Cible 7
Réduire la pollution à des niveaux qui ne nuisent pas à la biodiversité
Réduire les risques liés à la pollution et les incidences négatives de la pollution provenant de toutes les sources d’ici à 2030, en les portant à des niveaux sans danger pour la biodiversité et les fonctions et services écosystémiques, en tenant compte des effets cumulatifs, notamment : a) en réduisant au moins de moitié l’excès de nutriments perdus dans l’environnement, notamment grâce à un cycle et à une utilisation plus efficaces des nutriments ; b) en réduisant au moins de moitié les risques globaux liés aux pesticides et aux produits chimiques particulièrement dangereux, notamment grâce à des mesures intégrées de contrôle des ravageurs, sur la base de données scientifiques, en tenant compte des questions de sécurité alimentaire et de moyens d’existence ; c) en prévenant la pollution plastique, en la réduisant et en s’employant à l’éliminer.
Réduire les risques liés à la pollution et les incidences négatives de la pollution provenant de toutes les sources d’ici à 2030, en les portant à des niveaux sans danger pour la biodiversité et les fonctions et services écosystémiques, en tenant compte des effets cumulatifs, notamment : a) en réduisant au moins de moitié l’excès de nutriments perdus dans l’environnement, notamment grâce à un cycle et à une utilisation plus efficaces des nutriments ; b) en réduisant au moins de moitié les risques globaux liés aux pesticides et aux produits chimiques particulièrement dangereux, notamment grâce à des mesures intégrées de contrôle des ravageurs, sur la base de données scientifiques, en tenant compte des questions de sécurité alimentaire et de moyens d’existence ; c) en prévenant la pollution plastique, en la réduisant et en s’employant à l’éliminer.
Justification
PAME
La pollution provenant de toutes les sources, y compris l’utilisation de combustibles fossiles, les rejets industriels, les déchets plastiques, les biocides, l’excès de nutriments, les eaux usées, le ruissellement agricole et les nouveaux polluants émergents, a des effets directs et indirects importants sur les espèces. Les effets de la pollution et de la bioaccumulation de plastiques dans tout le domaine marin sont particulièrement marqués. Les pollutions acoustique et lumineuse sont autant d’effets négatifs supplémentaires dans les domaines terrestre et marin. Il est nécessaire de minimiser la production et l’utilisation, de prévenir les rejets et d’atténuer les impacts des polluants
Primary tools and resources
International Whaling Commission (IWC) Programmes on Chemical Pollution
Research on cetaceans indicates that many classes of chemical pollutants, particularly persistent organic pollutants, are so-called ‘endocrine disrupters,’ meaning that they interfere with the hormone system and can increase susceptibility to disease and reduce reproductive success. The huge number of synthetic chemicals released into the environment and their interactions makes quantifying impacts on whale populations a complex task.
The IWC Scientific Committee has initiated four programmes, Pollution 2000, Pollution 2000+, Pollution 2020 and Pollution 2025. The first two initiatives examined tissue concentrations of priority pollutants in key cetacean species and determined toxicological markers and health assessment endpoints to determine adverse health effects, culminating in the development of tools and techniques to estimate population level effects.
The IWC Scientific Committee has also initiated work on the sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) which pose a significant ongoing threat to some cetacean populations long after their production was banned. Pollution 2020, assessed the risk to cetaceans from microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Pollution 2025 is focused on cumulative effects and multiple stressors. Pollution 2025 is also setting out a multi-disciplinary, ‘One Health’ approach, recognising that the health of people, animals and the environment are closely connected.
CMS Guidelines to Prevent the Risk of Poisoning to Migratory Birds
These guidelines were prepared in 2016 by the Preventing Poisoning Working Group of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. The guidelines cover the impacts from five priority poisoning areas: insecticides, rodenticides, poison-baits, veterinary pharmaceuticals, lead ammunition and fishing weights. Six key recommendations.
African Wildlife Poisoning Database
The Vulture Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission gathers and collates data on historical and current incidents of wildlife poisoning to assess the scope and impact of this threat to vultures and other scavenging birds and wildlife on the African continent. The Database is accompanied by a map of poisoning incidents in Africa. A webform and a data submission template have been designed to facilitate simple uploading of records of poisoning incidents.
International Whaling Commission (IWC) programmes on ocean noise
Anthropogenic ocean noise is identified as one of the priority threats in the Strategic Plan of the IWC Conservation Committee. In 2018, the IWC agreed a Resolution that recognised the increasing concern over ocean noise, and clarified next steps to better understand and manage the threat. In 2022 the IWC endorsed a Workplan on Anthropogenic Ocean Noise. The Scientific Committee is also undertaking research on the impact of noise on cetaceans, and the effectiveness of different approaches to reduce exposure.
Other tools and resources
Conservación de la Microcuenca San Pablo: una historia de éxito de gobernanza compartida entre municipio y población local
La microcuenca de San Pablo, como bosque protector de nacimientos de agua, constituye una zona estratégica para el Municipio, el cual ha debido arbitrar medios necesarios para su protección a raíz de un nuevo escenario de producción: el cultivo de aguacate y sus consecuencias ambientales como la contaminación hídrica por los pesticidas y fertilizantes utilizados, la disminución de vegetación y bosques y la consecuente pérdida de conectividad ecológica con las demás microcuencas.
Entre las principales acciones de conservación implementadas se encuentran el aislamiento de los sitios de recarga hídrica para el control de daños por ingreso de ganado, la reforestación con especies nativas y la firma de acuerdos entre cultivadores de aguacate e instituciones del Estado en todos sus niveles, a fin de reducir la presión sobre el recurso hídrico.
Rapid assessment and monitory of biodiversity recovery at remediated oil spill sites in the Niger Delta
Engaging in oil activities poses a significant risk of impacting the environmental and social values in a landscape. The aim of the remediation effort is to restore the site’s environmental and socio-economic values. In natural habitats, this is about the recovery of biodiversity and the ecosystem functioning. This field manual aims to guide the design and implementation of biodiversity monitoring (recovery), following remediation of an oil spill. Its objective is to enhance understanding of recovery processes as well as the linkage between the recovery process and the effects of remediation.
Monitoring biodiversity after oil spill remediation in the Niger Delta
The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is facing severe environmental challenges due to widespread oil extraction activities, resulting in recurring oil spills and adverse effects on biodiversity, ecosystem services and livelihoods. This report documents the implementation of protocols of the IUCN Niger Delta Biodiversity Technical Advisory Group (BTAG) on two impacted sites at Adibawa Well 8 S/L wellhead in Joinkrama, Rivers State, and Adibawa North-East 1 wellhead in Tien Biseni, Bayelsa State, both located in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The innovative approach of BTAG integrates eDNA analysis with traditional field sampling to enhance the monitoring strategies, offering a more comprehensive understanding of ecological recovery.
New Guidelines Proposed to Address Light Pollution
The resolutions seek to raise awareness of the potential impacts of artificial light while the proposed guidelines provide a framework for assessing and managing the impact of artificial light on susceptible wildlife, including migratory species. For example, they consider wildlife-friendly lighting design and the management of light sources near protected wildlife.
The guidelines recognize the potential of conflicting requirements for wildlife conservation and human safety and the need for a balance between both.
CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessments for Marine Noise-generating Activities
Several resolutions of ASCOBANS, ACCOBAMS and CMS have recognized underwater noise as a major threat to many marine species. These resolutions call for noise-related considerations to be taken into account as early as the planning stages of activities, especially by making effective use of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Thanks to a voluntary contribution from Monaco, the CMS Secretariat on behalf also of the ACCOBAMS and ASCOBANS Secretariats was able to hire consultants to undertake this work.
Following a multi-step consultation process as outlined in UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.24.2.2, Resolution 12.14 on Adverse Impacts of Anthropogenic Noise on Cetaceans and Other Migratory Species was adopted by the 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS. In its Annex, it contains CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessments for Marine Noise-generating Activities.
These Guidelines cover the necessary detail for meaningful EIAs for Military and Civil High-powered Sonar, Shipping and Vessels Traffic, Seismic Surveys (Air Gun and Alternative Technologies), Construction Works, Offshore Platforms, Playback and Sound Exposure Experiments, Pingers (Acoustic Deterrent/Harassment Devices, Navigation), and other Noise-generating Activities (Acoustic Data Transmission, Wind, Tidal and Wave Turbines and Future Technologies).
The Resolution urges Parties to ensure that Environmental Impact Assessments take full account of the effects of activities on CMS-listed marine species and their prey and consider a more holistic ecological approach at a strategic planning stage. The Guidelines are designed to support them in this endeavour.
CMS Risk Assessment of Plastic Pollution to Migratory Species in the Mekong and Ganga River Basins
This report examines the health risk posed by plastic pollution in the Ganges and Mekong River basins to twenty-three freshwater, terrestrial and avian species protected under CMS. It also presents a framework for estimating the risk of plastic pollution to species within freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. It currently relies on the best available data from the Asia-Pacific region but can be improved on as additional research is conducted
IWC Strandings Initiative
The IWC Strandings Initiative was established following a multi-disciplinary expert workshop in 2016. The workshop discussed how best to develop practical guidance on handling cetacean strandings and concluded that an international Strandings Initiative should be established under the auspices of the IWC, incorporating the skills and experiences of strandings experts from a range of different countries around the world.
IWC Marine Debris
The increasing amount of debris in the world’s oceans has become a major cause for concern. There are many different types of marine debris. It travels freely and does not recognise national boundaries, which means international collaboration is essential to any attempts to address the issue effectively.
Agreement Text and its Annexes as amended by the 8th Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP8)
The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago.
Developed under the framework of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), AEWA brings together countries and the wider international conservation community in an effort to establish coordinated conservation and management of migratory waterbirds throughout their entire migratory range.
Solutions and case studies
Recovery of the water-wood traditional management system in the Cultural Landscape of the Honghe Hani Terraces World Heritage, China
The Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (HHRT), covering 16,603 hectares in Southern Yunnan, was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 2013 under criteria (iii) and (v). The cultivation of traditional rice has deeply moulded the landscape and shaped the farming culture of Hani people which have sustained these terraces for centuries. However, deep social changes make the sustainability of the terraces uncertain. Ecological challenges combined with loss of traditional knowledge menace the conservation of this spectacular landscape. In order to address these challenges, before the inscription of the site, Honghe prefecture developed a strategy which focuses on the recovery of the traditional water management system based on the water-wood concept and the restoration of traditional leadership. Through participatory research and a multi-level partnership, this initiative has ensured water supply to villages and sustain terraces while recovering ancient cultural practices.
Studying the impact of vegetation buffers on water quality in Mexico using citizen science
Water is an essential requirement for human survival and economic development, but is an increasingly limiting factor in areas undergoing climate change and increased urbanisation. Many of the available freshwater resources supplying the world’s cities are undergoing degradation due to poor management and the introduction of pollution from direct and indirect (diffuse) sources. A large proportion of water pollution originates from non-point sources, from both urban and agricultural areas, which makes tackling the cause of the problem a challenge. A complementary solution to traditional water treatment methods is the use of vegetation in slowing the flowrate and removing contaminants from freshwaters. The Earthwatch Institute launched an investigation in the Valle de Bravo watershed in Mexico to research the efficacy of vegetation strips as buffers to water pollution in the region.
Monitoring water quality through citizen science in Bengaluru
Earthwatch India addressed knowledge gaps in the management of urban lakes, wetlands and green spaces by researching how these ecosystems can increase the resilience of urban areas to impacts from climate change and urbanisation, whilst delivering benefits to people and wildlife.
In Bengaluru, Earthwatch is working with the Indian Institute of Science to study the impacts of land-use change and influence of human settlements on green buffer areas surrounding and protecting key urban lakes. Results are being used to create a framework for assessments of these lakes and their roles in driving blue-green infrastructure development.
“The environmental quality of an urban lake has an immediate bearing on the quality of the fringe habitations, specifically in terms of air and water quality. By addressing issues that concern urban blue and green spaces we can mitigate air and water quality issues, enable temperature and flooding control and provide a buffer for habitats.” – Prof. Sudhakar M. Rao, Indian Institute of Science
Floating ecosystems bring water to life
Biomatrix specialises in water restoration. Our Floating Ecosystems are engineered to improve water quality within rivers, lakes, ponds and canals as they increase aquatic life, leading to a balanced and revitalised waterscape.
Floating Ecosystems inject life into an area, as the islands provide an opportunity for nature and wildlife to take hold. Islands break up open water surfaces and provide shade under water. Plant roots provide habitat for Microbes to break down pollution and nutrients, and are a shelter and feeding ground for small fish. Mechanical aeration can further improve water quality. Birds can find an undisturbed nesting and resting space in areas where there is often little safety.
The Biomatrix floating ecosystem structure is designed to make wetland creation and water restoration possible, even in locations with waves, changing water levels, hard edges and fast currents. The structural floating technology allows thriving wetland communities to be created in challenging and dynamic waterbodies.
Citizens are encouraged to be nosy about air quality
CurieuzeNeuzen is a Flemish wordplay that is difficult to translate but refers to someone who is curious to learn. It is the largest ever citizen science project to monitor air quality throughout the Flanders region of Belgium. Over 53,000 candidates registered, from which 20,000 citizens, but also organisations, schools and companies were selected to participate. They each received a user-friendly toolkit that enabled them to measure their street’s NO2 concentration which is primarily released from the burning of fossil fuels. Participants attached a V-shaped billboard onto their first-floor window on the street side. Two passive NO2 samplers attached within collected data from April 28 until May 26 in 2018. Participants were eager to know their results as more than 99% returned their tubes for processing. Internationally, this was the first time that citizens were actively involved on such a large scale in a scientific project on air quality which yielded incredibly detailed results.
The Litterboom Project
In South Africa almost 90% of South Africa’s marine plastic pollution originates from its own river systems.The Litterboom Project (TLP) uses a large pipe that is anchored across the river, which acts as a catchment for all surface-level plastics- which are predominantly HDPE and PET. This preventative measure is set up strategically where it can collect the most rubbish and where the team collects, sorts, and sends the plastic off for recycling.
Integrating Value chain in Sustainable Solid Waste management in Kwale and Mombasa Counties, Kenya
The Centre for Environmental Justice and Development (CEJAD)aims to combat plastic and waste pollution by promoting sustainable solid management through public education on impacts of plastics to the environment and demonstration of BATs/BEPs such as source separation of waste, reuse, recycling and recovery as well value chain efficiency.
The project seeks to conduct the following activities:
- Equipping the women artisans with machinery, tools, and equipment for making sculptures and items out of plastic waste.
- Training women artisans on product development and packaging.
- Establishing a pilot waste segregation at source and management system for recovery, reuse, and recycle of plastic and other waste.
- Training women artisans on marketing and how to maintain market linkages.
- Undertaking a market research for their products.
