CCB Program Biodiversity Indicators and Criteria

The topic of biodiversity addressed in the CCB Standards Version 3.1, is the last of the three pillars of the sustainable development approach, alongside climate and community issues. The document establishes criteria and indicators for assessing biodiversity in development projects and provides guidelines for its conservation and responsible management..

B1. BIODIVERSITY IN THE ABSENCE OF PROJECT SCENARIO

Criterion B1 of the document deals with biodiversity in the absence of project scenario, that is, describes the original biodiversity conditions in the project zone and the expected changes in the land use scenario in the absence of the project. Indicators associated with this criterion include a description of biodiversity in the project zone, identifying high conservation value attributes related to biodiversity and assessing how the land use scenario in the absence of the project would affect biodiversity conditions in the project zone.

In this sense, the indicators are as follows:

1. Describe the biodiversity in the project zone at the start of the project and threats to such biodiversity, using appropriate methodologies.
2. Assess whether the project zone includes one of the high conservation value attributes (High Conservation Values – HCV) related to biodiversity and describe the qualifying attributes of any HCV identified. Attributes are protected areas, endangered species, endemic species and areas that harbor significant concentrations of a species at any period of its life cycle.

The high conservation value criteria are based on those defined by High Conservation Value Resource Network (HCV), where there is practical help for the use of HCVs in each region, including documents with generic guidelines (Tool Kits) and Country Pages.

3. Identify areas that need to be managed to maintain or improve identified HCVs.

4. Describe how the land use scenario in the absence of the project would affect biodiversity conditions in the project zone.

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It is worth noting that High Conservation Value Areas is one of the areas of activity of biO3 Consultoria, exposed in an exclusive content on our blog, addressing a methodology to identify and protect the impacts of land use change. Furthermore, certifications that use the same concept of HCVA's were exemplified, and explained in an overview the mode and areas of action for this service. The content can be accessed by link. To find out more about the service, visit the link of our portfolio, where is the full presentation on the topic, in addition to other services offered.

B2. POSITIVE NET IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY

The project generates net positive impacts on biodiversity in the project zone and maintains or enhances any high conservation value attributes present in the project zone that are important for biodiversity conservation.

1. Estimate expected and actual changes in biodiversity and impacts of project activities in the project zone.
2. Demonstrate that the net impacts of the project on biodiversity are positive, compared to their conditions in the no-project land use scenario.
3. Describe the measures adopted to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity and to maintain or improve attributes of high conservation value.
4. Demonstrate that no high conservation value attributes are negatively affected by the project.
5. Identify all species used by the project and show that no known invasive species will be introduced into any project affected areas.
6. Describe possible adverse effects of non-native species used by the project on the region's environment, including impacts on native species and introduction or facilitation of diseases.
7. Ensure that no GMOs will be used to generate reductions or removals of GHG emissions.
8. Describe the possible adverse effects of fertilizers, chemical pesticides, biological control agents and other inputs used in the project and justify their use.
9. Describe the identification process, classification and management of all waste resulting from project activities.

B3. IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY OUTSIDE THE PROJECT AREA

The objective is to assess and mitigate the negative impacts of the project on biodiversity outside its zone..

1. Identify negative impacts on biodiversity outside the project zone
2. Describe mitigation measures for negative impacts on biodiversity outside the project zone
3. Assess unmitigated negative impacts on biodiversity outside the project zone and compare with benefits on biodiversity within the project zone, demonstrating that the net effect of the project on biodiversity is positive.

B4. MONITORING IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY

Monitoring of environmental impacts seeks to assess changes in biodiversity that occur both inside and outside the project coverage area.

1. Develop and implement a monitoring plan that includes the biodiversity variables to be monitored, areas, sampling methods and reporting frequency. Variables must be linked to project objectives for biodiversity.
2. Develop and implement a monitoring plan to assess the effectiveness of measures taken to maintain or enhance the biological variety present in the project zone.
3. Publicly communicate the monitoring plan and results, and ensure they are available on the internet and accessible to communities and other relevant actors.

GL3. EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS FOR BIODIVERSITY

considered optional, the GL3 criterion is conceptualized by addressing projects that have the objective of conservation in areas considered globally important for conservation, selected based on the structure of Key Areas for Biodiversity (ACB) vulnerability and uniqueness. Such conservation can help meet the country's commitments to the Aichi Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity and to the priorities identified in a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan..

The project must demonstrate that its intervention area is a high priority for conservation, identifying endangered or unique species that live in the area. It is necessary to provide evidence that the area meets the qualification criteria of vulnerability or uniqueness, such as the presence of critically endangered species or a significant proportion of the global population of a species present in the area.

It is also important to describe the population trends of endangered or unique species in the intervention area and possible changes in the land use scenario in the absence of the project..

The project must include measures to maintain or improve the population conditions of these species, reducing threats identified by a causal model. It is important to include indicators of population trends and threats in the monitoring plan and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the measures adopted..

Therefore, indicators for a project aimed at biodiversity conservation include identifying a high priority area for conservation, meeting the vulnerability or uniqueness criteria. It is important to describe the recent population trends of the species “shooters” in the area, the measures necessary to maintain or improve the population conditions of the species and the threats to them. Indicators of population trends and threats must be included in the monitoring plan and demonstrate the effectiveness of the measures adopted for the conservation of the biological variety.

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