Supporting decision-making and building capacity in China through the use of multiscale ecosystem assessments

Project title

Supporting decision-making and building capacity in China through the use of multiscale ecosystem assessments

Implementing Institutions

The Sub-Global Assessment, UNEP-WCMC, UK

Ministry for Environmental Protection, China

Country/Countries

China

Abstract

This project will support the development of capacity in China to better utilise ecosystem assessments that have already been undertaken at different scales through the engagement of stakeholders. In turn building such capacity will lead to greater engagement of Chinese experts with different aspects of the IPBES work programme. The project will address the first and fifth identified priority IPBES capacity building needs. The project will be collaborative processes involving relevant Chinese experts and stakeholders.

Project Description

There is a perceived problem that national policy setting and decision making processes do not take full account of biodiversity and ecosystem services because of a lack of real understanding of their value, and inadequate tools for integrating knowledge about ecosystem services into policy setting and decision making. This problem persists despite commitments made at international fora. As a result different sectors (such as agriculture, water and forestry) often do not fully understand and take account of the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in achieving their own objectives, and risk undermining sustainability. To mainstream understanding of the concepts and values of biodiversity and ecosystem services building capacity using a multi-stakeholder approach is required. Long term development of the capacity of stakeholders can be supported through the development of specific communities of practice or a national platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The IPBES Plenary recognises that building capacity at a national level is vital to the successful delivery of the IPBES work programme. Therefore in turn Chinese experts will also have increased capacity to engage in the IPBES work programme and supporting its implementation at different scales. Work will be closely associated with the work of the IPBES Task Force on Capacity Building and its technical support unit, and with the Sub-Global Assessment Network (a community of practice amongst assessment practitioners).

Project Objectives and expected Achievables

Objectives



1. Identify capacity needs of stakeholders and undertake relevant capacity building activities within China, including increasing the understanding of how to utilise existing assessment outputs



2. Establish a national platform to assist in the communication of IPBES global, regional and national activities and to facilitate increased participation of experts from China



Outcomes



a) An increased understanding of IPBES global, regional and national-relevant activities and how stakeholders can engage in these.



b) An increased understanding of how to use existing assessment outputs at different scales and promotion of existing assessment methods, models and approaches. And how these can be further developed.



c) An increased knowledge exchange between stakeholders regarding biodiversity and ecosystem service tools, methods and applications.



Outputs



a) Stakeholder networks/a national biodiversity and ecosystem services platform, providing communities of practice to support national ecosystem assessment processes, and the use of their findings (including development and use policy support tools and methodologies.



b) Reports and capacity building materials developed and available for ongoing capacity building programmes within China. Materials to be developed in Chinese and be tailored to the national situation



c) A plan setting out the architecture for carrying out and utilising ecosystem assessments at different scales and different time periods.



Planned activities



WP 1 (a) Establish a multi-stakeholder national platform to promote IPBES activities and build capacity of Chinese experts to engage in the IPBES Work Programme. This activity will include reviewing other biodiversity and ecosystem service national platforms and communities of practice established for lessons learned to help guide the establishment of such a platform in China.



WP 2 (b) Identify and undertake specific country-level capacity building activities relevant to national circumstances in China aimed a different stakeholders that support the scoping, undertaking and implementation of assessments and policy support tools. Such workshops may cover specific tools such as TESSA, ecological modelling or economic valuation.



WP 3 (c) Develop different options for establishing an ecosystem assessment scheme linked to the national platform which will allow for ecosystem assessments at different scales to be undertaken and utilised including within monitoring systems, as well as lesson learning, so methods and models can be applied elsewhere in the country

Timeframe

2 years

Geographic Scale

National

Seeking Resources for:

Project implementation

Type of Resources/Support needed:

Financial