Download - United Nations in Cambodia

MDG-7: Ensure Environmental SustainabilityMDG target 7.A: Integrate principles of sustainable development intocountry programs & policies; reverse environmental resource lossConstraint:Lack of Environment-Based Planning at the National LevelDevelopment plans lack environmental sustainability as a mainstreamed themeRwanda’s Poverty-Environment Initiative is a joint UNDP-UNEP programme that aimsto contribute to poverty reduction and improved well-being of the poor and vulnerable throughmainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into national development processes.Components:• Inclusion of environmental sustainability as a central objective in national developmentstrategies, such as poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs), MDG implementation plans ortheir equivalent• Increase national budget allocations in support of pro-poor environmental outcomes• Build the long-term capacity of the government to integrate poverty-environment concerns intothe design and implementation of development plansResults:• The environment has been effectively mainstreamed into the 2007 Poverty Reduction StrategyPaper (EDPRS). The evidence and advocacy provided by PEI played a crucial role in thisaccomplishment.• Linkages between the environment and poverty are reflected in Sector Strategic Plans andpriorities.• There is greater public awareness about poverty-environment linkages due to productions fortelevision, radio and print media as well as training for journalists.• Government personnel and local government officials have better skills for using tools forenvironmental mainstreaming (i.e., indicator development).Key Elements of Success:• Increased awareness and more effective participation of stakeholders in environmental policyand planning processes• Increased stakeholder participation and training of local civil society groups• Capacity of national and district level government officials was built in understanding andanalyzing linkages between poverty and environment and integrating environment intodevelopment planning.• Capacity of the Ministry of Finance was built to improve environmental mainstreamingin budgets across sectors, to develop financial instruments, to conduct mainstreaming ofenvironment in public expenditure reviews, and to conduct environmental fiscal reform.Lessons Learned:• Involvement of key stakeholders from the very start of programme development ensures broadownership and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of its implementation.• It is crucial to clearly demonstrate the links between poverty and environment at the nationallevel in a language familiar to planners and policymakers. Assessments such as economicanalysis of environmental degradation and integrated ecosystem assessments are essentialevidence-based advocacy tools for convincing policy makers about the importance and benefits ofsustainable natural resource management.• It is necessary to provide sustained support over a longer period. Continuous engagementensures better mainstreaming results.• The production of tools such as mainstreaming guidelines, sector specific environmentalchecklists and poverty-environment indicators provides concrete guidance to the sectors andrelevant ministries and enhances the mainstreaming process.MDG Good Practices 23