Programme description

Title: Climate Change and Biodiversity
Commissioned by: Climate change and biodiversity – conservation and management of natural resources
Country: Mongolia
Lead executing agency: Ministry for Nature, Environment and Tourism
Overall term: 2005 to 2011

Context

Although Mongolia’s most important ecosystems, the steppes and forests, are adapted to extreme climate conditions, they are also highly sensitive to changes in the climate. Observed and projected changes in the climate, especially rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation, are already having dramatic effects on ecosystems and their species diversity (biodiversity). More frequent wildfires, insect pests, disease pandemics and greater water stress are among the major factors of degradation.

The ecosystems and their biodiversity are important both ecologically and economically. Around one third of the population are nomads who live from livestock rearing; the loss of steppes as a result of climate change threatens their whole way of life. The decline in forested areas due to climate-related reasons means that economic losses are also to be expected in the forestry sector.

The current strategies and management regimes of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in connection with the use and conservation of biodiversity in Mongolia are insufficient to stem the rapid loss of biodiversity. They fail to take proper account of climate change.

Objective

Sustainable support is being given to the conservation of biodiversity in Mongolian forest and steppe areas that are endangered by climate change.

Approach

The programme's target group is the rural population of Mongolia that is dependent on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity and that is severely affected by climate change.

The programme advises national ministries on developing an environmental policy that is adapted to climate change, and on improving the political and legal framework for sustainable management of natural resources. That advice concentrates in particular on the conservation of biodiversity and adaptation to climate change.

The direct beneficiaries are rural families in the Khangai and Khenti regions, making up approximately 210,000 inhabitants in all. An institutional and legal framework is being established for the sustainable management of natural resources, taking account of new challenges, in particular efficient pasture management and the sustainable use of wood.
Environmental communication and education are a further component of the programme. Environmental information centres are being set up and curricula introduced in schools and universities to ensure that those who use resources adapt their behaviour and attach greater importance to maintaining biodiversity. This component is supported by a financial contribution from the Government of the Netherlands.

Environmental inspectorates are undergoing training as part of a broad-based programme, and procedures for prosecuting environmental offences are being introduced in order to curb the illegal use of wood.

Results achieved so far

The work of German development cooperation has helped create a new dynamic in the Mongolian Environment Ministry with respect to climate change. The Centre for Climate - Environment Research has been created, a special envoy for climate affairs has been appointed and a climate coordination office has been set up.

Following amendment of the environmental protection law, in June 2007 the Mongolian parliament revised a forest law that the project had helped to draft. The new forest law promotes decentralised management of natural resources and lays the foundation for comprehensive resource management. Through the two regional components (Khangai and Khenti) various instruments and models for the sustainable use of natural resources have been developed and implemented. Twenty groups in the West Khenti region are now using their forests sustainably. Each year, some 5,000 cubic metres of wood are used and sold legally and sustainably. The poor rural population has access to additional income. In the Khangai region farmers have formed cooperatives and now graze their animals collectively on the steppe. Working together to sell their milk and meat products also means they are able to generate additional income.

Environmental education is now pursued by many in the media, and the subject is regularly reported. The new school curricula cover environmental education as an important building block of the training system, based on the well-known education for sustainable development (ESD) strategy.

The Forest Law Enforcement and Governance procedures promoted in Mongolia by Germany and the EU have been established succesfully. This should lead to a higher proportion of legal forest use in the future.

Further information

• Local website of the programme
  www.biodiversity.mn
• More information on the particular components of the programme „Climate change and biodiversity“
  www.biodiversity.mn/components
• Khangai Range Protected Area
  Description of the eight protected areas for which the project is helping to draw up management plans, with interactive comment section.
  www.biodiversity.mn/khangai
• Europe and North Asia Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (ENA-FLEG) in Mongolia
  Local Website of the Mongolian ENA-FLEG process
  
  www.fleg.mn