Introduction to the Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework
Introduction to the Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework
Tools and approaches to implement the Stewardship Approach in the field of natural resources have been developed and implemented at a global level. The Alliance for Water Stewardship has developed the International Water Stewardship Standard, a framework for major water users, and the GIZ International Water Stewardship Programme has developed the Water Resources Stewardship Framework, which has been tested in several partnerships. Furthermore, the Water Stewardship Approach has been advanced by several international organizations such as the CEO Water Mandate, CDP, and the Pacific Institute. The Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework (NRAF) synthesizes the experience gained from these tools and initiatives and applies them to a cross sectoral stewardship approach perceiving the whole spectrum of natural resources, including water, soil, land, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
The NRAF is a holistic approach developed by the Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS) with the aim to tackle shared environmental risks in a participative manner. It is a series of facilitated steps, skill development measures, and tailored tools to guide multi-stakeholder partnerships to sustainably address environmental threats linked to sustainability of natural resources.
The NRAF includes international best practices and lessons learned from Natural Resources Stewardship projects implemented from 2013 to 2019 by the International Water Stewardship Programme (IWaSP), NatuReS’ predecessor programme. The NRAF guides practitioners in forming and executing high quality Natural Resources Stewardship partnerships, delivering sustainable results to manage environmental risks for businesses, communities, and government.
NRAF Process
The NRAF has five Phases composed of three elements each. The framework is neither linear nor absolute: some Phases may occur simultaneously, while others may need to be conducted multiple times. The phases are presented in recommended order, as shown in Figure 4 below.
Key terms for the NRAF
The initiator usually takes the first steps to assess what are those shared threats or issues linked to their risks that should be addressed collectively.
The convener brings stakeholders to the partnership by initiating discussions to capture their issues and interests and present them the partnership. To ensure stakeholders’ trust, the convener must be a neutral party. A convener can be an entity that possesses the mandate or experience to run such partnerships, such as an experienced NGO.
As the partnership progresses, it is suggested that the convener also becomes the facilitator. The facilitator helps drive the partnership through the whole partnership cycle or the five phases.
Separate from the facilitator, the partnership may have one or more project managers who run implementation actions.
For more information, see Tool 8: Assign suitable roles and responsibilities.
Global Good Natural Resources Stewardship principles
Several principles have arisen from NatuRes’ past project implementation. These principles are fulfilled by full implementation of the NRAF.
- Align with, support (and strengthen) public policy that advances sustainable natural resources management.
- Ensure appropriate and balanced representation of interests throughout the course of the natural resources stewardship initiative.
- Be clear and transparent about the roles and responsibilities of natural resources stewardship participants, and ensure that their capabilities are adequate or sufficiently developed to fulfil them.
- Be clear and transparent about the natural resources challenges being addressed by the partnership initiative, as well as the agreed scope and intended benefits.
- Be clear and transparent about how the natural resources stewardship initiative is to be governed.
- Track and report outcomes against the stated objectives of the natural resources initiative.
- Foster an ethos of trust and establish expectations for behavior of the natural resources stewardship initiative’s participants.
Overview of the five Phases
In Phase 1: Prepare, the partnership initiators begin identifying partners and developing the partnership’s aims. Phase 2: Assess focuses on a robust understanding of the context and opportunities related to the potential partnership intervention. During Phase 3: Commit, the partnership determines its members and settles on its project. Then in Phase 4: Act, the partners begin implementing the project plan. Finally, Phase 5: Scale and Exit concludes the project and potentially transitions the partnership to new members or new goals.
