HC 846 Sustainability in the Overseas Territories

Written evidence submitted by Mr Karim V D Hodge, Director, Environment: Anguilla Department of Environment

What particular aspects of environmental support/admin/funding from the UK Government is welcomed?

Support funding and technical assistance is welcomed and will be for the foreseeable future, until the required skills and the means to continue the development of such are retained locally.

Support is needed for some infrastructure, and continued research into areas of the environment from which Anguilla can have appropriate environmental management that can lead to a sustainable economy. Potential research areas include but not limited to biotechnology, habitat restoration, protected areas management (terrestrial and marine) integrated coastal management, climate change adaptation and mitigation (specifically renewable energy), waste management, fisheries development and management, agriculture improvement and development etc. The development of a Sustainable National Development Plan (for the next 20-25 years) along with a robust but realistic economic strategy is needed to provide vision, purpose and measurable targets. Therefore, environmental research will play a pivotal role in the development of both the plan and strategy. This will require commitment of capital investment and continued technical and financial support beyond the original investment to ensure sustainability. Perhaps the UK Department Commerce, Investment and Trade (UKDCIT) can assists in various ways other than monetary, for example, network current innovators, potential investors and legitimate business initiatives. OT’s must be a part of the UKDCIT’s mandate. In order for the abovementioned to be achieved, the appropriate and affordable legal and institutional changes that can effectively and efficiently manage such actual realities on the ground must be implemented.

The Department of Environment (DOE) Anguilla has championed and implemented some relevant supportive policy documents related to the environment that should be integrated into both the National Development Plan and Economic Strategy. This can also be further facilitated by the UK Government extending their existing funding arrangements to the OT’s, specifically along the Environment and Natural Resources theme. For example UN-FAO, GEF, UNDP and UNEP granting schemes.

What environmental support/admin/funding is not welcomed?

Initiatives and collaborations of external parties (i.e. NGO’s, Universities and Research Agencies) are often welcomed. However, the projects that are not national priorities or supportive of national policy although supported by the UK Government or any other donor agencies, should not be considered.

This form of support should be innovative and have comprehensive national government support if the end products are to be useful. The UK HMG needs to rethink whether the support for projects by external parties are synonymous with national policy aligned with current medium term strategies, critically making national impact or contrarily, are they only really addressing academic and scientific purpose.

These projects should have national support by local government at the highest level so that they can be appropriately be integrated into national plans, programmes and Ministries mandates.

Would the Governor taking a closer interest in environmental protection be appropriate?

It is strongly believed that the Governor should take a closer interest in environmental management and biodiversity conservation, especially where the UK has international obligations.

In the past, the Governor’s intervention (even if subtle) has influenced positive strides for instance, the sea turtle moratorium; legislation- BHCA, TESA EPA ANT and more.

Having the Governor take a more pronounced stance on the environment will enable the environment to be seriously considered at the highest levels whereby in some instances crucial environmentally related matters are not thoroughly disseminated and thought of prior to a final decision being made.

What more should the UK Government be doing to support environmental protection in the overseas territories?

As highlighted by a number of UK and international reports, it is clear that the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) and Crown Dependencies (CDs) represent the majority of the UKs biodiversity and environmental assets globally.

The UK should develop with OT’s and CD’s input two documents for which annual reporting will be required at the UK OT/CD Consultative Council Meetings. These two documents can be as follows; A UKOT/CD Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and A UKOT Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan. These two documents should mirror the process, concept, content, and design layout of the St. Georges Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability in the OECS (In which Anguilla, BVI and Montserrat holds membership) as well as the reporting template for the same. The UKOT/CD Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan online should be along the format and layout, with the ACHI Targets of the Convention of Biological Diversity being the main goals, but design with OTs realities.

DEFRA and its many units specialised or not, needs to have OT’s as part of their mandate, work plan or programme. These services can range from technical attachments, training, advice and offer direct services in marine, terrestrial, pollution, air quality, pesticides, biodiversity, etc. Other relevant UK Environment agencies should also provide similar services.

Does the 2012 White Paper, which sets out the UK Government’s strategy, meet your expectations?

The White Paper meets my expectations. However, the HMG needs to execute more meaningful and clear action to illustrate to OT Governments that they are serious about the environment and biodiversity. The development of a UKOT (individual OT’s) agreed UKOTs Environmental Management Strategy with a component to allow annual reporting at the UKOT Consultative Council Meeting in paramount, for transparency. It needs a general document addressing environmental management and biodiversity in the OTs which can consequently form the basis for developing national environmental management strategies. This means there will be a similar strategy for all OTs and specific targets to be developed given the various OT environmental contexts.

To what extent is the UK Government discharging its international responsibilities concerning the environment and biodiversity?

Through the JNCC/DEFRA, FCO, DFID and FERA, the UK Government has been ensuring that some of its international obligations concerning biodiversity conservation and environmental management are discharged. The Biodiversity Strategy developed by DEFRA, JNCC, FCO and DFID is an excellent start. A revision of this document is needed and could take the approach used by OTs, Anguilla, Montserrat and BVI in developing their National Environmental Management Strategy. The UK Government needs to ensure that the local legislation is in place prior to extending international conventions. It is also important that the UK Government examine the practicality of the Convention in that OT.

Do UK government departments work effectively together on overseas territory issues?

There is room for improvement or rather widening the involvement of other agencies which should and must have an input on overseas territories. There is obviously great cohesion between DEFRA, DFID, JNCC and the FCO. However, there has to be a larger role for the involvement of DECC, given that the biodiversity and the environment on which the UK holds in high esteem is under threat from climate change realities. Also, the role of the DMSC is also needed where heritage issues are of utmost importance.

Would you welcome stronger support from any UK departments in particular?

Stronger support is required especially from DMSC with regard to Culture/World Heritage and DECC to ensure that OTs become part of their mandate and work plan programme annually and that OTs are streamlined across the units of Energy and Climate Change of the Agency. DFID, DEFRA, JNCC and FCO have been excellent partners in ensuring that the environment and development is supported especially the element of livelihoods and sustainability. However, the relationship between the OTs, DEFRA, JNCC, FCO and DFID can be strengthened.

The UK Government has consolidated its environmental protection funding for the overseas territories into the ‘Darwin Plus’ Fund.

Is this a positive development and is the Fund big enough to support the work that is needed? While it is a positive development, the fund is not large enough to make a medium-term (Short term 1-2 years, Medium term 3-5 years) meaningful impact as is needed to ensure continued sustainable ecosystem functioning in OT’s given the challenges of trade, development and climate invariabilities. As a condition of granting support under the fund, OT governments (Finance Ministries) should be made to support in writing that they will ensure sustainability through providing the adequate financial commitment.

Do your environmental departments have enough staff and the technical expertise you need?

Anguilla is not in a unique position, like all OTs we need additional hands to effectively carry out the work that needs to be done. Additional skill sets, equipment and resources need to be added, however the realities of the local economy do not allow for this to occur normally. Alternatives, such as attachments with other agencies in the UK or other OTs to build technical skill sets must be explored and are needed.

What pieces of environmental protection legislation remain in draft form in the territory?

Draft Bill for the Environmental Protection Act and its regulations (2008), The Regulations for the Biodiversity Heritage Conservation Act and the Bill for the Physical Planning Act and its regulations 2005.

Is there a role for the UK Government to ensure that this legislation is enacted?

Yes there is a role. The portfolio for biodiversity and environmental management should remain with the OT governments, however, where there are international obligations the Governor and HM Government should ensure that the proper environmental and biodiversity legislation are implemented within each OT.

What estimates have the territory’s government made of the value of natural resources and ecosystem services to the economy of the territory?

The Department of Environment has embarked on the first stage (Scoping exercise) of conducting a National Ecosystem Assessment which involves an economic valuation, scoping exercise and study. On completion of this stage a full proposal will be developed to actually conduct Anguilla’s first National Ecosystem Assessment for any UK OT, which will have significant lessons learnt.

What scrutiny mechanisms are in place in your territory to hold the territory government to account for their environmental practices?

The scrutiny mechanisms exist in the draft legislation mentioned above, hence at present, the level of meaningful scrutiny is non-existent. This does not mean that a stand-alone piece of legislation that would assist in scrutiny and holding OT governments accountable is not needed.

18 April 2013