1. THE LOUD CRY OF NATURE: IS IT AN ISSUE OF FAILED ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE OR A NATURAL LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY By: Patrick Byakagaba

2. OUTLINE Definition of concepts
Link between Environmental Ethics and Governance
Ethical approaches dominating valuation of the natural environment
Principles of Good Environmental Governance
Requirements for Effective Environmental Governance
Environmental Governance in Uganda
Other causes of Biodiversity Loss in Uganda
Conclusion

3. ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE
Environmental Governance comprises the rules, practices, policies and institutions that shape how humans interact with the environment
It concerns how the decisions are made, with a particular emphasis on the need for citizens, interest groups, and communities generally, to participate and have their voices heard in making environmental decisions

4. Link between Environmental Ethics and Governance
Environmental ethics is about how we ought to act towards the environment
There are many different perspectives on what represents "right"
It is critical to understand some of these views, in order to understand the behaviour of various actors in relation to environment management
The environmental ethics espoused by a country will shape her environmental governance principles

5. Ethical approaches dominating valuation of the natural environment
Allan Marshal’s views
Libertarian extension
-This approach suggests a commitment to extend equal rights to all members of a community
-The broader definition of community is applied here i.e. Non-humans as well as humans
-This approach argues for the recognition of the intrinsic value of the all organisms in the environment
- Any body who does not appreciate the value of other organisms would be perceived as not being environmentally conscious.

12. Ethical approaches dominating valuation of the natural environment
Ecologic extension/deep ecology/biocentrism
Ecologic extension places emphasis on the recognition of the fundamental interdependence of all biotic (and some abiotic) entities and their essential diversity
It is considered to be based on science
It argues for intrinsic value inherent in collective ecological entities like ecosystems or the global environment as a whole entity.
The planet is characterized as a unified, holistic entity with ethical worth of which the human race is of no particular significance in the long run.

17. Ethical approaches dominating valuation of the natural environment
Conservation Approach
It focuses only on the worth of the environment in terms of its utility or usefulness to humans
argues for the conservation of the environment on the basis that it has extrinsic value – critical to the welfare of human beings
Most of the Rio- principles were generated based on this approach

18. Ethical approaches dominating valuation of the natural environment
Applied Theology
Christianity and Islam teach that the earth was created by God and man is supposed to be accountable to God in the way earth resources are used
The earth is perceived to be valuable to God and therefore man is expected to use it in a way that would please God

21. Ethical approaches dominating valuation of the natural environment
Anthropocentrism
Places humans at the centre of the universe
Humans are the measure of all value
Therefore, everything else in existence is evaluated in terms of its utility for humans.

26. Principles of Good Environmental Governance Derived from the Rio Conference
Intergenerational equity
Sustainable use
Precaution
Polluter pays
Good neighbourliness
Equity and fairness

27. Principles Cont’ Making Decisions at the Appropriate Level
Integrating the Environment into all Decisions
Transparency
Accountability
Access to Information, Participation, and Redress

28. Pimm, S. L. , Russell, G. J. , Gittleman, J. L. & Brooks, T. M
Pimm, S. L., Russell, G. J., Gittleman, J. L. & Brooks, T. M. The future of biodiversity Science 269, 347–350

29. Requirements for Effective Environmental Governance
Environmental laws should be clear, even-handed, implementable and enforceable
Environmental information should be shared with the public
Affected stakeholders should be afforded opportunities to participate in environmental decision-making
Environmental decision-makers, both public and private, should be accountable for their decisions
Roles and lines of authority for environmental protection should be clear, coordinated, and designed to produce efficient and non-duplicative program delivery
Affected stakeholders should have access to fair and responsive dispute resolution procedures

30. Environmental Governance in Uganda
Uganda is a signatory to the Rio declaration and therefore it espouses the Rio Principles of Sustainable development in its Policy and Legal framework
In practice environmental governance is shaped by anthropocentrism
Responsible agencies and Departments of Government, CSO’s are driven by Ecologic extension approach of environmental ethics which usually is not well understood and appreciated by ordinary people
There is no shared vision for good environmental governance among various actors at National level

31. Environmental Governance in Uganda
Environmental Governance on paper is predominantly shaped by global discourses with little or no national influence and this is often perceived alien hence weakly implemented
- Environment governance in Uganda is not hinged on any clear well defined environmental ethics philosophy
Loss of Biodiversity in Uganda is mainly due to habitat loss which is related to poor environmental governance

32. Other causes of Biodiversity Loss in Uganda
High Population growth
Land degradation/habitat fragmentation
Lack of suitable technology to diversify and have efficient and effective use of Biodiversity
International and National Policies
Poverty and lack of diversified economies
Market Pressures create incentives for activities that can lead to biodiversity loss
Weak and uncoordinated Government Institutions
Disempowered populace
Corruption
Poor funding and lack of prioritization

33. Conclusion and Way forward
Biodiversity loss in Uganda is:
mainly due to poor/weak environmental governance
Lack of a shared Ideological purpose for sustainable environment management
Resigned citizenry
Failure to appreciate the intrinsic value of other non-human components of the environment
Human alteration of habitats
Way forward: Improve environmental governance mainly by eliminating political corruption and building consensus on the purpose for biodiversity conservation

34. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION