PART 2: Group Exercise

Sustainability and Replicability of the Full Project

MODEL ANSWERS

There are various possible answers to the questions in this exercise. However, the most important aspects comprise the following considerations.

Question:

1. Does all the constraints to sustainability have been identified?

Answer:

Yes. The documentation available indicates that overall constraints have been identified though it is not known the level of detail concerning particular constraints.

Question:

2. What specific measures have been identified to ensure sustainability?

Answer:

The Guarani Aquifer System project has identified stakeholder involvement and the collaborative framework built up by the project as the prime vehicle for sustainability. The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem Programme views sustainability through the creation of appropriate frameworks and mechanisms at both regional, national and local levels that would support careful planning, consultation, co-ordination and co-operation. The creation of the permanent Benguela Current Commission will take some time, perhaps as long as the project itself. However, the countries have pledged themselves to immediately create the Interim Benguela Current Commission (IBCC) which will have specified functions and responsibilities. The countries will seek to adopt, through their appropriate national mechanisms, country specific policy/institutional/legal reforms necessary to implement the agreed upon recommendations of the IBCC. In the case of the Caspian Environment Programme interventions are directed at policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional mechanisms. Throughout the life of the project, there have been numerous actions indicative of the commitment of the participating countries to ensure its sustainability.

Question:

3. Are any mechanisms or incentives used for ensuring sustainability?

Answer:

Both the Caspian Environment Programme and the Guarani Aquifer project favor regional legal mechanisms (the Framework Convention with its protocols) and the MERCOSUR, respectively, to assure that the regional basis is set for sustainability.

The BCLME favor the Benguela Current Commission (BCC). It is expected a progressive transfer of project leadership, overall project management and output production directly to the country formed the Interim Benguela Current Commission (IBCC) and, later, the BCC. Financial sustainability is enhanced by the country commitment to sustain the Benguela Current Commission beyond the life of the GEF intervention. It is expected that by the end of the implementation phase of the BCLME Programme self-sustainability will be achieved provided that mechanisms are in place to ensure a substantial degree of co-financing through the involvement of marine and coastal industries, the international community and other beneficiaries.

Question:

4. Have sustainability indicators been identified?

Answer:

Indications have been identified for the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystems, as indicated in the Logical Framework.

Question:

5. Which of the projects favors building capacity & the strengthening of institutions as a tool to achieve sustainability?.

Answer:

The Guarani Aquifer Project favors building human capacities and strengthening institutions, especially within the framework of the MERCOSUR as well as further sensitizing stakeholders. The BCLME Programme favors training and the development of institutional capacities of the key agencies and institutions in the region. In the case of the Caspian Environment Programme, to help assure the sustainability of the measures to protect the Caspian environment, the Programme focus on capacity building within the anticipated PCU (and the ensuing Framework Convention Secretariat), as well as within the National Coordination Units.

Question:
6. What is the role of the private sector in sustainability?

Answer:

The Caspian Environment Programme presents a unique perspective. The participation of the private sector (oil and gas in particular) and their contribution to the Programme has not only changed the view of the sector and improved its environmental record, but the oil and gas industries are playing an important role in the development of sustainable mechanisms for long-term improvement of the environment at the regional level.

Question:

7. Do you have any particular comments regarding the replicability of these projects?

Answer:

The three projects have ample merit for replication in other parts of the world. The lessons learned are highly valuable. Their distinct characteristics, problems addressed, processes and outcomes could make a substantial contribution in the building up the necessary institutional frameworks and specific activities/actions to address transboundary water problems in regions facing similar problems.

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