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MDGF-1713: Strengthened Approach for the Integration of Sustainable Environmental Management into the ANDS/PRSP

PLEASE NOTE THIS CONCEPT NOTE IS THE ORIGINAL SUBMISSION TO THE FUND. IN MANY CASES INDICATIVE BUDGET AMOUNTS APPROVED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE ARE CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THAT REQUESTED AND INDICATED HERE-IN. FINAL BUDGET AMOUNTS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AFTER APPROVAL OF THE FINALIZED DETAILED JOINT PROGRAMME DOCUMENT.
Fri, 2007/06/08 - 9:49am — clark.soriano@u...
Fri, 2007/06/08 - 1:07pm
Thu, 2007/06/14 - 11:32am
clark.soriano@undp.org
English  (current)

ID: MDGF-1713

Environment and climate change
Round 1
(26/04/2007 - 31/12/2009)
Afghanistan
$11,072,949
36 Months
Strengthened Approach for the Integration of Sustainable Environmental Management into the ANDS/PRSP

Attached Documents:

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A. Applicant Information

Asia and Pacific
  • Least Developed Country
  • Low Income Country
  • HDI, according to UNDP's 2006 Human Development Report
  • Robert Watkins
  • robert.watkins@undp.org
  • Anne Falher
  • falher@un.org
  • Lisa Singh
  • UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Senior Programme Officer
  • lisa.singh@undp.org
  • Prem Sharma
  • FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Senior Projects Operation Officer
  • prem.sharma@fao.org
  • UNDP - United Nations Development Programme ($5,562,449)
  • FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ($5,510,500)
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B. Concept Note

This Joint Programme aims to promote a strengthened approach for the integration of sustainable environmental management into Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and the MDGs to result in environmentally sustainable growth. As such it directly contributes to the achievement of Environment and Natural Resource goals included in the 2006-2008 UNDAF. It also directly responds to the environment and natural resources benchmarks as articulated in the interim ANDS. The Programme will promote formulation of suitable policy frameworks, ensure institutional capacity building to lead the effective implementation of the policies, directly mainstream environmental considerations in national and sub-national planning and development frameworks which is currently being initiated in all 34 provinces of the country; and pilot and upscale community-based natural resources management interventions in 5 selected agro-climatic zones impacting about 7% of the NRM base in 30+ communities.

The decades of external occupation and internal war, ongoing insecurity, lack of effective governance and service delivery, large-scale unemployment and overall poverty, susceptibility to droughts and other natural hazards and ongoing displacements of population have exacted heavy toll on the environment and natural resource base of the country. For example, it is estimated that between 1978 – 2002, the area under conifer forests in the eastern part of the country has been reduced by 50 percent (UNEP Post-conflict environmental assessment). Over 80% of the Afghan population is dependent on agricultural and related rural activities that rely on heavy use of natural resources. Improving environmental management and restoring degrading ecosystems and improving ecosystem services is therefore vital for the long-term development of Afghanistan. The Government of Afghanistan with support from UN and donor community has embarked on comprehensive programme of national planning and development. The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) is to be formulated by March 2008. Environment is featured as a cross-cutting in the interim ANDS (2004-2007). Community-based approaches to reducing poverty through natural resource-based livelihoods are slowly increasing in Afghanistan. However, the state of Afghanistan’s environment and the well-being of Afghans will not experience an overall improvement until the Government of Afghanistan is capable of concurrently addressing broader social, economic, governance and security issues affecting the country. Communities are taking responsibility for their own natural and political environment, yet the sustainability of community management relies on an enabling framework from the Government through laws, regulations, enforcement and appropriate programmes and services. To date, UNEP has been assisting the government in a number of critical areas, namely in the establishment of the National Environment Protection Agency, institutional capacity building and the formulation of relevant policies and legislation such as the Environment act. It is also currently supporting the government for undertaking the NAPA along with the NSCA to assess issues related to climate change and adaptation along with progress in the MEA and capacity requirements. These activities will be valuable base and resources for this project towards taking forward necessary implementation action plans and supporting due sectoral institutional capacity. FAO likewise has been assisting the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock’s (MoAIL) to implement it’s Master Plan through various projects from national to local level within the framework of the UNDAF. In the field of environment, it has helped develop forestry, seed and water policies. However, their implementation through regulatory laws has not started. Similarly while there is widespread environmental degradation resulting into (i) only 2% forest cover remaining, and (ii) widespread degradation of most pasture and range lands, and about degradation of about half the irrigated lands (over 1.5 million ha), their restoration has not started or is minimal except for recent World Bank funded irrigation rehabilitation works which cover only about 15% of degraded irrigation systems. The restoration of land, water and forest degradation will directly contribute to improved climate change by carbon sequestration or fixation through increased tree cover, agriculture residue management and by water conservation. In addition, the information on loss of biodiversity and species due to climate change is not available in the country. This situation is common to all 7 fragile agro-ecological zones (ANZs) of the country. The Joint Programme will support the efforts in formulating the ANDS to address the environmental mainstreaming in an effective manner by supporting the capacity building of the government. It will require the establishment of a system of collection and analysis of data according to selected environmental indicators and enhancing the capacity of line ministries in recognizing the environment and development linkages. Currently towards the finalization of the ANDS, district development plans (157 DDPs to date) and provincial development plans (in all 34 provinces) are being formulated which will ensure the sub-national plans are in line with the sectoral plans and contribute to the targets of the ANDS. In this context, UNDP has been working through its national area based programme to support the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Rural development to formulate the DDP and PDP. It is intended that this project will ensure the explicit integration of environment as a crosscutting issue within the district and provincial plans and due budgeting. The Programme will also pilot community-based natural resources initiatives and upscale the successful ones. This Joint Programme builds on experience and lessons learnt through UNEP, FAO and UNDP’s CBNRM and environment awareness and education, community mobilization activities in Afghanistan over the past two years. The pilot projects will be established in representative eco-regions, natural resource characteristics and socio-economic and ethnic composition of communities. This joint programme also includes aims to mainstream the environmental issues and build capacity to enhance to adapt to climate change by piloting the activities in 5 provinces (Kabul Central ANZ, Badakshan ANZ, Bamyan Central Mountains ANZ, Baghlan Northern Foot Hills ANZ and Kunar, Eastern ANZ) for FAO/UN to start assisting the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) in their resolution at national to local level in the 5 selected provinces and in the major agro-ecological zones.

Outcome 1: Mainstreaming environmental issues in national and sub-national policy, planning and investment frameworks – Integrate the environment into national and sub-national development strategies and plans, and key sectoral plans and their implementation; Improve institutional capacities to mainstream environment in development planning and implementation, using participatory approaches where appropriate 1. Output 1.1: National environmental concerns are fully reflected in Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and projects aimed at the implementation of ANDS; 2. Output 1.2: Environmental sustainability targets and indicators are developed and integrated into national statistics system for effective monitoring and evaluation; 3. Output 1.3: Environmental concerns are fully reflected in provincial and district development plans; Outcome 2: Improving local management of environmental resources and services delivery – Integrate environmental management into participatory rural development processes to help generate resources for poverty reduction and for the valuation of environmental services; Improve access to water and sanitation for the poor, promote the sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services and increase clean energy service delivery through energy efficient and renewable energy options 1. Output 2.1: Communities are able to develop and implement projects on sustainable use of natural resources; 2. Output 2.2: Technology transfer for effective environmental livelihoods (to include rural energy systems); 3. Output 2.3: Improve institutional capacities to mainstream environment in development planning and implementation, using participatory approaches where appropriate in selected 5 provinces (Kabul, Badakshan, Bamyan, Baglan, Kunar); 4. Output 2.4: Remove barriers that limit poor’s access to and economic benefits from eco-system services and equitable access to water, land and forest resources, particularly among rural poor and women. Enhanced capacities which will remain in the country at the conclusion of the Joint Programme: · Institutional capacity for addressing and mainstreaming environmental issues to include policy, planning and budgeting at the national and decentralized levels; · Communities capacitated to prioritize, formulate and implement community-based natural resources management interventions; · Awareness raised on environment and natural resource management issues.

UNDP and FAO will jointly implement this Joint Programme in close cooperation with UNEP. UNEP will not implement directly but will through the management arrangement have significant advisory and coordination role, given their ongoing policy work in the area. This will ensure integration of field and sub-national experience to influencing upstream policy work. Each agency will be directly responsible for achieving agreed upon relevant outcomes and outputs depending on their mandate and expertise in Afghanistan. UNDP has considerable experience in supporting national development planning and decentralization processes coupled with major capacity building interventions. UNDP also has supported the community-level projects aimed at improving livelihoods of the poor. Therefore UNDP will concentrate in mainstreaming environmental issues at the national and sub-national level and improving local management of environmental resources. UNDP thus will work closely with the NEPA on institutional strengthening and with MRRD for sub-national planning and rural energy building for FAO likewise focus on CBNRM regimes and pilot demonstration sites along with institutional support for Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) who will be main counterpart of FAO. FAO will work closely with Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) on water issues. Various national and international NGOs will participate in the pilot activities in the field. Please refer to Appendix C for the major activities to be undertaken in Afghanistan by both the agencies. Using the capacity of local/national actors: All activities will be executed by local government departments, NGOs and community groups. Gender dimensions will be addressed through specific process such as women committee groups and women membership in CBNRM activities. Specialized international and national expertise will be provided for some specific activities to provide technical advice for policy and capacity building along with effective planning and monitoring at local levels. Coordination at the Implementation Level At the central level, a Project Board which meets every three months to comprise of Heads of Agencies (RC, UNDP, FAO, and UNEP) and high-level representatives of concerned ministries will provide strategic oversight and policy advice to the Programme, will approve workplans and assess progress. A Joint Technical Working Group (TWG) (comprising of the 3 agencies and technical government departments) will meet monthly coordinate the implementation of the Programme, along with ensure joint planning, reporting and monitoring process. To influence policy decision and intersectoral coordination, results of the programme will be advocated through the newly establish Inter-ministerial Environment Coordination Committee. Ensuring Sustainability of Results In order to ensure that the results are achieved as planned and are sustainable the following measures will be employed: · Ensuring Government ownership of the processes by regular reporting and discussions at the Project Board to support coordination and follow-up at strategic level; · Sectoral and departmental participation in project planning, implementation and monitoring through the TWG; · Dissemination through appropriate media tools of lessons learned and to raise awareness

Monitoring will be at several levels: (a) joint monitoring to include government counterparts; (b) agency specific monitoring. In this regard a specific monitoring and evaluation plan will be establish at the inception of the project with critical indictors which enable tracking of progress and which also address issues of gender, vulnerable groups and empowerment. Specifically, the monitoring and evaluation plan will include agency performance, progress of activities and associated indicators, and financial reporting. UNDP and FAO will also submit quarterly and annual progress reports and a final report upon completion of the Programme cycle. The programme will be subject to midterm and final evaluation. Outcome 1: Mainstreaming environmental issues in national and sub-national policy, planning and investment frameworks Indicator 1: Percentage of funding for environmental issues allocated in national development budget Baseline: Less than 1 percent Targets (end of project): At least 3 percent Measurement methodology: National development budget Indicator 2: Number of large national and investment projects which underwent Environmental Impact Assessment Baseline: None Targets (end of project): At least 10 Measurement methodology: EIA Reports Indicator 3: Easily accessible data on the status of environment Baseline: Not available Targets (end of project): Web-based database Measurement methodology: Website Indicator 4: Number of governmental officials trained on mainstreaming environment Baseline: None Targets (end of project): At least 50 Measurement methodology: Training reports and certificates Indicator 5: Number of provincial and district development plans which address environmental issues Baseline: None Targets (end of project): At least 60 district and 10 provinces Measurement methodology: Provincial and district plans Outcome 2: Improving local management of environmental resources and services delivery Indicator 1: Number of community based environmental projects implemented Baseline: Less than 10 Targets (end of project): At least 50 Measurement methodology: Project reports Indicator 2: Number of community based environmental projects implemented Baseline: Less than 10 Targets (end of project): At least 50 Measurement methodology: Project reports Indicator 3: Integration of Environmental issues in MAIL Master Plan and actions started to remove barriers to their implementation Baseline: Draft Master plan with 9 areas of development prepared in 2006-7 and legal rights on community properties for environmental conservation developed. Targets (end of project): Environmental issues integrated in to all 9 areas of the master plan Community user rights on common properties recognized and demonstrated to be ‘implementable’ at local level Measurement methodology: Revised master plan, Community forestry regulations adoption, Demonstration of NRM in 30 CDCs Indicator 4: Demonstrate NRM by land, water, forest and bio-diversity conservation for adapting to climate change based on which develop tools to screen climate mitigation methods and help integrate them in MAIL policy Baseline: Based line data on status of land, water, forest and bio-diversity to be developed in first 6 months of inception of project by land use mapping. Targets (end of project): Land, water, forest, conservation agriculture and bio-diversity conservation and development introduced to about 7% area in 30 CDCs and lessons learned to integrated these methods in MAIL master plan and policy Measurement methodology: Increase in area with tree cover, biodiversity conservation, land and water and conservation Agriculture based on which environmental check list developed and recommendation for policy reform made.

UN Country Team in Afghanistan consists of 17 agencies. UN agencies worked together to produce the Common Country Assessment (CCA, 2004) and United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Afghanistan (UNDAF, 2005). Both CCA and UNDAF emphasized that environmental considerations should play and important role in ensuring sustainable economic growth in Afghanistan. UNEP, UNOPS, FAO, WFP, UNAMA and UNDP have jointly formed the Green Afghanistan Initiative (GAIN) aimed at supporting reforestation efforts, providing sustainable livelihoods through organization of nurseries, and increasing awareness on environmental issues through education and capacity building. Estimated UNCT expenditures on environment for the past 2 years totaled abut US$ 5 million. Local key partners: National Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Ministry of Energy and Water, ANDS Office, Central Statistics Department, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, Kabul University, provincial and district administrations. International key partners: UNCT specially UNEP, UNDP and FAO and various international NGOs. This will be a Joint Programme implemented at the country level by the UNDP and FAO, with advisory participation by UNEP. UNDP will be the funds administrator and thus will be responsible for reporting on behalf of both the partners. The institutional arrangements and management plan ensure that the activities and outcomes are well synergized and coordinated despite implementation of various components by each agency. While each agency is responsible follow its own procedures for procurement and contracts in line with the budget. The overall oversight of the Joint Programmed rests with the Project Board. Coordination and governance arrangements: Day-to-day project management tasks will be entrusted to respective project teams under agencies. Project teams will implement the programme according to UNDP and FAO project management rules and guidelines taking into account various rules and regulations and standard agreements signed between UNDP and FAO.

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C. MDG-Related Indicators

  • Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
  • 26. Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surface area
  • 28. Carbon dioxide emissions per capita and consumption of ozone-depleting CFCs (ODP tons)
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D. Formulation Advance

Yes
$20,000
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
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E. Resident Coordinator's Undertakings

  • The Concept Note has been reviewed by the national government and the UN Country Team.
  • If approved by the MDG-F Steering Committee, the UN Participating Organizations undertake to submit a draft Joint Programme Document within eight weeks of notification.
  • All UN Participating Organizations have or will sign the global Memorandum of Understanding with the Multi-Donor Trust Fund Office.