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Fight against desertification

Fight against desertification manifests itself through the establishment of policies and strategies

action to prevent and reduce land degradation

and reclamation of partially degraded lands

Preserve biodiversity

The Malagasy ecosystem has around 12,000 species of plants.

363 species of reptiles, 238 species of amphibians, 283 species of birds

165 species of fish and 99 species of lemurs (Goodman and Benstead 2005)

Climate change

Increase socio-economic resilience and ensure the population’s access to vital resources

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen carbon sinks

Establish national frameworks to strengthen climate actions

Président

Speech from the minister

Dear partners, collaborators and friends of the environment, Since I had the honor of taking charge of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar, I have traveled our country to personally meet our communities in different regions. These visits to initiatives and exchanges were a source of inspiration and confirmed to me the need for a Ministry that is a catalyst for sustainable development, rather than an obstacle. Our Ministry is committed to stimulating the economy in an inclusive manner while preserving our natural resources, by integrating sustainability at all levels of decision-making. Far from the image of an anti-economic Ministry or one exclusively devoted to reforestation, we position ourselves as a pillar of sustainable development in Madagascar. We promote intersectionality and value each contribution from the public and private sectors, NGOs, civil society and international partners, because each action brings us closer to our common goal. In this era of global challenges, where corruption and illicit trafficking threaten our efforts, I reaffirm our strongest commitment to zero tolerance. These scourges, which undermine the integrity of our work, will find no place in our vision of a prosperous and just Madagascar. The protection of our natural heritage is essential not only to preserve the environment but also to maintain the ecological balance vital to our survival. The Malagasy government is making many efforts to achieve this vision and our strategic plan stems from the General Policy of the State. This ensures the consistency of our actions with long-term national objectives. However, this climate challenge is certainly the greatest of our generation and Madagascar is counting on the development of strategic partnerships and a renewal of its positioning on the international scene as being a major player in the fight against climate change and the protection of environment.  We are committed to innovative, complementary financing mechanisms to effectively support our environmental projects. At the same time, we are launching robust and impactful initiatives to fight pollution and climate change (waste management, electric mobility, inclusive value chains, biodiversity, etc.). At the heart of our strategy is the ongoing strengthening of our governance to ensure full transparency and increased efficiency in all our operations. Finally, it is essential to strengthen education, awareness, and research, essential pillars for increasing environmental awareness and stimulating sustainable innovation. These first three months of meetings and dialogues with all of you, from here and elsewhere, have convinced me of the strength of our collective commitment. Together, with determination and a spirit of cooperation, we can make Madagascar an example of success in sustainable development. I cannot thank you enough for joining us in this vital effort. Together, let's defend our vision of inclusive and sustainable development in Madagascar.

The 03 Rio conventions

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Desertification Convention

In Madagascar, the National Action Plan (PAN) to combat desertification was adopted by Decree No. 199-2003 of March 11, 2003 and which set two clear directions on the development of knowledge, the promotion of awareness and the attitude of stakeholders and (ii) improving productivity and restoring affected areas. The alignment of the National Action Plan (aligned PAN) was adopted by the Government by Decree No. 2015-747 of 04/28/15 and made it possible to strengthen the country's commitments and determine the situation of the affected areas by desertification and land degradation and to see their dynamics over time. These efforts are currently being reinforced by the definition of voluntary targets for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) which is “a state where the quantity and quality of land necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and improve security food remain stable or increase within defined ecosystems and spatial and temporal scales” This process was carried out with the support of an intersectoral working group which brings together state actors, the private sector, civil society and research institutions working on sustainable land management. The process of defining Land Degradation Neutrality targets thus made it possible to strengthen initiatives already underway within the country so that they ultimately respond to the country's clear needs in terms of food and water security. , mitigating the effects of climate change and adaptation, promoting responsible consumption and combating conflicts over access to resources, more particularly the use of land. The historical analysis of the three indicators chosen, namely the change in land use, soil carbon and the dynamics of land productivity between the years 2000 and 2010, made it possible to observe a continuous degradation linked to deforestation in favor of agricultural areas and grazing areas, a loss of soil organic carbon and land productivity on stable land use classes. Madagascar's voluntary LDN targets Global target Madagascar commits to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030. Specific targets - Improve productivity and carbon stocks in cultivated and grazing areas - Improve the coverage of green infrastructure - Reduce the conversion of forests to other types of plant cover by 2030 - Reduce the conversion of wetlands to other types of plant cover by 2030. The key political orientations identified during the process are based on intersectoral coordination within a clear territorial planning framework and which is essential to ensure sustainable land management at all levels; reinforced technical measures which must combine measures to avoid land degradation, minimize ongoing degradation processes through best practices and develop restoration of degraded landscapes. They will thus be based on improving productivity and carbon stocks in cultivated areas and grazing areas, increasing the coverage of green infrastructure, reducing the conversion of forests and wetlands to other types of plant cover; the mobilization of financial incentives which must involve greater state commitment and better inclusion of the private sector for scaling up activities to restore degraded lands, through the development of intersectoral innovation capacities and through initiatives of research on sustainable land management in relation to biodiversity and climate change.
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Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a legally binding international treaty that has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological diversity. genetic resources. Its overall aim is to encourage measures that will lead to a sustainable future. The conservation of biological diversity is a common concern of humanity. The Convention on Biological Diversity targets all levels of biological diversity: ecosystems, species and genetic resources. It also applies to biotechnologies, particularly within the framework of the Cartagena Protocol on the prevention of biotechnological risks. In fact, it covers all possible areas that are directly or indirectly linked to biological diversity and its role in development, ranging from science, politics and education to agriculture, business, culture and much more. The governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity is the Conference of the Parties (COP). This higher body is made up of all governments that have ratified the treaty (the Parties) and meets every two years to review progress, establish priorities and decide on work plans. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is based in Montreal, Canada. Its main function is to assist governments in implementing the Convention and its work programmes, to organize meetings, draft documents and coordinate with other international organizations, as well as to collect and disseminate informations. The Executive Secretary is the head of the secretariat. The Convention was opened for signature on June 5, 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, often referred to as the Rio "Earth Summit." To date, it has 196 Parties.
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Climate Change Convention

Madagascar is aligning itself with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set at the level of the United Nations System. The main objective is to reduce poverty by half in 2015. Achieving such an objective requires the development of certain sectors of activity which are increasingly concerned by climate change. In view of the risk incurred due to climate change, it is necessary to define a national policy to combat climate change with a view to achieving sustainable development. The national policy to combat climate change (PNLCC) is part of the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol to which Madagascar acceded respectively in 1998 and 2003. and takes into account the various existing policies. The aim is to effectively manage climate change so that the adverse effects it has on different sectors and in various areas are minimized. Moreover, this policy is part of the National Environmental Policy.This document aims to strengthen the fight against climate change in the country, and in this sense, serves as a reference for actions to be undertaken. It also gives the main directions of the fight against climate change focused on implementation strategies. It thus makes it possible to encourage investors and technical and financial partners in the field of climate change.

About

The National Environmental Policy for Sustainable Development is part of the perspective of Madagascar’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The General State Policy and the National Development Plan place environmental protection among the priority sectors in order to ensure the sustainability of actions to combat poverty and develop the country. Noting that Madagascar is faced with anthropogenic and climatic constraints causing strong pressure on its existing natural resource wealth (soil, water, air, sea, fauna, flora, etc.) and having a tendency to unbalance the Environment; Noting, however, that natural capital can be a lever for development and that the multiplicity and diversity of actors, initiatives and potential for sustainable management of the Environment constitute a real asset but nevertheless require strong coordination in order to ensure their coherence, their synergy and their complementarity; The Government of Madagascar adopts a National Environmental Policy for Sustainable Development which aims to be the national reference in terms of sustainable environmental management integrating national objectives with international opportunities and constraints. This policy fits with the general rules and principles laid down by the updated Malagasy Environmental Charter and is broken down into environmental plans and programs for sustainable development. DEFINITIONS AND MAIN ISSUES The National Environmental Policy for Sustainable Development is a policy taking into account the globality and interdependence of environmental, social, economic and cultural problems.  The Environment, according to the updated Malagasy Environmental Charter, is all natural and artificial environments including human, socio-cultural and climatic factors which are of interest to national development. It places people at the center of environmental concerns. The various existing sectoral policies will be addressed to ensure their compatibility and complementarity with the National Environmental Policy for Sustainable Development. The main issues of the National Environmental Policy for Sustainable Development are: Sustainable management of natural resources to improve food and energy security in the face of population growth and climate change The preservation of biodiversity unique in the world but threatened Effective management of marine and coastal areas with nearly 5,600 km of coastal stretch. Reduction of environmental and health risks linked to various pollutions caused by the needs of social and economic development Rational use of wetlands that provide essential services and freshwater resources. The support of the general population for environmental policy focused on sustainable development, through behavioral change and the development of eco-citizenship Globalization: the alignment of national policies with international conventions and agreements ratified by Madagascar, regional integration, liberalization, the interdependence of economies, competition, NICT, etc. which influence the Environment
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News

Due to the impacts of climate change, the Menabe region is among the areas where migrants from surrounding areas are settling due to an environment conducive to production and natural resources on land and sea. However, this migration generates a series of considerable pressures on the natural resources of the region, particularly within the protected area of Menabe Antimena, due to their installation in an area subject to protection, thus leading to deforestation and reduction of the extent protected. In order to strengthen the preservation of the protected area of Menabe Antimena and to address the migration problem in Menabe, the MEDD and the IOM initiated the project “Promoting the climate resilience of populations impacted by climate change in the lower Tsiribihina”. This project was officially launched on April 25, 2024, under the direction of Minister Max Andonirina FONTAINE, the Head of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Madagascar, the Administrator of the IFD and the Head of Mission of the IOM in Madagascar. The main objective is to support the initiatives of the Malagasy government to preserve the protected area of Menabe Antimena while strengthening the adaptation capacity of local populations and migrants in the face of climate change. The duration of the project will extend over 24 months with funding estimated at $300,000 from the Development Fund set up by IOM.

Classified as a 2nd category natural park, Andohahela is located in the Anosy region, in the extreme south. Covering an area of 76,020 hectares, Madagascar National Parks is one of the organizations attached to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development responsible for the management of the Andohahela National Park. This World Heritage Site has been distinguished for its unique natural resources. Many animal species are specifically located in the south of the country, more precisely in this protected area. Boasting a dense rainforest, this park is located across the Tropic of Capricorn, giving it a rare feature on a global scale. Offering a great diversity of landscapes, a humid forest borders the eastern part of Andohahela Park. The rivers supply the regions of Anosy and Androy. Due to its ecological importance, this area also plays an economic role for the country. Its unique biodiversity attracts tourists who come to discover the 12 different species of lemurs present in Andohahela including the Lemur catta (Maki catta), Propithecus verreauxi (Sifaka), Hapalemur griseus meridionalis and Eulemur fulvus Collaris. In addition, there are 129 species of birds and 50 species of frogs as well as a thousand plant species recorded in Andohahela National Park. There are 5 of the 11 rare species of Didieraceae present exclusively in the south of the island.

As part of the revision of the Madagascar Environmental Statistics Development Framework (CDSE), the latest version of which was published in 2016, there was a workshop on cleaning and strengthening the data collection. 24 to 26 April 2024. Organized by the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) together with UNDP and MK Business Analysis (MK BA), project consultant. This workshop is a continuation of other workshops: - The workshop to identify the indicators and sources of information that created the list of indicators for CDSE 2024; - The workshop on the design of the form of data collection and training of users in this form; - Collection of data from known sources. This workshop was followed by a data validation workshop, which preceded the CDSE design and writing workshop.

Madagascar has been listed among the nations most exposed to the effects of climate change. This recognition marked a major step forward in the development of various strategies to address this problem and reduce it within our country. Among these initiatives are the finalization of the National Climate Change Plan (PNA) in 2021, the revision of the National Policy to Combat Climate Change (PNLCCC) and the completion of the second Nationally Determined Contribution (CDN2) in 2022. In order to benefit from funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a workshop was organized to develop a strategic plan aimed at guaranteeing access to funding from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development as well as stakeholders committed to the fight against climate change, this April 24, 2024. FAO, a partner having obtained approval from the GCF for the funds it grants, is working closely with the Ministry with the aim of increasing the funding that Madagascar receives from the GCF for the implementation of projects intended to combat and mitigate the effects of climate change. Already, certain projects such as “Tetikasa Sustainable Landscape of Eastern Madagascar” have benefited from financial support from the GCF. However, it is undeniable that the level of funding allocated to Madagascar remains insufficient, which justifies the implementation of this common strategy.

Available resources

The three Rio conventions

Climate change, desertification and biodiversity loss are closely linked and pose existential challenges for humanity. In response to these challenges, governments founded three “sister Rio Conventions” at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Biodiversity Convention

Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. 

RPF gasoline

Guide to species for Landscape and Forest Restoration (RPF) in Madagascar