Strategic Goal 9: Social and Environmental Issues - Performance Results for Performance Goal 2


FY 2003 Performance and Accountability Report
Bureau of Resource Management
December 2003
Report

PERFORMANCE GOAL 2

Partnerships, initiatives, and implemented international treaties and agreements that protect the
environment and promote efficient energy use and resource management

 

I/P #2: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Develop, negotiate, and implement initiatives, treaties, and agreements to better protect both living and nonliving marine resources and promote sustainable development.

OUTPUT INDICATOR

Indicator #1: Partnerships to Build Capacity and Promote Sustainable Development, Protect Marine Resources and Terrestrial Ecosystems
FY Results History 2000 N/A
2001 Baseline:
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) activities were often limited to pelagic fisheries. The World Bank Fund for Sustainable Fisheries established with a donation from Japan. The World Bank undertook work on new environmental policy paper for forest sector projects.
2002

Consultations with other States Parties to the UN Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) to promote its effective implementation, particularly cooperation with developing states. The UN General Assembly and States Parties to the UNFSA agreed in principle to establish a voluntary trust fund to implement the UNFSA.

A rebuilding plan of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, (ICCAT) contributed to recovery of the North Atlantic swordfish. APEC workshop on shark conservation and management was held to build capacity to implement FAO International Plan of Action (IPOA). A regional fisheries management organization adopted the first limitations on fishing capacity. The Southern Ocean Albatross and Petrel Agreement entered into force. Further progress was made toward establishing a regime to conserve and manage highly migratory fish stocks in the central and western Pacific.

The Department raised U.S. concerns with EU fisheries policies at a high level and in multilateral fora, and continued to work with EU counterparts as the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was finalized.

FY 2003
Data		 2003 Results

Results Set #1

  • The UN Fish Stocks Agreement has 36 parties.
  • Japan rejoins negotiations on highly migratory fish stocks in the central and western Pacific.
  • The Polar Bear Treaty and amendments to the U.S.-Canada Albacore Treaty and the eastern Pacific tuna convention are submitted to Congress for advice and consent to ratification. Senate consents to ratify amended South Pacific Tuna Access Treaty. Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife in the Wider Caribbean Marine Environment (SPAW Protocol) is ratified.
  • Three new States become Party to the Inter-American Sea Turtle Convention. U.S. tightens domestic fisheries rules relating to sea turtles; pushes for comparable changes by foreign governments.
  • Three new marine species are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES rejected proposals to relax restrictions on whale and other marine species. International Whaling Commission (IWC) renewed bowhead whale quota.
  • FAO adopts strategy for improving data collection and reporting in fisheries, and work plan on eco-labeling and other non-tariff trade measures. World Bank initiates projects with targeted sustainable fisheries components in developing countries.

Results Set #2

  • The Global Environment Facility (GEF) adopted strong environmental performance measures and established an independent monitoring unit. Over $600 million was made available for project funding in FY 2003.

Result Set #3

  • Department launches the President's Initiative Against Illegal Logging (PIAIL); and signs Tropical Forest Conservation agreement (TFCA) with Panama. Eleven major landscapes designated for protection pursuant to the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). The 12-country Montreal Process report on the State of Forests is released.
  • The Western Hemisphere Migratory Bird Conference generated support to develop a hemispheric strategy for conservation of migratory species.
  • Senior Officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) agree to support workshop on invasive species - to be hosted by China in 2004.
  • International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) workshop supported development of a best practices guide to coral reef assessment and management.

Result Set #4

  • UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) adopts reforms to focus on implementation in priority sectors, specifically water, sanitation, and human settlements in 2004-2005 and energy-related issues in 2005-2006.
  • The Water for the Poor Initiative, launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), improved water and/or sanitation services for more than 16 million people. The Global Village Energy Partnership to improve access to energy in developing countries grew from 70 to 246 government, civil society and international organization partners.
  • Shenyang, China legislature considers landmark legislation on environmental public participation and information, access, and Thailand launches wildlife enforcement initiative, recovering more than 33,000 animals, after Department-sponsored capacity-building efforts.
  • White Water to Blue Water Initiative (announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Development) includes a focus on domestic good governance practices for integrated management of fresh water and marine resources in the wider Caribbean region.
Target

Target Set #1: Increase contributions to the World Bank Fund for Sustainable Fisheries by $2 million. Increase contributions to FAO Fisheries Code of Conduct.

Target Set #2: GEF institutes environmental performance measures and established an independent monitoring unit. Approximately $600 million is available for project funding through GEF.

Target Set #3: Launch partnershps, agreements, and implementation efforts to protect forests, migratory birds, coral reefs and other exosystems.

Target Set #4: Key institutions and processes highlight energy, water, and domestic good governance issues and adopt approaches that support the implementation of sustainable development projects.

Rating Results Set #1: On Target
Results Set #2: Above Target
Results Set #3: On Target
Results Set #4: On Target
Impact

Results Set #1: The U.S. maintained its leadership role in promoting and implementing policies to achieve sustainable fisheries, including addressing the impacts of fishing activities on the marine ecosystem, in multilateral, regional, and bilateral fora.

Results Set #2: GEF projects and operations will help achieve U.S. global environmental priorities, in particular promoting sustainable forest management, energy efficiency, and minimization of toxic releases.

Results Set #3: CBFP, PIAIL, and TFCA efforts promote conservation of forests, while Montreal Process report serves as model for determining forest conservation progress. Western Hemisphere migratory bird strategy negotiations, ICRI workshop, and APEC actions represent growing international commitment and cooperation to conserve migratory birds, coral reefs, and address the economic and ecological threat of invasive alien species.

Results Set #4: Results signify growing international consensus and action to focus on implementation of sustainable development through partnerships and through building domestic good governance in the environmental sector.

Other Issues Beginning in FY 2004, the Department will no longer report on Target Set #1 because its validity as an accurate measure of Department efforts and performance in the area of oceans and fisheries is limited. The information contained in this year's report includes information relevant to the Department's efforts and performance in the area of oceans and fisheries which goes beyond the results specific to this Target Set. Likewise, Targets 3 and 4 are added to more fully capture the Department's performance on ecosystem protection and sustainable development.

 

Photo showing a three-month old green turtle swimming through a reflection in a pool at the Royal Thai Navy's Sea Turtle Conservation Center.

A three-month old green turtle swims through a reflection in a pool at the Royal Thai Navy's Sea Turtle Conservation Center, where young green and hawksbill turtles are nurtured and then released into the Gulf of Thailand in a navy-run program to increase the endangered marine animal numbers in the wild, at Sattahip, Thailand. � AP Photo/Barbara Walton

 

I/P #3: TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT

OUTPUT INDICATOR

Indicator #2: Status of Trade Agreements or Guidelines That Minimize Environmental Harm
FY Results History 2000 N/A
2001

Baseline:

  • Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with Singapore and Chile are launched.
  • The WTO agreed to negotiate trade and environment issues within the Doha Round.
2002
  • Negotiations were ongoing for four bilateral FTAs.
  • The Trade Act of 2002 authorized the President to negotiate trade agreements subject to an up-or-down vote in Congress.
  • Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) negotiators agreed at the Quito Ministerial to language in the declaration that included protecting the environmental as an FTAA goal.
FY 2003
Data		 2003 Results
  1. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Singapore and Chile are completed that have satisfactory environmental provisions.
  2. OECD members agree to undertake formal discussions of environmental standards.
  3. Discussions with Jordan expected early in new fiscal year. Substantial progress made on U.S.-Morocco workplan for environmental cooperation.
Target
  1. FTAs with Singapore and Chile are completed that have satisfactory environmental provisions.
  2. OECD members agree to undertake formal discussions of environmental standards.
  3. U.S.-Jordan Environmental Forum agrees on workplan for environmental cooperation.
Rating
  1. On Target
  2. On Target
  3. On Target
Impact

The U.S. has established a strong precedent for developing free trade regimes and promoting financial practices that are supportive of high levels of environmental protection. For example,

  • Following negotiation of the FTA the government of Singapore has shown an increased interest in controlling illegal trade in endangered species, a major environmental priority. Seizures of illegal goods have been made, and for the first time a Singaporean official attended a regional seminar on the subject offered by the United States.
  • In Chile, as called for in the Environment Chapter of the FTA, implementation has begun on the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR).

 

I/P #4: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Implement the President's new approach to climate change and energy technologies.

OUTPUT INDICATOR

Indicator #3: Status of Bilateral, Regional, and Global Climate Change Partnerships and Initiatives[1]
FY ResultS History 2000 N/A
2001 Baseline:
New partnerships announced with Japan, EU, Central American countries, and Italy to initiate the President's directive to engage internationally toward more effective global effort to address climate change.
2002
  1. New partnerships announced or initiated with Australia, Canada, the EU, India, South Korea, and China.
  2. Implementation of partnerships with Japan, Central American countries, Italy, and Australia.
  3. Key working groups were established and specific projects and project-related activities agreed to and begun.
FY 2003
Data		 2003 Results Initiated partnerships with New Zealand, Russia, Mexico, and South Africa, and continued exploratory discussions with Kazakhstan and Brazil. Advanced a range of cooperative activities with Australia, Canada, Central American countries, China, the EU, India, Italy and Japan. Results were consistent with 2002 timelines, and existing partnerships were reviewed.
Target
  1. Establish and begin implementing new partnerships with additional countries including Russia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Identify key outcomes and deliverables, with associated timelines. Begin detailed implementation of partnerships with Australia, Canada, the EU, India, and China.
  2. For existing partnerships, the Department will meet timelines for deliverables established in 2002. Complete reviews of existing partnerships will take place.
Rating On Target
Impact Specific project-based activities in the areas of climate science and clean energy technologies have identified lower-carbon technologies and are charting means for their cost-effective dissemination. These activities demonstrate to the world, especially developing countries, a better way to develop economically while protecting the environment.

Note 1: Climate change partnerships defined as officially established bilateral relationships on climate change.

 

I/P #5: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION

Negotiation and implementation of bilateral/ multilateral science and technology agreements and partnerships promoting sound science and technological advance as a foundation of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

INPUT INDICATOR

Indicator #4: Status of Science and Technology (S&T) Agreements
FY Results History 2000 N/A
2001 Baseline: Policy review was concluded of the S&T activities under the U.S.-Russia S&T agreement.
2002 Policy review was conducted of the S&T activities under the U.S.-China S&T agreement.
FY 2003
Data		 2003 Results
  • Established new S&T agreements in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
  • Renewed Ukraine S&T Agreement for one year to allow time to negotiate a new five-year agreement.
  • Conducted S&T assessments of Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia).
  • Initiated S&T dialogue with Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), Kazakhstan, Norway, and Switzerland.
  • Expanded S&T relationships under existing agreements with Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam by adding new topics and partnerships.
  • Achieved record levels for Embassy Science Fellows Program.
  • Agreements with several additional states stalled due to lengthy negotiation over intellectual property rights (IPR) negotiations, liability, and taxation issues.
Target Establish, renegotiate, as necessary, and implement S&T agreements that forge partnerships between USG agencies, foreign counterparts, public and private research institutions, and industry.
Rating Above Target
Impact New agreement with Pakistan included an expanded relationship with USAID in science cooperation, and set the stage for a re-engagement with India on science. Maghreb S&T assessment set stage for establishing long-term relationship and regional cooperation. S&T relationship with South Korea moved into new advanced technology areas, befitting of that country's economic and scientific transition. S&T program with Vietnam incorporated important NGO components. Renewed S&T relationship with Italy included new focus on use of Geographic Information Systems in Ethiopia. Over 50 Embassy Science Fellows placed overseas, which brought science diplomacy to record levels.



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