Defending rights. Promoting justice. Involving the grassroots in the management of our environment: The voice of communities from 13 African countries UNEA, 24 th June

About ACORD ACORD (Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development) is a Pan African organisation working for social justice and development in Africa. ACORD is currently present on the ground in 18 countries across Africa. ACORD’s vision is a society in which all citizens are equally able to achieve their rights and fulfill their responsibilities. ACORD works in common cause with people who are poor and those who have been denied their rights to obtain social justice and development and be part of locally rooted citizen movements. 2

Post 2015 and Citizen Voices For ACORD it is vital that any framework which speaks on issues of poverty and sustainable development must be informed by those who experience them on a daily basis. In this regards, ACORD held 45 citizen- driven workshops in 13 different countries across the continent, reaching over 4,500 people. These consultations generated debate and discussion in some of the most remote and marginalised communities in Africa today, with citizens reflecting on the challenges they faced, and their ideas for how they want to see change take place. 3

Natural resources management in the context of Sustainable Development In many Africa regions of the world, the change of climate severely diminish the potential profit of agriculture. Increasing resource scarcity, climate change population growth, and urbanization are global challenges that have local impacts. These challenges affect communities’ livelihood – mostly women and children - through access to food, water, and energy – resources critical to the alleviation of poverty. African citizens, the majority of whom are women, employed in small-scale food production and are dependent on access to natural resources, are also particularly vulnerable to climate change 4

The preservation and sustainable use of natural resources are key to sustainability in agriculture, food systems, environment and globally in development. Therefore a participatory approach that involves grassroots communities is a precondition to achieve these aims. 5

What communities are asking? In many areas forests are traditionally a vital resource for communities, providing food and fuel, preventing soil erosion, and capturing and storing water. In 9 of 11 countries where consultations took place deforestation was raised as a crucial factor in sustainable livelihoods. Internal displacement without consultation has led to highly concentrated populations in some areas of South Sudan, leading to a lack of agricultural land and reduced incomes. “People and businesses are destroying our forest for poles and charcoal for sale. Our land will become desert. We shall not receive enough water for our crops to grow. This will lead to hunger and poverty.” (Ochola John, Magwi County, South Sudan) 6

What communities are asking? In Mali participants described how the Inner Niger delta has suffered from non inclusive and inadequate planned policy. Increased chemical fertiliser and pesticide use has depleted soil fertility and water quality, while large scale irrigation has reduced access to water for small-scale farmers and pastoralists, with a visible reduction in grazing land. This has brought pastoralists into conflict with farmers over access to pasture and water. “We believe these issues can be addressed if our needs and interest are taken into account in policy processes. For instance, realizing the transformation to sustainable agriculture, natural resources use and food systems, in particular agro-ecological and organic farming, that conserve natural resources and ecosystems, and protect public health”. 7

What communities are asking? Sustainable food production and food systems improve food security, eradicate hunger and are economically viable and socially acceptable, while conserving land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, biodiversity and ecosystems and enhancing resilience to climate change and natural disasters. “We as fisherfolks should try to avoid bad fishing methods because they deplete the fish. The committees and task teams (institutions) established by government should strong and inclusive mechanism to control indiscriminate fishing.” Mukasa Henry, fisherman, Mukono, Uganda 8

Recommendations Multi-stakeholder approach which includes Communities, Farmers Organizations, Women Groups and Civil Society must be pursued. Strengthen inclusive environmental regulations and natural resource governance and management at all relevant institutional and organizational levels. Just and fair access to natural resources is a human right and a prerequisite for economic and social development. This is particularly important for poor households that dependent on natural resource-based livelihoods linked to productive wetlands, community forests, grazing lands, and agricultural landscapes 9

Conclusion For the post-2015 framework to effectively build a new relationship between citizens and states then it must be rooted in national contexts, and national governments and citizens must have primary ownership of it. This will require a commitment to national democratic ownership, through the creation of multi-stakeholder, participatory, empowered and country-led bodies to decide how to translate global goals into appropriate country and local-level actions. 10