The Capacity Building in Biodiversity and Impact Assessment (CBBIA) Project : An Initiative of IAIA

Introduction

This project is a targeted capacity building program intended to promote good practice in biodiversity and impact assessment. The project builds on work carried out by the IAIA Biodiversity and Ecology Section in support of the biodiversity-related global conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The main focus has been on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for proposed projects and more recently on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for proposed policies, plans and programmes. It is hoped that the project will provide support, expertise and guidance in more than 10 countries over its three-year lifetime. It includes various enabling activities that will take place in participating regions and countries and at IAIA conferences, workshops and events.

The main aim of the project is to strengthen the integration of biodiversity and Impact assessment (EIA and SEA) so that it can become an effective instrument for addressing biodiversity considerations in decision making and the execution of projects, programmes, plans and policies.

Project objectives

The key objectives of the CBBIA Project are:

• Provide practical, demand-driven support for development of capacity for the integration of biodiversity and impact assessment in developing countries.

• Share information and experiences by working with practitioners, policy-makers, biodiversity-related conventions and other stakeholders to build expertise and promote good practice.

• Support capacity-building through knowledge-transfer, institution-building and networking

• Promote, and contribute to, the further development of guidelines for incorporating biodiversity related issues into Impact Assessment.

Project administration and funding

The Project is administered by the IAIA with half-funding from the Dutch Government. The IAIA Board has ultimate jurisdiction over the administration of the Project. The work of the Project is overviewed by Steering Committee with representation from the Biodiversity-related Conventions, the IAIA Biodiversity and Ecology Section, the Dutch Government and the IAIA Board. The monitoring and evaluation of the design and delivery of the technical component of the program is ensured by the Steering Committee.

Project design and activities

The project is designed to facilitate work at regional and country-levels as well as supporting work undertaken by individual participants. This approach is intended to ensure a focus on regions sharing similar interests, challenges and situations whilst also delivering guidance and capacity building to meet the specific needs of participating countries. By providing opportunities for participation to a number of individuals, the project will also help to reinforce worldwide networks of people with relevant knowledge and experience who can help raise standards of biodiversity-inclusive impact assessment.

The CBBIA Project activities include:

• Contributing to the further development of guidelines on the integration of biodiversity considerations in EIA and SEA within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention.

• Creating opportunities for attendance at international conferences, events and workshops by suitably qualified individuals

• Offering targeted training opportunities

• Working with suitable institutions, organisations and individuals in selected regions and countries to enhance the integration of biodiversity with impact assessment laws, procedures and practices

• Allocating small grants for review and enabling activities

• Maintaining a database of contacts and providing opportunities for ongoing exchange of information and ideas, eg through email discussion groups

• Promoting good practice in impact assessment in other international for such as the World Water Forum, the Convention on Migratory Species and the ESPOO Convention.

Expected project outputs

• A network of trained professionals.

• Capacity-building activities eg workshops and training, based on needs assessment and review of current practice in participating regions and countries

• Guidance on biodiversity-inclusive EIA and SEA

• Tested training materials

• Case study material for the further development of existing international guidelines on the integration of biodiversity considerations in EIA and SEA