The wait is over. As of today, international trade in silky and thresher sharks will be regulated through strict the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) trade controls. As such, any trade in these species from this day forward requires a science-backed finding that the levels of trade will not jeopardise their survival in the wild, and confirmation that they have been legally taken. CITES also regulates “introduction from the sea”, and as such, the same requirements also apply for silky and thresher sharks when taken in areas outside of national jurisdiction, often called the “high seas”.
Silky sharks, thresher sharks and devil rays have been added to the 10 species already listed under Appendix II
The decision to bring silky and thresher sharks under CITES was taken exactly a year ago, when the 182 countries plus the European Union (known as the Parties), that are members of CITES, decided to put the silky and thresher sharks, along with a further 500+ new species of wild animals and plants, under the global treaty’s trade regulation regime.
The Conference of the Parties allowed a one year delay before the new rules came into force so that countries could put the necessary regulations and processes into place, noting the high commercial value of the species and the challenge of identifying the products and derivatives of the species in trade.
“The 183 Parties to CITES are increasingly turning to CITES to help ensure sustainability in our oceans. The silky and thresher sharks, together with some other shark species, have been brought under CITES in an effort to help ensure their survival in the wild. The CITES Secretariat is doing its utmost to assist its Parties, in particular developing countries, to implement the Convention for these marine species so that the trade is legal, sustainable and reported,” said CITES Secretary-General, John Scanlon.
Earlier this year, the European Union contributed 900,000 EUR to support the capacity building work of the CITES Secretariat and its partners, including FAO, to assist Parties in implementing CITES rules for marine species – including sharks – that are regulated by CITES trade controls and exploited commercially. This is also a role of CITES that has been recognised by the UN General Assembly in its annual resolution on Sustainable Fisheries.
“Among the roughly 1,000 species of sharks, which include sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras in the CITES context, 23 are included in CITES Appendix II. Contrary to certain misconceptions, CITES Appendix II does not prohibit the harvesting or international trade in any shark species, rather it has brought them under its strict trade controls to ensure that any such trade is legal, sustainable and reported. These efforts will in turn contribute towards achieving enhanced sustainable fisheries management, and ending destructive fishing practices, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and thereby supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” added Scanlon.
As reported cases of animals facing the threat of extinction daily make the rounds, a contrary scenario is however emerging in certain parts of Nigeria, where wildlife still has a fighting chance of survival.
The revered Sclater’s Guenon. Socio-cultural beliefs are offering wildlife succour and a fighting chance of survival
Conservation of fauna, spurred by socio-cultural beliefs, has become the hallmark of some indigenous communities in the biological diversity-rich Niger Delta region, where animals are revered.
The monkey, tortoise and the even the crocodile are among a few “lucky” animal species that the Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation Project is assisting local communities to preserve, in the face of increasing threat to their survival.
The initiative is being supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
For example, a scheme domiciled in the community forest of Ikot Uso Akpan Itam, Itu in Akwa Ibom State specialises in the conservation of a monkey species endemic to Nigeria, known as Sclater’s Guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri).
It is an Old World monkey that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1904 and named after Philip Sclater.
The West African Dwarf Crocodile
The council of elders, led by the village head, Chief Asuquo Simon, told EnviroNews that the Ikot Uso Akpan community has high regard for the primates, which he stated can only be found in the community forest and no where else.
According to him, hunting of the animals is prohibited because they are sacred to the community.
He said: “We call the monkeys the ‘First Daughter’ of Itam – Awa Itam. The monkeys give us pride; they make us bold to tell people in the world that we are the only community that owns everything because our monkeys stay on top of every animal on the ground. Monkeys that are seen in surrounding communities are from our community and, at the end of the day, they usually return to their home in our forest where they are safe.
“This is the only community that conserves the plants – the trees, fruits that these monkeys eat. We thank the UNDP that gave us money to plant these trees- we have done it and the fruit trees grow very well and very soon the monkeys will start eating the fruits.”
Chief Simon stressed that monkeys have made the community popular, and that there is a cordial relationship between them and members of the community. According to him, the primates mimic the women when they knead ropes.
The women leader confirmed the village head’s assertion, stating that the monkeys are friendly and do not cause them any harm. “We see the Monkeys as our sisters and brothers. They chase away other animals, particularly grasscutters from destroying our crops. The monkeys are a special gift from God. We don’t harm them, and we don’t eat them” she disclosed.
The project’s team leader, Dr. Matthew Dore, advised the community leaders to take the monkey conservation initiative a step further by, with the support of the state government, putting their mascot an image of the monkey) at the airport in Uyo.
“This community should declare a Sclater’s Guenon Conservation Day, a day set aside to mark the conservation efforts of this community; when lovers of the primates and those who want to associate with them would come and celebrate them. It should be called the Sclater’s Guenon Day,” the conservationist suggested.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Iniobong Ene Essien, spoke in a similar vein with Dore.
His words: “We will give political exposure to that community. If we do a proper package, we should be able to do something close to what has been suggested. We will work closely with the director, take a closer look at the community and see what we can do. This is commendable, considering the fact that, at a time like this, many species are endangered.”
In the Emu Kingdom in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, the West African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) is cherished by indigenes. According to the king, Johnson Ekpechiulu, the reptile is regarded as “the mother of the land.”
He said: “The crocodile is revered in this society. The reason for this dates back to history. The story is that they protected us very well both day and night, and made it possible for us to have such a big kingdom like this.
“It is a sacred and forbidden animal. They do not harm us; they eat our left-over food and sleep in the neighbourhood. We bury the crocodile as we bury the living dead amomgst us.”
At the Onura Forest in Alesa, Eleme in River State, the community is protecting the tortoise as well as the forest, which villagers are concerned is fast being depleted.
In fact, under the Community Biodiversity Action Plan (CEBAP), a section of the forest will be fenced, essentially to keep the animals from wandering beyond the confines of the jungle onto the highway where they get crushed by vehicles.
Emperor J. D. Nkpe, Paramount Ruler of Alesa-Eleme, said: “The tortoise is sacred to us, and people are not allowed to hunt them. In fact, it is forbidden to kill a tortoise in this community. And we are concerned that some get killed accidentaly by motorists plying the highway; these are usually those that left their abode in the forest.
“So we intend to fence the forest to, among other reasons, prevent further deaths of the cherished animals. Indeed, whenever I see them on the road, either wandering or being offered for sale, I buy them and return them back to the forest.”
The Niger Delta Biodiversity Conservation Project (NDBP) is a five-year biological diversity conservation programme within the Niger Delta region. The programme is being implemented by GEF and UNDP with the support of Ministries of Environment within the implementing states, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the participating communities.
The main aim of the project is to enhance cooperation between the government, the oil & gas industry and local communities within the Niger Delta in building and piloting new biodiversity action planning tools for proactive biodiversity management in the region.
In order to meet this objective, a set of activities were carried out, and among them is the implementation of CBAP, which commenced in 2014 within the participating states – Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.
The Czech Republic on Thursday, October 5, 2017 deposited its instruments of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, making the small landlocked Central European nation the 167th Party to the global treaty.
Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic. Photo credit: CNN
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the ratification will come into force on November 4, 2017.
Previously, Dominican Republic (166th) and Cape Verde (165th) had deposited their instruments of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Before the duo, Myanmar (161st), Bhutan (162nd), Ecuador (163rd) and Liechenstien (164th) had also ratified the treaty.
The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, 30 days after the date on which at least 55 Parties to the Convention accounting in total for at least an estimated 55% of the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Depositary.
The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention (UNFCCC) and – for the first time – brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. As such, it charts a new course in the global climate effort.
The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building framework will be put in place, thus supporting action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries, in line with their own national objectives. The Agreement also provides for enhanced transparency of action and support through a more robust transparency framework.
Marc Chardonnens, Director, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland, who was President of the First meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury that held recently in Geneva, presents the Key Take-Home messages from the High-Level Segment that took place from September 28 to 29, 2017
Marc Chardonnens, Director, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland, and COP1 President
This session of the Conference has agreed on the following very important Key Take-Home messages.
Consideration of the impacts of the uses and emissions and releases of mercury must cover its entire life-cycle, across all media and take into account cross-media impacts. The issue must be integrated into public health and environmental strategies at the local, national, regional and international level and embodied into the wider pollution control agenda.
We are aware that a crucial part of informing the public and authorities about the impact of mercury and of taking on the broader challenge of addressing its adverse effects is to engage and work hand-in-hand with stakeholders from every section of society. Positive implementation of the Convention can only be achieved with governance that is inclusive of all sectors and all stakeholders and that encourages inter-ministerial and cross-sectoral cooperation.
We can best achieve the involvement of all stakeholders through the promotion of partnerships both with civil society and with the private sector. Civil society organisations have close cooperation with local communities, which facilitates communication on how to deal with the adverse effects of mercury pollution and private enterprise often has access to innovative technologies and resources that can be drawn upon to further environmental protection. We can acknowledge that partnerships are a crucial means to share the burden and to benefit from experience and expertise and must therefore be encouraged. Additionally, private enterprise must be encouraged to share in the responsibility for cleanup efforts and instituting best available technology and best environmental practices.
We can note that for many of the local and national activities involving mercury, there is an urgent need to enhance the visibility of and the guidance offered by the Minamata Convention and to inform on the adverse effects of mercury as well as the benefits of adhering to the obligations under the Convention. This can only be done through high-level government commitment and through broad scale education and awareness raising programmes that target not only decision makers but also local authorities, individuals engaged in practices using mercury and civil society.
At the same time, we must note that national policies, legislation and institutions that exist must be strengthened and, where lacking, established such that implementation of the Convention is supported with robust and long-term institutional frameworks. This includes putting in place legislation that prevents the diversion of mercury other than for allowed uses, and legislation that addresses potential illegal traffic in mercury.
We know that chemicals in general, and mercury in particular, are addressed throughout many of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Hence, focusing countries’ efforts on integrating the sustainable development agenda into national development plans will help us protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.
As ministers we have exchanged very important information and experience on the existing practices at the national level that use mercury, or from which mercury can be introduced into the environment. And we agree that to reduce or eliminate those uses we need to examine how to support populations currently engaged in such practices in their move to alternative activities. We also need to promote safe substitutes and examine economic consequences of inaction at the local level. We are aware that ASGM is one of the highest concerns about mercury contamination and has a strong regional and socio-economic dimension affecting women and children and requiring cleaner technologies, alternative livelihoods, incentives for formalisation the informal sector and engagement in seeking appropriate solutions.
We can agree that many countries lack the resources, both financial and technical, to implement their obligations under the Convention. Support to those in need is vital and must be addressed in a sustainable manner, including through capacity building and technical assistance, to ensure the success of the Convention.
We concur that affordable and alternative technologies for emissions and releases including those with co-benefits need to be put in place, and subsidies could be envisaged to encourage and assist manufacturers to make the move to best alternative technologies and best environmental practices. In addition, strict and stringent control and monitoring programmes for emissions and releases must be developed and instituted at the national level.
Specific national conditions and circumstances such as those of, for example, small island developing states must also be addressed with applicable solutions.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Friday, October 6, 2017 that it has delivered nearly 1.2 million doses of antibiotics and released $1.5 million in emergency funds to fight plague in Madagascar.
Dr. Charlotte Ndiaye, WHO Representative in Madagascar
“Plague is curable if detected in time. Our teams are working to ensure that everyone at risk has access to protection and treatment. The faster we move, the more lives we save,” said Dr. Charlotte Ndiaye, WHO Representative in Madagascar.
The UN body has delivered 1,190,000 doses of antibiotics to the Ministry of Health and partners this week, and a further supply of 244,000 doses is expected in the days ahead.
The different types of drugs will be used for both curative and prophylactic care. They are enough to treat up to 5,000 patients and protect up to 100,000 people who may be exposed to the disease.
The medicines are being distributed to health facilities and mobile health clinics across the country with the support of the Ministry of Health and partners.
The WHO is also filling critical shortages in disinfection materials and personal protective equipment for health professionals and safe burials.
WHO and the Ministry of Health are training local health workers on how to identify and care for patients, and how to trace people who have had close contact with symptomatic patients so that they may be given protective treatment.
Most of the 231 infections and 33 deaths that the Ministry of Health has reported since August are associated with pneumonic plague – a more dangerous form of the disease that affects the lungs and is transmitted through coughing at close range.
Both bubonic and pneumonic plague can be cured using common antibiotics if delivered early. Antibiotics can also help prevent infection among people who have been exposed to plague.
WHO has rapidly released $1.5 million from it emergency funds to allow for immediate support to the country until more substantial funds are received.
WHO is appealing for $5.5 million to effectively respond to the outbreak and save lives.
The Federal High Court, Lagos has adjourned further hearing till Monday, October 9, 2017 in the case of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who is charged with N4.7 billion fraud.
Chief Rashidi Ladoja
Ladoja is being tried alongside a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, Waheed Akanbi.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, adjourned on Friday, October 6 at the instance of Akanbi’s lawyer, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, who requested that an official of Oyo State should be summoned by the court to tender some documents as exhibits.
Olumide-Fusika had attempted to tender the document during the proceedings on Friday, but counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Oluwafemi Olabisi, opposed the admissibility of the document, contending that Olumide-Fusika failed to lay proper foundation for its tendering.
But Olumide-Fusika, who maintained that the document, which was supplied to the court by the Oyo State Government, was important to the defence of his client, urged the court to summon an official of Oyo State Government to appear in court for the purpose of properly tendering the document as an exhibit.
Ladoja’s counsel, Mr. Bolaji Onilenla, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Consequently, Justice Idris adjourned the case till Monday to allow for the invitation and appearance of an official of the Oyo State Government.
Ladoja and Akanbi are facing eight counts bordering on money laundering and unlawful conversion of funds belonging to the Oyo State Government.
In one of the counts, Ladoja and Akanbi were accused of converting a sum of N1,932,940,032.48, belonging to Oyo State Government to their personal own, using a Guaranty Trust Bank account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited.
The EFCC claimed that they retained the money sometime in 2007, despite their knowledge that it was a proceed of a criminal conduct.
In another instance, Ladoja was accused of removing the sum of £600,000 from the state coffers in 2007 and sent it to Bimpe Ladoja, who was at the time in London.
The ex-governor was also accused of converting the sum of N42 million, belonging to the state, to his own and subsequently used it to purchase an armoured Land Cruiser jeep.
He was also accused of converting a sum of N728,600,000 and another N77,850,000 at separate times in 2007 to his own.
The EFCC claimed that Ladoja transferred the N77, 850,000 to one Bistrum Investments, which he nominated to help him purchase a property named Quarter 361, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The EFCC told the court that Ladoja and Akanbi acted contrary to sections 17(a) and18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and were liable to be punished under sections 14(1), 16(a) (b) and 18(2) of the same Act.
But ex-governor and ex-commissioner have pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), which came into existence about five years ago with seven states, has expanded and now operates in 19 states.
Group photograph of some participants at the the International Conference on Geo-Spatial Technology
National Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mallam Salisu Dahiru, who made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 during the opening of the International Conference on Geo-Spatial Technology, disclosed that the development was informed by achievement recorded by the first mover (seven) states under the project.
“The project has been expanded with a total of 19 states in partnership,” he stated, adding:
“Average achievement of physical works and bio-remediation in the 21 initial sites of the first seven states is over 89% with 65% of the sites now fully completed. Fifty-nine new sites designs have been cleared and approved for implementation.”
According to him, the project has disbursed over N865 million to 1,337 project affected persons as resettlement for loss of lands, houses and economic trees, among others.
“Over N140 million has been paid as grant to 4,194 beneficiaries on livelihood enhancements activities. Recently, NEWMAP commenced the distribution of fuel efficient cook stoves to communities across the 21 sites to reduce pressure on the land,” Dahiru pointed out.
He emphasised that the integrated watershed management approach, mixture of civil works and bio-remediation, as well as the livelihood and community participatory aspect made NEWMAP attractive to a considerable number of stakeholders.
“That was why, initially, 11 states indicated the desire to to start off the project. However, seven states – Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu and Imo now referred to as the first mover states – were objectively considered and selected,” he said.
He added that management is striving to make the project better. “And to enhance the sustainability of the project is why we are reaching out to other climes, especially where there are flagship World Bank projects like the Karnataka Watershed Programme in Bangalore and the China Irrigation and Drainage Development Centre (CIDDC).
He recalled that NEWMAP was created after several attempts by Nigerian governments. “In less than five years of the project existence, it has recorded tremendous evidence-based success stories in improving the livelihoods of the people, thereby impacting positively to environmental sustainability,” Dahiru stressed.
Tagged the SSKE (South South Knowledge Exchange) Knowledge Fair, the three-day conference was organised by NEWMAP in conjunction with the World Bank and the SSKE.
Kofi Nouve, representative of the World Bank Country Director, Nigeria, said: “The World Bank is pleased to work with Nigeria to convene a knowledge fair to share South-South experiences across China, India, and Nigeria, and also to help showcase other examples of global good practice. This is part of the World Bank’s mission and also supports our work in open data, and improving the use of appropriate modern technology in the programmes we support.
“The world, in particular the IT world around us, is changing quickly and it is important that as professionals we stay abreast of new developments to be able to provide our clients with the most effective and efficient solutions to poverty alleviation.
“I urge you all to participate fully, freely; share knowledge and experiences, and build stronger national and international professional networks. I wish you all a great knowledge sharing experience and I look forward to your taking steps to translate this into a new generation of modernisation in your activities.”
Dahiru had expressed optimism that the conference would “proffer opportunities for projects like NEWMAP, benefit from a wide range of experts from various government, academic, watershed and producer groups for a community of best practices. It will also impact on critical activities including gully restoration design, landscape restoration, agricultural and pastoral improvement and application of remote sensing for more effective project management.”
In its 2016 Sustainability Report released on August 2017, Zenith Bank Plc has unveiled a range of plans and processes through which it is reducing its carbon foot print, albeit by curbing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and consumption of energy.
Zenith Banks says it has chosen to embrace the clean earth principles
Themed “Creating Wealth Sustainably”, the Sustainability Report which is the second in the series, has been touted as the first in Nigeria, and Africa’s financial services industry to adopt the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards in Sustainability reporting.
“We are conscious of the rising global concerns about environmental sustainability and have chosen to embrace the clean earth principles,” the bank wrote as a forward to a chapter on “Environment” in its latest Sustainability Report, which was preceded by the 2015 edition that had “Nurturing People, Planet, Profit” as its theme.
According to the organisation, its largest share of GHG emissions comes from fossil fuel consumption, predominantly to power self-generated electricity, as well as vehicular and air travels.
Energy from the Nigerian national grid is highly complemented by the use of fossil-powered generators, owing to the unstable power supply in the country. According to scientists, the burning of fossil fuel remains one of the highest sources of GHG emissions with the attendant global warming and climate change implications.
“Our aim is to migrate to 70% renewable energy by 2025. And we are already making some progress in this regards,” the bank disclosed, adding that even though some 1,355 of its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are being powered by energy efficient inverters, the inverters are still charged using fossil-powered generators whenever power from the national grid fails.
The bank however lists strategies being adopted to reduce GHG emissions to include:
Use solar powered inverters to operate all ATMs
Invest in banking infrastructure that promote 100% end-to-end transaction processing to reduce customers’ commute time
Increase and improve on staff bus fleet and encourage more employees to use them
Encourage carpooling/sharing among staff living in the same locality
Phase-out the use of diesel-powered vehicles
Implement travel control measures for employees
Make active use of internal, remote communication tools – Lync Exchange, Lync Video conferencing, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and VOIP calls – to reduce commute time
Transit to the use of energy efficient technologies as well as the use of hybrid/electronic cars.
In terms of energy, the bank says that policies and framework are being put in place to drive energy efficient business operations, along with mechanisms for measuring and monitoring progress.
“As we pursue our business expansion goals, Zenith Bank will continue to insist on efficiency adherence to laid down environmental regulations and the adoption of global best practices in the use of energy sources,” the bank emphasised, listing its energy efficiency strategies to include:
Transit to the use of more renewable energy sources for business operations
Introduce solar energy in all branches in place of fossil fuel currently used by power generators
Retrofit all branches with LED energy saving bulbs
Implement 5pm shut down time for Head Office and branches
Install eco-friendly, energy efficient air conditioners bank wide
Ensure reduced energy consumption by switching off energy sources that are not in immediate use.
Another focus of the bank’s environmental impact is the management of effluents and wastes, which it says it will address by:
Implementing the reduce, reuse, recycle policy
Adopting effective waste measurement and progress monitoring processes
Auctioning depreciated items to staff through bidding process
Implementing selective waste collection and differentiation policy
Evaluating and monitoring the e-waste management practices of relevant investees, contractors and vendors, including government authorised waste collectors and recyclers
Ensuring global best practices in e-waste management.
The 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CMS COP12) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), scheduled to hold from October 23 to 28, 2017 in Manila, Philippines, will address links between sustainable development and the conservation of wildlife.
Manila, capital of the Philippines, is hosting the CMS COP12. Photo credit: Jacqueline Hernandez
The first to be held in Asia, the CMS COP12 is touted to be the largest wildlife summit in 2017, with over 500 delegates from more than 120 countries expected to attend.
The theme of the Conference – “Their Future is Our Future – Sustainable Development for Wildlife and People” – is said to reflect the intrinsic link between the world’s wildlife and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At COP12, a number of issues and proposals will be tabled, including the listing of species as well as fresh initiatives, resolutions, action plans and guidelines for aquatic species, birds, and terrestrial species.
A High Level Panel Discussion will precede COP12 on October 22, at which Environment Ministers, executives of international organisations and Goodwill Ambassadors will discuss the links between sustainable development and the conservation of wildlife with special focus on migratory species and the SDGs. The discussion will result in the Manila Declaration, which will be presented to the Conference for consideration.
Also, on the October 22, several governments will be recognised as Migratory Species Champions for their long-term support to initiatives that benefit the conservation of migratory species during a specially convened Champion Night.
There will also be over 50 side events during the week of the COP as well as celebrity events such as the launch of the Report “Cetaceans of the Red Sea” with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador, Yann Arthus-Bertrand on October 23.
The CMS COP is a triennial summit that brings together States through which migratory animals pass and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has upheld a complaint by Forest Peoples Programme against logging company PT Kemakmuran Berkah Timber (PT KBT). The FSC-certified company has been operating on the lands of the indigenous Dayak Bahau community in the Upper Mahakam in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, without their free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) for the past three years.
Indigenous people of Dayak Bahau community in the Upper Mahakam in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Despite the FSC’S decision to terminate the PT KBT’s certificate and assurances from the company that they would not re-enter the indigenous people’s land, the commitment was broken less than two months later when PT KBT ignored the sanctions imposed on it and entered the customary lands of Long Isun to collect timber.
PT KBT’s FSC-certificate was terminated in July this year. The ruling came six months after the complaint was first lodged with FSC, which is the global multi-stakeholder organisation which promotes the responsible management of the world’s forest. It was filed by Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) on behalf of Long Isun. FPP urged FSC to carry out an independent investigation into the human rights abuses overlooked by FSC-accredited auditors in one of the remotest areas on the island of Borneo.
Instead of independently verifying the evidence, FSC is said to have passed responsibility back to Rainforest Alliance, the certification body which had granted the disputed certificates in the first place. Rainforest Alliance then chose to hold its community consultation in March with the neighbouring community of Naha Aruq, which has close relations with the logging company. Only a short visit was made to Long Isun.
Inui Yeq, a member of the Long Isun community and the mother of Theodurus Tekwan who was arrested and imprisoned without charge in 2014 for a total of 109 days when he tried to enter into a dialogue with the timber company, said: “They (Rainforest Alliance Auditors) arrived escorted by PT KBT workers and BRIMOB (Indonesian mobile police brigade). We were scared, we didn’t want to talk to them and tell them the truth, how the company has been stealing from us and putting our people in jail when we stand up to them.”
Despite this flawed assessment procedure, Rainforest Alliance did find PT KBT to be in violation of FSC’s Principles 2 and 3 and required it to “revise its long-term management plan and move the harvesting blocks for the next three years into areas outside of the ancestral lands of the Dayak Bahau community” until such time as the community had given its Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to company operations. FSC acknowledged the findings in June, and in July, terminated KBT’s certificate.
Commenting on the Rainforest Alliance audit, Marta Doq, director of the indigenous organisation Nurani Perempuan, who has been working on the case since 2014, said: “We were very disappointed with the Rainforest Alliance audit. Despite promises to listen to our complaint, they never held a proper village meeting to hear our concerns directly. Does the FSC consider this an independent investigation? We don’t. As an indigenous organisation supporting the community, we feel ashamed by the lack of respect and breach of trust displayed by FSC.”
The experience from the Long Isun case clearly demonstrates how Certification Bodies cannot be relied on to independently assess their own performance.
In July, FPP filed a complaint with FSC against Rainforest Alliance for its inadequate performance. In response, FSC passed responsibility to its wholly owned subsidiary, Accreditation Services International (ASI), the body meant to oversee the performance of Certification Bodies. Based only on a document review, ASI found there was prima facie (at first sight) evidence that Rainforest Alliance had been weak in its verification of the complaint, however, ASI noted it could not check on Rainforest Alliance or KBT’s compliance because “there is no more FSC-related contractual relationship anymore that would bind parties to agree on an ASI assessment”.
In August, in contravention of its assurances that it would cease “all activity on lands where Long Isun claims traditional tenure rights”, the timber company re-entered the disputed lands without consulting the community.
Meanwhile neither KBT nor FSC have provided remedy to Long Isun for the damage to 2,000 hectares of the community’s forests. The community relies on the forest for their livelihoods.
Marcus Colchester, Senior Policy Advisor at FPP, said: “The Long Isun case reveals major shortcomings with FSC complaints procedures which fall far below those required by the United Nations Principles on Business and Human Rights. The procedure almost seems designed to protect the interests of the industry, FSC and Certification Bodies, instead of providing remedy for human rights violations.”
FSC is to hold its general assembly in Vancouver from October 8 to 13, 2017 “to discuss the challenges and solution of responsible forest management” and has agreed to discuss this case, among others.
