Steering Committee Meeting - III
Mexico Room (D211), FAO HQ, Rome, Italy, 25-27 January 2006
Document 27
Version 2
19-01-2006
GTOS and the conventions: update and future
developments
(Submitted by the GTOS Programme Officer, GTOS Secretariat)
Summary and Purpose of Document
This document provides an overview of GTOS role and approach in support to the work of
Biodiversity-Related and Rio Conventions by highlighting current and potential areas of cooperation.
Issues requiring decisions by the GTOS Steering Committee are reported in Boxes 1-5 throughout the
text and summarised in the table below. Prompts for discussions and logistics matter are outlined at
the end of this document.
ACTION PROPOSED
The meeting is invited to note the information contained in this document for
discussion under Agenda Items 20-24.
See Table below.
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are invited to discuss on the GTOS
approach to the Conventions and, in particular to take decisions on the following issues:
1.
2.
3.
GTOS observer status to the CBD;
membership of CBD representative in the GTOS Biodiversity Initiative (BGTOS);
instrument/level of formal cooperation between GTOS and CBD;
4.
GTOS role in the achievement of Target 2010: applying for partner status in
the
2010
Biodiversity
Indicators
Partnership
(http://www.twentyten.net/index.htm) led by UNEP-WCMC;
5.
GTOS observer status to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;
6.
implementation of the activities listed in the MoC including fund-raising (e.g.
UNF/UNFIP; GEF);
development of pilot-project on Mediterranean coastal-wetlands sites aimed at
reinforcing synergy amongst the following Biodiversity-Related Conventions:
WHC, CMS, CBD and the Ramsar Convention (incl. the MedWet Initiative);
7.
8.
9.
GTOS observer status to the CMS;
development of pilot-initiatives on “LAND”-based approach to migratory
species conservation (e.g. identification of “migration” T.sites in TEMS);
10. instrument/level of formal cooperation between GTOS and CMS (and other
MEAs within the CMS Family);
11. GTOS observer status to UNCCD;
12. identification of GTOS products and services to assess issues related to land
degradation taking into account the needs and requirements (incl. capacitybuilding and training needs) of UNCCD State Parties, especially affected
African countries, in cooperation with the UNCCD Secretariat, Committee on
Science and Technology (CST), and the Committee for the Review of the
Implementation of the Convention (CRIC);
13. enhancement of TEMS and other GTOS data management systems required to
provide in situ meta-data relevant to the establishment of benchmarks and
development of indicators;
14. instrument/level of cooperation with LADA, GLCN and donor/affected
countries (e.g. Italy) to develop/implement activities in support to UNCCD;
15. GTOS activities in the context of the International Year of Deserts and
Desertification;
16. GTOS observer status to UNFCCC;
17. instrument/level of formal cooperation between GTOS and UNFCCC;
18. Coordination of activities relevant to assessing the status of the development of
standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain.
1. Introduction
The Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) was established in 1996 in response to a
growing need for understanding the effect of global change on terrestrial ecosystems on
sustainable development. Since the early days of the GTOS Programme, the State Parties of
the international environment-related conventions were identified as potential users of GTOS
products and services. Moreover, the Secretariats of such Conventions were also recognized
as providing insights to the types of data/information that the State Parties may require to
comply with the Conventions’ requirements and to report at the Statutory Meetings.
In this respect, the Secretariats of the most of the international environment-related
conventions were contacted and their needs and requirements were assessed. A GTOS
Document (GTOS-7) “GTOS and the Conventions: The Global Terrestrial Observing System
and The Data and Information Needs of Some of The Environmental Convention
Secretariats”1 compiled by M. D. Gwynne (October 1996, updated April 1997) summarizes
the survey on International Conventions concerned with the conservation or utilisation of
renewable natural resources. The Conventions to be surveyed were identified by UNEP
which also arranged for a consultant to discuss with the Secretariats Staff on the State Parties’
needs from GTOS.
In particular, the following Convention Secretariats – here reported
according to the order of adoption – were consulted:
 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl
Habitat (Ramsar), (1971);
 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage (WHC), (1972);
 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Fauna (CITES), (1973);
 Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
(CMS), (1979);
 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and their Disposal (SBC), (1989);
 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
(1992);
 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), (1992);
1
GTOS-7, http://www.fao.org/gtos/doc/pub7.pdf
 United Nations Conventions to Combat Desertification in Those Countries
Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa
(UNCCD), (1994).
Following the visits to the Secretariats, a short-erm strategy and a list of general
recommendations for GTOS were elaborated (see GTOS-7, pages 47-53). Among such
recommendations, it is important to recall the following:
Rec. no. 5: GTOS should consider other Conventions as possible GTOS users, especially
regional conventions whose interests touch upon the global Conventions discussed in this
report. Contact should be made with them.
Rec. no. 8: GTOS should carefully review the data needs of each Convention with a view
to reducing the number of variables to be measured to the minimum necessary for obtaining
a proper understanding of what is happening at each series of Convention sites.
Rec. no. 11: GTOS should develop an observational data management system common to
all the Convention Secretariats and which they can recommend to their Parties.
Rec. no. 14: GTOS should demonstrate to potential users the relevance of data from GTOS
stations distant from Convention sites.
Rec. no. 15: GTOS should consider procedures for supplying users with spatially
referenced maps of variables for sites and zones at specified scales since this is one of the
data forms most requested by Conventions.
Rec. no. 20: GTOS should plan its operations under The Conventions as a series of
programme packages each of which can be put to relevant donors separately. Each package
before submission to a donor must have the prior agreement of The Convention Secretariat,
the Scientific and Technical Committee of The Convention, and the Conference of the
Parties of The Convention, and the Governments of the countries where the work will take
place.
Rec. no. 21: GTOS should work very closely with the Secretariats of well established
Conventions to draw up relevant GTOS project proposals.
Rec. no. 22: GTOS must work through the project approval process of each Convention. It
is particularly important in this respect that GTOS establish good working relations with
each of the Scientific and technical Committees of The Conventions.
Rec. no. 23: GTOS should obtain observer status on the Scientific and Technical
Committee of relevant Conventions ....
Rec. no. 24: GTOS should regularly attend meetings of the Scientific and Technical
Committees of The Conventions to Combat Desertification and The Convention on
Biological Diversity. Representatives of both these Committees should be invited to attend
some GTOS programming meetings.
The original survey concludes that all the above-mentioned Convention Secretariats are
interested in collaborating with GTOS with the exception of the UNFCCC. In this respect, it
important to underline that the results are related to the time in which it was conducted, and
the situation has since changed for many of these. In this respect, the GTOS Steering
Committee should call for a new survey in order to provide GTOS with a more systematic and
updated approach to the relevant Conventions.
In addition, is also important to underline that the new survey should take into account
those changes occurred in GTOS (e.g. establishment of the GTOS Panels, Modules,
Initiatives) and those changes taken place within international mechanisms.
2. From Rio to Johannesburg: implication for “GTOS and the Conventions”
2.1 – Changes in GTOS
While GTOS still focuses on the original issues listed in its Implementation Plan, (i.e. i)
changes in land quality; ii) availability of freshwater resources; iii) loss of biodiversity; iv)
climate change; and v) impacts of pollution and toxicity), it has developed a wide variety of
initiatives and activities, from both a regional and a thematic perspective. Moreover, GTOS
has also taken up existing initiatives, such as the TEMS database2 and developed them further
to follow new trends in methodologies and approaches (e.g. use of remote sensing
methodologies, socio-economic data).
Today, GTOS comprises fully-established Panels (i.e. GOFC-GOLD, TCO, TOPC)
working on issues like land-use/land-cover dynamics, forest fire, and climate change.
Currently there are also panels and initiatives which are under development such as the
Biodiversity Initiative (B-GTOS) and the Coastal Module (C-GTOS) which allow GTOS
activities to focus on issues related to biodiversity conservation and to coastal ecosystems.
The case of the C-GTOS and B-GTOS is to exemplify that GTOS thematic orientation
is continuously evolving according to the priorities and targets identified by international
communities and shown, for example, in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD), the Millennium Ecosystem Assessments and the CBD
Target 2010 exercise.
2.2 – Changes in International Mechanisms
Since the Rio Summit and its recommendations, a wide variety of multilateral environmental
agreements (MEAs) and international conventions have been established and ratified in order
to work towards the sustainable consumption of natural resources, species conservation and
2
TEMS was originally created in the late 1980s by the Global Environment Monitoring System Programme Activity Centre of UNEP, for
further information, see: Tschirley, Servin and Sessa, 2003.
human development. While it is beyond the scope of this document to list all the international
and regional environmental agreements3, it is important to recall the WSSD recommendation
towards the work of the international environment related conventions.
The WSSD4 has emphasized the importance for environment-related Conventions,
particularly the so-called Rio Conventions (i.e. CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC), to work in
synergy in order to avoid duplication of efforts and scattering of resources. Such a formalized
linkage amongst the Rio Conventions has also been paralleled by cooperative effort amongst
the Biodiversity-Related Conventions (CBD, Ramsar, CMS, WHC and CITES) upon request
by Parties to the CBD5.
Even if it is widely recognized the difficulties in creating such synergy and
cooperation amongst different Conventions in terms of financial opportunities, national focal
points and reporting, the connectivity in terms of issues covered by the Conventions has been
widely recognized by the international community as shown, for example, by the GEO
Societal Benefit Areas, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and by the UNEP Issue-Based
Modules.
3 – GTOS approach to the Conventions
The current scenario of synergy and linkages amongst the Conventions does not allow for
prioritizing one Convention over another, but encourages the provision of cross-cutting
support. The GTOS Secretariat proposes to assist the work of the Rio and the BiodiversityRelated Conventions through a common issue-based approach so as to enhance synergy and
harmonization amongst and between most of these Conventions. Such an approach was
developed taking into consideration the development of the UNEP Issue-Based Modules6 and
the linkages amongst the Conventions.
In fact, it is important to underline that the data needs and requirements of the Rio and
Biodiversity-Related Conventions exhibit overlaps as they are primarily related to the
conservation of biomes/ecosystems/habitat, either in or outside specific Conventions sites and
protected areas. Such overlaps were also identified in the above-mentioned survey which
highlighted the following main groups of “needs from GTOS” (GTOS-7, pages 43-44):
3
For complete list and websites, http://www.unep.org/dec/support/index.html
http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/documents/summit_docs/131302_wssd_report_reissued.pdf
Decision VII/26 “Cooperation with other conventions and international organizations and initiatives”
http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.aspx?m=COP-07&id=7763&lg=0
6
Current Modules: inland water, climate change, invasive alien species and sustainable development.
4
5
 General site specific habitat data, including land-cover, land-use, ecological
structure, and species composition. Data required are often detailed, and can
include biophysical data for studies of environmental and ecological
processes.
 General habitat data, as above, but for zones in which Convention sites occur;
include extensive socio-economic data categories. Data are usually needed at
broader scales than those for The Convention sites.
 Near surface weather data to establish diurnal, seasonal, and long term trends
and patterns. The observation system should be suitable for use at both high
and low latitudes and high and low altitudes.
 Data types not yet routinely incorporated into most broad observational
programmes, e.g. crustal stress and tectonic movements; biological diversity
assessments; population status and trends of particular species of plants and
animals.
 Specific observation peculiar to individual Convention objectives e.g. seasonal
weather front and pressure system data for use by the Convention on
Migratory Species; measurements of specified toxic substances and chemicals
for use by the Basel Convention.
 New field of specialized observational programmes e.g. marine mammals,
especially of the open oceans; coral reefs; intertidal coastal areas.
Thus, following these “needs from GTOS” and the current GTOS activities and initiatives, it
is here proposed to support the work of the Conventions through a “LAND”7-based approach
– as an overall approach to issues related to land degradation, ecosystem fragmentation,
habitat loss, socio-economic land cover / land use change within and beyond Convention-sites
and protected areas. This is by no mean to be seen such a restricted focus, and its importance
has to be recognised within the framework of the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment where
the changes in land cover / land use have (e.g. large scale deforestation, introduction of
invasive species, physical modification of rivers) were identified at the basis of the
degradation of our planet at different times in history8.
This “LAND”-based approach has been developed into account the main issues
discussed by the Representatives of the Co-Sponsoring Organizations and by the Chairs of the
“LAND”is utilized here in order to highlight GTOS focus on the terrestrial domain.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment “Living Beyond Our Means - Natural Assets and Human Wellbeing – Statement from the Board”
www.MAweb.org
7
8
Technical Panels/Initiatives during the last GTOS Steering Committee Meeting (October
2004) and the GTOS Sponsors Meeting (April 2005).
3.1 – GTOS approach to the Conventions: update and future developments
Both the last GTOS Steering Committee Meeting (October 2004) and the GTOS Sponsors
Meeting (April 2005) have reaffirmed the importance for GTOS to provide support to the
work of international environment-related conventions and multilateral environmental
agreements. In particular, the following actions were discussed and agreed by the
Representatives of the Co-Sponsoring Organizations and by the Chairs of the Technical
Panels/Initiatives:

To increase interactions between GTOS and the Conventions, through the
identification of relevant conventions as well as the procedures for establishing
cooperation, taking into account the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the GEO
Societal Benefit Areas;

To ensure that the GTOS approach to Conventions is not only user-driven but also
theme-based so as to take into account the connectivity amongst the Conventions (e.g.
biodiversity and climate change). The themes of desertification and wetlands were
underlined as particular important in the linkages of GTOS with the Conventions;

To establish working groups to consider GTOS approach to the Conventions, in
particular for the establishment of cooperation with CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC;

To ensure GTOS participation in statutory meetings (incl. organization of awarenessraising events);

To identify the role of the GTOS Panels/Initiatives with respect to the requirements of
the environment-related conventions.
Therefore, the GTOS Secretariat, in close collaboration with the Technical Panels/Initiatives
and the Co-Sponsoring Organizations, have been working towards the establishment of
cooperation between GTOS and the Conventions by liaising with the Convention Secretariats
and by organizing awareness-raising events at Conventions statutory meetings (see Annex 1
for a list of GTOS side events). Such a process has also been paralleled to the work towards
the identification of specific GTOS products and services relevant to the Conventions, and
towards the elaboration of informative material targeted to the Conventions State Parties as
well as to members of subsidiary, review, and technical/scientific bodies. In particular, the
GTOS Secretariat has been working towards developing cooperation with the following
Conventions (reported in the order of adoption):





Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar);
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
(CMS);
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
United Nations Conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
While a harmonized approach is to be adopted by GTOS, the specific needs of each
Convention will still be taken into consideration. In this respect, the GTOS Secretariat has
identified particular products/services and activities/initiatives for each of the abovementioned Conventions. A brief description of such activities is reported below and it is
aimed at triggering opinions/comments from the Members of the GTOS Steering Committee.
The activities reported below have been made possible thanks to the financial
contribution by the Italian Development Cooperation (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) which we
take this opportunity to acknowledge for their continued support.
3.1.1 – GTOS approach to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The last GTOS Steering Committee Meeting (October 2004) and GTOS Sponsors Meeting
(April 2005) have emphasized the importance of establishing cooperation between GTOS and
CBD, given the imminent establishment of the GTOS Biodiversity Initiative (B-GTOS). In
this respect, the GTOS Secretariat has begun to identify products and services relevant to the
CBD implementation with the aims of providing the Parties to the CBD with tools and
guiding principles to address those threats to biodiversity related to habitat (land-use/landcover) changes at the national, regional and global scale9.
The GTOS products and services identified are to be framed within the abovementioned “LAND”-based approach and the outcomes of the Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment recognising habitat change amongst the top-five direct drivers of biodiversity loss
at the global level.10 The important of assessing and measuring trends in habitat loss is also
well-recognised within measuring progress towards the achievement of Target 2010, i.e.
towards “a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional
and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on
earth” by the year 201011. The international community is currently working towards the
development and implementation of indicators in order to measure changes in extent of
biomes, ecosystems and habitats taking into account protected areas systems. Among the
9
Target 2010 http://www.biodiv.org/2010-target/default.asp; Decision VII/30, http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.aspx?m=COP07&id=7767&lg=0.
10
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment “Ecosystem and Human Wellbeing – Biodiversity Synthesis”, www.MAweb.org
Headline Indicators12 identified by the CBD and currently coordinated by UNEP-WCMC
within the framework of a UNEP/GEF Proposal, GTOS will contribute to the following:
o trends in extent of selected biomes, ecosystems and habitats;
o connectivity / fFragmentation of ecosystems;
o coverage of protected areas ("Management effectiveness" through land cover data in
support of zoning exercises, including transboundary zoning).
In this respect contact has been established with UNEP-WCMC so as to assess GTOS role
with respect to the many other international partners and the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators
Partnership. The participation of a representative from UNEP-WCMC to the GTOS side event
at Eleventh Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological
Advice (SBSTTA) of the CBD has provided an initial ground for GTOS and UNEP-WCMC
to work together on Target 2010 and, eventually other CBD-related initiatives.
While work towards measuring progress towards the attainment of Target 2010 can be
considered as an “entry point” to the CBD – as discussed in the GTOS Sponsors Meeting
(April 2005) – other thematic areas should be considered as benefiting from GTOS products
and services. More specifically, the following areas were highlighted of particular relevant to
GTOS activities: climate change and biological diversity; biological diversity of inland water
ecosystems; and marine and coastal biological diversity.
Parallel to this internal process to identify GTOS role in support to the CBD, the
GTOS Secretariat, in close cooperation with the Co-Sponsoring Organisations, has been
liaising with the CBD Secretariat to raise awareness on GTOS potential role and to frame it
within the global effort to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss. In this respect, it is important to
underline the fact that the UNESCO Representative to the GTOS Steering Committee (Mr
Salvatore Aricó) has reported GTOS willingness to cooperate with CBD and its Secretariat
during the Tenth Meeting of the CBD SBSTTA. The CBD Secretariat Principal Officer of the
Division on Scientific, Technical and Technological Matters, Mr Kalemani (Jo) Mulongoy,
expressed interest in the GTOS potential support to the work of the CBD and suggested
formal communication from the GTOS Programme Director to CBD Executive Secretary (Mr
Hamdallah Zedan). The letter requested for more formal cooperation, as well as for an
observer at the GTOS Steering Committee Meeting. A prompt reply from Mr Zedan
11
CBD Decision VI/26, http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.aspx?m=COP-06&id=7200
Refer to SBSTTA-10 Recommendation 5 http://www.biodiv.org/recommendations/?m=SBSTTA-10&id=10685&lg=0 and Information
Document 7 http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/sbstta/sbstta-10/information/sbstta-10-inf-07-en.pdf
12
confirmed the interest of CBD in cooperating with GTOS and provided the GTOS Secretariat
with a contact person in the CBD Secretariat (Mr Mulongoy).
Thereafter, the GTOS
Secretariat has ensured to increasingly involve the CBD Secretariat in its activities as shown
by the presence of CBD representative at GTOS and GTOS-related initiatives (i.e.
Biodiversity IGOL Meeting, GTOS side event at Ramsar COP-9) and by GTOS side event at
the Eleventh Meeting of the CBD SBSTTA. Due to conflicts in meetings-schedules, a
representative from the CBD Secretariat is not able to attend this meeting of the GTOS
Steering Committee, however the recently appointed CBD Executive Secretary (Mr Ahmed
Djoghlaf) reiterated CBD interest in GTOS and suggested bilateral meeting with the GTOS
Programme Director at a mutually agreed time.
The GTOS Secretariat will keep the GTOS Panel Chairs and the Co-Sponsoring
Organizations informed regarding further developments. In this respect, the establishment of
the GTOS Biodiversity Initiative (B-GTOS) under the leadership of Dr Robert Scholes,
renowned biodiversity-expert and former Chair of the GTOS Steering Committee, will
provide a strong scientific and technical support to the formalisation of cooperation between
the GTOS and the CBD and to the development and implementation of Headline Indicators to
measure progress towards Target 2010.
Box No. 1
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are invited to discuss on the GTOS
approach to CBD and, in particular to take decisions on the following issues:
1. GTOS observer status to the CBD;
2. membership of
GTOS);
CBD representative in the GTOS Biodiversity Initiative (B-
3. instrument/level of formal cooperation between GTOS and CBD;
4. GTOS role in the achievement of Target 2010: applying for partner status in the
2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (http://www.twentyten.net/index.htm) led
by UNEP-WCMC.
3.1.2 – GTOS approach to Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)
The GTOS Steering Committee at its last Meeting (October 2004) has suggested considering
“wetlands” among the thematic areas within GTOS support to the environment-related
conventions. Therefore, the GTOS Secretariat has explored potential areas for cooperation
with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands by identifying those GTOS products and services
relevant to Convention requirements. The Ramsar Secretary General, Mr Peter Bridgewater,
has expressed particular interest in the work carried out by GTOS Technical Panels and
Initiatives, as well as in issue-based approach of GTOS to the Rio and Biodiversity-Related
Conventions.
GTOS has been working together with the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands and, its Mediterranean Wetlands Committee (MedWet), to identify activities for
joint implementation within the framework of Target 2010 and the 2003-2008 Ramsar
Strategic Plan13 with particular reference to the following General Objectives:
1. Wise use of Wetlands;
2. Wetlands of International Importance;
3. International Cooperation;
4. Implementation Capacity.
Following such an exercise, Mr Bridgewater has invited GTOS to sign a Memorandum of
Cooperation (MoC) to become an official Ramsar Partner. The imminent signature of the
MoC has been announced by Mr Bridgewater, in opening the GTOS side event14 held during
the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention.
The side event has also allowed for providing an opportunity to discuss the
contribution of observing systems to environment-related international conventions with
respect to their data and information requirements for both targets/objectives implementation
and reporting activities. Such issues have been analyzed with a specific focus on coastal areas,
being areas requiring particular attention for biodiversity conservation as emphasised, for
example, by the CBD, the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on Migratory Species and the
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment15.
Coastal-GTOS (C-GTOS) has been identified as the leading initiative in the
cooperation with the Ramsar Convention. In this respect, C-GTOS is currently working with
13
Ramsar Strategic Plan 2003-2008, http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_infopack_3e.htm
GTOS Side Event at Ramsar COP-9, http://www.fao.org/gtos/news35.html
15
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment “Ecosystem and Human Wellbeing – Wetlands and Water Synthesis”, www.MAweb.org
14
the Ramsar Secretariat and with the MedWet Secretariat for project development to reinforce
synergy amongst Biodiversity-Related Conventions, namely World Heritage Convention,
CMS, CBD and the Ramsar Convention, on issues related to coastal ecosystems. On the other
hand, other GTOS Technical Panels and Initiatives have also being identified for GTOSRamsar joint activities: a complete listing of the joint activities is annexed to the MoC to be
signed during this meeting of the GTOS Steering Committee (refer to Document No. 28 for
MoC text) Through the implementation of these and other activities, it is hoped that GTOS
could provide the Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands with tools and guiding
principles at facilitating the detection, assessment and prediction of global and large-scale
regional change associated with land-based, wetland and freshwater ecosystems, with
particular focus on coastal wetlands.
Box No. 2
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are invited to discuss on the GTOS
approach to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and, in particular to take decisions on
the following issues:
5. GTOS observer status to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;
6. implementation of the activities listed in the MoC including fund-raising (e.g.
UNF/UNFIP; GEF);
7. development of pilot-project on Mediterranean coastal-wetlands sites aimed at
reinforcing synergy amongst the following Biodiversity-Related Conventions:
WHC, CMS, CBD and the Ramsar Convention (incl. the MedWet Initiative).
3.1.3 – GTOS approach to Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Given the role of migratory species in the avian influenza epidemics, the international
community has placed particular attention on migratory species. The GTOS Secretariat has
therefore explored GTOS “LAND”-based approach with respect of the CMS requirements,
also taking into account the CMS work towards the attainment of Target 201016. The CMS
Strategic Plan for 2006-201117, particularly Objective No. 1 (“to ensure that the conservation
and management of migratory species is based on the best available information”) and Target
See “THE CMS AND THE 2010 GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY CHALLENGE”
http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop8/documents/meeting_docs/en/Inf_22_CMS_2010_Global_Biodiversity_Challlenge_E.pdf.
17
CMS Strategic Plan for 2006-2011:
http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop8/documents/meeting_docs/en/resolutions/CP8Res_8_02_rev1_strategic.pdf.
16
1.4 (“reviews of major threats to migratory species and obstacles to migration completed at
regular intervals and guidelines for appropriate actions developed”), allowed for identifying
the role that GTOS can plan in support to the work of the CMS in the following two areas:
 Land dynamics / migration routes;
 Data/meta-data management / TEMS and T. sites
As mentioned above in discussing linkages between GTOS and CBD, land dynamics can
provide information on the trends and rate of biodiversity loss. This is particularly true for
migratory species which are very much dependent on land dynamics both in spatial and
temporal context. Projects where remote sensing information on land cover / land use is
integrated with species-related in situ information (e.g. BEGo18) have been taken into
consideration in the application to conservation of migratory species.
The Land Cover
Classification System (LCCS) was identified by the GTOS Secretariat as an important tool for
ensuring harmonization and standardization in mapping of transboundary migration routes.
Concerning data/meta-data management, the TEMS database was identified as a
potentially important tool to identify those sites (and/or networks of sites) which can be
considered as sites of importance for migration and to review the variables measured at each
site relevant to the threats faced by migratory species (e.g. habitat fragmentation, snow cover
areas, water discharge). In this respect, the GTOS Secretariat, in close cooperation with CGTOS, proposes to work together in identifying these “migration sites” by focusing on
coastal areas – areas which require prioritised attention not only for GTOS but also for CMS,
the CMS Family (e.g. ACCOBAMS), other Biodiversity-Related Conventions (e.g. Ramsar
and CBD). Potential linkages between TEMS and with Global Register of Migratory Species
(GROMS)19 are also explored.
The work conducted by GTOS on the 13 essential climate variables (ECVs) for
terrestrial observations in support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (see Section No. 3.1.5, below) was also identified as another area of cooperation
which may benefit CMS and the CMS family in addressing those threats imposed by climate
change onto migratory species (highlighted in the paper submitted by the United Kingdom to
the CMS Conference of Parties at its Eight Meeting20).
These potential areas of cooperation were illustrated by a joint presentation of GTOS
and the Global Land Cover Network (GLCN) at the “Partnership Fair” held during the CMS
ESA/UNESCO project, “Build Environment for Gorilla” (BEGo), http://dup.esrin.esa.it/projects/summaryp55.asp
GROMS, http://www.cms.int/species/groms/groms.htm.
20
Climate Change and Migratory Species, UNEP/CMS/Conf. 8.22
http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop8/documents/meeting_docs/en/Doc_22_Climate_Change_and_Migratory_Species.pdf
18
19
Eight Meeting of the Conference of the Parties – an event coordinated by the CMS Secretariat
to discuss existing and potential new alliance within the framework of Target 2010. The
GTOS Secretariat is currently evaluating the type of cooperation and support to be provided
to this species-specific Convention and other MEAs of the CMS Family.
Box No. 3
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are invited to discuss on the GTOS
approach to CMS and, in particular to take decisions on the following issues:
8. GTOS observer status to the CMS;
9. development of pilot-initiatives on LAND-based approach to migratory species
conservation (e.g. identification of “migration” T.sites in TEMS);
10. instrument/level of formal cooperation between GTOS and CMS (and other MEAs
within the CMS Family).
3.1.4 – GTOS approach to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
GTOS aims at providing the Parties of the UNCCD with tools and guiding principles to
address the underlying causes of desertification (land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry
sub-humid areas), resulting from climatic variations and land use (i.e. human activities and
habitation patterns), in particular by facilitating the harmonised collection, analysis and
exchange of relevant information related to land degradation, with emphasis on capacity
building and scientific/technical cooperation amongst the Parties21.
Under guidance of Prof. R. Valentini, Chairperson of the Committee on Science and
Technology (CST) of the UNCCD, the GTOS Secretariat has organised a side-event22 at the
Third Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC-3) Meeting
in order to raise awareness on GTOS products and services relevant to the Convention. The
side event, co-organised with the FAO/UNEP Global Land Cover Network (GLCN), allowed
the participants to have a better knowledge of GTOS and GTOS-related products and services
– including Africover and GLCN – which can be useful in reporting mechanisms.
21
22
Refer to Convention Text, http://www.unccd.int/convention/text/pdf/conv-eng.pdf
Side event, http://www.fao.org/gtos/news33.html
On that occasion, the TEMS database has been presented as a tool to retrieve
information relevant to UNCCD at the site/country level, especially given the ad hoc search
on variables relevant to UNCCD reporting needs. The GTOS Secretariat is currently
exploring the coverage of TEMS with respect to the affected State Parties to the UNCDD in
order to identify its potential within the ongoing process to develop and implement of
regional/national benchmarks and indicators for the assessment of socio-economic and biophysical aspects of desertification23, as well as to identify the networks of sites willing to
become units of a network to support the implementation of the UNCCD24.
The activities of the GTOS Technical Panels/Initiatives (e.g. GOFC-GOLD and TCO)
should be examined within the GTOS “LAND”-based approach to the Conventions, and the
framework of the UNCCD activities for the “promotion and strengthening of relationships
with other relevant conventions and relevant international organizations, institutions and
agencies”25.
The year 2006 has been declared as the “International Year of Deserts and
Desertification” (IYDD)26 at the 58th ordinary session of the UN General Assembly in order to
raise awareness on desertification as a global concern.
All countries and civil society
organizations are encouraged to be involved into this raising-awareness exercise coordinated
by an inter-agency committee bringing together the principal institutional partners of the
United Nations active in the UNCCD implementation process, including UNEP, FAO, UNEP
and WMO. The role of GTOS within IYDD should be explored taking into account some of
the scheduled activities, such as:




IYDD Geneva Symposium: combating desertification, hunger and poverty (Geneva,
Switzerland, April 2006);
Fourteenth Conference of International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO) (Marrakech.
Morocco, May 2006);
Launching of the International Observatory on Environment and the combat against
desertification & Opening of the Centre to Combat Desertification (Ghardaia, Algeria, 17 June
2006);
Scientific Conference on “Environmental Arid Lands Management and the Millennium
Development Goals” (Nairobi, Kenya, September-October 2006).
The development and implementation of IYDD- and UNCCD-related activities should
take placed in close cooperation with other UN organizations/initiatives as well as with
donor/affected countries. The GTOS Secretariat proposes to develop and implement these
activities closely with the FAO/UNEP Global Land Cover Network and the Land Degradation
23
Decision 17/COP.7, www.unccd.int
ICCD/COP(7)/CST/10
25
Decision 12/COP.7, www.unccd.int
26
http://www.iydd.org/
24
Assessment in Dry Areas (LADA) project in order to define an implementation strategy for
GTOS activities in support of the work of the UNCCD, taking into account the interim report
on the progress of LADA27 presented by FAO at the Seventh Session of the Committee on
Science and Technology (CST) in October 2005 and relevant COP Decision28.
Box No. 4
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are invited to discuss on the GTOS
approach to UNCCD and, in particular to take decisions on the following issues:
11. GTOS observer status to UNCCD;
12. identification of GTOS products and services to assess issues related to land
degradation taking into account the needs and requirements (incl. capacitybuilding and training needs) of UNCCD State Parties, especially affected African
countries, in cooperation with the UNCCD Secretariat, Committee on Science and
Technology (CST), and the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of
the Convention (CRIC);
13. enhancement of TEMS and other GTOS data management systems required to
provide in situ meta-data relevant to the establishment of benchmarks and
development of indicators;
14. instrument/level of cooperation with LADA, GLCN and donor/affected countries
(e.g. Italy) to develop/implement activities in support to UNCCD;
15. GTOS activities in the context of the International Year of Deserts and
Desertification.
3.1.5 – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Taking into account the “Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate
in Support of the UNFCCC”29, GTOS aims at providing the Parties of the UNFCCC with
tools and guiding principles to address the underlying causes of climate changes, by closely
collaborating with CGOS. This will be carried out accordingly to the UNFCCC COP-930 and
COP-10 Decisions on the observing system, in other words by responding to the invitation of
the Conference of the Parties to the sponsoring agencies of the GCOS and of the GTOS to
27
ICCD/COP(7)/CST/8, www.unccd.int
Decision 19/COP.7 “Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands”, www.unccd.int
29
http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/gcoshome.html for Executive Summary and full Report
30
Decision 11/Cp.9, http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/cop9/06a01.pdf#page=20
28
develop a framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting
guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate.
In this respect, the GTOS Programme Director, Mr John Latham, reported to the
UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) at its 23 rd
Session on the development of such a framework upon the basis of a Progress Report
elaborated by GTOS Consultant and former TCO Panel Chair, J. Cihlar, and its Executive
Summary submitted to SBSTA31 (refer to Document No. 13 for full text of these and other
relevant documents). The report includes different existing approaches/mechanisms for the
above-mentioned framework which will be further discussed by GTOS and GCOS Sponsors
through the high-level Inter-Agency Coordination and Planning Committee (ICPC, composed
of FAO, UNESCO, UNEP and WMO with participation by ICSU). GTOS efforts were
welcomed by SBSTA encouraging GTOS to continue this work.
This opportunity to report to SBSTA has allowed stressing that, while GCOS has a
leading position in ensuring the role of observing systems in the UNFCCC, GTOS has also an
important role to play in assisting in the essential climate variables within the terrestrial
domain. The work of TOPC conducted on these issues should be recognised and
acknowledged.
At its last Meeting, SBSTA has called on the GTOS Secretariat to asses the status of
the development of standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial
domain. A progress report on this assignment should be sent to SBSTA by its 26th Session
(May 2007)32.
Box No. 5
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are invited to discuss on the GTOS
approach to UNFCCC and, in particular to take decisions on the following issues:
16. GTOS observer status to UNFCCC;
17. instrument/level of formal cooperation between GTOS and UNFCCC;
18. coordination of activities relevant to assessing the status of the development of
standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain;
31
32
FCCC/SBSTA/2005/Misc.16
FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.17
4. Items for Discussion
4.1
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are asked to take decisions on
each Convention-specific issue reported in Sections 3.1.1-5 (18 points) and
summarised in the table at the beginning of this document by providing comments on
the overall approach of GTOS to the Rio and the Biodiversity-Related Conventions.
4.2
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are asked to discuss and
provide comments on the:
4.2.1 identification/prioritization of GTOS-relevant Conventions (incl.
GTOS/WHC linkages and other non-environment-related
conventions);
4.2.2 issue-based approach / participation in UNEP/DEC Project ;
4.2.3 fund-raising opportunities on Conventions-related activities;
4.2.4 the possibility (including financial resources and/or leading
Sponsor) to undertake a new survey following the same structure
of the one reported in “GTOS and the Conventions: The Global
Terrestrial Observing System and The Data and Information Needs
of Some of The Environmental Convention Secretariats”(GTOS-7);
4.2.5 the activities proposed for each of the Conventions covered in this
document and propose other relevant activities, by taking into
account that 2006 is the “International Year of Deserts and
Desertification”. A “Conventions-Related Meetings Calendar” is
provided in Annex 2 to facilitate discussion.
4.2.6 the establishment of working groups on UNFCCC and UNCCD,
and the role of B-GTOS on defining GTOS approach to the CBD
(and other Biodiversity-Related Conventions).
4.2.7 the relevance of each Technical Panel / Initiative with respect to
each of the Convention covered in this document so as to identify
“Lead” Panels/Initiatives.
5. Logistics-related issues
GTOS work on environment-related international conventions is a cross-cutting theme which
includes all the GTOS Technical Panels and Initiatives. Therefore, each Member of the GTOS
Steering Committee and the GTOS Secretariat is invited to participate actively in ensuring
that all the Technical Panels and Initiatives work in support of the above-mentioned
Conventions.
The Panel Chairs are invited to inform all Panels members of the activities concerning
the international conventions and other MEAs, as well as to provide the GTOS Secretariat
with updated informative material regarding their specific activities. The Panels are
encouraged to assist the GTOS Secretariat in the organisations of events (e.g. side-events,
informative stands/display) at Conventions statutory meetings, in order to ensure their
scientific validity and up-to-date information on methodologies.
The GTOS Sponsors are encouraged to provide support to the GTOS Secretariat in the
establishment of formal cooperation with, and observer status to, the above-mentioned
Conventions. The GTOS Secretariat is currently compiling a list of Conventions Focal Points
within the Co-Sponsoring Agencies to facilitate communication on Convention-related
initiatives. Those Sponsors representatives who have not communicate the list of the Focal
Points are kindly requested to do by email (GTOS@fao.org Cc: lucilla.spini@fao.org /
Subject: GTOS and the Conventions).
The Members of the GTOS Steering Committee are requested to inform the GTOS
Secretariat regarding their participation in Conventions Statutory Meetings and/or related
meetings/workshops.
Annex 1
GTOS Side Events at Conventions Statutory Meetings
2005
UNCCD
“GTOS and GLCN: how can we help in reporting from your country?” during the Third
Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC-3)
of the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), (Bonn, Germany, 2 to
11 May 2005), http://www.fao.org/gtos/news33.html
Ramsar
“Building Bridges Between Observing System and International Conventions in Coastal
Areas” during the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar
Convention
on
Wetlands
(Kampala,
Uganda,
8-15
November
2005),
http://www.fao.org/gtos/news35.html
CMS
“Mapping on the move: the GTOS/GLCN Approach” presentation at the “Partnership Fair”
of the Eighth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory
Species
(CMS), (Nairobi,
Kenya,
20-25
November
2005),
http://www.fao.org/gtos/news37.html
CBD
“The Global Terrestrial Observing System and the Global Land Cover Network: Mapping
Progress Towards 2010” during the Eleventh Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific,
Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-11) of the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD), (Montreal, Canada, 28 November - 2 December 2005),
http://www.fao.org/gtos/news39.html
Acknowledgements
Africover
Cooperazione Italiana
Convention on Biological Diversity
Convention on Migratory Species
FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment
FAO IDWG on Biodiversity for Food and
Agriculture
FAO IDWG on Climate Change
FAO Sustainable Development Department
Global Land Cover Network
Istituto Agronomico per L’Oltremare
MedWet
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
UN Convention to Combat Desertification
UNEP
UNEP-WCMC
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
University of Tuscia / DISAFRI
Annex 2
Conventions-Related Meetings
Calendar
2006
January 2006
First International Conference of Environmental Change in Lakes, Lagoons and
Wetlands of the Southern Mediterranean Region (Cairo, Egypt, 4-7 January 2006)
Second Coordination meeting for governments and organizations implementing or
funding Biosafety capacity-building activities - Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
(Tromso, Norway, 18 - 20 January 2006)
Liaison Group on Capacity-building for Biosafety - Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
(Tromso, Norway, 20 - 21 January 2006)
Envisioning the Next Steps for MEA Compliance and Enforcement – A High-Level
Meeting on Compliance with and Enforcement of Multilateral Environmental
Agreements (Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21-22 January 2006)
Central and Eastern European Regional Workshop on the Clearing-House
Mechanism. (Tentative, 23 - 25 January 2006)
Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and related
provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Article 8(j): Traditional
Knowledge, Innovations and Practices (Granada, Spain, 23 - 27 January 2006)
Third Global Conference on Ocean, Coast and Islands (Paris, France, UNESCO
Headquarters 23-28 January 2006)
Fourth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefitsharing (Tentative, Granada, Spain, 30 January-3 February 2006)
February 2006
World Wetlands Day 2006 (2 February)
Second meeting of the Compliance Committee under the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety (Montreal, Canada 6-8 February 2006)
Ninth Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial
Environmental Forum GC/GMEF (Dubai – United Arab Emirates, 7-9 February 2006)
Sixth Session of the UN Forum on Forests, UNFF-6 (United Nation Headquarters,
New York City, 13-24 February 2006)
Second meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Liability and Redress
in the context of Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Tentative, Montreal, Canada, 20 24 February 2006)
Carbon Market Insights Events (Copenhagen, Denmark, 28 February – 2 March
2006)
March 2006
Third meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-MOP 3) serving as the meeting
of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Curitiba, Brazil 13 - 17 March
2006)
Fourth World Water Forum: Local Actions for a Global Change (Mexico City, Mexico,
16-22 March 2006)
Eighth Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 8) to the Convention
on Biological Diversity (Curitiba, Brazil, 20 - 31 March 2006)
April 2006
Ramsar Standing Committee, 34th meeting (Tentative, Gland, Switzerland, 10-13
April 2006)
25th Session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (Tentative,
for 19/21 April or 25-27 April 2006)
African Regional Expert Workshop on Sustainable Use (Tentative, 24 - 26 April 2006)
May 2006
Fourteenth Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (United
Nation Headquarters, New York City, 1-12 May 2006)
International Conference on Coastal Oceanography and Sustainable Marine
Aquaculture (Sabah, Malaysia, 2-4 May 2006)
Black Sea Ecosystem 2005 Beyond (Istanbul, Turkey, 8-10 May 2006)
11th Meeting of the Advisory Committee to UNEP/EUROBATS (City of Luxembourg,
Luxembourg, 8-10 May 2006)
Conference on Climate Change Technology: Engineering challenges and solutions in
the 21st century (Ottawa, Canada, 9-12 May 2006)
“International Day for Biodiversity” Protect Biodiversity in DryLands (22 May 2006)
Asia and the Pacific Regional Expert Workshop on Sustainable Use (Tentative, 22-24
May 2006)
Twenty-four sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBI and SBSTA) of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change (Bonn, Germany, 15-26 May 2006)
Fourteenth Conference of International Soil Conservation Organisation (ISCO) (in the
context of the "International Year of Deserts and Desertification proclaimed by the
General Assembly for 2006 – IYDD”, Tentative, May 2006)
June 2006
World Environment Day “Deserts and Desertification” (in the context of the
"International Year of Deserts and Desertification proclaimed by the General
Assembly for 2006 – IYDD”, 5 June 2006)
Consultations and GEF Council Meeting (Washington, D.C., United Stated of
America, 5-9 June 2006)
Launching of the International Observatory on Environment and the combat against
desertification (in the context of the "International Year of Deserts and Desertification
proclaimed by the General Assembly for 2006 – IYDD, Ghardaia, Algeria, 17 June
2006)
22nd International Commission on World Dams Congress (Barcelona, Spain, 18-23
June 2006)
International Scientific Conference, "The Future of Drylands" (in the context of the
"International Year of Deserts and Desertification proclaimed by the General
Assembly for 2006, Tunis, Tunisia, 19-21 June 2006)
Eight International Conferences on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies
(Trondheim, Norway, 19-23 June 2006)
July 2006
August 2006
September 2006
Fifth Session of the Committee for the Review of the UNCCD (CRIC-5) (Buenos
Aires, Argentina, September 2006)
Scientific Conference on “Environmental Arid Lands Management and the Millennium
Development Goals (in the context of the "International Year of Deserts and
Desertification proclaimed by the General Assembly for 2006, Nairobi, Kenya, on
September/October 2006)
October 2006
2nd Inter-Governmental Review of the Global Programme of Action for the
Protection of Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (Beijing, China, 16-20
October 2006)
November 2006
12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the UNFCCC and 2nd meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (MOP2) (Tentative, Kenya, 6-17 November 2006)
December 2006
Consultations and GEF Council Meeting (Washington, D.C., United Stated of
America, 4-8 December 2006)
2007
January 2007
Environmental 2007 Exhibition and Conference - United Arab Emirates (Tentative,
28-31 January 2007)
February 2007
Twenty-four Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial
Environmental Forum GC/GMEF (Nairobi, Kenya, 5-9 February 2007)
May 2007
Twenty-six Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBI and SBSTTA) of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change (Bonn, Germany, 7- 18 May 2007)
July 2007
Twenty-first Annual Conference of the Society for Conservation Biology (Port
Elizabeth, South Africa, 1-5 July 2007)
Autumn 2007
Eighth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP8) to the UN Convention to
Combat Desertification (Tentative, Spain, Autumn of 2007)
December 2007
13th Conference of the Parties (COP13) to the UNFCCC (Revised dates
recommended by the SBI for adoption at COP 11). (Tentative, 3-14 December 2007)
2008
June 2008
First sessional period in 2008, UNFCCC, (Tentative, 2- 13 June 2008)
December 2008
Second sessional period in 2008, UNFCCC, (Tentative, 1-12 December 2008)
Unspecified 2008
Fourth World Conservation Congress (Tentative, in 2008 – date and venue to be
determined at the next IUCN Council meeting which will take place from 20-24 May
2006)
The tenth conference of the parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP10) (Changwon,
South Korea, during 2008)
Ninth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (COP9)
(Tentative, in 2008)