State of the Coasts Reporting System

This indicator measures the scope, coverage and objectives of coastal management, as delineated in coastal strategies and action plans. The indicator further looks into the specific roles and responsibilities for different stakeholders, proposed interventions to address existing or potential threats to sustainable development, including economic, biophysical and social aspects with specifi ed targets and timeframes. Finally, the indicator determines the government’s commitment to implement the coastal strategy or action plan through its adoption at the provincial/city/municipal level.

A coastal strategy is a critical component of ICM, providing a framework for integrated planning and management. It not only serves as a platform for policy reform that promotes good governance, but facilitates interagency consultation, multisector cooperation and stakeholder participation. A coastal strategy identifi es confl icts arising from multiple use of limited marine and coastal resources, establishes approaches and actions for protecting or enhancing environmental quality and biodiversity, while facilitating environment-friendly economic development and environmental investment opportunities. The strategy will not be useful if it is not adopted and translated into on-the-ground actions. Action plans defi ne: a) the steps that are required in order to execute the strategies; b) the milestones or indicators that can be used to measure progress and changes; c) the timeframe for the actions; d) the roles of the various stakeholders; and e) the measures for monitoring the implementation of the strategy.

-Coastal strategy and action plans
-Management boundary (geographic) of the Plan
-Scope of management plans
-Multisectoral participation mechanisms
-Local government commitments to implementation
-Monitoring and evaluation program

This indicator considers the presence of a functional interagency and multisectoral coordinating mechanism that oversees the development and implementation of the ICM program. The indicator further looks into the institutionalization of a local office with adequate administrative resources — staff, budget and equipment — to oversee, guide and coordinate the implementation of coastal strategies and action plans.

A fully functional coordinating body consisting of the government agencies, nongovernment entities, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders, as appropriate, is a key component of ICM programs. The purpose of the coordinating mechanism is to harmonize any overlapping responsibilities of line agencies and stakeholder interests, as well as to integrate policy and management interventions. Moreover, the availability and allocation of adequate administrative resources for ICM is an expression of the capacity of the ICM management team to administer, coordinate and implement activities over time. In the implementation of ICM, there is a need for a local office to serve as a clearing house, central coordinating agency and focal point for multisectoral activities.

-Coordinating mechanism established and legal basis
-Organizational structure of the coordinating mechanism
-Coordinating offi ce established and legal basis
-Organizational structure of the coordinating office
-Staff and budget allocation of the coordinating office

This indicator describes the existence and adequacy of legislation enabling the implementation of ICM interventions.

The existence, adequacy and effectiveness of legislation are important in order to determine if the goals and objectives of coastal management are supported by a clear and enforceable legal basis. Legislation defi nes what is required, permitted and prohibited in the coastal and marine area. Awareness and understanding of coastal management legislation promotes compliance and therefore achievement of coastal management goals and objectives.

Legislation/local ordinances regarding the ICM institutional mechanism and management activities, including:
1. Coastal use zoning;
2. Fisheries, mining and other extraction activities;
3. Pollution-related activities;
4. Building structures in the coastall environment. including aquaculture structures; and
5. Access to rules regulations.

This indicator reports the total number of cases filed and resolved, and the total value of fi nes issued for noncompliance of relevant coastal legislations.

Effective enforcement of environmental legislation taking place in the marine and coastal areas can be refl ected by the number of cases filed, resolved and fines collected resulting thereof. The strict enforcement of relevant legislation is an important step in addressing and minimizing unsustainable practices in the coastal areas.

-Total number of reported complaints
-Total number of violations where violators were arrested
-Total number of violations penalized
-Total value of fi nes collected for non-compliance with relevant legislations

This indicator reports the number of nongovernmental organizations, civil society groups and other stakeholder organizations who are contributors to sustainable development of the coastal and marine areas.

The active involvement of stakeholders refl ects their understanding on the value of implementing coastal management and mobilizing activities related to it.

-Nongovernmental organizations, civil society groups and other stakeholder organizations with environment-related programs and activities
-Types of environment-related programs and activities
-Number of members

This indicator measures local capacity in implementing coastal management in terms of skilled human resources.

The knowledge and skills of local personnel are essential for effective implementation of coastal management.

-Number of people trained in ICM
-Number of skilled personnel working in ICM programs
-Number of graduates in ICM-related courses
-Number of required ICM trained people

This indicator takes account of the institutionalization of measures and means to support environmental conservation and environmental infrastructure improvements. Economic and market-based instruments, such as public-private partnerships, environmental user fees, user pay schemes, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are among the tools being considered. The indicator also considers policies and programs put in place to enhance the climate for public and private sector fi nancing of coastal management activities and for constructing and operating environmental infrastructure.

Financial support for coastal management implementation may come from different sources. The sustainability of ICM programs is dependent on how revenue sources are developed and managed. Transparency in all fi nancial transactions is necessary to avoid suspicion from stakeholders. Apart from regular allocation from the government, various fi nancing options must be explored to sustain financial inputs for coastal management activities and environmental infrastructure and service.

-Corporate social responsibility
-Private sector financing (e.g., PPP)
-Environment user fees
-Percentage of environmental user fees allocated to environment projects
-Private sector investment for environmental infrastructure
-Standard procurement process in place (e.g., defi ned ceilings for bidding, canvassing, and shopping)
-Provincial/city/municipality authorized to engage in public-private partnership

This indicator measures the degree to which populations are at risk of exposure to natural and man-made hazards, i.e., populations living within various multihazard zones.

The greater the degree of potential exposure to natural and man-made hazards, the more that government and local communities should be prepared and must put in place mitigation measures for disasters. Identification of the levels of threat from various hazards can also help focus preparations on the most relevant types of threat.

-Multihazard maps (landslides, storms, floods, etc.)
-Number of people located in hazard-prone areas
-Number of people who have relocated or moved away from hazard-prone areas

This indicator measures the availability of plans, people, and budget to manage coastal habitats and heritage.

Coastal habitats serve as critical life-support systems for a multitude of aquatic living resources. The quality of these habitats must be maintained and improved to sustain their benefits. Local governments need to identify specific strategies and action plans for habitats and the means to implement these action plans indicate the degree to which habitats will be effectively managed.

-Availability of habitat management plan
-Staff and budget allocation for habitat management

This indicator measures the area of coastal habitats and heritage effectively protected from degradation, as well as the extent of rehabilitation.

The protection of coastal habitats and heritage reflects the commitment of local governments to prevent habitat loss and degradation. The protection of these habitats helps sustain the environmental, social and economic benefits derived from them.

-Number and area of terrestrial, marine and coastal heritage areas protected by law
-Management effectiveness rating of terrestrial, marine and coastal heritage protected areas
-Natural areas rehabilitated (km2 )

This indicator measures the demand of the population for freshwater and accounts the intensity of freshwater management efforts through availability of water management and conservation plans, strategies adopted, and staff and budget allocated.

Freshwater is essential for life and effective management for its sustainable use is of utmost importance for a healthy community

-Availability of water management and conservation plan
-Mitigation and adaptation strategies identified
-Water use per capita
-Staff and budget for water management

This indicator measures the number of reported cases and number of deaths due to diarrhea and other waterborne diseases.

While other factors (such as food handling practices, etc.) may affect these figures, the prevalence of diarrhea and waterborne diseases also indicate the level of sanitation services and the cleanliness of freshwater supplies and of bodies of water for recreation.

-Number of incidences of illness/infections and deaths due to waterborne diseases (e.g., diarrhea; typhoid fever; cholera; amoebiasis; schistosomiasis; giardiasis; etc.)

This indicator measures the trend in fisheries production and tries to estimate whether fisheries stocks are sustainable (using changes in catch composition and/or the frequencies of various sizes per species).

The increasing fish catch would mean either greater dependence of the population to fisheries resources or improved condition of resources.

-Municipal (small scale), commercial (large scale) and aquaculture fishery production
-Size and composition of fish catch

This indicator estimates the degree of poverty, employment and the potential for employment.

The degree of poverty refl ects an area’s degree of social development. Productive employment is a foundational element needed to provide households with goods and services in their struggle against poverty, while education is a key to productive employment.

-Poverty threshold
-Poverty incidence
-Income per capita (male/female)
-Employment rate
-Education; proportion of population (male/female; primary/secondary/tertiary)

This indicator accounts the presence of specific policies, plans and programs for pollution reduction and waste management. It further looks into the commitment of local government to implement the plans through allocation of human and financial resources.

Specific strategies and action plans are essential to address issues on pollution and waste management. These action plans must be implemented through the commitment of facilities and equipment, as well as financial and human resources.

-Pollution management plans and their scope (water, air, land)
-Monitoring programs
-Budget for pollution and waste management
-Staff allocation for pollution and waste management
-Adequacy of equipment/facilities

This indicator reports on the quality of air in terms of total suspended particulates, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic carbon.

Air pollution is harmful to human health and the quality of the environment. Air quality can be measured through different parameters which can serve as basis for management interventions.

-Total suspended particulates (TSP)
-Concentration of other air pollutants (particulate matter, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic carbon)

This indicator measures the tonnage of solid waste generated, the proportion being recycled or reused, and volume received in dumpsites or sanitary landfi lls.

Uncontrolled waste handling and disposal impact negatively on human and ecological health as well as the aesthetic and recreational values of coastal areas.

-Volume of solid waste generated
-Volume of solid waste received in landfi lls/dumpsites
-Volume of solid waste received at recycling facilities