Environment and Infrastructure Division
Topicsheet
Biological diversity
Context
Biological diversity or “biodiversity” is
more than just pandas or gorillas.
Comprising the diversity of genes,
species and ecosystems, it guaran-
tees the stability of our natural envi-
ronment and influences human well-
being: microorganisms provide soil
fertility and water purification, insects
pollinate plants, forests provide wood,
erosion control and carbon sinks.
Ecosystems and their services ex-
tend beyond national borders. The
ongoing global destruction of ecosys-
tems calls for action on local, regional
and global levels. International re-
gimes and conventions have become
increasingly important in addressing
these issues.
The Rio Summit in 1992 adopted
the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD). Signed by 187 states and the
European Community, the convention
pursues three objectives:
< conservation of biodiversity
commissioned by:
Section: Environment and management of natural resources
Topic: International environmental agreements and conventions
Activities and services
< sustainable use of its components In the biodiversity field GTZ supports
< fair and equitable sharing of the partner countries with more than 70
benefits arising from the utilisation bilateral development programmes
of genetic resources. and projects. We work closely with
other implementing agencies of Ger-
Industrialised countries agreed not man Development Cooperation, such
only to achieve these targets at home, as the KfW development bank, the
but also committed to supporting German Development Service (DED),
developing countries’ efforts to im- the Centre for International Migration
plement the CBD. The Cartagena and Development (CIM) and Capacity
Protocol on Biosafety regulating trans- Building International (InWEnt).
boundary movements of genetically
modified organisms entered into force
in 2003.
Biodiversity is an important asset,
particularly for many poor people in
developing countries. They rely on
biological resources, among others,
for food, clothing, medicine and in-
come. Biodiversity loss makes poor
people more vulnerable because they
lack alternatives. Thus, conservation
and sustainable use of biological di-
versity contribute directly to poverty
reduction.
 The modern pharmaceutical and cosmetics
industry has recognized the value of biodiver-
sity and traditional knowledge.

The “Convention of Biologigal Diversity” is

demanding the consent of the holders of
such knowledge as well as their equitable
sharing of the benefits arising from the use of
genetic resources

Thematic focus < Policy development Conservation and poverty allevia-

< Management of protected areas:
support of co-management, buffer
zone development with local com-
munities, sustainable financing and
integration into regional development
in more than 30 projects, e.g. in the
Brazilian Amazon forest, the Pendjari
National Park in Benin or the Tam
Dao National Park in Vietnam.
< Sustainable use of biodiversity
and fair sharing of benefits: devel-
opment of participatory strategies
and concepts for long-term valua-
tion of biodiversity and its utilisa-
tion, e.g. in the following areas:
- Genetic resources: support of
ministries and other partner insti-
tutions in developing and imple-
menting their legal framework on
ABS (Access and Benefit Sharing
of genetic resources), e.g. in South
Africa;
- Biosafety: implementation of the
German Biosafety Capacity Build-
(e.g. Madagascar)
< institutional development
(e.g. Vietnam)
< organisational development
(e.g. Brazil)
< information management and net-
work building (e.g. Colombia)
< communication, education
public awareness for biodiversity
(e.g. programme “Implementing the
Biodiversity Convention”).
Impacts
Commitments become policy: we
contribute to the development of na-
tional laws, strategies, action plans
and administrative structures that de-
rive from commitments made by part-
ner countries in the CBD and the
Cartagena Protocol. This sets the
fundamental preconditions for suc-
cessful environmental policies in part-
tion integrated: We contribute to the
balancing of interests among stake-
holders and to the identification of
revenue potentials that derive from
sustainable use of natural resources,
such as sustainable tourism or com-
mercialisation of non-timber forest
and products.
Sustainable financing of protect-
ed areas: We contribute through the
identification of long-term financing
strategies based on business plans.
Increasing awareness: Biodiversity
as a global public good gets more at-
tention and continued commitment,
both in partner countries and in the
general public of developed countries.
Ecotoursim is sustainable to biological diversity
– it is conservation, use and benefit sharing

ing Initiative of BMZ, e.g. in China. ner countries.

< Agrobiodiversity: conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity in
agriculture, e.g. in Panama.
Our capacity building support to
stakeholders consists of an extensive
range of advisory services on:
Increased policy coherence: Our
partner organisations increasingly in-
tegrate biodiversity concerns in na-
tional development strategies such as
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers
(“Greening PRSPs”) and other sector
policies.

Imprint
For further information:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
Convention on Biological Diversity
PO Box 5180
65726 Eschborn, Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
Email: see web site below
www.gtz.de/biodiv
Published by:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Photos: © GTZ
Environment and Infrastructure Division Printed on 100% recycled paper
PO Box 5180
65726 Eschborn, Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement Status: 12/2005

Implementing the international Convention
to combat Desertification
Context
A third of the world’s people live on
arid land that makes up 41% of the
surface of the globe. Desertification
has severely degraded up to a fifth of
the arid regions. The process is de-
stroying agricultural and pastoral pro-
ductivity and threatening food secu-
rity and water supply mainly of poor
people. But desertification not only
aggravates the immediate poverty
situation, expected climate changes
will reduce the drinking water supply,
particularly in areas already short of
water. At the same time desertification
reduces the adaptability of ecosys-
tems and production systems to cli-
mate changes and makes the people
affected more vulnerable.
The Millennium Development Goals
will be unattainable without effectively
combating desertification in develop-
ing countries. The African countries
impacted by it are already at the bot-
tom of the “Human Development In-
dex” compiled by the UNDP. The
commissioned by:
Topicsheet
Section: Environment and management of natural resources
General Topic:
International conventions and regimes on environment
majority of people affected by deser-
tification will have no alternative
sources of employment and income
once natural resources have been
degraded or destroyed.
To address the grave economic,
social and environmental problems
desertification is causing for many
countries, the International Conven-
tion to Combat Desertification (UNC-
CD) entered into force in 1996. It put
in place a new framework to combat
desertification based on binding in-
ternational law. It has been ratified by
191 states.
Approaches and
instruments
In an integrated approach, we offer
partners a package of services geared
towards combating desertification at
local, national, regional and interna-
tional levels. This includes advisory
Environment and Infrastructure Division
and capacity building measures as
well as provision of appropriate in-
struments and planning procedures in
the following thematic areas:
< Policy and strategy development.
We support our partners in devel-
oping national policies and strate-
gies of sustainable resource man-
agement in arid regions; especially
in the participatory elaboration and
implementation of National Action
Programmes (NAPs) to combat de-
sertification. The incorporation of
NAPs in cross-sector national poli-
cies and national budget planning is
of particular importance.
< Implementation at local and sub-
national levels. We advise our part-
ners on specific measures to com-
bat desertification at local and re-
gional levels. This encompasses
sustainable resource management,
promoting local and regional econ-
omic development, applying par-
ticipatory planning methods, creat-
ing alternative sources of income

and supporting decentralised co-
ordinating structures
< Regional co-operation and inter-
national negotiation processes.
We advise partners on cross-bor-
der co-operation and support them
in effectively participating in the in-
ternational negotiation processes.
We support new forms of partner-
ship (e.g. international and inter-in-
stitutional co-ordinating and steer-
ing organs, integrative working
platforms, strategic partnership
agreements) of multi-donor part-
nerships in international negotiation
processes.
< Awareness building and network-
ing. We sensitise and inform the
political and social decision-mak-
ers we have pinpointed. We offer
advice on compiling media, con-
duct specially designed public rela-
tions activities and help our part-
ners with effective networking.
< Monitoring and evaluating. We
support partners in monitoring both
the effects and the quality of meas-
ures to combat desertification.
Here, we base our activities on the
provisions and guidelines of the
UNCCD and support partners in
evaluating the national implementa-
tion of the Convention.
Imprint
For further information:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
Convention Project to Combat
Desertification
Tulpenfeld 2
53113 Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49 228 983 710
Fax: +49 228 983 7125
ccd-projekt@gtz.de
www2.gtz.de/desert/english/index.html
Turkmenistan, Nohur – severe rill erosion
due to deforestation and overgrazing
Burkina Faso – stone walls (“diguettes”)
decrease runoff, improve infiltration
in the soil and increase soil fertility
Outcomes
Our effort to support the combating activities into policy making and im-
of desertification in the partner coun- plementing by highlighting the causes
tries is a contribution to poverty re- as well as the environmental, eco-
duction and food security and hence nomic and social impacts of desertifi-
to attaining the MDGs. cation and enhancing the ability of the
partners to act by providing upgrad-
Poverty reduction and food secu- ing tailored to their requirements.
rity: Measures to combat erosion and
reclaim degraded land raise agricul- Enhanced investment in land
tural yield and improve family income, management: Improved national
thus reducing the pressure to migrate co-ordination and promotion of multi-
to the cities and abroad. Higher in- donor partnerships adds to raising
come is often used by the families to awareness of the economic signifi-
pay for health and education. cance of improved resource manage-
ment and boosts readiness of govern-
Awareness raising and capacity ment and private sector to invest in
building: We support an integration of measures to combat desertification.
Tunisia: Process consultancy in implementing
the National Action Programme
The “Programme d‘Action National de Lutte contre la Désertification”
(PANLCD) adopted in the framework of the UNCCD in 1998 identifies reasons
for setbacks experienced with investment so far: too rigid state control; insuf-
ficient participation of the population; measures of the various sectoral minis-
tries fall flat because they focus on single items and are insufficiently co-ordi-
nated with one another.
This is why German consultancy focuses on strengthening the planning,
co-ordinating and management capacities at national and governorate levels.
At local level, the population’s abilities to actively plan and develop their own
future are trained incorporating concrete development requirements.
Published by:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Photos: © GTZ
Environment and Infrastructure Division Printed on 100% recycled paper
PO Box 5180
65726 Eschborn
Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement Status: 12/2005
 Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Division

Topicsheet

Section:
Policy consultancy in the agriculture, fisheries and food sectors

General Topic:
International environmental regimes, environmental conventions

Chemical safety

Context Disposing of dieldrin in Mauritania: Pumping dieldrin

into isotanks for transport to Europe for safe disposal

Every year some 500 million tonnes of
chemicals are produced, used and
processed worldwide. The World
Health Organization (WHO) estimates
that agricultural chemicals alone
cause 220,000 deaths each year. And
the International Labour Organization
(ILO) reports that 70% of all accidents
involving toxic chemicals occur in
developing countries, though they
use only 20% of the chemicals pro-
duced.
Used correctly, chemicals can do
much to enhance countries’ develop-
ment and the quality of human life.
But the life cycle of toxic substances
involves many hazards, from develop-
ment on through production, ship-
ping, storage, application and dis-
posal (if this takes place).
Highly toxic substances cannot be
confined within national borders. The
air and water spread them far and
wide, compromising the quality of life
and destroying the ecological sub-
structure and human subsistence ba-
sis. Their negative environmental im-
pact is felt in even the remotest areas,
such as the Antarctic. Clearly, chemi-
cals must be used more safely and
responsibly, particularly in developing
countries.
Approach
GTZ’s work is driven by Agenda 21,
in particular Chapter 19, which deals
with the environmentally sound hand-
ling of toxic chemicals, as well as
international chemical conventions.
The pivotal conventions are:
< The Rotterdam Convention on the
Prior Informed Consent Procedure
for Certain Hazardous Chemicals
and Pesticides in International Trade
(PIC) governing the traffic of toxic
chemicals worldwide and enabling
countries to ban their import.
< The Stockholm Convention on Per-
sistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
requiring member states to ban the
production and use of particularly
hazardous persistent substances or
to reduce their release into the envi-
ronment.
Additional relevant international
regulations are, among others, the
Globally Harmonized System of Clas-
sification and Labelling of Chemicals
(GHS) and the Basel Convention on
the Control of Transboundary Move-
ments of Hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal.

commissioned by:
 Isotanks labelled according
to the IMDG Code
Workers in developing countries
danger to health and environment
GTZ focuses on building the human
and institutional capacities of its part-
ner countries in Asia, Africa and Latin
America. We indicate ways of improv-
ing chemical safety in selected coun-
tries and support them in implement-
ing the conventions and internation-
ally accepted standards.
The responsible authorities in part-
ner countries need to be enabled to
< post notification of national-level
chemical bans or restrictions
< make decisions regarding imports
of prior informed consent (PIC)
chemicals
< draw up inventories of persistent
organic pollutants (POPs)
< organise financing for the safe dis-
posal of POPs chemicals
< reduce emissions of POPs sub-
stances during manufacturing and
combustion
< provide non-toxic alternatives to
POPs chemicals
Pesticides being distributed by motorcycle
Imprint
For further information:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
GTZ Pilot Project Chemical Safety
Tulpenfeld 2
53113 Bonn
Phone: +49 228 985 700
Fax: +49 228 985 7018
Michael.Dreyer@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/chs
often handle chemicals
without knowing about their
GTZ acts as a link between interna-
tional negotiation processes (meas-
ures of UN institutions) and the work
done on the ground in the partner
countries. We also collaborate closely
with other projects and technical co-
operation programmes operating in
the areas of environment, health, ag-
riculture, commerce, water and trans-
portation. Our activities include con-
sulting and upgrading, supplying ma-
terials for pilot programmes and offer-
ing grants for training sessions and
workshops.
Impacts
GTZ has improved chemicals man-
agement and chemical safety in
selected developing countries. It can
take credit for contributing exten-
sively to concept development for
implementation of the Rotterdam and
Stockholm conventions. We also
helped certain partner countries take
the first steps toward complying with
the conventions.
Some examples:
< With financial support from Euro
Chlor (European Association of the
Chlor-Alkali Industry) and UNEP
(United Nations Environment Pro-
Published by:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
Environment and Infrastructure Division
PO Box 5180
65726 Eschborn, Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement
gramme), we identified and docu-
mented potential sources of dioxin
and furan emissions in Thailand.
Two follow-up studies enabled us
to suggest ways to minimise or
eliminate environmental pollution
caused by the daily operation of
crematories
< In Latin America we supported
the creation of a network of poison
control centres
< We developed a handbook on
chemicals management for small
and medium-sized enterprises used
in many developing and newly in-
dustrialising countries
< We advised and supported many
developing countries in Africa and
Asia on inventorying and disposing
of obsolete pesticides and/or poly-
chlorinated biphenyls (PBCs)
< In cooperation with international
institutions we funded national and
regional workshops in Asia, Africa
and Latin America on improving
chemicals management (GHS, PCBs,
obsolete pesticides, dioxins/furans)
< In conjunction with the cement
industry, we completed a pilot
project to test the incineration of
hazardous wastes in cement kilns
in the Philippines. We then partici-
pated in incineration testing by
monitoring dioxin/furan emissions
Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Photos: © Wolfgang A. Schimpf
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Status: 12/2005

Climate protection
Context
The ever-increasing consumption of
coal, oil and gas since the onset of
industrialisation is impacting the glo-
bal climate: the global average sur-
face temperature has increased by
0.6 ºC since 1900 and continues to
rise. So far mainly the developed
countries are causing the greenhouse
effect, producing the major share of
greenhouse gases, especially carbon
dioxide (CO2) and methane.
But population growth and the tre-
mendous need for social and eco-
nomic development are driving up
resource and energy consumption in
developing countries, too – along with
greenhouse gas emissions. The de-
veloping countries’ total emissions
are expected to overtake the industr-
ialised nations’ emissions within just
15 years. So there is massive poten-
tial to develop carbon-neutral growth
strategies based, for example, on the
use of renewables and energy effi-
ciency.
commissioned by:
Topicsheet
Section: Environment and management of natural resources
General Topic:
International environmental agreements and conventions
In the 1992 United Nations Frame-
work Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), the international commu-
nity pledged to protect human society
and ecosystems against human-in-
duced climate change. The Kyoto
Protocol in 1997 fleshed out the UN-
FCCC by setting reduction targets for
the industrialised countries for the
first time. With the Protocol’s entry
into force in February 2005 these
targets can now also be achieved in
developing countries by reducing
emissions through projects undertak-
en via the Clean Development Mech-
anism (CDM). In addition to reducing
emissions, adaptation to the impacts
of climate change is of central import-
ance. Climate change is most likely to
affect countries and demographic
groups which – due to their lack of
opportunities and dependence on
fragile ecosystems – have the lowest
adaptive capacities. Poor countries
and people in the developing world
are particularly vulnerable.
Environment and Infrastructure Division
Approaches
GTZ provides support to partners un-
dertaking specific climate change
mitigation activities in more than 30
countries. GTZ also contributes to
climate protection by supporting en-
ergy, tropical forest conservation and
disaster prevention projects. This
work is closely coordinated with other
German implementing organisations
and donors. To underscore our com-
mitment to climate protection, GTZ’s
management voluntarily undertook to
engage in a CDM project to offset
GTZ’s own unavoidable CO2 emis-
sions, especially from air travel by
GTZ staff.
Climate protection at GTZ encom-
passes the following three areas:
< Promoting policy dialogue. We
work with representatives of devel-
oping countries to strengthen their
capacity in policy formulation and
representing their interests at cli-
mate negotiations
 Extreme weather events are becoming more
and more frequent. Cloudbursts and torrential
rainfall cause flooding. Extreme periods of
heat result in disastrous droughts. Those most
vulnerable are those least able to adapt to the
consequences

The use of climate-friendly technologies can

prevent or reduce greenhouse gas emissions

< Reducing greenhouse gases. We
assist developing countries to build
the necessary human resources
and organisational capacities to
carry out CDM projects, thus ena-
bling them to benefit from invest-
ment and technology transfer. By
implementing projects to promote
the use of renewables and improve
energy efficiency, we are contribut-
ing to a climate-oriented energy
policy in developing countries.
< Adaptation. We help partner coun-
tries to develop national adapta-
tion strategies and integrate them
into development strategies. We
also assist with the planning and
implementation of practical meas-
ures, especially in disaster risk
management and water
management.
Impacts
Climate protection and poverty re-
duction: Through our work we help to
reduce anthropogenic climate change
and its impacts, especially those af-
fecting poorer communities. We sup-
port development strategies and ac-
tion plans which mitigate the risks
associated with climate change, es-
pecially for the poor.
Implementing commitments: We
support the development of legisla-
tion, strategies, action plans and ad-
ministrative structures at national level
based on the commitments enshrined
in the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol.
Honouring these commitments is a
key prerequisite for successful cli-
mate policy in partner countries.
shed Policy coherence and climate
protection: We help to ensure that
climate protection is taken into ac-
count not only in environmental policy
but also, and especially, in energy
policy, waste management, transport,
agriculture, tropical forest conserva-
tion, water shed and disaster risk
management.
Financing climate protection: By
providing advisory services on the
Clean Development Mechanism and
the Global Environment Facility we
help to mobilise financial resources
for climate policy measures in devel-
oping countries.
Awareness-raising: We raise pub-
lic and politicians awareness of the
need for climate policy and equip our
partners with the resources to present
the case for climate protection more
effectively in political debate.

Humankind is changing the global climate. This is caused mainly by increased emissions of carbon
dioxide, a greenhouse gas released when fossil fuels are burnt. Further global warming contributions
are made by other gases such as methane, which is produced in waste management and in farming,
and by gases from industrial processes

Imprint
For further information: Published by:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Photos: © GTZ
Climate Protection Programme Environment and Infrastructure Division Printed on 100% recycled paper
PO Box 5180, 65726 Eschborn, Germany PO Box 5180
Phone: +49 6196 79-4102 65726 Eschborn, Germany
Fax: +49 6196 79-804102 Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
climate@gtz.de Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
www.gtz.de/climate umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement Status: 12/2005

Nature conservation and development
Context
More than 80% of the world’s
biological resources are located in
developing countries. Nearly all poor
people directly depend on natural
resources for their survival. Excessive
exploitation and poor management
are dramatically decreasing biological
and agricultural diversity.
Yet when sustainably used, natural
resources offer enormous potential
for development, particularly in areas
where they are still abundant. Preser-
vation of our biological diversity is a
global challenge. As the main con-
sumers of resources industrialised
countries have a specific responsi-
bility to contribute to environmental
protection.
Nature conservation is important to
achieving the Millennium Develop-
ment Goals and provides develop-
ment opportunities for future genera-
tions.
commissioned by:
Topicsheet
Section: Environment and management of natural resources
General Topic: Sustainable management of natural resources
Approach
GTZ’s development cooperation aims
to balance conservation of biological
diversity and people’s need to use
these resources.
We support our partner countries in
fulfilling their obligations in regards to
international environmental conven-
tions and in developing and imple-
menting their national environment
policies. Our work in this context en-
compasses preservation of eco sys-
tems and wild animal and plant spe-
cies, reduction of erosion and provid-
ing clean air and adequate water.
Our approach goes far beyond
nature conservation and species pro-
tection; we integrate socio-cultural,
political and economic aspects.
Environment and Infrastructure Division
Examples of our main nature con-
servation services:
< Promotion of national nature con-
servation programmes, support in
implementing international environ-
mental conventions, development
of conservation policies, adjust-
ment of legal frameworks and con-
trol mechanisms.
< development and implementation
of protected area concepts,
development and implementation
of management plans, installation
of infrastructure like ranger stations
and surveillance systems, promo-
tion of the participation of local
people in the park management.
< sustainable development around
protected areas: promotion and
integration of conservation in re-
gional and local development plan-
ning, sustainable resource manage-
ment by the local population and
other users.

< financing of nature conservation
through the development of suitab-
le financing mechanisms, identifi-
cation of long-term financial re-
sources, e.g. direct revenue from
the conservation area, dept-for-na-
ture swaps, international founda-
tions, payment for environmental
services, environmental funds,
sponsoring of protected areas and
adoption of endangered species.
< conflict resolution and reconcilia-
tion of interests through mediation
of negotiation processes, develop-
ment of environmental capacity
building and communication pro-
grammes as well as creation of al-
ternative sources of income e.g.
game management, agroforestry or
ecotourism.
< nature conservation in conflict
areas through international lobby-
ing for protected areas and their
buffer zones in conflict regions,
promotion of trans-boundary pro-
tected areas (“peace parks”) in po-
litically sensitive areas as an instru-
ment of crisis prevention.
Accomodation of game guards at the
edge of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in
the Democratic Republic of Congo
Imprint
For further information & published by:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
Department Environmental and
Management of Natural Resources
PO Box 5180, 65726 Eschborn, Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement
Well-protected forest elephants
in the Dzanga Sangha Forest
Reserve (Central African
Republic)
Rangers using GPS (Geo-
graphical Positioning System)
for efficient patrolling
Impacts
With our nature conservation projects
we contribute not only to ecological
sustainability but also to economic
development, poverty reduction, de-
mocratisation and health.
Economic development and pov-
erty reduction: Our work helps to
eradicate extreme poverty and hun-
ger by securing people’s livelihoods.
Sustainable management of natural
resources also creates jobs, e.g. in
Ecuador in processing and marketing
nature products or in Cameroon in the
forestry and tourism sector.
Decentralisation and democracy
promotion: Our projects support
nature conservation authorities to
integrate nature protection concepts
in national and local development
Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Photos: © GTZ
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Status: 12/2005
planning, e.g. in Morocco, Vietnam
and Bolivia. This enhances accept-
ance and effectiveness of protected
areas. Local stakeholders are
strengthened and encouraged to par-
ticipate actively in decision-making
on conservation and use of natural
resources.
Health promotion: Large ecological
systems, e.g. the Congo Basin or the
Amazon area, where the GTZ pro-
motes many nature conservation
projects, among other things play a
central role in slowing down global
climatic change and in regional drink-
ing water supplies. A wide range of
food comes from different eco sys-
tems and medicinal plants are often
the only source of medicine for the
rural population.

Regional environmental co-operation for
sustainable development and resource governance
Context
Natural resources and global envi-
ronmental concerns extend beyond
national borders. That’s why a whole
lot of problems can’t be solved na-
tionally. The sustainable manage-
ment of natural resources, their pro-
tection as well as the long-term se-
curity of environmental goods and
services important to everyone on
earth, need aims and procedures
that are agreed and accepted across
borders and implemented by each of
the countries involved.
To put regional co-operation into
practice is not just a matter of sup-
porting partner countries in their ne-
gotiation processes and of capacity
development of regional organisa-
tions. It also means to advance re-
gional stability, to support peace
building and to assist partner coun-
tries in successfully positioning them-
selves in the international arena: in
accessing international markets – for
example for goods and products pro-
commissioned by:
Topicsheet
Section: Environment and wanagement of natural resources
Topic: Regional environmental co-operation for
sustainable development and resource governance
duced in line with social and environ-
mental standards – or also in the in-
ternational discussion about global
environmental goods and services
and their adequate valuation. Regio-
nal governance of natural resources
and global sustainable development
are inseparable.
Environment and Infrastructure Division
Approach
The growing interdependence in the
use and management of natural re-
sources and raw materials and the
transboundary character of many re-
sources – such as large forests, water
catchments, wild life habitats, etc. –
make it necessary for national organi-
sations and institutions to co-operate
increasingly with neighbours. For that,
transboundary mechanisms and insti-
tutions need to be strengthened.
Regional approaches that comple-
ment the co-operation with individual
partner countries are hence becoming
more and more important. Depending
on the context, these approaches are
implemented with existing regional
organisations or within regional net-
works of various partners and stake-
holders. In many cases transboundary
co-operation is politically sensitive,
especially when regulations of access
to and benefits from natural resources
are concerned. Not only national in-
terests are coming into play but also

the rights, concerns and interests of
local communities as well as the pri-
vate sector. Effective support by the
GTZ is not only based on sound tech-
nical know-how and methodological
competence and experience. It also
requires confidence building and a
careful clarification of roles and man-
dates of the various actors involved.
Imprint
For further information & Published by:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
Department Environment and
Management of Natural Resources
PO Box 5180, 65726 Eschborn, Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement
Services
< Organisational development and
capacity building of regional or-
ganisations to drive trans-boundary
political processes.
< Harmonisation of policies and frame
conditions, e.g. for sustainable
value generation from environmen-
tal goods and services and their
contribution to sustainable devel-
opment.
< Multi-stakeholder co-operation and
strengthening of the dialogue capa-
bility of the relevant actors.
< Capacity development of imple-
menting partners at all levels
< Planning and monitoring.
< Knowledge management, environ-
mental information systems and
impact monitoring.
< Regional use of national “best prac-
tices”, e.g. for effective eco-indus-
trial management (e.g. waste), for
the sustainable use of transbound-
ary watersheds, forests or protect-
ed areas or for the responsible ex-
ploitation of mineral resources.
< Conflict prevention and resolution,
for example through transboundary
co-operation on peace parks.
Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Photos: © GTZ
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Status: 12/2005
Outcomes
< Regional environmental co-opera-
tion strengthens transboundary
mechanisms for the sustainable
management of natural resources.
Achievements concern the man-
agement of water resources and
river basins (Nile, Lake Chad, Me-
kong), the conservation of tropical
rain forests (Congo Basin, Ama-
zonia) or the longterm preservation
of biocorridors, e.g. for migrating
species.
< Regional co-operation contributes
to enforcing international law and
to building agreements for security
and peace (Congo Basin; Great
Lakes Area).
< Regional co-operation provides ap-
propriate frame conditions for sus-
tainable production and trade, such
as adaptation of taxation policy and
legal systems (Congo Basin,
ASEAN) or the formation of free
trade areas (MERCOSUR states or
Mediterranean region with the EU).
< Regional co-operation promotes
the negotiation, adaptation and im-
plementation of environmental and
social standards across boundaries
and sectors.

“EcoFinance” Mobilising Resources for
Sustainable Development
Context
Policies aiming to protect the environ-
ment and manage natural resources
sustainably are under increasing pres-
sure to maintain levels of political
priority and allocations from public
budgets. Poverty reduction, econom-
ic growth and health concerns have
been receiving much of the attention
and resources previously assigned to
environmental concerns. Modern en-
vironmental instruments are expected
to live up to much higher levels of eco-
nomic efficiency than classical „com-
mand and control“. How economic
costs compare to environmental ben-
commissioned by:
Topicsheet
Department: Environment and Management of Natural Resources
General Topic: Environmental Policy and Institutional Development
efits has become a central question
for environmental policy design.
Highlighting “EcoFinance”, GTZ
aims to support developing countries
in mobilising resources for environ-
mental concerns and to assist in us-
ing their natural resources as sustain-
ably and as beneficially as possible.
The core question is how can develop-
ing countries use their considerable
natural resource wealth more efficient-
ly by following win-win scenarios of
increas-ing revenues of resource use
and minimising negative impacts?
Environment and Infrastructure Division
Approach
GTZ supports developing countries in
political and institutional reform proc-
esses at different administrative lev-
els, with the aim to use resources
most effectively and target incentives
as effectively as possible. This in-
cludes:
< freeing up resources from cancel-
ling/reducing environmentally un-
friendly subsidies (e.g. energy and
water subsidies)
< generating new resources by
capturing natural resources rents
(e.g. forests) and user fees (e.g.
protected areas, solid waste man-
agement)
< providing incentives and generating
revenues by environmental taxes
and charges (e.g. water and waste
water, air pollution, energy use), and
< the development and application of
innovative financing mechanisms
(e.g. payments for environmental
services, funds for sustainable fi-
 nancing of nature conservation,
debt for nature swaps, environmen-
tal certificates under the clean
development mechanism).
ments applied range from taxation
and tax breaks to fees, certificates
and tradable permits to certification
and liability regulation.
< GTZ supports the German govern-
ment in developing “environmental
fiscal reform” conceptually for im-
plementation in developing coun-
tries in the OECD context

Relevance GTZ experiences < GTZ works on sustainable financing

schemes for protected areas in Lat-
In a number of countries policy instru- < GTZ assists in introducing eco- in America, Africa and Asia
ments to mobilise resources and pro- nomic instruments in a variety of
viding incentives for sustainable de- countries and regions, based on < GTZ develops policies for financing
velopment have gained importance in the experiences made in Germany sustainable forestry and
the course of the last decade. This and in the developing world
applies in particular to countries with < GTZ develops organisational ca-
a dynamically evolving institutional < GTZ is involved in the development pacity and know-how in developing
landscape. Subsidies on raw materi- and implementation of “payments countries to benefit from the trad-
als and energy are being reconsidered for environmental services” mecha- ing of emission reductions under
in the context of structural adaptation nisms in a number of countries in the Clean Development Mechanism
and international market exposure. Latin America of the Kyoto Protocol.
Under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change and
its Kyoto Protocol, emission reduc-
tion credits are being traded world-
wide. Countries like China, India and
South Africa have gradually intro-
duced environmental taxes and
charges. Colombia charges levies on
air pollution and solid waste disposal,
Brazil charges fees for water use and
industrial sewage, Mexico, Chile and
Argentina have introduced different
forms of waste disposal levies. Instru-

Imprint

For further Information & published by:

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Photos: © GTZ
Department Environment and Printed on 100% recycled paper
Management of Natural Resources
PO Box 5180, 65726 Eschborn, Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement Status: 12/2005

Environmental assessments
Context
The majority of development plan-
ning processes fail to take sufficient-
ly into account the environmental
impacts of their implementation. This
holds true from project to policy
levels and in turn often produces
unsustainable development results.
Environmental impact assessment
(EIA) and strategic environmental as-
sessment (SEA) are tools to avoid
such unwanted side effects. They
help optimise planning processes by
comparing alternative development
options and ensuring that decision-
making integrates relevant environ-
mental aspects.
While EIA focuses on the project
level (e.g. construction of a major
road or an industrial estate), SEA is
applied to policies, plans and pro-
grammes (like PRSPs or sector plans).
As such, SEAs e.g. also capture cu-
mulative effects of several clustered
developments that often are not
covered in EIA. In addition, SEAs can
commissioned by:
Environment and Infrastructure Division
Topicsheet
Section: Environment and management of natural resources
General Topic: Environmental policy and institutional development
deal with general environmental is- ing PRSP, MDG-based development
sues in a region or sector, thereby strategies or the like. For this SEA is
guiding and reducing the workload of a key to open the door.
project level EIA.
EIA is a mandatory element of Activities and services
project development in most coun-
tries. With the EU-Directive and the With regard to EIA, GTZ can look back
UNECE-Protocol on SEA, also the on many years of experience support-
SEA approach is now spreading rap- ing partner countries in various ways.
idly in industrialised countries. In In the field of SEA, GTZ is cooperating
addition, donors have highlighted the closely with several donors (e.g. DFID,
importance of EIA and SEA in the SIDA, NDL, World Bank, UNDP) in de-
Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness veloping a common OECD-DAC guid-
of 2005. ance and approach on SEA. The same
is the case in supporting partner coun-
In most developing countries the tries on the ground.
majority of the poor depend for their
livelihoods on natural resources and
suffer disproportionally from environ-
mental pollution. They are also par-
ticularly vulnerable to the effects of
environmental disasters. For sustain-
able and sustained poverty reduction
these poverty-environment linkages
need to be considered when develop-

Thematic focus:
< Building up national systems for
EIA: advice for environment agen-
cies responsible for the evaluation
of EIA studies in developing evalu-
ation standards, standard terms of
reference per sector and the moni-
toring of EIA implementation (e.g. in
Tunisia and Jordan).
< EIA/SEA in post-disaster recon-
struction: support for environmen-
tally sound reconstruction after
natural disasters like the tsunami
and for adapting existing assess-
ment processes to the special cir-
cumstances (e.g. in Indonesia and
Thailand).
< SEA of PRSP: advice for integrated
consideration of environmental
concerns in the revision of a PRSP
(e.g. in Benin).
< SEA of free trade agreements:
methodology for dialogue forums
and assessment of the impact of
free trade agreements on the envi-
ronment (e.g. in Morocco).
< SEA for biodiversity: process de-
sign and participatory assessment
of impacts of sectoral or socio-eco-
nomic development plans on na-
tional parks (e.g. in Vietnam).
Imprint
For further information:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
Pilot Project Rioplus
Tulpenfeld 2
53113 Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49 228 -98 533 -0
Fax: +49 228 -98 570 18
rioplus@gtz.de
http://www.gtz.de/rioplus
While technical specifications are more
important for EIA the real challenge for SEA
lies in managing a political process
including participation
Services:
< Technical advice (on substance,
process and policies) on individual
steps and elements or the whole
process of implementing EIA and
SEA (e.g. in Vietnam and Benin), on
setting up an EIA or SEA national
system (e.g. in Tunisia) and on
adapting an existing system (e.g. in
Indonesia).
< Capacitating institutions and indi-
viduals to gain, use and dissemi-
nate EIA and SEA know-how
through exchange, knowledge
management, training, etc. (e.g. in
Tunisia and Vietnam).
< Helping partners bridge institutional
and sectoral barriers, build up net-
works and cross-cutting fora and
working relations (e.g. in Morocco).
Impacts
Provide for environmental safe-
guards: we help partner countries
avoid unwanted negative environ-
mental effects of their development
efforts.
Better informed decision making:
supporting partners to use environ-
mental know-how and to assess
Published by:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
Environment and Infrastructure Division
PO Box 5180
65726 Eschborn, Germany
Phone: +49 6196 79-1320
Fax: +49 6196 79-7123
umwelt-infrastruktur@gtz.de
www.gtz.de/umweltmanagement
alternative development options we
contribute to informed decision-mak-
ing, optimised and more sustainable
development outcomes.
Improved policy coherence: we help
partners ensure that PRSP, sector and
regional policies, plans and projects
integrate relevant environmental con-
cerns. We contribute to increased in-
teraction and cooperation of environ-
mental actors with other departments
also in decision-making.
Transparent and participatory
processes: we contribute to more
inclusive policy making and planning
processes that seek dialogue and in-
teraction with civil society.
Efficient environmental manage-
ment: by supporting partner institu-
tions to consider environmental as-
pects up front, we help to create
room for more efficient environmen-
tally friendly solutions at each plan-
ning stage. We contribute to keeping
EIA application and systems focused,
realistic and practical.
Design by: www.creativerepublic.net, © 2005
Photos: © GTZ
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Status: 12/2005