Baastel’s Post

At the recent #IJGlobalAwards2023 Arcadis were awarded the top prize in the Developments for Financial Institutions category for our Natural Capital Valuation (NCV) Model, which we created on behalf of the EBRD. The NCV Model helps the EBRD find investment opportunities and rank them based on their positive impacts on nature, the economy, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. As one judge said, “This work sets Arcadis apart and sets new market standards for affording a monetary value to biodiversity and thus a way to incorporate biodiversity into a positive return profile.” Read here: https://okt.to/7s0WkO #EuropeanBankForReconstructionAndDevelopment #UNSDG #Sustainability

The Europe Sustainable Development Report is out, Germany currently ranks at 6th position in the overall comparsion of SDG achievement: https://lnkd.in/dPpNWbvZ The report's numbers also show the contradictional behaviour of the Global North quite well: In total, EU is ranked as the world's region with the highest (=best) achievement in SDGs so far, but ranks last (=has the most negative score) in spillover effects: For the emmission of GHG, the most spillovers are made in EU's clothing and textile sector, for deforestation it is forestry and logging, and for water stress it again is textile and clothing. To compare: Sub-Sahara Africa has the lowest achievement of SDGs, but the most positive score in spillover effects. https://lnkd.in/dnqZxvJz I'm still happy to contribute to the SDGs, e.g. with the projects funded by public donors I manage at Stiftung Menschen für Menschen - Karlheinz Böhms Äthiopienhilfe, but I believe ranking well in SDG achievement AND spillovers is possible and would love the EU to take responsibility for their negative spillovers and reduce them massively, especially when it comes to GHG emmissions and supply chains 🌿

🌍✨ GRID-Arendal in Malawi: Laying the Groundwork for the National State of the Environment Outlook Report! ✨🌍 Last week, Clever Mafuta, our Head of Program for Waste & Marine Litter, was on the ground in Malawi, attending a crucial scoping workshop for the new National State of the Environment Outlook Report (NSEOR). 📅 Over three productive days, we collaborated with stakeholders to define the scope and outline of this pivotal report. The workshop saw excellent participation, balanced in gender and expertise, setting the stage for a comprehensive document that will chart Malawi's environmental future. 📣 Highlights: MEPA, supported by UNEP and GRID-Arendal, led briefings with media and parliament, ensuring broad awareness and support. We're seeking nominations for authors and members of the Governmental and Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group and the Scientific Advisory Group. In the words of Clever Mafuta: "For the past three days, I’ve been meeting stakeholders in Malawi to define what will go into the next National State of the Environment Report. We discussed key drivers, legislative anchors, and content. The workshop was well-attended, and we’re confident we’ll produce a thorough and forward-looking report aligned with Malawi’s Agenda 2063 and action plans." Stay tuned as we continue to support Malawi in creating a sustainable environmental future! 🌱🇲🇼 #Malawi #SustainableDevelopment #Agenda2063 #MEPA #UNEP #GEO

Join us at the UNEA side-event hosted by the EU on "Shaping a Water Resilient World: Water Security for All." 📅 Today, Friday  🕜 Time: 13:30 - 14:45  📍 Location: CR10( Conference Room 10) The international momentum for addressing global water resilience is stronger than ever. Fragmented governance and increasing competition for scarce water resources are potential drivers of social tensions, conflicts between nations, and poverty. This side event aims to contribute to the follow-up of the UN 2023 Water Conference and UNEA-6, focusing on the drivers of global water resilience and preparing for the next UN Water Conference in 2026. We'll emphasize the role of United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and other UN entities in fostering an integrated approach to water resilience. 🎯 Expected outcomes: Raise awareness of global water resilience issues and UN/EU actions. Engage sectors like energy, agriculture, and finance in water resilience efforts. Call for action on global water resilience, linking to UNEA-6 resolutions and key initiatives. 🎙️ Moderated by: Mina Guli - CEO, Thirst Faith Nangila - Communication Lead, Green Generation Initiative 🗣️ Speakers: Johan Rockstrom - Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Virginijus Sinkevičius - Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, European Commission Tina Mrilinani - Founder and Executive Director, Women4Biodiversity Ambroise Fayolle - Vice President, European Investment Bank Inge Retnowati - Director for Inland Waters and Mangrove Rehabilitation, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia Pär Larhans - Sustainability & Public Affairs, Ragn-Sells Group Sibi Lawson-Marriott - Senior Advisor, World Food Programme (WFP) Tim Kasten - Director of Policy and Programme Division, UNEP Let's shape a water-resilient world together! #WaterResilience #UNEA6 #EUWaterInitiative WWQA World Water Quality AllianceUnited Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)Water EuropeEuropean Commission

As promised, I am here to take you through the steps that transitioned through the safeguard -related documents and how the entire process unfolded Uganda started REDD+ process in 2008 when the country became a participant of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) after approval of the Forest Carbon Partnership Readiness Plan Idea Note (ER-PIN). Financial support helped Uganda to have all elements of the Warsaw Framework in place. It was the first country in Africa to report on REDD+ results with 8,071 MtCO2e to the UNFCCC for the two-year period 2015-2017. In order, to secure access to guaranteed source of demand for REDD+ emission reductions, Government of Uganda joined the global voluntary carbon program known as the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART).The Architecture for REDD+ Transactions-ART is a global voluntary carbon program (architecture) to register, verify and issue high quality REDD+ emissions reduction credits to countries and jurisdictions. The program seeks to incentivize governments to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), as well as restore forests and protect intact forests (+). ART operates a high-integrity standard for measuring, monitoring, verifying, and crediting known as The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES).To address the safeguards requirements of ART/TREES and the Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest finance (LEAF), Uganda needs to develop inputs and documents to be submitted for the TREES Registration Stage. The application of safeguards is an important element of REDD+ implementation and a key requirement for accessing results-based payments which requires ownership by the country, engagement of key stakeholders is primordial, as well as better understanding of safeguards requirements of TREES and LEAF. Climate Change Department (CCD) #UNREDD+ @EMLI(Environmental Management for livelihood improvement Bwaise facility) christine Mbatuusa UNDP United Nations Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC) I will continue updating on a daily basis to feed you all more knowledge on the journey of UNREDD+ in uganda

Ten years ago, Professor Felix Müller (Head of the Department of Ecosystem Management, Institute for Natural Resource Conservation in Kiel University) introduced me to the #Payment_for_Ecosystem_Services (PES) concept. Its impact and complexity were further illuminated during a trip to Tanzania. There, we explored how #local_communities perceive stopping deforestation for carbon sequestration benefits, and how direct payment schemes could shift their economic activities towards sustainability. With the Brazilian government's recent announcement at COP28 about a mega fund for funding local communities to halt deforestation, the PES concept has resurfaced with vigor. This brings us to a critical juncture: how can we scientifically support PES to ensure the promotion of actions and projects that are scientifically sound? The quality of restoration and conservation actions globally demands our attention. Before defaulting to the "business as usual" approach of financial flow, we must confront a significant challenge: valuing and quantifying ecosystem services. This is crucial for directing finance towards the valuation of services before any payment is made. Quantifying these services is essential for funding, ensuring that resources are allocated to the most effective and well-implemented solutions. Additionally, establishing early #monitoring and tracking criteria for current and future projects is imperative. Without this, we risk counting years without witnessing substantial change. The implementation of PES on a global scale faces numerous barriers. From valuation and quantification of ecosystem services to ensuring effective monitoring and accountability, the challenges are significant. Yet, addressing these challenges head-on is the only way to ensure that PES can deliver on its promise of promoting sustainable economic activities and conservation efforts globally. #climate #Nature #Land #PES #IPLC Photo credit: UNEP

Best of luck and God's speed to all our friends who will be toiling away at #UNEA6 over the next week - they have quite the 'must-do' list of environmental challenges to be grappling with! Inger's report (which we had the great honour of helping to draft) lays out six critical issues that UNEA is in an amazing position to take concrete, positive steps to address. #UNEP #environment #criticalminerals #watercrisis #biodiversity

Next week ministers, intergovernmental organizations, the broader United Nations system, civil society groups, the scientific community and private sector will all gather in Nairobi for #UNEA6 - a key moment to shape global environmental policy. In my report to UNEA-6, I shared thoughts on what countries may wish to consider to deliver more effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral action, including: • Implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework • Integrated approaches for a water secure world • Responsible mining and sustainable minerals and metals use • Cooperation around nutrients • Reviewing climate-altering technologies  • Aligning financial system for sustainability Read in full: https://lnkd.in/d4eSZ9Ma

Celebrating Arcadis' recent award win at the #IJGlobalAwards2023! We were awarded the top prize in the Developments for Financial Institutions category for our Natural Capital Valuation (NCV) Model, which we created on behalf of the EBRD. The NCV Model helps the EBRD find investment opportunities and rank them based on their positive impacts on nature, the economy, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. As one judge said, “This work sets Arcadis apart and sets new market standards for affording a monetary value to biodiversity and thus a way to incorporate biodiversity into a positive return profile.” Read here: https://okt.to/UgLRW6 #EuropeanBankForReconstructionAndDevelopment #UNSDG #Sustainability

🌿 Exciting news for Senegal's green future! The country is set to launch a National Fund to promote the green economy, with a focus on agriculture, waste management, and biodiversity. This initiative aims to address the significant environmental impacts in these areas, as highlighted by the Third National Communication on Climate Change in Senegal. With agriculture responsible for 49% of greenhouse gas emissions, followed by energy at 40%, waste at 7%, and industrial processes at 4%, it's clear that action is needed. Minister Daouda Ngom is leading the charge to reduce these figures and boost ecological investment, particularly in high-carbon-emission sectors. The fund will prioritize energy efficiency in large-scale projects and support the development of modern waste treatment infrastructures. Additionally, it will enhance biodiversity conservation efforts, aligning with SDGs 14 and 15. This is a pivotal step towards a sustainable future for Senegal, emphasizing the importance of local authorities' involvement and robust scientific data for optimizing green investments. Let's support this green transformation! Read the full article from AFRIK 21 here: https://lnkd.in/dKZH2nfQ 🌱💼 #GreenEconomy #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Senegal #Biodiversity #RenewableEnergy #WasteManagement #SDGs