Tools for assessing the value and sustainability of species use

Nik Long, of the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi), presents the five-dimensional sustainability assessment framework at the IUCN African Regional Conservation Forum in April 2024.

The five-dimensional sustainability assessment pilot tool was launched by IIED and partners to bring a more rounded approach to assessing sustainability in relation to the use of wild species. The tool adds animal welfare and human health to the conventional ecological, economic and social dimensions of sustainability.

More details: https://www.iied.org/assessing-sustainability-wild-species-use

1. Tools for Assessing the Value and Sustainability of Species Use The Five-Dimensional Sustainability Assessment and The Species Use Database Nik Long IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group ( SULi )

2. Global Use of Wild Species The use of wild species is culturally, economically, socially and historically important on a global scale Critically important for developing future wildlife-based economies and particularly for the world’s poor - 70% directly dependent on wild species: “1 in 5 People Rely on Wild Species for Income & Food, >10,000 Wild Species Harvested for Human Food, and 2.4 Billion (1 in 3) Depend on Fuel Wood for Cooking” - IPBES Sustainable Use Assessment, 2022

3. Vital to achieve sustainable use of wild resources to meet challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change Developing and maintaining efficient and resilient wildlife economies requires a foundation of sustainable use To achieve this, w e need tools to both record & quantify species use and assess the sustainability of that use: The Five-Dimensional Sustainability Assessment (5DSAF) Assessing how sustainable a use is according to five principles – Ecological, Social, Economic, Animal Welfare, and Human Health The Species Use Database (SpUD) I dentify and document different uses – Providing evidence of the importance, culturally, socially, economically and for livelihoods based on species use New Tools for Assessing Sustainable Use

4. The Five-Dimensional Sustainability Assessment Framework Assessing the Sustainability of Species Use

5. Background to 5D Framework Regulatory Concerns Lack of frameworks for assessing the sustainable use of wild species Importance of a nimal welfare and human health issues, particularly post-COVID-19 Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) Ensure use of wild species is sustainable, legal, and “safe” Definition of ‘sustainable’ includes ecological, social, and economic dimensions A new framework would also need to include safety in human and animal health and welfare ( Five Dimensions)

6. Background to 5D Framework Joint initiative of IIED, TRAFFIC, IUCN SULi, Endangered Wildlife Trust and EPIC Biodiversity — with UK Government Darwin Initiative support and Under the guidance of a multidisciplinary expert advisory group Culminated in the development of a 5-dimensional sustainability assessment framework For each of the 5 dimensions it articulates 7 key principles In addition, 7 cross-cutting principles are relevant to all dimensions

7. The 5-D Framework Seven key principles for each dimension Seven Cross Cutting Principles P rinciples derived from analysis of existing global standards and guidelines that address one or more dimension of sustainability CITES Non-Detriment Findings process, BioTrade Principles and Criteria, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) guidance on animal welfare standards and WOAH/IUCN guidelines on wildlife disease risk analysis also reflect the findings and recommendations on effective sustainable use policy made in the IPBES Sustainable Use Assessment (2022)

8. How does the 5-D Assessment Work? Alongside the framework is the self-assessment tool for operators Each of the principles is underpinned by 4 indicators which identify how closely the use of wild species is aligned with the principle: 0 = Bad practice 1= Emerging good practice 2= Good practice 3= Exemplar or best practice

9. Results Chart Final result once the assessment is complete A radar diagram that highlights dimensions where the operator is exemplary or where the operator is falling short The tool even takes into account areas which are not applicable to certain uses – score is proportional Operator will have a self-made plan to improve their sustainability

10. The Species Use Database Assessing the Va lue of Wildlife Use to Livelihoods and Wildlife-based Economies

11. What is the Species Use Database ? The Species Use Database ( SpUD ) is a new online resource providing (and in the future, synthesising ) high quality and accessible information on the utilization of wild species globally, and specifically on the sustainability of that use. Collects records of use that are both sustainable unsustainable Each entry is an individual record of a specific use of a species in a specific location Documenting the drivers behind the varying levels of success and – in some cases – failures). The database has not been designed to make formal assessments of sustainability.

12. Accessing and contributing to the database

13. Searching the database

14. Downloading a record

15. Bulk Downloading Record s

16. Entering a record of species use

17. Entering a record of species use

18. Type of Use

19. Ecological, Economic, human and animal health impacts The database goes beyond the thinking about sustainability in the conventional “three pillars” of environmental, social and ecological sustainability and also factors in emerging concerns: Use is recorded as sustainable or unsustainable against one or more of five dimensions of sustainability – Ecological – Economic – Social - Human health - Animal health and welfare

20. Record Successfully submitted!

21. The future of the database Appeal to a wide audience From policy and decision-makers, to academics and educators, conservation practitioners, the private sector, civil society and NGOs, as well as any individuals interested and keen to learn more about the use of wild species. Integrate/link with existing databases a key aim for the future is ensuring integration with other leading databases – e.g. the Red List, Species +

22. Thank you! Speciesusedatabase.com