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CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOLLOW-UP TO THE 1996 SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS REPORT (November 1997) Implementation of the
Bolivia Summit on Sustainable Development This document prepared by the Canadian International Development Agency is presented as a supplement to the Report of the Secretary General on implementation of the Bolivia Summit on Sustainable Development. It is one of a number of statements presented by bilateral and multilateral agencies on their policies and project inventories and was prepared as part of the effort being undertaken by the Interagency Task Force to Support Bolivia Summit Follow-up to provide information to countries on sources of possible future support in the area of sustainable development. Washington, D.C. Background Canada delivers of official development assistance (ODA) trough three main deliver mechanisms: bilateral, multilateral, and partnership. In the Americas, Canada contributes directly or indirectly over $285 million per year through these channels. The Canadian federal government’s official statement on foreign policy, Canada and the World, names care for the environment as one of the six priorities of Canada's official development assistance program. In 1992, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) adopted a policy for environmental sustainability. The policy reflects the Agency’s belief that to achieve sustainable development, it is essential to integrate environmental considerations into development activities. To achieve environmental sustainability, ecosystems must be no managed and protected in ways that maintain both their economy productivity and them ecological functions, sustain the diversity of life in both human-managed and natural systems, and protect the environmental quality of land, air and water from pollution. In practical terms, this means not only investing in projects that restore and protect the environment, but also ensuring that the social and economic development take the environment into account, and maintain the quality and productive capacity of natural systems. CIDA’s Policy for Environmental Sustainability is made up of three major components:
These, combined with efforts under other ODA priorities, have ensured that CIDA fulfils its mandate to support sustainable development in developing countries, in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world. Thus, all CIDA programs serve the twin pillars of Canada's official development assistance: poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Furthermore, regardless of priority area, CIDA projects seek to build capacity at all levels -- local, national, and regional. This report presents a summary of key CIDA projects and programs in the Americas which address the initiatives in the Plan of Action adopted at the December 1996 Bolivia Summit on Sustainable Development. Rather than provide an exhaustive list, it is an overview and highlights particularly successful or promising initiatives. CIDA's Sustainable Development Initiatives in the Americas In fiscal year 1996-1997, 36.4% of bilateral assistance to the Americas was directed toward basic human needs. Programs and projects under this priority addressed increasing the capacity of vulnerable groups, the diversification of agriculture, provision of primary health care, access to and improvement of water, and education services. An additional 11.3% was directed specifically toward the environment. CIDA Americas Branch programs and projects in this area are focused predominantly on natural resources management and environment management capacity. They seek to achieve sustainable models that can be replicated (i.e., in areas such as agro-forestry and eco-tourism), focus on low-cost, strategic choices, and involve local communities in small, iterative projects which transfer appropriate Canadian know-how. A significant part of CIDA’s contribution to Bolivia Summit follow-up is its financial support to partnerships with civil society organizations or institutions and to multi-lateral agencies which undertake activities for sustainable development. In fiscal year 1995/96, in addition to committing over $140,500.000 in government-to-government assistance, CIDA contributed approximately $27,700,000 to the Americas through its Partnership programs. These programs support various components of civil society, divided into three areas: (1) Institutional Cooperation -- educational institutions, co-operatives, unions, and professional associations; (2) Non-Governmental Organizations; and (3) Industrial Co-operation – the private sectors. In the Americas at the multilateral level, CIDA provided $17,700,000 for international humanitarian assistance and food aid, $12,000,000 to programs administered by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD), and $92,950,000 through IFIs and other international organizations or institutions. CIDA has also managed the conversion of $123,540,000 of outstanding official debt into local funds. In Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru, these funds are used to finance environment and other sustainable development projects. Examples of how this initiative responds to specific action items are included below. Responding to the Bolivia Summit Plan of Action I. Promoting a Sustainable Development Framework In conjunction with its contributions through international financial institutions and other multilateral fora, CIDA undertakes projects to promote the creation and strengthening of a sustainable development framework in the Americas. Projects support structures and policies, which will have long-lasting, positive effects on the rehabilitation, protection and preservation of the environment. One such project, the Central American Alliance for Sustainable Development (ALIDES), serves Central America as a whole: ALIDES has created a regional development strategy involving Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama (Mexico is an observer). The Alliance engages participants in joint action to address political, economic, social and environmental issues. In particular, ALIDES works with a network of National Councils for Sustainable Development established in each country, promoting consultation and dialogue. The project aims: to improve collaboration between public sector authorities and civil society for integration of environmental issues in development initiatives; to strengthen national environment authorities; to involve civil society (particularity indigenous peoples) in the resolution of environmental problems at the local and municipal levels; and to increase awareness among civil society about environmental issues. CIDA has contributed $1,500,000 to ALIDES for a three-year period ending in 1999. II.1. Health and Education As mentioned above, CIDA's priority of basic human needs supports efforts to provide primary health care and basic education. (a) Health ClDA's work in the area of primary health care includes: the prevention and control of diseases, basic curative care, health education, health personnel development, capacity building, and reproductive health cane. In the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization has been an important partner in implementing a number of strategies in which Canada places priority. PAHO is acting as the responsible coordinator for Equitable Access to Health Services, is participating in a Canadian/CARICOM initiative to develop a Commonwealth Plan of Action on Gender and Development, and has undertaken a number of activities important to health in the area of "Pollution Prevention end Environmental Protection (section II.3.h below). Furthermore, there are Several PAHO initiatives in which Canada is involved: a public health surveillance network for resurgent and emerging diseases, the development of HIV/AIDS programming, health reform initiatives, and country action plans to achieve child, maternal and reproductive heals goals. Environmental Health (action items 1, 3, 4) CIDA is providing funds for equipment, services, technical assistance, and trainees in an effort to assist Bolivia in the implementation of its New Health Model. The Bolivia - Health Reform Capacity Building project will run for a five-year period, from 1997-2002 and will contribute $3,000,000 to support the development of a sustainable, equity-based national health system in Bolivia. This will be achieved by improving national health policy formulation and implementation, strengthening health management capacities at the municipal levy, improving national heals information systems and their utilization at all levels, and establishing and building the capacity of basic health services to network. Emerging & Infectious/Contagious Diseases (action items 2, 6) Three CIDA-founded projects are worth highlighting in the area of combating emerging and infectious/contagious diseases: First, the CARICOM HIV/AIDS Project provides $4,100,000 for the period 1996-1999. Through CAREC (the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre) and in response to Caribbean-specific needs, this project seeks to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS/STDs and to minimize the impact on individuals and communities in the 18 CARICOM member countries. It is targeted at adolescents, women of child bearing age, and people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and their communities. The project attempts to increase risk perception, promote safer sex and partner reduction, and reduce the incidence of Curable Sexually Transmitted Diseases. A second initiative, PAHO's Epidemiology and Laboratory Strengthening, serves countries throughout the Americas. This project supports the development and strengthening of the "Regional System for Vaccines in the Americas" (SIREVA) - which currently involves Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay - through a transfer of knowledge and technology. Extending its initial commitment of $1,500,000 (1992-1995), CIDA has contributed an additional $1,000,000 to continue the project Trough 1997. The goals of this project are (1) to further develop a sustainable laboratory-based surveillance network and epidemiological capability in the Americas for vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases in children and (2) to initiate the development of infrastructure and technology transfer for the eventual production of a conjugated pneumococcal vaccine. Finally, through the creative use of counterpart funds, CIDA has contributed $1,400,000 to the Bolivia National Program of Control of Chagas for 1997-1999. Through this contribution to the National Program, which works to interrupt the transmission of Chagas disease (spread by insects) in and around the home, these funds support improvement of housing, fumigation, popular education with a view to modify behavior, and training and surveillance activities. In this way, the program's ultimate objective is to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from Chagas. At the same time, this program touches on other initiatives adopted at the Bolivia Summit, particularly the areas of education and housing. (b) Education CIDA’s work in the area of basic education includes early childhood development, primary education and alternative programs, and basic education for youth and adults. Instruction in Sustainable Development (action item 5) The debt conversion initiative for the environment mentioned above is used in a number of countries to promote environmental education. For example, in El Salvador, such funds have been used for community environmental education as proposed by NGOs. As well, a project in Honduras to promote Environment Education in the Public School System has resulted in the training of 9000 teachers (the goal is to reach 27,000) and teaching materials have been designed and produced. In collaboration with the Organizaci�n Latinoamericana de Energ�a (OLADE), CIDA has created the OLADE Energy and Environment Project (1996-2001). The principal output of this $4,872,000 project will be the establishment of a Master's degree in Energy and Environmental Management, available to students in OLADE member countries. In the process, the project will develop environmental management capabilities in Latin America, strengthen Latin American capacity to implement environmental legislation (including regulatory controls), build knowledge and skills among participating Latin American and Canadian faculty, and develop collaborative links between government, industry, and educational institutions, specifically with the University of Calgary. This initiative also corresponds with action items to prevent pollution (section II.3.h. below) and to encourage sustainable energy (section II.5.m. below). II.2. Sustainable Agriculture and Forests Given the intimate relation between deforestation, soil erosion, and a reduction in agriculture productivity, many projects developed by CIDA seek to address all of these issues at once. For example, CIDA recently approved a 5-million dollar project which will contribute to the improvement of rural conditions in the Nippes zone in Haiti through the protection and rehabilitation of the physical environment. Over the next five years (to 2002), Canadians and Haitians will work together to: share expertise on methods to slow soil degradation, promote agro-forestry through the establishment of communal forests, and sensitize inhabitants to environmental conservation, particularly of agricultural soils. (c) Sustainable Agriculture (action items 7-16) New and integrated approaches to agricultural production are being thoroughly studied and widely applied through CIDA programming. CIDA supports several projects aimed at combating the erosion, impoverishment and salinization of soils due to poor irrigation practices. Through a commitment of $9,995,000 over 5 years (to 2001), a recently approved project, Programme Andin de D�veloppement Coop�ratif, works to establish rural agricultural co-operatives in Peru and Bolivia which employ ecological techniques for soil conservation and rational utilization of agricultural inputs. In Guatemala, CIDA has approved a second phase of the Local Development Fund, PADEL II. This phase, involving $8,000,000 over five years (to 2001, following an initial $10,545,800 contribution in Phase I), contributes to sustained poverty reduction by improving the standard of living of disadvantaged rural groups, mainly indigenous, in the northwest and west of Guatemala. Special emphasis is placed on projects with women's groups. Specific themes for activities include agricultural production (growing coffee, producing potatoes and eggs, etc.), and marketing and agro-industry (including primary processing). The second phase of another project, Honduras Guayape Valley Agricultural Development, also seeks to alleviate poverty while addressing environmental issues. This $10,100,000 project (to 2001) assists small farmers to improve their standard of living trough agricultural productivity improvements, micro-credit, marketing assistance, and land titling. Sustainable agricultural methods are being promoted to reduce soil erosion, increase yield, and reduce the impact of farming on the environment. Furthermore, given the security of land tenure, which has resulted from land-titling efforts, farmers are more likely to make an investment in their land to these ends. (d) Sustainable Forestry (action items 17-22) Since the 1950s, Canadian foreign aid has actively supported forestry. CIDA has participated in many projects and programs designed to foster the sustainability of forests. Current CIDA Americas projects in this sector amount to over $22.400,000. One example of CIDA's contribution to sustainable forestry comes from El Salvador where debt conversion funds, managed by the National Environment Fund, are used for reforestation and the creation of energy-efficient woodstoves (see also IL5.m below). Honduras, the Hardwood Forest Development Project provides assistance for forest management of tropical deciduous forests on the north Atlantic coast by promoting a model of social forestry for the benefit of the local population. This project aims to reduce non-sustainable deforestation by improving knowledge about protection and harvesting of the forests, land-use management, agro-forestry, and community development activities. CIDA has committed $5,575,000 to this initiative (to 2001). (e) Biodiversity Conservation (action items 23-31) Honduras is also host to a project, which offers support to sustainable management of natural resources. This project assists Honduras to develop responsible policies for the sustainable management of renewable natural resources so as to preserve biodiversity and prevent the reduction of agricultural soil productivity, soil erosion, flooding, degradation of natural habitat, deforestation and destruction of coastal resources. CIDA has committed $5,000,000 for a five-year period coding in 2001. Conservation is also the principle focus of the second phase of the ARENAL Conservation and Development project, which seeks to promote conservation and sustainable development on protected reserve land and in the buffer zone around Cough Rica's Arenas Conservation Area. This involves sustainable management of natural resources, improved protection and reduced rates of deforestation and erosion in ecologically-sensitive areas, strategic planning activities, and increased public awareness. Canada, through a $1,702,000 CIDA contribution (to 2000), finances the costs for Canadian and Costa Rican service, materials and equipment, some infrastructure, an evaluation, and operating expenses. II.3 Sustainable Cites and Communities As announced at the Bolivia Summit, CIDA has contributed $5,OOO,OOO to a four year project for Sustainable Urban Development in Bolivia. This project supports sustainable development in large urban areas by strengthening the planning and implementation capacity of selected Bolivian institutions Under a Similar project in Chile -Sustainable Santiago- financed through the Canada-Southern Cone Technology Transfer Fund (valued at $15,OOO,OOO for the period 1996-2001), CIDA has contributed $625,688 for 1997/98 to the City of Santiago’s Municipal Strategic Plan in priority environmental sustainability issues: environmental assessment, improve, air quality through transportation demand management, and municipal and industrial waste reduction. This will be done through the introduction of best Canadian practices and industrial Know-how in a series of planning workshops and study visits, and through the pilot testing of selected Canadian technologies in Santiago neighborhoods. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI-Canada) is implementing this environmental urbanism project in collaboration with a team of Canadian partners. (f) Economic Development (action items 32-35) The principle goals of the Canadian Initiative for Industrial Competitiveness in Costa Rica are (1) to support the modernization of the productive sector in Costa Rica and (2) to increase in competitiveness in an environmentally-sound manner. Utilizing funds under $9,5OO,OOO CIDA contributions for the period 1997-2002, this project supports small and medium-size businesses, co-operatives and public utilities’ access to Canadian technical assistance, training expertise and equipment in order to modernize operations, improve efficiency, and increase competitiveness. It also seeks to reinforce private and public institutions, such as the banking system, environmental control agencies, etc. for activities which improve their capacity to assist in the modernization of the productive sector. At the same time, the $14,000.000 PAR – Proyecto de Apoyo a las lniciativas regionales / Support Program for Regional Initiatives support some fifteen or more regional initiatives which are each designed and implemented by Central American institutions and organizations in partnership with Canadian counterparts. This project seeks to promote equitable modernization of productive sector enterprises in order to allow the poor and the working poor an opportunity to move into the modern economy. (g) Housing (action items 36-40) Under CIDA's basic human need priority, shelter is one of the areas listed as a target for assistance programs. This includes housing access issues such as construction and renovation of low cost housing, access to building materials and related infrastructure, proving land tenure security for people living in poverty (see also II.2.c above), and access to low-cost housing through credit mechanisms. It further prides for community involvement in housing issues by promoting participation by civil society in defining and meeting housing needs. (h) Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection (action items 38-45) As mentioned above, the prevention of pollution and protection of the environment are considered into to CIDA's basic human needs priority, which best promote healthy environments which support sustainable development. For example, the $1,000,000 ESMAP Lead Phase-Out Project (to 1998) promotes the plane out of lead in gasoline in the Americas by the year 2001 and the development of National Plans aimed at the elimination of the health and environmental risks associated with lead (implementation of changes in gasoline specifications, emission control and the development of new obligatory efficiency levels in vehicles). The development and implementation of this project involves collaboration with regional organizations, such as OLADE and ARPEL, which provide the necessary forums to exchange information and develop a regional strategy alongside national action plans. Using a more preventive approach, the Environmental Training in Brazilian Industry Project (to 2000) supports the adoption of environmentally sustainable processes and technologies by Brazilian industry, particularly by medium-sized enterprises, through the provision of relevant customized education and training programs to Brazilian industry in the management of the environment, inter alia. The Environmental Action Program (ENACT) in Jamaica (to 2004) aims to strengthen several Jamaican institutions in environmental and natural resources management, including those in the public sector, the private sector, local communities and non-governmental organizations. In particular, the agency responsible for the formulation of national environmental policy, laws and regulations will be strengthened. General public awareness in pollution prevention and community waste management will also be undertaken. It is expected that this project will eventually equip Jamaica with the policy capacity to implement many of the Climate Change and Biodiversity Convention policies, laws and regulations. II.4. Water Resources and Coastal Areas Water management in general is a key aspect of many CIDA projects which work toward sustainable development. (j) Potable Water (action items 1, 47) Access to potable water is one of CIDA’s main concerns under the basic human needs priority. CIDA projects seek to secure a safe drinking water supply through low-cost technologies (including hand pumps, wells, boreholes, gravity-fed systems and rainwater collection), the creation of storage tanks in rural and peri-urban arms, water treatment (low-cost systems for preventing or eliminating contamination), improvements in sanitation, and the elimination of health concerns (control of transmission routes, i.e., trough drainage). For example, in Nicaragua and Honduras, debt conversion funds managed by an independent management entity are used to finance projects in watershed management and water pollution control. Local funds are also put to use throughout the Americas to develop small-scale projects to increase access to potable water. (k) Integrated Water Resource Management (action items 48-54) Environment Canada (part of the Government of Canada), in co-operation with its Brazilian counterpart, manages the Watershed Management 2000 project in Brazil, which works to improve water quality management by: (1) developing and implementing a Decision Support System for the Piracicaba watershed, (2) improving sewage and sludge management in the Metropolitan Sao Paulo region, and (3) augmenting institutional linkages between Canada and the State of Sao Paulo for information exchange. ClDA's contribution for 1997-2000 is $3,000,000. (I) Coastal and Marine Resources (action items 55-58) In the Caribbean, CIDA is in the process of planning a $4,000,000 project to be implemented in 1998 (to 2001). In collaboration with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), this Environmental Capacity Development Project would concentrate on capacity development in Coastal and Marine Resources Management for OECS' Member Countries. Most activities will directly or indirectly help protect the coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity currently under threat (see also II.2.e above). lI. 5. Energy and Minerals (m) Sustainable Energy (action items 59-64) The magnitudes of environmental-energy issues defer the construction of new power plants. Finally, the $5,000,000 second phase of the Restoration the Operation of the Electrical Utility in Haiti (1997-1999) helps the Haitian state electrical utility overcome the great damage it suffered under the embargo following the coup d'�tat. A key component in the project is the reduction of the technical and non-technica1 losses in the electrical distribution system, which are currently running at 60% in the metropolitan region and 85 % in the provinces. Reductions in technical losses particularly will also reduce the output of greenhouse gases, since more than half of the generation is thermally-based. (n) Mining (acted items 63-65) Reform of mid practices in the Americas is also a goal of CIDA projects in its effort to secure sustainable development which protects the environment. For example, the Multinational Andean Project (1996-2000) with Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru represents a $4,800,000 CIDA contribution, in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada (Cordillera Division), to render more compatible the geoscience's data of the four countries' National Geoscience Institutions. The project also increases these countries' horizontal integration and co-operation, with a view to promote the social and economic development of depressed regions along their borders in an environmentally-responsible manner. Finally, the project seeks to attract investment in mineral resources and infrastructure development. Through the Mining Sector Reform and the Environment project, CIDA contributes $2,500,000 over three years in support of the development of a favorable investment environment in the Bolivian mining sector by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Bolivian institutions responsible for regulating the mineral sector and the environment. In Brazil, the Canada-Brazil Co-operation Project for Sustainable Development In the Minerals Sector (to 1998) seeks to enhance Brazil's capabilities of achieving sustainable development and responsible use of its mineral resources by: establishing long-term co-operation linkages between Canadian and Brazilian institutions and companies in the minerals sector; enhancing Brazilian capacity to carry out resource assessment as a basis for land use decisions that are consistent with sustainable development objectives; and transferring Canadian environmental technologies. A similar project in the Caribbean division is still in the planning stages. The Guyana Capacity Development in Environmental Management: Mineral Industry Project would upgrade Guyanese mining policies, laws, regulations, technical institutions and practices in order to reduce pollution and damage to rivers, ground water, and vegetation, particularly the tropical rain forest. Conclusions Environmental and other developmental problems intensify each other's effects in a synergistic way. Extreme environmental degradation poses a serious threat to health, food supplies, habitat and income. The sustainable management of natural resources, the prevention and control of pollution, and the conservation of species and ecosystems are prerequisites for the survival of the human species and for the maintenance and improvement of its quality of life. Future generations might well inherit irremediably catastrophic situations unless policies, programs and resources are dedicated to helping developing countries avoid the environmental mistakes of developed nations, while maintaining economic growth. CIDA continues to co-operate with interested partners to address environmental issues and promote sustainable development in the Hemisphere. Contact Information: Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) / Agence canadienne de d�veloppement international (ACDI) / Agencia Canadiense para el Desarrollo Internacional / Ag�ncia Canadense para o Desenvolvimento Internacional. 200 Promenade du Portage Bob Anderson
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