Goals and Objectives

OVERALL PROJECT GOAL:

To promote the sustainable management of peatlands in SE Asia to sustain local livelihoods to reduce poverty, reduce risk of fire and associated haze and contribute to global environmental management, particularly biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE:

To demonstrate, implement and upscale integrated management of peatlands in SE Asia through mainstreaming and improved governance, strengthened capacity and awareness, enhanced multi-stakeholder partnerships, and innovative approaches to maintain and rehabilitate identified critical peatland sites.

Component Sub-Objective:

To demonstrate, implement and upscale sustainable management and rehabilitation of peatlands in the South East Asian region through a regional framework for partnership, information sharing and capacity building; and providing guidelines for best management practices.

OUTCOME 1:

• CAPACITY BUILDING AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE PEATLAND MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH EAST ASIA STRENGTHENED
• COMPONENT SUB-OUTCOME 1: Capacity for implementation of APMS enhanced through the development of National Action Plans (NAPs) for Peatlands

OUTCOME 2:

• REDUCED RATE OF DEGRADATION OF PEATLANDS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
• COMPONENT SUB-OUTCOME 2: Protection and sustainable management of peatland enhanced

OUTCOME 3:

• INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF PEATLANDS DEMONSTRATED AND IMPLEMENTED AT TARGETED PEATLANDS
• COMPONENT SUB-OUTCOME 3: Best management practices from demonstration sites compiled and disseminated to upscale learnings

OUTCOME 4:

• LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABLE PEATLAND MANAGEMENT
• COMPONENT SUB-OUTCOME 4: Plantation sector actively contributing to peatland management

 

Outcomes and Outputs

Output 1.1: Coordinated Implementation of the APMS and NAPs supported

It is envisaged that this project would support activities related to the promotion of both the APMI and APMS towards the formal adoption of the APMS by AMCs, as well as support the development and implementation of the NAPs and the implementation of RAP. To ensure that the whole project fits within the broader framework of the APMI/ APMS, regular monitoring of the progress with APMS and NAPs is needed. Assistance would also be provided to countries which have yet to develop a NAP such as Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to initiate the development of a NAP.

ACTIVITIES

1.1.1 Promote the implementation of the APMS and share experience among ASEAN members (including annual meeting)

1.1.2 Provide technical support and capacity building to ASEAN members to assess peatlands and finalise NAPs

Partners: ASEAN Secretariat, AMCs, APMI focal points, GEC, existing APMI partners and supporters


Output 1.2: Regional programme for capacity building and raising awareness implemented

Peatland degradation is a common issue faced by countries in the region. Regional training and study tours will help to expose peatland managers and experts to the problems commonly faced in peatland management and to the best management practices at project sites. This activity will build on activities in the country components and provide a regional coordinating mechanism to facilitate these activities. A training software will also be designed and develop -either on CD or internet-based training - for use in the region with various chapters on basic training in peatland management. One particular group that would be targeted will be the media to generate more attention on the threats of haze pollution and of the importance of peatland management in reducing haze from peat fires.

ACTIVITIES

1.2.1 Facilitate and support TOT training and exchange programmes for the region including study tours and regional workshops.

1.2.2 Develop outreach activities and awareness materials as well as information sharing mechanisms to build capacity for peatland management.

1.2.3 Develop and implement a communication strategy on raising awareness of peatland management including linkage with appropriate regional and international media and communication groups.

Partners: ASEAN Secretariat, NGOs, regional training centres


Output 1.3: Sustainable resource mobilisation mechanisms for peatland management in the region established

This output relates to the study on developing and designing some innovative resource mobilising mechanism to sustain peatland management efforts in the region. An example would be involving the private sector and other parties related to peatland management to participate in a common fund for the sustainable management of peatlands, such as the multi-donor trust fund. This also involves developing an economic evaluation methodology as a tool for measuring the real value of peatlands, in the effort to attract stakeholder contribution.

ACTIVITY

1.3.1 Explore multi-donor trust funds, ‘polluter-pay and user-pay’ schemes, tax incentives, PES and other options to help generate sustainable resources to support the implementation of APMS activities.

Partners: AMCs, the private sector, supporters and funders of APMI


Output 1.4 Regional technical support and country guidance provided

The regional peatland partnership aims to enhance information sharing among stakeholders involved in the sustainable use of peatlands. This is to be done by involving the stakeholders in promoting the importance of peatlands through raising their awareness in support of the APMI and APMS. Special activities will be organised for members within this partnership such as an awards programme for best managed peatland sites, best peatland eco-tourism site, etc.

ACTIVITIES

1.4.1 Technical coordination and management to country and regional components.

1.4.2 Technical expert input.

1.4.3 Monitoring and evaluation of country components and overall project.

Partners: All stakeholders and interested party on peatland management (government agencies, research institutions, private sector, media groups, NGOs, etc)

Output 2.1: Mechanisms for effective regional prediction and monitoring of peat fires strengthened

The existing regional monitoring and prediction mechanism has focused generally on forest and wild land fires. With the compilation of all peatland related information, coupled with advanced technology on hotspots monitoring and weather prediction, a more effective synthesis of this information can be developed. Information generated will be channelled to relevant parties to provide the basis for peatland fire warning.

ACTIVITIES

2.1.1 Collate and refine documentation on peatlands in the region with high risk for fire and integrate with hotspot monitoring and fire danger rating systems to develop a real-time warning system for peat fires.

2.1.2 Operation of regional peat fire warning and monitoring system and link to pilot site and country verification and implementation.

Partners: SRFAs members, NEA, on-going fire prevention and control project in the region (GTZ, EU, JICA funded projects in Indonesia)


Output 2.2: Regional priorities for peatland biodiversity conservation identified

Tropical peat swamp forest ecosystems are inhabited by some of the most unique plant and fauna species. The conservation of biodiversity in this ecosystem is an important aspect of the project. Hence, this output will specifically target to identify peatland areas in the region that are valuable for conservation, a network of these peatland areas will be formally established and promoted for conservation, protection and management.

ACTIVITIES

2.2.1 Compile, analyze and monitor data from each ASEAN country on extent, status, biodiversity values and changes in peatlands.

2.2.2 Promote the establishment of a network of protected peatlands through awareness and outreach to various stakeholders, including guidelines for biodiversity conservation.

Partners: ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Biodiversity Centre, CIFOR, AMCs, research institutions, AMCs, individual experts


Output 2.3 Regional collaboration on peatland carbon storage and climate vulnerability in the region stimulated

The activity on stimulating studies on carbon and GHGs in relation to peatlands will build on the existing partnership following the APN-funded workshop on Vulnerability of Tropical Carbon Pools in SEA, jointly organised by the Global Carbon Project, CIFOR and the Global Environment Centre. The main aim of this initiative is to promote peatlands as important carbon stores, and their role in impacting climate change.

ACTIVITIES

2.3.1 Assess the vulnerability of peatlands to climate change and develop guidance on adaptation options.

2.3.2 Assess the role of peatlands in carbon storage and sequestration and the impact of land use changes and management options to reduce emissions.

2.3.3 Develop guidance for funding for peatland management related to climate change funding mechanisms including Climate Adaptation Funds, REDD mechanisms and Voluntary Carbon Funds.

Partners: AMCs, research institutions, Global Carbon Project groups, individual experts


Output 2.4: Guidelines for integrated management of peatlands developed and promoted

The project aims to establish guidelines for integrated management of peatlands, in particular for use by local communities involved in agricultural practices. The guidelines would aim to provide optimal yield and to ensure that peatlands are not mis-managed or converted in an unsustainable manner to minimise environmental degradation, including the reduction in fire incidences and transboundary haze pollution.

ACTIVITIES

2.4.1 Collate develop and disseminate guidelines / best practice for integrated planning for sustainable peatland management including buffer zone and catchment protection – eg for planners, local government.

2.4.2 Develop general guidelines/ modules/ information materials for community livelihood and sustainable peatlands management for adaptation/ dissemination at country level.

Partners: AMCs, Private sector, local communities, NGOs

Output 3.1 A regional network of demonstration sites and sharing experience established

The focus is to link all successful demonstration site(s) established in the respective country components. These demonstration sites will serve as models to demonstrate best management practices (BMP) in the region and to be presented as examples for study tours and training programmes. These BMP sites will be compiled and promoted throughout the region.

ACTIVITIES

3.1.1 Establish and compile and disseminate information on regional network of demonstration sites.

3.1.2 Organise meetings/ exchanges and promote upscaling of demonstration site experience.

Partners: AMCs, Partners and Supporters

Output 4.1: Guidelines for responsible management of existing oil palm and forest plantation on peatland developed and tested

The project aims to initiate partnerships with the oil palm plantation industry through the Secretariat of the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). In Malaysia and Indonesia particularly the current trend is to expand oil palm plantations in peatland areas. Efforts need to be made to ensure that peat swamp forests are not exploited for this purpose and peatlands converted are managed sustainably to provide optimal yield and minimal environmental degradation.

ACTIVITIES

4.1.1 Provide input to consultation with the plantation sector in partnership with RSPO, national plantation associations and other organizations and promote sound plantation management on peatlands.

4.1.2 Develop guidelines for responsible management of existing oil palm and forest plantation on peatlands to recognize examples of good practice.

4.1.3 Collaborate with selected plantation companies, RSPO, national associations to test, demonstrate and promote these guidelines.

Partners: AMCs, RSPO, NGOs, private sector

Output 5.1 Project governance, management and coordination mechanisms at country levels established

Output 5.2 Project governance mechanism overseen and guided and effectively coordinated, monitored and evaluated

Duration, Budget, Cost, & Financing

The proposed budget for the Regional component is spelled out in the table below at output and sub-outcome levels. The indicative total budget allocation requested from GEF will be USD1,727,164 with a co-funding totalling to USD4,205,150 (see Table below). The outputs with their respective activities are to be implemented over a period of four years starting in 2010.