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This issue of Blue Diamonds focuses on Mainstreaming.
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An introduction to mainstreaming marine & coastal ecosystems – By Razi Latif, UNEP, Marine & Coastal Ecosystems Branch Division of Environmental Policy & Implementation

 Efforts to integrate policies and practices for environmental sustainability into the mainstream of development practice can help developing countries achieve their development goals. However, opportunities to turn environmental mainstreaming into a driver for positive change are often overlooked when environment is not considered during the development planning process. At first glance the above definition looks relatively straightforward, but at the same time there exists a lot of confusion about what mainstreaming actually is. Therefore, it is worth starting by dispelling a few myths: … More

Some of the keys to mainstreaming – A look into the implementation of the GPA at a local scale highlights some of the key elements to mainstreaming in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia, writes David Osborne, Coordinator, Ecosystem Management Programme, UNEP.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is one of the crown jewels of Australia’s natural history and biodiversity. It covers almost 350,000 square kilometres, an area bigger than the British Isles and contributes to the Australian economy in the order of US$5 to 6 billion a year…. More

Mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages in Malawi – The Government of Malawi is currently implementing the UNDP-UNEP Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI) which is aims to mainstream poverty-environment linkages in the national development planning processes, writes Mr Themba Kalua, PEI Africa Team based at UNEP in Nairobi.

The Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI) Malawi is housed in the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation (MDPC) which is responsible for coordinating national development planning processes. PEI implementing partners are: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Office of the President and Cabinet, Department of Environmental Affairs, Department of Energy, Forestry Department and Ministry of Local Government… More

The Integrating Watershed and Coastal Areas Management (IWCAM) Project –Introducing players from different sectors to the concepts and approaches of the Integrating Watershed and Coastal Areas Management (IWCAM) Project can effectively mainstream responses to land-based pollution, contends Vincent Sweeny GEF-IWCAM Regional Project Coordinator, UNEP.

In May 2004, the Project Integrating Watershed and Coastal Area Management (IWCAM) in the Small Island Development States (SIDS) of the Caribbean was approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The overall objective of this initiative is to strengthen the commitment and capacity of the participating countries to implement an integrated approach to the management of watersheds and coastal areas. Additionally, the long-term goal is to enhance the capacity of the countries to plan and manage their aquatic resources and ecosystems on a sustainable basis… More

Mainstreaming success stories: Algeria, Morocco and Slovenia – UNEP- Mediterranean Action Plan, Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) presents success stories in mainstreaming from Algeria to Morocco and Slovenia.

From initiatives launched by the Algerian Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment over the past twenty years, the process of integrated coastal zone management has emerged as the most efficient solution to the problems of fragile yet valuable coastal resources, as well as the best response to the socio-economic needs of the population who live and depend on them…More;

                                    THE BLUE DIAMOND CONCEPT


The reference to a BLUE DIAMOND is a recognition that the marine and coastal environment has significant‘value’ and is an asset which if invested in will return or repay dividends over time. It produces wealth in terms of jobs, trade, livelihoods and ecosystem services like water recycling and shoreline protection

A diamonds strength also represent ‘resilience’ which is crucial for coastal communities to mitigate against the negative effects of climate change. A diamond’s strong atomic bonds also represent cooperation among the different interest groups and stakeholder that operate at the land-ocean interface; Finally, a diamond has great beauty and is valued by all. The purity or clarity of the diamond increases its value.

 

 
                                 Blue Diamonds is edited by Stakeholder Forum. Picture12

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