Over 200 participants were introduced to a practical framework to support Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) across China. The session highlighted the contribution of OECMs to Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to conserve and manage 30% of the earth's land, inland waters, coastal and marine areas by 2030, also known as the 30×30 Target.
“The guidance provides a systematic pathway from initiation to recognition, helping practitioners understand what needs to be done at each stage of OECM development,” said Zhang Yan, Head of the IUCN China Country Office. Participants were introduced to integrating policy insights with technical toolkits and real-world case studies on turning the framework into tangible conservation outcomes.
Setting the scene: OECMs within China's conservation framework
Opening the session, Gu Zhixin, Deputy Director of the Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, emphasised the urgency of advancing biodiversity conservation during this critical decade. He highlighted that OECMs are one of three key pillars for achieving China’s 30×30 Target, while stressing the need for stronger coordination, local pilot practices, and international cooperation to advance OECM implementation.
Dr Wang Xiaofan of the China Land Surveying and Planning Institute noted that more than 3.19 million square kilometres already delineated beyond protected areas could provide an important opportunity for exploring and implementing OECMs.
Identifying gaps and opportunities for OECMs
Building on this foundation, Dr Shi Xiangying of the Shan Shui Conservation Center reviewed China’s protected area system and highlighted remaining gaps in ecological representation and connectivity. She noted that ecosystems such as low-altitude forests and farmland in densely populated regions remain under-represented and emphasised the potential of OECMs to strengthen conservation networks and complement existing protected areas.
Guo Yinfeng, Senior Engineer at the Marine Hazard Mitigation Service of the Ministry of Natural Resources, examined the role of OECMs in advancing Target 3 across marine and coastal areas. He reviewed global progress towards the 30x30 Target, highlighting the governance mechanisms and spatial planning tools supporting marine conservation, including the emerging Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement – an international treaty to protect marine life in international waters – among other international frameworks. Focusing on China’s context, he highlighted the potential contribution of sector-managed marine and coastal areas, such as fisheries management zones, marine ranches, aquaculture areas and wetlands, as well as future OECM recognition and marine biodiversity conservation.
Progress and case studies for OECMs in China
Dr Yang Biao, Secretary General of the SEE Foundation, outlined recent progress in advancing OECMs in China across policy, research and practice. He noted that OECMs have been incorporated into China’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023–2030), while research institutions and conservation organisations are developing localised assessment standards, technical guidance and recognition pathways. In practice, two nationwide rounds of identifying potential OECM cases have identified 86 shortlisted sites and 28 typical cases, generating valuable experience for future OECM recognition and implementation in China.
Gao Yan from the Ministry of Natural Resources presented the Yancheng Model which integrates OECMs and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to support both economic growth and conservation of the Yellow Sea wetland. Though the model has demonstrated constraints, such as limited private capital participation and difficulty in product valuation, the positive outcomes include improved habitat for species such as the Red-crowned Crane and a shift from government subsidies to market-driven self-sufficiency, demonstrating a scalable approach to conservation and development integration.
From concept to action: a three-staged approach
Against this backdrop, the session introduced a practical framework for implementing OECMs through a three-stage approach, guiding stakeholders from site identification and planning, through governance and management, to strengthening conservation outcomes and recognition.
Stage 1: Planning and Design
The first stage focuses on identifying potential OECMs outside existing protected areas and establishing the foundation for long-term conservation. Key steps include scoping areas of biodiversity value, conducting ecological and socio-economic assessments, engaging stakeholders and rightsholders, and defining conservation objectives and implementation strategies.
Stage 2: Governance and Management
The second stage focuses on establishing effective governance and management systems to support long-term conservation outcomes. Key elements include defining governance arrangements and management responsibilities, implementing conservation measures aligned with agreed objectives, and establishing monitoring and evaluation systems to track ecological outcomes and inform adaptive management.
Stage 3: Strengthening and recognition
The final stage focuses on strengthening conservation effectiveness and supporting formal recognition. This includes improving sustainable financing, promoting cross-sector collaboration, enhancing capacity and knowledge sharing, and scaling up good practices. Evaluation, reporting, and information-sharing platforms can further support continuous improvement and contribute to future OECM recognition.
Looking ahead: from discussion to practice
The session underscored both the early stage of OECM development in China and its growing importance in achieving national and global biodiversity goals. Experts addressed key challenges during the session, including how to initiate OECMs in low-resource contexts, how to monitor outcomes with limited data, and how to strengthen governance, incentives and recognition.
Experts emphasised starting with simple and consistent documentation, combining key indicators for monitoring, and ensuring early stakeholder identification with prior informed consent. They also highlighted the next steps such as improving access to funding, strengthening knowledge sharing and cross-sector exchange, and building local implementation capacity.
By combining policy context, technical guidance, and practical exchange, the session highlighted a shared direction: strengthening the role of OECMs as a complementary approach to protected areas and ecological red lines (ERLs). Through continued collaboration and capacity building, partners, with ongoing support from IUCN, will contribute to the progress of OECMs as a key contribution to the 30×30 target.
The session was supported by the China Biodiversity Facility (CBF), a EU-funded project implemented by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and organised by the IUCN China Office and the Secretariat of the Network of IUCN Members in China, in collaboration with the Shan Shui Conservation Center, the SEE Foundation, and AFD.
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