世界银行-科摩罗国家环境分析：投资自然资本促进可持续发展（英）-2023-145页_3mb

Summary of the Comoros Country Environmental Analysis

Core Content

The Comoros Country Environmental Analysis (CEA) is a comprehensive assessment of the country's natural capital, its decline, and the implications for sustainable development. It emphasizes the critical role of natural resources in the economy and livelihoods of the Comoros and outlines a pathway for recovery and resilience through improved environmental governance and sustainable practices.

The Comoros is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean with diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity. Despite its natural wealth, the country faces significant challenges in managing its natural capital due to weak institutions, limited data, and unsustainable resource use. The CEA highlights the need for a transformative approach to environmental management that aligns with the Comoros Emerging Plan (PCE) 2030, a national strategy aimed at long-term sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Main Drivers of Natural Capital Decline

1. Land Degradation

• 57% of arable land is degraded, leading to reduced agricultural productivity and biodiversity loss.
• Key drivers include overexploitation, unsustainable traditional farming, lack of mechanization, and climate change.
• Socioeconomic impacts include increased poverty and food insecurity in rural areas, as well as environmental degradation such as soil erosion and disruption of waterways.
• Annual cost of land degradation is estimated at US$274 million.

2. Deforestation and Forest Degradation

• Natural and planted forests account for 17.7% of the country's total land area.
• Forest area has declined by 13,000 hectares between 1990 and 2020, driven by agricultural expansion, wood harvesting for construction, firewood, and ylang-ylang distilleries.
• Forests are vital for rural livelihoods and food security, with women being particularly dependent on forest resources.
• Annual cost of deforestation is estimated at US$1.953 million.

3. Water Scarcity and Degradation

• While water is theoretically abundant, supply is insufficient to meet the needs of the growing population.
• Ndzuwani and Mwali rely on seasonal rivers and streams, but these are increasingly stressed by climate and human activities.
• Ngazidja has significant groundwater potential (90% of its renewable water resources), but high operational costs limit its use.
• Water scarcity is a major issue, with poor access to drinking water being a high priority.
• Annual cost of environmental degradation related to water is estimated at US$334 million.

4. Fisheries and Coastal/Marine Ecosystems

• Domestic fisheries contribute 2.87% to GDP and operate at a subsistence level.
• Deforestation and overfishing have led to the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems.
• The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a key area for fisheries, but illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a challenge.
• Marine protected areas (MPAs) and co-management approaches are recommended to restore and sustain these ecosystems.

5. Solid Waste Management

• Unsustainable waste management practices are widespread, with limited infrastructure and public awareness.
• Household waste is often disposed of improperly, leading to environmental and health risks.
• The Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWMS) strategy is proposed to address these challenges, including waste segregation, recycling, and landfill management.

6. Nature-Based Tourism

• The Comoros has potential for eco-tourism, especially due to its natural beauty and biodiversity.
• The 2019 National Tourism Strategy outlines plans for developing tourist infrastructure in a sustainable manner.
• The Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) and UNESCO tools are referenced for promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Key Recommendations

1. Strengthen Environmental Governance and Institutional Capacity

   • Improve legal and policy frameworks.
   • Enhance institutional capacities for environmental management.
   • Support the decentralization agenda to increase local involvement in decision-making.

2. Promote Sustainable Land, Forest, and Water Management

   • Implement sustainable agricultural practices and improve land tenure systems.
   • Protect and restore forests through co-management and reforestation.
   • Develop integrated water resource management (IWRM) strategies to address water scarcity and degradation.

3. Promote Sustainable Fisheries and Integrated Coastal and Marine Management

   • Combat IUU fishing through better monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS).
   • Establish marine protected areas (MPAs) and implement co-management approaches.
   • Strengthen the Blue Economy Roadmap (BER) and Strategic Framework for a National Policy on the Blue Economy (BESF).

4. Invest in Integrated Solid Waste Management

   • Develop waste management infrastructure and promote waste segregation and recycling.
   • Implement the waste hierarchy to reduce landfill use and promote sustainable disposal methods.

5. Promote Nature-Based Tourism

   • Develop tourist infrastructure in line with the 2019 National Tourism Strategy.
   • Utilize the UNESCO sustainable tourism toolkit to ensure tourism development is environmentally and socially sustainable.
   • Enhance local awareness and participation in tourism-related environmental management.

Key Information and Context

• The PCE 2030 serves as a national strategy for sustainable development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The National Environmental Policy (PNE) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are central to the country's climate resilience and environmental governance efforts.
• The Comoros is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters.
• The CEA includes Annexes that provide detailed data on costs, benefits, and policy frameworks, supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• The report was developed in collaboration with the Government of the Union of the Comoros (GoC), local experts, and international organizations.

Conclusion

The Comoros Country Environmental Analysis (CEA) underscores the urgent need for sustainable management of natural capital to support economic growth, poverty reduction, and climate resilience. The report calls for a transformative approach, integrating environmental considerations into all sectors of development and prioritizing institutional strengthening, data availability, and community participation. By addressing land degradation, deforestation, water scarcity, and unsustainable waste practices, the Comoros can unlock significant co-benefits and move toward a more resilient and sustainable future.