GMS Core Environment Program Ecosystem Services: A Snapshot from Greater Mekong Sub-regional Countries Ha Noi, 28 September 2015
Teo Dang Do: Biodiversity Landscapes & Livelihoods Coordinator ADB Environment Operations Center (ADB/EOC)
Snapshot of Global Values of Ecosystem Services
US$ 153 bil in pollination for agriculture:
US$ 157 bil Marine & related industries
(Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005)
US$ 200 bil Cosmetics
US$ 400 bil Timber industries
(Costanza et al., 1997)
Ecosystem Services Significantly Declined
52% declined between 1970-2010 (WWF 2014)
GMS at Glance
• • • • • •
6 GMS countries Mekong river, the 12th longest river in the world. 2.6 million square km2, about 332 mil people (>70 ethnic groups). GDP averaged over 9.5% annually (2000 & 2009) All 6 countries are on track of achieving MDGs More 2/3 live agrarian lifestyles and rely on natural resources for incomes and subsistence.
Snapshot of Ecosystem Services in GMS
• GMS: the right scales to meet the ecological requirements of species, ecosystem functions, and other services. • 62 of the world’s 867 terrestrial & freshwater ecoregions, of which 6 in the 200 Global Ecoregions • Biodiversity and ES have economic significance. e.g. Myanmar values 7.3 billion dollars a year. GMS values 30 billion $ in GMS, • Hundreds of millions US$ more (captured under various green growth scenarios—capturing fisheries, nursery breeding, drinking water, insect pollination, and CO2 sequestration, etc. •
(Source: EMM4 Forum)
Two Faces of Development in GMS 1992 2008 2015
Lost 10-12% of GDP in GMS
Sustainable Development?
15 mil ha forest lost (1/3 Laos) Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line
Who We Are & Where We Work Greater Mekong Sub-region Core Environment Program (CEP) • Regional Program led by GMS Working Group on Environment (GMS environment ministries), supported by ADB • Co-financed by Governments of Finland, Sweden and Nordic Development Fund. Duration 2012 - 2016
Seven Landscapes in the GMS
What We Have Done on ES
Ecotourism in Myanmar
Contingent valuation in Laos
• PES in Viet Nam & Laos
Biodiversity in CAM, PRC, LAO, THA & VIE
Payments for Ecosystem Services in Viet Nam & Laos
Leverage & Deliverables • 69 Million USD to invest into biodiversity corridor conservation projects in Cam, Laos, Viet Nam
Transboundary Cooperation 1. Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) of Guangxi (PRC) and Cao Bang (Viet Nam) signed in May 2015 • Goals: Strengthen transboundary on biodiversity conservation via 5 priorities: (e.g. Development of a long-term joint management strategy for transboundary bio. Conservation)
2. MoU of Yunnan (PRC) and Luang Namtha (Laos) signed in early Sept 2015
Trans-boundary Elephant Survey and its Protection Action Plan
Survey on its population, habitat and mitigations pattern. And then to design the Action Plan for conserving them.
Joint Patrolling and Monitoring Shangyong National Protected Area (China)
Joint Patrolling and Monitoring in Namha NPA in Lao PDR
Lessons Learned 1. Political willingness and strong commitment from Gov’t 2. Enabling conditions and guidance- policy framework;
3. Adequate resources and facilities provided for practical implementation or “No money, No honey”! 4. Communications, awareness raising and capacity building.
“ If we don’t consider natural capital as important as financial capital, we will bankrupt” (ADB)
Thank you! Don’t forget to visit: www.gms-eoc.org
www.gms-eoc.org/gms-mapping www.gms-eoc.org/gms-statistics www.gms-eoc.org/online-library Teo Dang Do
Statistics Portal
GMS Statistics Portal, incl. Environment
Smartphone App
THANK YOU
Teo Dang Do Biodiversity Landscapes & Livelihoods Coordinator teo@gms-eoc.org www.gms-eoc.org