Environmental Mainstreaming Mainstreaming environmental linkages into national development planning and the UNDAF In plain language… Understanding the contribution that better environmental management can make to the lives of the poor, particularly children, women and marginalized groups

Env. Impacts (+ or -) Opportunities, Constraints, Impacts All sectors are influenced by the environment Environmental factors may be critical to the success of UN-supported programming UN-supported programming can have un-intended negative impacts on the environment UN- supported programmes National Plans (PRS, NDP, MDG strategy, Sector Plans) Env. Opportunities (+) Env. Constraints (-)

Environmental Mainstreaming: Key elements at country level Understand and monitor the linkages between major development problems and the environment Put environment linkages into national development processes and their products (PRSs; MDG strategies) Set priorities and develop strategic programmes (incl. policy dev) for UN-Government cooperation in the UNDAF that address environmental opportunities, constraints and impacts It requires a sustained Country-led Effort to Operationalize” – from plan to implementation (working arrangements are key) It means enagagement - as a UNCT- with: –state actors –non-governmental actors and –development partners

Framework for Environmental Mainstreaming

Mainstreaming: Value-added Understanding patterns of control and ownership of natural resources - their influence in national decision- making Greater focus on prevention and ‘up-stream’ decision- making Engagement with stakeholders (Rio principle 10) can lead to greater trust and confidence in and between communities and government –tremendous empowerment potential for the poor, women, indigenous peoples Improve the effectiveness of UN supported programming –Balanced solutions - help to make the consideration of trade-offs explicit in policy and programme design –Reduce the risk of environmental disasters and social crises caused by environmental damage

Lessons (from PEI) Comprehensive, programmatic approach is essential - project approach will not work –Three year plus & $2.0m minimum –Focus on results not agency –Very detailed mapping of government macro & sectoral policy, planning & decision-making processes –The Planning and Finance Ministries must drive from the outset A realistic assessment of country commitment at different levels & in both environment & planning ministries –Country-led environmental mainstreaming has high transaction costs Integrated economic & environment programme & policy appraisals must become standard operating procedures for planning/finance & sectoral ministries.

Environmental Mainstreaming Good practices at country level (from PEI) Find the right entry point Find a “champion” Ensure the commitment of the planning or finance team Provide country-specific evidence Perform integrated policy appraisals Engage key sector agencies Consider the environment agency capacity Acknowledge the need for sustained support

Future reading: nvmainst.htmlhttp:// nvmainst.html mainstreaming.org/sourcebook.htmlhttp:// mainstreaming.org/sourcebook.html