National Capacity Self-Assessment Project (NCSA)

Description of Intervention

The Global Environment Facility (GEF), through strategic partnership with UNDP, has recognised the importance of assisting the capacity development efforts for global environmental management. The National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA) is a joint initiative developed by the Government of Timor-Leste and UNDP with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to assess Timor-Leste’s capacity to implement and identify barriers in the implementation of Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements in a country-driven manner. The focus of the NCSA is to assess a country’s capacity requirements to implement the three “Rio Conventions”—biodiversity, land degradation and climate change—and other relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

This project was implemented at a time when only one convention had been ratified and none of the enabling activities had been carried out. The process has been focusing merely on identifying what state of capacity the country has in terms of its readiness to implement the requirements under the Rio Conventions. In addition, since there is almost nothing done in respect to efforts to comply with its obligations to the respective convention, this project has had no option but to put particular emphasis on identifying cross-cutting issues and synergies amongst the areas.

This project involves successive stages with collection and analysis of information at every stage. The assessment of Timor-Leste’s capacity was based on a five-step approach—inception, stocktaking, thematic capacity assessment, cross-cutting capacity assessment and capacity action plan/NCSA report—as recommended in the NCSA guidelines from GEF.

Problems to be Addressed

Through the NCSA process, TL has identified its priority issues based on five thematic areas under the convention.
-Agricultural Biodiversity
Need scientific information to orientate agriculture towards sustainable patterns; and better knowledge of the impact of different policies, practices and technologies on agricultural biodiversity.
-Forest Biodiversity
Require understanding of underlying causes of forest biodiversity loss as well as measures to mitigate them, including forest management systems e.g. enforcement of forestry laws.
-Inland Water Biodiversity
A need for clear policy, and institutional frameworks for the management of inland water ecosystems as well as adoption of an integrated ecosystem approach to inland water systems.
-Coastal and Marine Biodiversity
Need an integrated ecosystem approach to sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity, improved marine protected areas and community involvement in fisheries management and data on the taxonomy, status and biological characteristics of fish species and habitats.
-Mountain Biodiversity
Need an adequate wildlife policy and capacity for wildlife as well as protected area management plans, besides comprehensive data on the status and trends of wildlife and habitats, community and private sector initiatives in protected area management.

Aims

The aim of NCSA process is to identify cross-cutting capacity issues and foster synergies among the multilateral environmental agreements.

Objectives

The objective of this project was to conduct a comprehensive examination of the country’s capacity to implement obligations under the conventions, to analyse the strengths, capacity constraints and to suggest opportunities to develop capacity. This project also sought to identify possible synergies and cross-cutting issues in their capacity needs, and to subsequently prioritise these needs.

How it fits into the EbA concept

National Capacity Self Assessment is a GEF programme intending to assist countries to assess their capacity in regards to global environmental management with specific focus on the implementation of the Rio Conventions. The basic principle set by GEF is for the NCSA process to be built on past capacity development works, particularly the GEF enabling activities and national reporting to convention secretariats.

Relevant Publications

» Adao Soares Barbosa, National Consultant on Climate Change. National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA) Project: The Republic Democratic of Timor Leste: Stocktaking Report of UNFCCC, May 2006.
» State Secretariat for Environmental Coordination Territorial Ordinance and Physical Development, Directorate for Environmental Services, The Republic Democratic of Timor Leste. National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA): Final Report, April 2007.