Why is natural resource governance important?

Governance is about how and by whom decisions are made and upheld. Natural resource governance refers to the norms, institutions, structures and processes that determine how power and responsibilities over natural resources are exercised, how decisions are taken, and how citizens – including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, people of all genders, and others – participate in and benefit from the management of natural resources.

The effectiveness and equity of natural resource governance processes critically determine both the extent to which ecosystems contribute to human well being and the long-term prospects for sustainable  conservation of nature. Securing rights and sharing power, responsibilities, and operational resources required to strengthen natural resource governance benefits both people and biodiversity. Thus, governance is a necessary foundation for a just world that values and conserves nature and contributes to the achievement of global sustainable development goals.

What is the IUCN Natural Resource Governance Framework?

The IUCN GPGR and CEESP led Natural Resource Governance Framework (NRGF), is an IUCN knowledge basket and initiative created for the purpose of providing a robust, inclusive, and credible approach to assessing and strengthening natural resource governance, at multiple levels and in diverse contexts. The overarching goal of NRGF is to: set standards and guidance for decision-makers at all levels to make better and more just decisions on the use of natural resources and the distribution of nature’s benefits, following good governance principles, such that improved governance will enhance the contributions of ecosystems and biodiversity to equity and sustainability.

The NRGF was conceived in 2013, and has developed through three phases: research, consultation, and conceptual development; consolidation; and testing of diverse ways it can be used. Pilot uses include: 

• Assessing strengths and challenges in governance of a context or system and identifying pathways for change. 
• Analysing ways to align / enhance environmental governance-related approaches and tools
• Analysing ways that conservation activities / projects can enhance how governance principles are addressed

The NRGF is built on a central Framework with principles, criteria, and cross-cutting values to inform natural resource governance. It also includes guidance tools, processes, and relationships through which the initiative is mobilising and learning from use of the Framework. You can learn more about how the NRGF can and has been used at the links below.