POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENT INTIATIVE

ANNUAL MEETING, 13-14th MAY 2008,

Nairobi, Kenya

Government of Malawi

Structure

Country Profile Main Poverty-Environment Linkages National Planning Process Institutional Set-Up Expectations of the PEI Programme

Country Profile Landlocked country Climate: Sub-tropical Total area: 118,480 sq. km; land(94,080 sq km); water

(24,400 sq.km) Neighbours: Zambia (west); Tanzania (north & northeast);

Mozambique (south, southeast & southwest) Population: About12 million; 85% in rural areas; Political system: Multi-party since 1994 Poverty Head Count: 52.4% (IHS2, 2005) Economy: Agro-based (40% of GDP); engages 82% of the

popu.; aver agri growth 1970-2005: 4.35%; MGDS target: 6%; aver GDP growth 1996-2005: 3%; MGDS target: 6%; GDP growth rate 2005/06: 7.9% & 06/07: 7.4%

Natural resources: land, water, forests, fisheries, wildlife, some mineral deposits e.g. limestone, uranium, coal, and bauxite

Main Poverty-Environment Linkages

Due to lack of alternative livelihood opportunities the poor depend on natural resources e.g. depletion of fish stocks, charcoal, poaching

The poor mostly use wood fuel for cooking (MW:89.9%; rural poor: 97.0%). Only 7.5% of the population has access to electricity (MGDS Review, 2006/7)

The high population growth rate (3.2%) and density (112 per sq.km) exert pressure on land & other natural resources, etc

Low mean land holding size (fell from 1.53 ha/hh in 1968 to 0.80ha/hh in 2000); the poor: 0.23ha – low productivity & food insecure - can hardly afford chem. fert, low usage of organic fert, poor farming practices, etc

Main Poverty-Environment Linkages (cont’d)

Emergence of squatter areas due to rising urban migration in search for better opportunities – urban growth rate MW: >6%; SA:1.2%; Govt addressing issue

The poor use water from unsafe sources – unprotected wells and springs – increasing incidences of water borne diseases

High incidence of poverty has placed health facilities under pressure, as they provide free services

Poor farming practices are worsening soil erosion reducing agricultural productivity and incomes

Deforestation is causing siltation in Shire River and hydroelectricity generation is below potential; ESCOM spending heavily on dredging

National Planning ProcessesNational Development Strategy long term plan – Vision 2020 MGDSKey Entry Points MGDS Annual Reviews – integrate ES ADP – assess thorough integration ES & develop M&E

& align to National M&E Support the committee overseeing coordination in

formulating & implementation of policies & programmes – composed of OPC, MEPD, MoF, MoJ

Climate change and linkage with environment Planning Linkage sectors plan and budget and submit to central budget

department Planning and budgeting not fully devolved to the

districts

National Planning Process (cont’d)Budget Environment and natural resources budget is usually

inadequate.Example: In 2006/07 Fiscal year, Environment Protection got only 9% and 26% of the budgeted resources for recurrent and development expenditures respectively (MGDS Review 2006/07).

However, for the sector to implement and coordinate activities, budget allocation to the sector should be increased

Institutional Set-Up

1 - InstitutionsCentral Level: Cabinet Committee on Agri & Nat Resources-policy

guidance Parliamentary Committee on Agri & Nat Resources –

legislation and lobbying environment issuesNational Level: National Council on Environment – a group of PSs,

Managers and PS Committee on envir, natu res & climate change Technical Committee – composed of Directors,

technical expertsDistrict Level: District Assembly – composed of the District

Commissioner/Chief Executive and Councillors/politicians

Institutional Set-Up (cont’d)

District Executive Committee (DEC) District Environment Sub-committee – composed of

technical experts & advises the DECCommunity Level: NRM committees established Community empowerment in project identification,

monitoring

2 - Planning and Budgeting Line ministries and departments - plan and budget on

their own District assemblies – planned and budgeted at the

centre (financial powers not fully devolved)

Institutional Set-Up (cont’d)

Other institutions involved: NGOs, Wildlife & Environment Society of Malawi,

Coordination Unit for Rehabilitation of Environment, Malawi Environment Endowment Trust

Journalists -Malawi Journalist Network Conservation Trust, Coordination of Journalists on Environment and Agriculture, Forum for Environment Communication

Lawyers – Green Wigs University programmes – BSc and MSc School Clubs Regional and/or International Organizations – UNDP,

UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank, JICA, EU, DANIDA

Expectations for the PEI programme Stimulate more commitment on envir issues – address

incongruence of policies, low funding & inadequate capacities

Improved policy implementation, coordination and harmonisation

Analysis on economic benefits of ENR conservation vs economic costs of ENR degradation

Support the preparation of NSER – the last was in 2002

Support the MEPD and Envir Affairs Depart including National Council on Envir to improve policy and programme coordination

Development of clear indicators for comprehensive & effective M&E

Strengthen NGO and Civil Society coordinating structures - for improved advocacy and community outreach on environmental

ZIKOMO