Localised site level tool released at Congress to support China’s efforts to identify OECMs
On 11 October 2025, the IUCN China Country Office and the Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation jointly launched a new publication, Identifying Other Effective Area based Conservation Measures in China: a Proposed Site level Tool, during a thematic event at the IUCN Asia Pavilion at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
This release is part of ongoing efforts in China’s OECM work following the publication of the national stocktaking report at the IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum (2024). The new publication responds to growing momentum under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which recognises Other Effective Area based Conservation Measures (OECMs) as essential instruments for achieving the “30×30” target. In China, the 2024 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) identifies OECMs as an innovative pathway to strengthen biodiversity protection beyond the established protected area system.
The localised site level tool bridges international OECM guidance and practical implementation in China. Building on IUCN/WCPA’s global guidance and site level assessment tool, it provides a practical approach to help practitioners, government agencies, enterprises, and non governmental organisations systematically identify, assess, and report OECM sites. The tool suggests 11 assessment indicators, developed based on international criteria yet further detailed to fit China’s local context. It also presents a systematic two phase assessment—a preliminary assessment against four bottom line indicators to screen eligibility and relevance, followed by the comprehensive assessment as per the remaining seven indicators on actions, performance, and outcomes.
At the launch event, representatives from IUCN and the SEE Foundation highlighted the growing partnership between international and domestic organisations in translating global conservation concepts into locally relevant action.
“The tool aims not only to guide site identification but also to promote dialogue among conservation agencies, local governments, and civil society actors on effective area based conservation outside protected areas,” noted Mr Yan Zhang, Head of IUCN China Office.
“SEE Foundation will continue to develop the OECM information platform (www.oecm.org.cn) to provide a digital platform for site registration, assessment, and feedback collection, enabling more dynamic data sharing and transparency,” said Mr Yang Biao, Secretary General of the SEE Foundation, when introducing the Foundation’s OECM work in China.
Since the establishment of the IUCN China OECM Expert Working Group in 2023, IUCN and partners including the SEE Foundation have jointly advanced the localisation of global OECM standards and guidelines in China, and released A stocktaking report on other effective area based conservation measures in China: first edition in 2024. The launch of the China adapted site level tool is expected to provide relevant guidance for OECM identification, recognition, and reporting in China. English and Chinese versions of the publication are now available in the IUCN Library.
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