Knowledge Management Strategy on Environment and Climate Change

Lessons From the Field:

When it comes to environmental protection, and particularly energy issues, it is not necessarily true that “bigger is better” – i.e. large-scale projects and investments are not necessarily the best solutions. In many cases, such as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, several smaller-scale projects can have a greater impact and be invaluable role models to the rest of the country."

(2012, UNEP, Seeds of Knowledge)
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Over the past few years, the global environmental agenda has been dominated by preparations for, and follow-up from, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (or Rio+20) held in June 2012, which provided an unprecedented opportunity to learn from the MDGs and further the post- 2015 development agenda. From the environmental perspective, three key issues were examined: a) progress made in the implementation of the major sustainable development summit outcomes; b) the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and c) strengthening environmental governance with a view to improving the overall institutional framework for sustainable development. Making progress on the achievement of global development goals, including MDG7 on the environment, will require global attention to priority issues such as payments for ecosystem services, protection of biological diversity, resource efficiency and chemicals and waste management. Building capacity, enhancing the science-policy interface and improving mutually supportive environmental and sustainable development governance will support the realization of these goals.

The contribution of the JPs under the MDG-F Environment and Climate Change thematic window to the achievement of MDG7 focused on integrating the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and on strengthening the national, regional and local management of environmental resources.This was often been done by addressing the challenge of adaptation to climate change as the key environmental concern, but also through initiatives for ecosystem taxation, mitigation of the effects of climate change, and management of water resources.

The UNEP KM plan was designed to strengthen KM of the MDG-F by supporting JPs under the Environment and Climate Change window, providing information and expert support in their areas of priority and identifying, documenting and disseminating success stories and lessons learned from the MDG-F JPs and implementation processes.

Experiences exchange initiatives:

Teamworks: The first outcome of the Environment and Climate Change KM plan, the establishment of a Community of Practice, was undertaken through both the Teamworks, allowing the KM team as well as JPs in the thematic window to jointly contribute materials and manage online discussions.
» mdgf.unteamworks.org/node/16963

The Wiki: was a particularly innovative tool that generated much interest among other KM teams and led to a cross-window initiative using the Wiki modality to collect lessons learned from JPs across all thematic windows.
» wiki.mdgfund.net/Environment_and_Climate_Change

Regional workshops: were held in Adana and Panama City in 2011 to provide a conceptual background on KM, build a KM strategy for the JPs in the window and initiate discussions on JP experiences with programme design and implementation. A final, closing workshop was held in Yachana (Ecuador) to consolidate results and lessons learned, and to formulate recommendations for effective sustainability strategies. Workshop reports were produced.

Lessons learned:

Seeds of Knowledge Booklet: The 17 Environment and Climate Change Joint Programmes developed 53 lessons learned on climate change adaptation at national and local community levels. This booklet describes the experience that was gained and its impact at the global and policymaking levels.
» wiki.mdgfund.net/images/4/47/Seeds_of_Knowledge.pdf

Multimedia Products: The UNEP MDG-F KM Team, along with the UNEP Division of Communication and Public Information, compiled a video of the success stories and thematic lessons learnt across all JPs, mainly based on existing audio visual material from the JPs.

Capacity building:

Expert support in the form of a series of web-based discussions, or “Weeks in Focus”. Dedicated sessions were held for each JP in the thematic window, allowing JP teams to present their work and receive feedback or peer assistance from others. Other sessions featured key topics in the thematic areas of: a) gender mainstreaming; b) vulnerability and impact assessment; c) adaptation to climate change; and d) exit strategies and results systematization.

The following different approaches and topics were covered:

Ecuador Week in Focus: 5 – 8 September 2011: Through Elluminate, a community of practitioners discussed good practices and lessons learnt on productive themes in the Yasuni Biosphere, identification of case studies in other regions on the business potential of community based tourism networks in protected areas and/or Biosphere reserves, and governance of Biosphere reserves and case studies of the Yasuni Biosphere.
Egypt Week in Focus: 10 – 12 October 2011: Presentation on good practices and lessons learnt in adaptation and mitigation in Egypt were shared and discussed. A communication for policy adoption was deliberated among the community.
Afghanistan Week in Focus: 24 – 26 October 2011: The focus of the presentation was on the “Strengthened approach for the Integration of Sustainable Environmental Management in Afghanistan.” Other topics of discussion included Community based Natural Resource Management and the Pros and Cons of Ecosystem/Watershed Based Natural Resource Management.

Turkey Week in Focus: 6 – 8 December 2011: Presentations were made and discussions held on Vulnerability Assessments and lessons learnt, UNIDO Clean Production and Eco-efficiency Process and sustainability strategy.
Philippines Week in Focus: 14 – 16 December 2012: Exit Strategy and Sustainability Planning, Mainstreaming Climate Change in the Health Sector and Downscaling Climate Scenarios were main topics of discussions. Filipinos shared their successes and learning with the community.
Nicaragua Week in Focus: 18 – 20 January 2012: Nicaragua presented “Communication” as an important element in achieving sustainability of the environment and elaborated on its access programme for drinking water and sanitation; the promotion of renewable energy (photovoltaic) in the communities of the Bosawas biosphere reserve; and the development of local capacities for biodiversity investigation and monitoring via the formation of community youth networks.
Panama Week in Focus: 28 – 30 March 2012: Panama shared its experience and expertise on the process for multi-cultural work and community/local participation on communication for development, governance, partnerships; tools for adaptation and mitigation and capacity building at local level through empowerment of authorities, communities, institutions.
Peru Week in Focus: 23 – 26 May 2012: Peru presented to the community on healthy housing and communication strategies on climate change that were carefully designed to adapt to the local communities.
Senegal Week in Focus: 13 – 15 June 2012: Discussion centred around improvement of the knowledge of forest ecosystems, their services and their impact on human well-being in Senegal; development of a policy and tools for sustainable management of forest resources; and communication, outreach and capitalization of the findings from the Senegal JP.
Ethiopia Week in Focus: 26 – 28 June 2012: Ethiopia shared its experience in mainstreaming the Environment Joint Programme Governance Structure into existing Governance systems, income generating activities for sustainable livelihood, changes to pastoral communities and climate change adaptation programme mainstreaming in pastoral areas of Ethiopia.