consulting and gathering information from stakeholders Visiting and undertaking independent verification of success or otherwise of actions Developing independent panel views and advice on what should and needs to happen

23 How to follow the activities of the Niger Delta IUCN independent panel General introductory information on IUCN s BBP website ( /our_engagements/bbp_shell/ ) Summary now being posted after each panel meeting on the IUCN BBP website Panel s recommendations will be posted on the same website Panel s final report to similarly be posted

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