collaborate with relevant international organizations and conventions, within their respective mandates, to further investigate the potential contribution of wetland ecosystems to climate change mitigation and adaptation through: a) preparing advice on assessing social resilience and vulnerability of wetlands to climate change, to complement the existing advice on assessing the biophysical vulnerability of a wetlands to climate change (Ramsar Technical Report No. 5/CBD Technical Series No. 57); b) preparing advice on ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change for coastal and inland wetlands; and c) reviewing any relevant advice provided by other MEAs, in particular the outcomes of CBD COP-11. 41 CC1-Implications of, and advice on, climate change for Convention implementation Sub Task CC1.1): Implications of climate change for maintaining the ecological character of wetland No activities undertaken 41 Subtask CC1.2): Case studies and other information generated in response to Resolution XI.14 paragraph 32 No activities undertaken 41 Subtask CC1.3 ): Advice on sustainable management of carbon stocks No activities undertaken
41 Subtask CC1.4 ): Potential contribution of wetland ecosystems to climate change mitigation and adaptation No activities undertaken As in task 15, the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (as a tool under the MedWet regional initiative) has launched a project to assess and promote the role that wetlands can play in mitigating the impacts of climate change. 42 Ramsar Sites boundary migration in response to sea level rise and other climate change effects No activities undertaken Briefing Note completed last triennium. C. Wetlands & water resource management 43 The role of biodiversity and wetlands in the global water cycle Establish an expert group on maintaining the ability of biodiversity to continue to support the water cycle (as requested by CBD COP10 Decision X/28 and approved by SC42), and communicate with Parties so that they can provide scientific inputs through their own experts. Ongoing A manuscript has been drafted and is being finalized. 44 Ramsar, water and wetlands: review and development of a strategy for engaging in the global water debate Develop a strategy for Ramsar to engage fully in the global water debate, focusing on the role of wetlands as natural water infrastructure. This includes specifying aims, mechanisms for engagement, and products needed to support the engagement. [Note. The Secretariat’s 2011 development of a “Vision 40+” for the Convention contributes to this strategy.] Ongoing Identified as a top priority by SC46. Paper commissioned by the Secretariat, reviewed by STRP and provided to the Secretariat. 45 Environmental water allocation for wetlands - guidance Work with Mexico and WWF to share approaches and experiences and to develop further guidance or tools for management and allocation of water for maintaining the ecological functions of wetlands. Ongoing STRP member has been working with the Government of Mexico on a DR for COP12. The DR was accepted by SC48 to be transmitted to COP12. Wetlands & agriculture
46 Wise use of wetlands in relation to coastal and inland aquaculture guidance Develop guidance for the wise use of wetlands in relation to coastal and inland aquaculture. (Building on lessons learnt from best practices on sustainable aquaculture, and recognizing that global dependence on aquaculture is growing, that wild stocks continue to be depleted, and that meeting the need for seafood is resulting in significant direct (habitat loss, wild harvest of species) and indirect impacts (pollution, contamination) on wetlands.) Ongoing RTR drafted on Inland wetlands, capture fisheries and aquaculture, which can be finalized early in next triennium if aligned with new work plan. 47 Impacts of agricultural practices on rice paddies as wetland systems No activities undertaken 48 Re-engineering agricultural landscapes No activities undertaken 49 Wetlands and biofuels No activities undertaken Wetlands & poverty eradication 50 Wetlands & poverty eradication – and case studies Further tools and guidance to support the implementation of Resolutions IX.14, X.28 & XI.13, on: i) advice on mainstreaming the “Integrated Framework for linking wetland conservation and wise use with poverty eradication” into national policies and programmes for poverty eradication; ii) development of structured ‘guide to available guidelines and tools’ for addressing poverty eradication in relation to wetlands; and iii) case studies and best practices on the application of the Framework for assessing poverty in wetlands. i) Ongoing ii) Ongoing iii) Ongoing Identified as a top priority by SC46. Three discussion papers, a draft Guide to available guidelines and tools for addressing poverty eradication in relation to wetlands and a draft Briefing Note were produced. However, due to time constraints and the task not aligning with the proposed thematic work areas for the next STRP, the Secretariat has decided that the outputs should be consolidated into a report for internal use/reference.
51 Supplementary guidance to support the Resolution XI.13 poverty eradication framework No activities undertaken Wetlands and urbanization 52 Planning and management of urban and peri-urban wetlands Ongoing Briefing Note published 53 Urban wetland management demonstration sites Ongoing Four workshops were held over the triennium in collaboration with the Ramsar Secretariat (supported by the SRA for Africa), local Contracting Parties, IOPs and UN Habitat in Senegal (x2), Togo and Ghana. These explored how the principles adopted through Resolution XI.11 could be embedded into urban planning and management practices at a town or city level. Wetlands and Tourism 54 Wetlands and tourism – development of guiding principles for tourism in and around wetlands No activities undertaken An important partnership was created through work done for COP11, which can be further developed under the Secretariat’s Strategy and Partnerships Program Wetlands and energy 55 Managing energy sector activities in relation to wetlands: guide to guidance and case studies No activities undertaken 56 Monitoring energy trends reported in global assessments No activities undertaken