GEO Haiti 2010

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168 GEO HAITI • 2010 3. Priority and Future Actions « Face the future » Jerry Tardieu The Future Ahead. The Challenges of Globalization and the Defeatism of Haitian Elites The degradation of the Haitian environment is largely linked to the extreme poverty of the majority of its population. As such, it is undeniable that the restoration of the Haitian environment is highly dependent on an equitable economic development, where both rich and poor have access to its benefits, and respectful of the environment. Some would call this “sustainable development”. However, the components of such a scenario have proven difficult to master. Does this mean that the Haitian environment must inexorably continue to suffer according to the economic tribulations of the country? The evidence suggests so. Nonetheless, it is also true that although things cannot quickly and radically be changed, it would however be possible to curb the degradation and even improve the situation through effective environmental management. This is the logic underlining the measures proposed below, without being exhaustive. 1. Declare an environmental state of emergency The average Haitian seems to be more interested in the environment since the devastating and deadly floods of 2004 and 2008. However despite their importance, it seems that the rigours of daily life tend to overshadow the necessity of immediate, wide-ranging actions. Nevertheless, it remains essential to declare an environmental state of emergency in Haiti. 2. Explore and mobilise possible sources of funding to restore and protect the environment Environmental restoration and protection programmes risk failure without the appropriate financial support. These cannot rely solely on public funds, which are already inadequate, in order to meet the plethora of needs. Therefore, the entire country should commit itself to fulfil the financial requirements of environmental management. In this perspective, it is vital to seek additional funding sources. For example, it would be wise to think of the use of environmental services in such a way that these could yield funds to be reinvested in the restoration and protection of the environment and as such implement the FREH as established by law. 3. Develop public-private Haitian collaboration on environmental management, within a formal framework of public/private partnership Until now, the private sector has hardly been involved in environmental management. It is evident, however, that it should remain a key player in the solution of the Haitian environmental crisis, in part through its significant financial means. It would be to the country’s interests to request a major participation on its part, much more than in the past. 4. Involve local government in environmental management Until now, most local governments have only been ascribed secondary roles in environmental matters. As such they have not been able to demonstrate the full extent of their capabilities. It goes without saying that these play an important role in environmental management, an undeniably daily and ongoing task. 5. Create synergy among the main organisations working in the field of environmental management It is important to coordinate activities among the main environmental organisations, as synergies
State of the Environment Report 2010 enhance effectiveness and prevent duplication of activities. 6. Establish a group of environmental negotiators in charge of dialogue with the international community on environmental restoration and protective programmes Efforts to mobilise the international community in the struggle to save the environment must be carried out in a professional manner. Negotiations must therefore be led by experts in environmental matters. There is therefore a clear need to establish a group of negotiators specialised on environmental issues. 7. Undertake an extensive training-programme of specialists on the main environment-related fields Haiti has a respectable pool of environmentalmanagement specialists. It would be useful to increase their number as well as to train other professionals in specific areas. The availability of this “critical mass” of specialists would facilitate the development of environmentalmanagement systems specific to the country, which would enhance the effectiveness of betteradapted initiatives. 8. Promote scientific research and create a database on the Haitian environment Contrary to popular belief, not many studies have been carried out until now on the Haitian environment. Data on various aspects of the environment remain inexistent. It is inconceivable that effective environmental management be carried out without a profound knowledge of the environment situation. It is therefore fundamental to carry out scientific studies in specific areas, those where there is a need for essential data and information. 9. Implement the Environmental Action Plan “The Environmental Action Plan” (PAE), drafted some years ago, has been little applied. Yet, the document could be useful in improving environmental management if its propositions and 10 programmes were adopted. The PAE advocates: • National capacity-building on environmental management; • A sustainable development energy programme; • Public education on the environment and sustainable development; • Conservation and the sustainable-utilization of biodiversity; • Management of strategic watersheds; • Integrated management of coastal and marine zones; • Environmental sanitization; • Management of natural disasters; • Sustainable-development activities support; • Effective management of mines and quarries. Who will coordinate these actions? Launched at the end of 2008 by the Ministry of Environment, The National Environment and Vulnerability Observatory (ONEV) 70 , would be the most appropriate entity to coordinate the above-mentioned actions. It would have to be permanent and equipped with the necessary means to carry out its mandate effectively and efficiently, and also need to forge partnerships with other specialised public and private stakeholders in the environmental sector. Some possibilities would be: CNIGS, MARNDR, MICT, TPTC and other environment-related national and international organisations. 169 70 Le Nouvelliste, 2008.
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