China’s Experiences on national biodiversity strategies and action plans

1. China’s Experiences on national biodiversity strategies and action plans Dongmei GUO China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Center & Huang Mingxiang, Environmental Development Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection

2. Part I: China’s Experiences on developing China National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

3. China’s Experiences Summarization 1 Adequate Leadership and sound organization （1）Adequate attention paid by ministerial leadership, direct guidance under leaders of departments and bureaus, promoting the document to the State Council authorized level; （2）Strong role played by Project Office in organization and coordination; 2 Expert power - with All Areas of Expertise Involved （1）Experts were recommended by each ministries (some of the officials working as experts), so as to fully reflect the opinions of all sectors, which is in favor of coordination among sectors later on; （2）Employ extra experts to enrich the experts team according to specific subject needs, based on experts recommendation system; 3 Adopted New Technologies （1）Have the concept of ecosystem approach incorporated into the whole process of drafting; （2）Adopted methods such as MARXAN and C-plan in identifying key priority areas, applied GAP Analysis in determining new protected areas, have the scientific basis enhanced; （3）Integrate experiences of experts in terms of priority areas adjustment and supplement at the base of software analysis, without solely relying on the latter; （4）Controversies over including or not of the chapter - priority areas of biodiversity conservation, however, ended up as a highlight of NBSAP;

4. China’s Experiences Summarization 4 Drafting in stages has the data basis enriched （1）14 subject reports provide solid data basis; （2）Complete the tasks in two phases, subject research groups and core experts group, so as to take fully advantage of materials and data collected. 5 Sufficient Consultation and Sectors Coordination (1) Widely solicited opinions and suggestions from provincial environmental protection agencies and from other provincial departments. (2) Solicited suggestions from relevant sectors of central government repeatedly, and also coordinated modifications of related contents. (3) Widely solicited opinions and suggestions from international organizations, NGOs both domestical and abroad, bilateral government, and experts’ personal opinions;

5. China’s Experiences Summarization 6 Widely Absorbed Technical Forces from both Scientific Fields and International Organizations (1) Make fully use of the data and materials from Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), colleges and universities, ministries, related international organizations (TNC,CI,WCS, etc.) (2) TNC Experts’ Participation 7 Make Fully Use of the Supports from International Projects (1) Financial support from EU projects; (2) Incorporation of management personnel from EU project (including foreign experts)

6. Part II: China-ASEAN Recommendations on updating and implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans

7. Mainstreaming Tools and Mechanisms: • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) • Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) • NBSAP • National development plans (mid-term; long-term) • Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) • National Biodiversity Committee • Participatory approach (multi-sectoral decision-making/advisory bodies) • Law enforcement

8. Challenges in Mainstreaming • Lack of political will and political barriers • Compliance monitoring • Low priority accorded to biodiversity conservation • Inadequate technical capacity • Turnover of personnel with relevant skills • Weak legal framework/policy conflicts • Overlapping areas of responsibilities between or among agencies • Limited science-based inputs to policy-making

9. National Target Setting • Some guide questions: • What had been done? • What still needs to be done? • How can it be done? • When will it be done? • Who will do it? • How much money do you have? other potential sources? • Where will you use it?

10. National Target Setting • Follow a target setting process • STEPS MAY INCLUDE: •  Country study • - BC assessment • - Situation analysis • Review the old NBSAP • Review existing targets, strategies, plans of relevant sectors Persistent issues Gaps Emerging issues/new threats What had been done What remains to be done identify

11. National Target Setting • Follow a target-setting process • STEPS MAY INCLUDE: • Conduct consultations at various levels (expectations, role/responsibilities) • Examine the global targets • - Identify relevance of national targets with Aichi Biodiversity Targets • - In light of national circumstances (capacity, capability, limitations)

12. National Target Setting • Be guided by certain criteria • S = specific (addressing a particular issue); • M= measurable (hard targets; verifiable); • A= achievable [attainable]; • R= reliable (result-oriented, resource-oriented); • T = time-bound

13. National Target Setting • Consider soft targets or milestones • a series of minor targets as inputs to major target

14. National Target Setting • Prioritize • do not attempt to cover everything • may have only two targets yet best can be delivered • But if your country CAN DO MORE, THEN DO IT! Because if all countries will say “We can’t do it”, then who will do it ? = would result to unattained global targets

15. INDICATORS • Analyze targets carefully = will help you identify and determine indicators • See global indicators as reference or for possible adoption

16. Last Piece of Advice: THINK POSITIVE! Positive thoughts radiate positive results!

17. THANK YOU!!