Target 1: By 2022, more than 70% of Swaziland Nationals will be cognizant of biodiversity and ecosystems, their value and the steps they can take to conserve and use these sustainably.
Current Status: Although there is limited baseline data on current levels of awareness, it is believed that current levels are inadequate to ensure sustainable utilization of ecosystems and biodiversity. A limited number of studies have been carried out on the status of flora and fauna as well as the state of habitats. These have largely had limited coverage and their outcomes have been published in scientific journals, private libraries or environmental impact assessment reports making them inaccessible to the majority of the public. There is also limited coverage of environmental issues in the curriculum at schools and institutions of higher learning.
On-going initiatives: There are some on-going initiatives under the Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African (Universities Partnership). The Swaziland National Trust Commission has an on-going environmental education programme. There is need to strengthen these initiatives.
Strategic Initiative 1: Ascertain the current level of awareness on biodiversity and raise public awareness on the importance of the need to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
Strategic Initiative 2: Raise public awareness on the importance of the need to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
Swaziland’s Biodiversity Targets
GOAL A:
Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
GOAL D:
Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services.
