In the context of BIODEV2030, a voluntary commitment is an agreement by which one or more stakeholders commit to mobilise and establish a series of shared, forward-looking and strategic actions or initiatives, based on science, to instigate that is both positive and measurable on the state of biodiversity.
Why?
Strengthening the national policy mix for biodiversity conservation
What?
A moral commitment formalised in writing and made public
By whom?
By all the legitimate stakeholders (private and public actors, SCO) in a given sector at different territorial levels
How?
They must be explicitly stated: concrete, targeted, achievable, and replicable
BIODEV2030 seeks to promote voluntary commitments (VCs) from sectoral stakeholders in the 16 pilot countries. These VCs will contribute to a Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, driven by society as a whole, reflecting not only the mobilisation of the States, but also the mobilisation of economic and civil society stakeholders, in favour of biodiversity.
The prerequisites for the development and adoption of these sectoral voluntary commitments is to share knowledge and aspirations amongst all stakeholders, as well as an inclusive and transparent negotiation process.
The BIODEV2030 method for bringing
about voluntary commitments
The methodology proposed by BIODEV2030 relies on 2 phases, to stimulate the formulation of specific, and therefore effective, voluntary commitments:
- Information and diagnosis to raise awareness on the necessity for change in conjunction with the degradation of natural resources and identification of the key economic sectors on which to act as a priority
- Establishing multi-stakeholder platforms to catalyse a dialogue between the relevant stakeholders and thereby co-construct voluntary sectoral commitments.
The voluntary commitments are constructed on the sound understanding of diagnosis results, on the involvement of the relevant stakeholders along the process, and on the acknowledgement of the plurality of interests and values that constitute the commitments.
Our recommendations for development of a voluntary commitment
The voluntary commitment must:
Consider the magnitude of the anticipated change
on biodiversity (through indicators) from its very inception
Be linked to the value chains
with identified stakeholders and a defined favourable environment
Be part of a long-term trajectory, in line with SMART indicators and objectives
(i.e. it must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
Be accompanied by an action plan and a detailed implementation plan
(targets & roles of the stakeholder)
Be anchored in National Strategic Action Plans
(NSAPs), NDCs and other international treaties
Include a reporting and evaluation system
managed at the level of the territorial unit in question. Such a system will allow a review of the objectives and available resources based on the results, will allow to compare changes in practices and to measure the impacts on the state of biodiversity.
The voluntary commitment can be reinforced if it is supported by additional actions (technical, financial or human resources, State incentives, resources dedicated to stakeholders coordination, promoting the stakeholders involved, etc.) which could facilitate or accelerate the anticipated change. To do this the voluntary commitment should:
- clarify the role of the State, of NGOs and/or the role of financial stakeholders involved,
- suggest actions where success depends on a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders,
- not subject the commitment of the sectoral stakeholders to the implementation of the enabling conditions.
The voluntary commitment can be legitimatised if it is co-constructed by all the relevant stakeholders for the subject-matter area, in the sector or in the region, and by relying on the opinion leaders who have a capacity for mainstreaming.
Once the voluntary commitment is signed by the stakeholders, it will be important to enhance it with positive communication concerning the efforts and commitments of the stakeholders.