OECM stocktaking in China – new report launched at Asia Regional Conservation Forum

Produced by IUCN China in partnership with SEE Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, the new report titled A stocktaking report on other effective area-based conservation measures in China: first edition provides a comprehensive review of the latest policy efforts and development in line with biodiversity protection outside protected areas in China. The report also features 19 case studies and examples that are contributing to effective area-based conservation and led by governments, communities, civil society organisations and businesses across China.

The report was published through the efforts of the IUCN China OECM Expert Working Group that consists of IUCN Members and Commissions.

“Many areas outside traditional protected areas play a crucial role in effective in-site biodiversity conservation. These areas have the potential to be recognised as OECMs and are integral to achieving the ambitious 30×30 target” noted James Hardcastle, Head,  Protected and Conserved Areas, IUCN Headquarters. “IUCN wants to listen to all perspectives on OECMs. Conservation community needs to interpret, understand and apply OECMs so it’s important to know what it means.”

“This stocktaking report is a comprehensive interpretation of OECMs in the Chinese context,” said Yan Zhang, Head of IUCN China. “It delves into how OECMs play a crucial role in China's conservation efforts and in fulfilling its commitment to Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Building on the well-established policy basis and wide spectrum of know-how, China is well-positioned to embrace this concept through a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches.”

The report also proposed a potential OECM ‘hierarchy’ in relation to China's spatial planning system, especially their ‘Ecological Red Lines’ concept, which encompasses over 20 potential OECM categories. A few options for a localised term for OECMs in Chinese were also presented.

The report was launched at a RCF side event titled "OECMs in China and Asia – developments, experiences and societal participation" jointly organised by SEE Foundation and IUCN China. It brought together some 60 experts and stakeholders from across Asia, exchanging insights and experiences on OECMs in China, Republic of Korea and Thailand.

The launch of this report marks an important first step which paves the way for IUCN to support China’s efforts on OECMs. Further analysis, pilots and in-depth reviews will be undertaken with IUCN Members and Commission members. The report is now available on IUCN Library via https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/51555.