The Amazon Network Initiative Conserving the Legacy of a Living Amazon Daniel Arancibia WWF October 20, 2009

Amazon Network Initiative (ANI)  Background  Geographic scope  WWF in the Amazon  New Challenges for the region  Strategy development process  ANI  Vision  Principles of Action  Main Strategies  Scales of intervention  Current Status & Next Steps  ANI and LAC

Amazon: Geographic Scope  6.7 million square kilometers in size  Shared by 8 countries & 1 overseas territory  > 33 million people living in the Amazon

The Amazon Biome: Importance  > billion tons of carbon – significant for climate change mitigation  40% of the Earth’s remaining Tropical Forests  20% of world’s freshwater flows through the Basin  > 10% of the known species on Earth found here  350 indigenous groups dependent on its resources; > 60 still living in voluntary isolation

WWF in the Amazon  > 40 years of experience in the region  Presence in 8 out of 9 countries  Work with partners across scales – local to global  Thematic expertise on footprint & biodiversity issues

7 ANI Strategy Development Process  May 2006GIS WG tasked with developing ecological vision  October 2006ANT established to oversee development of Pan-Amazon Strategy  December 2006ANI WG tasked with developing technical inputs for Strategy  February 2007ANT decides that AKI will become part of larger ANI  June 2007White Papers commissioned  Jun/Sept 2007ANT met to review ANI inputs to date  October 2007ANI prospectus submitted using ANI inputs to date  December 2007ANI prospectus approved by CC  April 2008ANI WG presents ANI Strategy proposal to ANT for endorsement

ANI Process & Inputs  Climate change  Agriculture & cattle ranching  Infrastructure  Hydrocarbons  Forest economy  Aquatic resources  National development policies  Protected areas  Indigenous peoples  Funding trends 8  Technical and decision-making bodies established to develop an Amazon strategy at the Biome scale  Spatially explicit data across Amazon Biome  White Papers commissioned externally to obtain Amazon wide data on:  Network Thematic Groups to review WPs  Feedback from ANT & staff from WWF offices

9 ANI Methodology  Decision Support System  Spatially explicit information at Biome scale  Tool to model trends & make spatially explicit decisions  WWF Program Management Standards  Explicit assumptions & hypotheses  Foundation to monitor effectiveness, learn & adapt in dynamic environment

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Amazon Conceptual Model Conservation Targets

Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems

Environmental Flows

Regional Climate Patterns

ANI Goals 1.By 2030, the diverse terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems of the Amazon are conserved to ensure the survival of the animals and plans that live there and the continued provision of environmental goods and services to local peoples, the countries of the region and the world. 2.By 2030, the quality, quantity, and timing of flows in priority rivers and headwaters are maintained to ensure the integrity of aquatic ecosystems and the continued provision of ecological services that sustain local livelihoods and regional development. 3.By 2030, sufficient forest cover is conserved in a configuration appropriate to maintain regional rainfall and build resilience to climate change thus ensuring a healthy Amazon that continues to regulate climate regionally and globally.

Threat Ranking (Based on relative impact on Amazon Biome) Climate Change Cattle Ranching Mechanized agriculture (commodities) Water infrastructure development Mining Unsustainable logging Small scale Agriculture (subsistence) Unsustainable extraction of non timber terrestrial resources Hydrocarbons prospecting and extraction Unsustainable extraction of aquatic natural resources Sewage disposal Major Threats to the Amazon Biome

Amazon Conceptual Model Conservation Targets Main pressures Main Threats

Climate Change  Amazon: a regional and global climate regulator  Links between deforestation and climate change  Potential tipping points

Extensive Cattle Ranching  80% of deforestation in the Amazon Biome brought about by cattle ranching  Low productivity cattle ranching pervasive

Mechanized agriculture  Amazon increasingly integrated into national and global demand  Booming demand for animal feed and biofuels  Soy  Sugar cane  Palm oil

Large-Scale Water Infrastructure  Increasing energy demand  Large hydropower potential  Disruptions at large scales

Linkages among Threats

Amazon Conceptual Model Conservation Targets Main pressures Main Threats Main drivers

Drivers of change in the Amazon  Market demand for agro-commodities and energy  Transport infrastructure  Amazon as critical provider of ecosystem goods & services not factored into development paradigm  Comparatively low economic value of natural ecosystems  Opportunistic land use

Amazon Network Initiative: Vision We envision an ecologically healthy Amazon Biome that maintains its environmental and cultural contribution to local peoples, the countries of the region, and the world, within a framework of social equity, inclusive economic development and global responsibility

ANI Challenges → EXTERNAL  Intrinsic complexity of Amazon region  Drivers of degradation fueled by multi-million dollar economies  Current & potential resources to promote conservation insignificant compared to those available to drivers → INTERNAL  Ability to overcome competition & distrust to join forces with relevant parties  WWF governance for concerted action  WWF capacity to act at scale required by NIs  WWF discipline to implement strategies to complete learning cycles of adaptive management  Concrete synergies with other NIs

ANI Principles for Action  Informed & adaptable  Effective catalyst & networker  Enabler, lowering WWF’s visibility when needed  Promoter of regional leadership  Coherent in our messages & approach  Based on team-based approach that bolsters internal capacity

Envisioning an alternative scenario for the Amazon  This is a “partnership initiative” – not WWF- exclusive  Large-scale, long-term initiative requires involvement of players at all levels  Seeking far-reaching, powerful collaboration with governments, civil society, NGOs and private sector Amazon Network Initiative: Building Partnerships

ANI: Building a common agenda WWF ANI Regional Actors’ Agendas National Governments’ plans International / National NGOs’ priorities Private sector profit goals Concerted Amazon Initiative Investors’ priorities

Amazon Conceptual Model Main Strategies Main Threats Main drivers Main pressures Conservation Targets

Amazon Network Initiative: Strategies  Five (5) major strategic lines of action  Interdependent, mutually reinforcing  Applied at multiple scales  Address main threats & drivers

ANI Strategies  Shifting the Paradigm  Bolstering the Value of Natural Ecosystems  Sound Land Planning and Conservation  Sustainable Agro-Commodities  Free-flowing Rivers and Forest-friendly Roads 33

ANI Strategy 1: Shifting the Paradigm 34  Amazon ecosystem services incorporated as critical ingredient of development  Amazon’s regional & global contribution understood as vital  Responsibility fostered at all levels By:  Showing policy / economic benefits of healthy Amazon  Building committed & informed constituencies for the Amazon

ANI Strategy 2: Bolstering the Value of Natural Ecosystems  Increased market value of natural ecosystems by:  Promoting Carbon Credits  Payment for Environmental Services (other than carbon)  Advocating for comprehensive forest policies  Promoting demand for sustainable forest products 35

ANI Strategy 3: Land Planning & Conservation  Secure the foundations of a healthy ecosystem through a landscape approach by supporting:  Land-use plans in priority landscapes  Strengthening of land tenure and resource rights  Creation of Protected Areas  Effective management of critical protected areas, indigenous lands & key areas without legal protection 36

ANI Strategy 4: Sustainable Agro-Commodities  Influence markets to signal need for improved performance through :  Adoption of socio-environmental standards & better management practices  Designation of “go” vs. “no-go” zones 37

ANI Strategy 5: Forest Friendly Roads & Free- Flowing Rivers  Infrastructure development recognizes importance of ecosystem and local residents’ needs by:  Improving social & environmental criteria  Influencing national and regional transportation and energy policies  Enhancing civil society capacity & participation during infrastructure design & implementation 38

Synergies among ANI strategies Shifting the Paradigm Bolstering the Value Land Planning and Conservation Sustainable Agro commodities FFR2 No conversion of critical biodiversity areas Stabilization of deforestation frontier / Maintenance of environmental flows Climate change mitigation and increased resilience Ecological Systems Environmental flows Regional Climate Patterns Reduce water infrastructure impact

Concerted action with other NIs  Some NIs key to the success of the Amazon NI:  Forest-based Carbon NI  Market Transformation NI  New Global Climate Deal NI  China Shift NI  Consultations during ANI’s design  Development of joint work plans now that NIs are underway

ANI Multi-Scale Approach Source: Folke et al.(1998)

WWF Presence in Amazon

Marxan Best Solution Ecological Priority Areas (EPA) –At least 30% of Amazon ecosystems 46%

Potential WWF Priority Landscapes 44

Current Status  3 year core budget (FY09-FY11) of $3,873,300 81% secured or committed as of May 2009; gap of $733,823 for FY  Existing projects being assessed for alignment with the ANI; should be completed by the end of the first quarter of FY10.  Hosting arrangements and readiness assessment completed  A permanent ANI Leader (Francisco Ruiz, former Executive Director of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization) has been recruited and will start, based in Brasilia at the end of July.  ANI Strategic Plan v2.0 completed  Core Team (permanent and temporary) at work implementing high-priority initiatives and raising funds  ANI Community on CONNECT; all relevant documents available there

Next Steps  Establish permanent governance structure (SHG and SET)  Fill remaining core budget gap  Decide priority blocks/landscapes  Complete project alignment exercise  Complete GAA strategy/fundraising plan  Complete M&E plan and implement  Consolidate permanent core team

What the ANI needs from LAC  Support for making the ANI operational  Support for effective governance  Financial management and reporting on ANI Core and Project funding  Time and talent of staff for Core and Extended/Enabling Teams  Facilitation/coordination amongst NOs, POs and NIs  Facilitation/support for multi-country fundraising

Thank You