subject: 3rd Progress Report Out on Millennium Development Goals – South Africa [print this page] 3rd Progress Report Out on Millennium Development Goals South Africa
According to the report, there is no data for proportion of fish stocks with safe biological limits' and proportion of land covered by forest.' While it is possible that goals will be met on Co2 emission' reduction and area protection, other goals such as reducing threatened species (vegetation) from extinction are unlikely.
The report said that commitments from the Copenhagen Accord of December 18, 2009, to provide resources amounting to USD 30 billion for 2010 to 2012 have not been made, which have contributed to the failure. It was also suggested that the International Community should encourage action towards sustainable biodiversity management as a vehicle for sustainable development.
The environmental sustainable goal underpins the achievement of the majority of the other seven goals failure to achieve biodiversity stability, for example, undermines social and economic developments.
"In a country with significant biodiversity and number of ecosystems and biomesthe protection of terrestrial and marine areas protected is a critical conservation and economic concern."
There has been an increase from 4.91% to 6,22% in protected areas but the number of threatened vegetation species has gone from 676 in 1990 to 2458 in 2010. It is also estimated that 330,000 hectares of indigenous forest are protected, out of which 5,400 hectares are privately owned.
Fishing and aquaculture were another concern as currently there is no indicator or data on South Africa's marine resources.
"Studies carried out have found that the growth of industrial fishing and aquaculture, changes in habitats and increasing pollution are placing heavy pressure on hydro-biological resources, and this is exacerbated by climate change, which could potentially lead to biodiversity loss."
Policy integration, monitoring and communication were some of the critical steps of action, along with deciding which environmental objectives South Africa wants to achieve by 2015 and beyond.
Recommendations going forward included using Arbor week to promote indigenous trees. Other recommendations all related to the social and economic factors such as sanitation and fresh water to rural areas. No recommendations were made with regards to conservation or protection to both land and species.
In conclusion two main issues arose more funding is needed to achieve the goals as well as more data; "No strategy for environmental sustainability can be successful without better monitoring. Currently, however, monitoring systems for water flows and quality, air quality, deforestation, and other land degradation are inadequate. Sustained investments in strengthening environmental monitoring systems will thus be essential."
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
