Thank you to all who joined our webinar on 17th June. If you couldn't join, you can watch the recording below and slides are attached.
There were many fantastic questions asked on the call, and we didn't have time to answer all of them fully. If you have thoughts, responses or additional questions to add, please do so below. We will ask our panellists to do the same!
Slides attached here.
African Forum on Green Economy_Data_17 June_FINAL 96 ppi
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Question from: Harriet Matsaert
Hi. I’m interested in the way we represent and share data. Do the panelists have examples of best practice in sharing data in an accessible and useful way?
Answer from Arsene Sanon: With regards to our initiatives at IUCN-PACO, all the data that will be generated from NCA, protected areas performance analyses, etc. will go to feed a Regional Reference Information System (RRIS) that will in turn also feed a Regional Observatory that we will make accessible by various stakeholders (decision and policymakers, PA managers, Research & universities, NGOs, donors, etc.) in the region (and beyond). People will then access to data but also share their own data to be integrated in the observatory and thus create a robust source of data and knowledge.
Answer from Philippe P:
Dear Harriet, A number of relevant datasets are available online. They can be used to calculate new metrics or GIS layers. Depending on the topic, specific web-portals provide GIS datasets. For example IBAT provides spatial information about the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Protected areas, Key Biodiversity Areas. See: https://www.ibat-alliance.org/ and https://conservation.ibat-alliance.org/
Our main concern is about the availability of national data. In some cases, global data are not accurate enough.
Question from: Abisha Mapendembe
My question to Ronald Kaggwa: How strong is natural capital in the new national development plan in Uganda -i.e. in the NDP3 problem statement and its framing, objectives, action plan, M & E and budget allocation?
Answer from Ronald Kaggwa: Natural capital is reflected in the goal and theme of NDP III i.e. Sustainable industrilisation for inclusive growth, employment and wealth creation. It is embeded in atleast three objectives and can contribute to their attainment. There are many natural capital based programmes in NDP III and is specifically mentioned in the Water resource, Land and ENR programme and strategic interventions are in this programme. The NDP III monitoring and results framework has natural capital related targets and indicators.
Question from Najma Mohamed
Thank you for the excellent insights, and concrete examples shared. What are the other opportunities for cross-country learning on natural capital accounting, data and mainstreaming nature in economic policy - great example shared by Dr. Sanon on establishing a regional coordination mechanism in West Africa.
Question from Najma Mohamed
Is there a role for citizen science in strengthening biodiversity data collection and monitoring capacity at national level?
Answer from Arsene Sanon: For my perspective, Citizen Science should also have a great contribution in gathering biodiversity data as long as these data are reliable.
Contribution from Bruno (VITO) - project partner with Arsene Sanon: Data collection through citizen science provides certainly benefit, specifically on biodiversity or any observation that require field information. The data gathering should preferably be done in a reliable and consistent way, hence some specific smartphone apps or shared web platform could help (i.e. https://natura-alert.net/).
Answer from Philippe P:
Dear Najma,
Citizen Science could be very valuable to strengthen biodiversity data collection. We have some interesting examples. http://www.vigienature.fr/fr/tous-2932 Vigie nature is an interesting example in France.
Question from Sonigitu Ekpe
How can we address the weakness of solid waste management policy and enforcement as it impacts Natural resources and human health ? If NCA framework are harmonized within regions, how do we account for the impact of pollutions on aquatic and terrestrial environment?