Context
Peru has undergone significant economic expansion in the last ten years. Average annual growth of 6.4% is leading to increasing prosperity and lower national debt.
While the economy continues to grow, environmental problems and social conflicts are also becoming more prevalent in the country. The extractive and agricultural industries continue to be dependent on resource-intensive and unsustainable forms of production. This is leading to the degradation of ecosystems and, in some cases, the erosion of livelihoods. The situation is further exacerbated by natural disasters and the effects of climate change. The forest ecosystem, so important for the conservation of biodiversity and climate protection, has been particularly badly affected by overexploitation.
The destruction of resources and the environment is intensified, among other things, by the poor implementation of environmental regulations. Because the decentralisation process in Peru is still in its infancy, institutional responsibilities for the implementation of policies have, in many cases, not yet been fully established or put in place, or the relevant institutions have not yet been set up.
The sustainable use of resources can help conserve biodiversity and counteract the effects of climate change, which makes an important contribution to the conservation of environmental resources worldwide and to rural development in Peru.
Objective
Selected national and subnational environmental objectives have been achieved in Peru. These relate to the sustainable use of ecosystems, the conservation of biodiversity and the capacity to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to climate change.
Approach
The ProAmbiente programme advises the relevant governmental partners on the implementation of environmental policy management systems using a multi-level approach. The aims are to improve the steering capabilities of the authorities responsible for the respective environmental or forest management system and to promote joint, network-based knowledge and innovation arrangements on all political levels.
The programme supports the integrated use of environmental policy instruments.
The main fields of action are:
1.Protection and sustainable use of forests
2.Environmental governance and environment management
3.Environmental and climate change funding
4.Innovation in the field of biodiversity
Results achieved so far
The new programme builds on the impacts of, and experience gained from, two previous projects.
Sustainable Rural Development (PDRS). This project focused on helping the Ministry of Environment, the national conservation area authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and four regional governments in the north of Peru to perform their duties more effectively with regard to environmental and resource protection.
Thanks to the advice provided by the project, planning mechanisms and innovative methods for managing natural resources are now used, and institutions work together to coordinate resource management issues.
The regional governments have increased their expertise in the field of managing natural resources. The national system for the management of conservation areas has been improved and extended to the subnational level. Competitiveness has improved in rural areas and innovative niche products which stem from high biodiversity are proving successful on the national and international market. The number of producer associations has increased, strengthening the position of small farmers.
Support in Establishing the Ministry of Environment in Peru. With the help of this project, the Ministry of Environment adopted the National Environmental Action Plan, developed selected environmental instruments and initiated programmes – for instance, the introduction of strategic environmental assessments, the draft ordinance making it mandatory to pay compensation for environmental damage, programmes for waste management and air pollution control and the introduction of minimum environmental requirements and standards for informal mining. The project also advised the Ministry of Environment on the establishment of a subordinate authority responsible for the approval of large-scale environmental impact assessments.