At the heart of connecting nature and people is the inextricable link between inclusive conservation and sustainable development. Inclusive conservation plays a critical role in ensuring the diversity of human-ecosystem interactions with an emphasis on sustainable livelihoods and developing capacity to accelerate responsiveness in tackling potential adverse impacts to people and the environment. In Africa, efforts are underway to implement interventions and actions that collectively strengthen the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. However, the complexity of balancing loss of biodiversity with development continues to demonstrate that achieving inclusive conservation and sustainable development requires action to deliver institutional and individual capacities in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The capacities to achieve social, environmental and governance standards are still inadequate in many countries. International institutions and non-governmental organizations often rely on consultants to fill this gap, fulfilling requirements for due diligence, but not creating local ownership and therefore making implementation more difficult. Collectively strengthening capacities of country systems is crucial in ensuring ownership and accountability. This approach involves taking into account environmental and social risks while putting in place both direct mitigation measures and adaptation measures that are attuned to the long-term vision of inclusive conservation and sustainable development.
In the last 28 years, EFN has been at the forefront of advancing research, training, and education through the provision of funds to individuals and institutions to address critical challenges facing biodiversity conservation in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. WWF recognizes the urgency to continue strengthening institutional mechanisms and abilities to advance contributions of national institutions, local communities and organizations, and youth, who often are ill-equipped to drive and achieve the goals of addressing environmental and social impacts.
With support from Charlotte Bingham, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grant seeks to build capacity and empower communities to achieve development objectives and inclusive conservation with projects that robustly address environmental and social issues.
