2018-尼日尔三角洲生物多样性保护发展战略（英文版）-4mb

Summary of Developing a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for the Niger Delta: Integrating Biodiversity Considerations into SPDC's Operations

Core Content

This report, published by the IUCN Niger Delta Panel in 2018, outlines a biodiversity conservation strategy for the Niger Delta, with a focus on integrating biodiversity considerations into the operations of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC). It builds on the 2013 IUCN-NDP report, which emphasized the need for sustainable remediation and rehabilitation of oil spill-affected areas. The report addresses the environmental and ecological challenges facing the Niger Delta, particularly due to oil exploration and production activities, and proposes a set of recommendations for both SPDC and other regional stakeholders to improve biodiversity conservation efforts.

Main Objectives

The main objectives of the study are:

• To identify components of the Niger Delta's biodiversity, including critical habitats and species, that are most affected by oil exploration, production, and spills.
• To assess past and ongoing initiatives aimed at developing a regional biodiversity strategy.
• To evaluate SPDC's biodiversity management processes and compare them with national and international best practices.
• To recommend ways for SPDC to implement effective biodiversity conservation practices throughout the life cycle of its oil and gas operations.

Key Information

Biodiversity Endowment of the Niger Delta

The Niger Delta is a region of significant ecological importance, characterized by diverse habitats such as mangroves, wetlands, and forests. It is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, with unique ecosystems that support a wide range of flora and fauna. The offshore waters of the Gulf of Guinea also contribute to the region's ecological significance, and the biodiversity here is under threat due to oil spills and other anthropogenic activities.

Damage and Threats from Oil Spills

Oil spills pose a major threat to the biodiversity of the Niger Delta. These spills affect both terrestrial and marine environments, with impacts on flora, fauna, and ecosystem services. The report highlights the need for improved oil spill response and remediation procedures that take into account biodiversity conservation requirements.

Status of Regional Biodiversity Strategy Development

Various efforts have been made to develop a regional biodiversity strategy, including:

• The Niger Delta Environmental Survey (NDES), conducted between 1998 and 2004.
• The Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan (NDRMP).
• The UNEP-led Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland.
• The UNDP/GEF Niger Delta Biodiversity Project.

Despite these efforts, the strategies remain fragmented, and there is a lack of comprehensive, coordinated action to address biodiversity loss.

Recommendations

Recommendations to SPDC

The report provides a set of recommendations to improve SPDC's internal biodiversity management processes:

• Short-term: Accelerate the implementation of the SPDC Biodiversity Strategy 2012-2017 by completing the Gbanran-Ubie BAP and a Mangrove Management Guidance Document by the first half of 2017. Set quantitative targets for BAPs in Areas of High Biodiversity Value (AHBVs) threatened by SPDC operations. Expand biodiversity conservation responsibilities to include the marine environment in offshore operations. Include provisions for transferring biodiversity conservation practices to new asset owners.

• Medium-term: Introduce specific biodiversity indicators for monitoring changes in different ecozones. Ensure better integration of biodiversity considerations in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. Strengthen the link between EIA and Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). Develop a regional stakeholder forum for biodiversity engagement.

• Long-term: Develop a detailed manual and guidelines for the updated SPDC Remediation Standard. Improve the representation of native biodiversity in SPDC's internal environment management processes. Involve local stakeholders more deeply in the BAP process.

Recommendations to Major Stakeholders

The report also provides recommendations for regional stakeholders, particularly government agencies and the oil and gas industry:

• Policy: Ensure policy coherence by requiring Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to evaluate the impact of policies, plans, and programs on biodiversity. Integrate biodiversity into the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
• Legislation: Strengthen the EIA Act and promote the development of a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that retains biodiversity provisions.
• Institutional Coordination: Create a region-wide collaborative mechanism involving communities, governments, and oil companies for joint planning, implementation, and monitoring of biodiversity projects.
• Institutional Capacity: Develop one or more National Parks for biodiversity conservation. Strengthen institutional capacity for biodiversity management through training and education.
• Research, Monitoring, and Information Management: Promote biodiversity research, monitoring, and information sharing. Use new technologies such as satellite imagery and geotagging to update Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps.
• Funding: Establish a Biodiversity Trust Fund or allocate funds through existing trust funds to support biodiversity conservation in the Niger Delta.

Conclusion

The report underscores the critical need for a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable approach to biodiversity conservation in the Niger Delta. It calls for SPDC to take a more proactive role in integrating biodiversity considerations into its operations and for all stakeholders, including government agencies and the oil and gas industry, to work together to develop and implement an effective regional biodiversity strategy. The recommendations aim to address both immediate and long-term threats to biodiversity, improve monitoring and remediation practices, and ensure that biodiversity conservation is aligned with national and international standards.