Common Guidance for the Interpretation & Identification of High Conservation Values 1 July, 2013 Santiago
HCV Common Guidance Update on P9 and Common Guidance Key considerations for interpretation The HCV definitions and examples HCV assessment process HCV management and monitoring
What is the High Conservation Value approach? A set of criteria (the six HCVs ) An assessment process for environmental & social priorities A management decision tool A key component of major sustainability standards
HCV Approach Greater efforts needed to identify, through more intensive assessments and stakeholder engagement, through greater attention to deciding and implementing appropriate management measures, and through monitoring both the implementation and effectiveness of these measures. Identify Manage Monitor
Origins of HCV approach High Conservation Value approach conceived by FSC in 1994: All forests are valuable But some are more valuable than others Need safeguards for exceptional cases But defining exceptional is difficult
1999 Revision: FSC introduces HCVF P9: Management activities in HCV Forests shall maintain or enhance the attributes that define such forest HCVF caused some confusion over extent of HCV area
HCV beyond forestry Agricultural commodities Investment policies Responsible production & sourcing policies
Certification
FSC Draft P&C v.5 P9: The Organization shall maintain and/or enhance high conservation values through applying the precautionary approach. Drops the HCV Forest Lists 6 HCV categories Recognises other HCV ecosystems Emphasis on stakeholder engagement Notes on recognising significance & criticality
The HCV Resource Network Est. 2006 to support consistent, high-quality implementation of HCV approach across uses A voluntary, Charter-based association composed of: Multi-stakeholder Steering Group International Technical Panel Secretariat Charter Signatories ( Participants )
HCV Network Steering Group
Practical interpretation of definitions HCV definitions are applicable in principle to any ecosystem and country Need interpretation Best practice guidance National interpretation Each assessment to be done in a systematic and consistent manner
HCV Common Guidance HCV Resource Network Steering Group decision Need for global guidance user friendly Based on: FSC paper with HCV expert input Existing good practice Editorial Board Review (FSC, other schemes, WWF, IUCN, etc.) Publication on HCV-RN site Living document
Common Guidance for Identification Across ecosystems and land uses More examples Case studies More guidance on key terms No sub-categories Undergoing review
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR INTERPRETATION OF THE HCV DEFINITIONS AND ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
HCV Resource Network Charter The HCV process should be integrated with responsible land management that respects the HCV Resource Network charter Legality Tenure, rights, FPIC Impacts of conversion Other environmental & social values
Scales of application Site scale: HCV is primarily a site-level planning and management approach, applicable for any ecosystem Aims to identify conservation priorities, define management targets, mitigate risk through effective stakeholder participation Landscape scale: Exceptional value of HCVs often depends on wider context (rarity, landscape configuration, habitat quality etc.) Effective management requires taking into account threats and opportunities in surrounding landscape
Scale, intensity and risk The larger the scale, intensity and risk of project activities, the more effort should be devoted to detecting, identifying and understanding the characteristics, distribution, sensitivity and vulnerability of the HCVs.
Interpretation of findings HCV assessment findings must be interpreted keeping in mind: Reference to guidance documents (e.g. HCV-RN documents, National Interpretation if available) Stakeholder concerns Precautionary approach Understanding of Significance
Precautionary approach When there are credible and reasonable indications that an HCV is present, the assessor should assume that it is present and should take the appropriate decisions for management strategies, actions and monitoring.
Recognizing Significance Significant values are those recognized as being either unique, or outstanding relative to other examples in the same region, because of their sizes, numbers, frequency, quality, density or socio-economic importance, on the basis of existing priority frameworks, data or maps, or through field studies and consultations undertaken during the HCV assessment.
High Conservation Values A High Conservation Value (HCV) is a biological, ecological, social or cultural value which is recognised as having outstanding significance or critical importance.
The global HCVs Note that for HCV 1, 2, and 3, the values need to be significant at a national or regional scale (or higher) with the understanding that countries are highly variable and what is significant in one country may not be significant in another
HCV 1 Biodiversity Concentrations of biological diversity including endemic species, and rare, threatened or endangered species, that are significant at global, regional or national levels.
HCV1 Examples include Protected areas may indicate the presence of high levels of biodiversity in the landscape. The regular presence of multiple EN species. The regular presence of several restricted-range / endemic species from different taxa. Mineral licks which are used by large numbers of individuals Colonial nesting sites
HCV 2 Landscapes Large landscape-level ecosystems and ecosystem mosaics that are significant at global, regional or national levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of the naturally occurring species in natural patterns of distribution and abundance.
HCV 2 Examples can include Emphasis on size, quality and function Frontier, intact forests. WRI Intact Forest Landscapes, WCS Last of the Wild. Un-dammed river systems, and wetlands with natural flood regimes. Un-fenced rangelands, with nearly full complements of wild ungulates. Areas with low levels of overall disturbance and high connectivity have a high chance of being HCV 2
HCV 3 Ecosystems Rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems, habitats or refugia
HCV 3 examples include: Ecosystems which are naturally rare, e.g. forest on limestone Ecosystems which have lost a large proportion of their historical range, e.g. pampas Inselbergs, or forest patches in grasslands
The local scale HCVs In general, HCV 4, 5, and 6 are significant to the communities that rely on them so they are not relative to any scale but absolute in their irreplaceability to a community.
HCV 4 Ecosystem services Basic ecosystem services in critical situations, including protection of water catchments and control of erosion of vulnerable soils and slopes.
Examples of HCV 4 include: Vegetated riparian buffer zones or intact floodplains Groundwater recharge zones Which can: Protect vulnerable soils, aquifers and fisheries Prevent floods and fires Maintain downstream flow regimes Maintain water quality characteristics
HCV 5 Community needs Sites and resources fundamental for satisfying basic necessities of local communities or indigenous peoples (e.g. livelihoods, health, nutrition), identified through engagement with these communities.
Examples of HCV 5 include: Hunting and trapping grounds Fishing areas NTFPs such as nuts, berries, mushrooms medicinal plants Fuel for household cooking, lighting and heating Building materials (poles, thatching, timber) Fodder for livestock and seasonal grazing Water sources necessary for drinking water and sanitation
HCV 6 Culture Sites, resources, habitats and landscapes of global or national cultural, archaeological or historical significance, and/or of critical cultural, ecological, economic or religious/sacred importance for the cultures of local communities or indigenous peoples, identified through their engagement.
Examples of HCV 6 (local) Burial grounds Sites used for traditional ceremonies Sacred mountains, forests, rivers, caves, waterfalls, trees, rocks, totem animals NTFPs used for traditional ceremonies Abandoned/ancestral village ruins
Examples of HCV 6 (global) UNESCO World Heritage Sites Important archaeological relics Prehistoric cave art
HCV Assessment An HCV assessment is the process by which HCVs are evaluated and identified in practice, usually as part of a certification scheme or a planning exercise. Who should conduct the assessment? company management team independent team experienced in the ecosystems being assessed.
HCV assessment process Planning and preparation IDENTIFY Scoping study and more planning/prep Full assessment and reporting
Preparation: data needs & desktop review What is known, and what is still needed to identify HCVs? Specific guidance on HCVs (e.g. NIs, HCV RN) Biodiversity (HCVs 1, 2,3) Ecosystem maps, forest inventories Species data (RTE species: IUCN, CITES, red lists) Protected area data Landscape context Ecosystem services (HCV 4) Soil, topography, watersheds, fire hazard Social and cultural data (HCV 5 and 6) Settlement maps and community data Sociocultural data, social impact assessments
Field assessment & data collection Forest inventory Faunal inventory Hydrological studies Socio-economic studies Participatory mapping LIDAR data
Stakeholder consultation Identify potential stakeholders, bearing in mind the nature and vulnerability of the anticipated HCVs, and the risks and threats they face. Ensure key stakeholders are aware that an HCV assessment is being made and that they have an opportunity to participate. The effectiveness and success of the consultation process is determined by whether it identifies the great majority of opinions, relevant information and options
Content of the HCV Report The process should be well documented, with all important decisions clearly justified. Reporting should show: What has been identified and where Justification for HCV Who was consulted What actions will be taken to manage and monitor Public availability of summary Sufficient information given to judge Adequacy of identification process Suitability of management & monitoring measures
HCV management approach Presence of one or more HCV does not preclude development operations Carries a responsibility to put in place extra measures or safeguards Additional pro-active management or protection Must be sufficient to maintain or enhance the value Additional monitoring Requires consultation on options for management Must appear in Public Summary
Mapping HCVs Mapping is usually a fundamental part of HCV identification & management Collection of spatial information is vital How far do you travel to get firewood? Where are high quality habitats and key resources? What is the distribution of key species? Maps should be accompanied with info on data sources, data quality and limitations. HCV distribution and HCV management areas should be mapped; HCV MA s should have associated SOPs.
Guidelines for HCV management 1. Define your objectives 2. Identify baselines and targets 3. Identify threats 4. Identify management options 5. Use precautionary management 6. Monitor success to modify management
Management options Spatial planning Set aside zones, buffer zones, corridors etc. Improving operational plans Better management practices, low impact operations Proactive community engagement Mitigating external threats Partnership with NGOs and local government Provision of alternative resources
Fundamental points HCVs are exceptional values Management must ensure that they are maintained or enhanced. HCV definitions and approach are global and flexible But should be used within a certification scheme and consistently interpreted and applied
Thank you for your attention Questions?