Optional Sectoral Module ENVIRONMENT In a resilient city, environmental considerations are effectively mainstreamed into sectoral plans, programs and investments (coordinated). Stability of the urban ecosystem is maintained through guided growth and implementation of environmental regulations (robust). Environmental protection agencies monitor changes to the environment are able to take early action to prevent environmental degradation (reflective). In a resilient city, natural resources and ecosystems are managed as public goods, including beyond municipal boundaries, and are used to buffer impacts of shocks and stresses (robust and coordinated). Accessibility and knowledge about effective use of ecosystem services is encouraged among the poor as a means of reducing food scarcity and improving livelihood options (redundant and inclusive). APPLICABLE RELATIONSHIP TO RESILIENCE TOPIC GUIDING QUESTION RESILIENCE QUALITY QUALITY Institutional Who manages and protects Coordinated Close coordination among Capacity the environment, natural agencies responsible for resources and ecosystem environmental protection services* in the city? If there facilitates better management of are several agencies, are they natural resources and ecosystem well-coordinated in terms of services, exchange of data and management, environmental information, environmental planning and implementation planning and enforcement of of environmental requirements? environmental regulations. With which agency/department Having a responsible agency for does the main responsibility lie? environmental protection allows for better coordination of activities and accountability. 1 Institutional Have environmental Coordinated; Efficient planning of Capacity considerations been formally Reflective environmental assets relies on mainstreamed into relevant alignment of environmental city departments? Are there concern with the plans, programs systems for evaluation and and actions of institutions that accountability? drive sectoral development in the city. Systems for evaluation and accountability help ensure that departments meet predetermined environmental objectives and learn lessons for improving their environmental performance. Institutional Does the city have baseline data Reflective Cities that have environmental Capacity about the environment? Does baseline data and regularly the city regularly assess and monitor changes to the monitor land use changes and environment are able take early other development activities action to prevent environmental impacting the environment? deterioration. Institutional Does the city staff participate Robust Climate change has numerous Capacity in regular training and impacts on the environment knowledge-sharing events about (e.g., increasing occurrence and environmental challenges, and severity of floods, droughts and how these relate to climate forest fires; sea level rise; heat change? waves) - depending on the region. City staff that regularly draw upon the expertise of in-house environmental agencies and/ or external experts are better able identify appropriate coping strategies to deal with current and future environmental challenges within their own departments. Finance What are the funding sources Robust Reliable funding allows for for environment and nature sustained and up-to-date management? To what degree environmental and nature are funding sources and uses resource management. coordinated across agencies? Coordination among agencies (both public and private) helps improve environmental planning and implementation of environmental regulations. 2 Finance Does the city have an Redundant An environmental contingency environmental contingency fund fund covers unexpected release set aside to clean up and restore of hazardous materials into the environment after man- the environment and impacts made (e.g. pollution; hazardous of natural disasters on the waste etc.) and natural environment (unless these natural disasters? disasters are adequately covered by other funds). A contingency fund could also help overcome sudden changes in demand for environmental control and management due to rapid urbanization. Planning Is environmental planning and Coordinated Integrated environmental environmental management and urban planning facilitates coordinated with urban consistent land use development. planning? Do land use plans For effective environmental indicate where development protection, land use plans is permissible and where it must include legally binding would be damaging for the indications on where development environment? Are land use plans is (not) permissible. Effective enforced? environmental protection depends on the protection of environmental zones outlined in land use plans and enforcement of zoning laws. Planning Are there environmental Robust License requirements are put into licensing requirements for new place to make sure that a specific developments? Who manages activity, especially construction, and approves environmental is consistent with the intended licenses for new development in land use – as defined in the area’s the city? zoning plan, and development on sensitive/at risk land is being prevented. Planning How well integrated are the Coordinated Disasters can have significant city’s disaster risk management impacts on natural resources policies, strategies and and their effective management. implementation plans into Natural resources and ecosystems existing environmental can also be used to help development, natural resources, manage the impacts of disasters and ecosystems management (e.g., water retention ponds, plans? mangroves, etc.). 3 Urban Growth Have the city’s settlement Robust Land use change, from natural patterns shifted recently? Do vegetation to built-up areas, new settlements pose threats is often the main cause of to the environment and the environmental degradation balance of the urban ecosystem? and loss of biodiversity. New Are the new settlements developments can disrupt the vulnerable to natural hazards balance of the urban ecosystem and adverse climate change and exacerbate impacts of natural impacts? disasters. Regional Are there any regional Coordinated Environmental impacts are rarely Impacts environmental problems that contained within administrative impact livability in the city (i.e. boundaries – pollution from the air pollution, pollution of rivers outside can affect life in the city and coastal areas, etc.)? Are and pollutions/natural resource there any urban activities that depletion within the city can have have environmental impacts regional consequences. Local beyond the city’s administrative and regional governments need boundaries (e.g., ecological to collaborate with governments disruption and resource beyond their own administrative depletion)? To what extent are boundaries to effectively manage the environmental management environmental effects. strategies coordinated across administrative boundaries? Accessibility Are all residents able to use Inclusive Equal access to the city’s natural and benefit from the city’s resources, ecosystem services, and natural resources, ecosystem recreation areas is a prerequisite services, and recreation areas? for social cohesion and equal Does the city have programs opportunity. Accessibility and for improving accessibility and knowledge about effective knowledge about effective use use of ecosystem services (e.g. of ecosystem services for all agriculture, fisheries and/or water segments of the population? accessibility) can be a method for reducing food scarcity and improving livelihood options among the poor. 4 Participation To what degree do civil society Inclusive In many cities, uncontrolled organizations and citizens urban growth and encroachment participate in the restoration, has a deteriorating effect on the protection, and sustainable environment. When restoration, management of ecosystems protection and management services? of ecosystem services is done in consultation with affected communities and civil society groups, solutions are more robust because they include the nuanced needs of affected communities and the general public. Participation To what degree does the Inclusive A city’s environmental planning, private sector participate in the natural resource and ecosystem development of environmental, management is more robust natural resources and when it includes the economic ecosystems management plans dependencies (e.g., natural in the city? resources that are necessary for current industries) and environmental risks (e.g., pollution) of the private sector. * Ecosystem services are all natural processes that humans benefit from – including provision of food and water; regulation of floods, diseases etc., and recreation (WRI, 2005). 5