The Conference of the Parties,
Recalling Article 8(f) and decisions XI/16 and XII/19, Aware that Parties have identified ecosystem restoration needs in their national biodiversity strategies and action plans and in other national, regional and global strategies and/or plans, and that a number of ecosystem restoration activities are under way with support from various organizations and Governments, and noting that many degraded ecosystems are still in need of restoration,
Welcoming the progress made in the implementation of the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, supported by the Korea Forest Service of the Republic of Korea,
Underlining that ecosystem restoration, when effectively implemented and coherent with other related policies, helps to achieve not only many of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, but also several Sustainable Development Goals, ecosystem-based adaptation and combating desertification, mitigating the effects of drought and supporting mitigation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, land degradation neutrality under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030,4 the wise use of wetlands under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the four Global Objectives on Forests of the United Nations Forum on Forests, commitments under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the Bonn Challenge of the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration and the objectives of many other initiatives,
Noting that restoration needs to be carried out in ways that balance social, economic and environmental objectives, and that the engagement of all relevant stakeholders, such as land owners, and indigenous peoples and local communities, is crucial at all stages of the restoration process especially as regards the participation of women, recognizing that women are powerful agents of change and their leadership is critical in community revitalization and renewable natural resource management, Recalling the urgency to enhance efforts to achieve targets related to restoration by 2020,
Noting the deliverable 3(b)(i): thematic assessment on land degradation and restoration currently being undertaken by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services due to be completed in 2018,
1. Adopts the short-term action plan on ecosystem restoration, as contained in the annex to the present decision, as a flexible framework and adaptable to national circumstances and legislation for immediate action towards achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets 5, 12, 14 and 15, and Targets 4 and 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, and other internationally agreed goals and targets, and in particular targets identified in national biodiversity strategies and action plans or other relevant strategies and plans;
2. Urges Parties and encourages other Governments and relevant organizations, as well as indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant stakeholders to promote, support and take actions on ecosystem restoration inter alia by making use, as appropriate, of the short-term action plan on ecosystem restoration as a flexible framework according to national circumstances;
3. Encourages Parties, when developing and implementing ecosystem restoration action plans and when updating national biodiversity strategies and action plans, to take into account existing goals and commitments on restoration, including those promoted under other relevant processes, and to include them in their national biodiversity strategies and action plans;
4. Invites Parties in a position to do so and other donors, such as international finance agencies, including the Global Environment Facility and regional development banks, to provide support for ecosystem restoration activities, as well as monitoring processes integrated as appropriate into programmes and initiatives for sustainable development, food, water and energy security, job creation, climate change mitigation, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and poverty eradication;
5. Encourages Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations and stakeholders, to consider ecosystem restoration in reef, coastal and marine ecosystems as well as urban environments, in the action plans, where relevant, to ensure that marine environments are sustained;
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Annex
SHORT-TERM ACTION PLAN ON ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
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III. PRINCIPLES
8. Ecosystem restoration is a complement to conservation activities, and provides many benefits both inside and outside of protected areas, which brings multiple benefits. Priority should be given to conserving biodiversity and preventing the degradation of natural habitats and ecosystems by reducing pressures and maintaining ecological integrity and provision of ecosystem services (see guidance for integrating biodiversity considerations into ecosystem restoration in appendix I). Ecosystem restoration is not a substitute for conservation, nor is it a conduit for allowing intentional destruction or unsustainable use.
9. Ecosystem restoration activities should be consistent with the provisions of the Convention. In particular, the 12 principles of the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention are highly relevant for guiding ecosystem restoration activities. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other guidance that may be relevant in particular situations includes, the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable use of Biodiversity, the Akwé: Kon guidelines, the Tkarihwaié:ri Code of Ethical Conduct,13 and the Plan of Action on Customary Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity.
10. Ecosystem restoration activities should be planned at various scales and implemented using the best available science and traditional knowledge. The prior informed consent and full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as the engagement of women and other relevant stakeholders are important considerations at all stages of the processes. Communication, education and public awareness are also important to consider at all stages so that the benefits and costs of ecosystem restoration activities are widely understood.
IV. KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE ACTION PLAN
11. The plan comprises four main groups of activities that could be undertaken, as a menu of options, on a voluntary basis, by Parties and other Governments, in collaboration with relevant organizations, in accordance with national legislation, circumstances and priorities. The four main groups of activities are:
(a) Assessment of opportunities for ecosystem restoration;
(b) Improving the institutional enabling environment for ecosystem restoration;
(c) Planning and implementation of ecosystem restoration activities;
(d) Monitoring, evaluation, feedback and disseminating results.
12. An iterative process may be required with feedback among and within these four main groups of activities (see indicative timeline in appendix II).
A. Assessment of opportunities for ecosystem restoration
13. To ensure that restoration activities are implemented in areas requiring restoration and that are high priority taking into account ecological, economic, social and institutional realities, it is useful to implement broad-scale ecosystem assessments, including mapping, or to make use of existing assessments. These assessments can be undertaken at various levels according to national circumstances and adjusted in the light of more detailed assessments that result from the site-level activities in step C. The following actions may be considered, and, as appropriate, taken:
1. Assess the extent, type, degree and location of degraded ecosystems at regional, national, and local scales as well as the drivers of ecosystem degradation. Take into account current restoration activities and initiatives, and how these integrate biodiversity considerations.
2. Identify and prioritize geographical areas where restoration would contribute most significantly to achieving national level targets contributing to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (such as priority areas for the conservation of biodiversity, areas that provide essential ecosystem services, and areas that would enhance the integrity of protected areas and their integration into wider land- and seascapes).
3. Involve indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders. Identify and obtain the prior and informed consent and full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities and involve relevant stakeholders in the process, including consideration for gender balance, in the identification of priority areas for restoration.
4. Assess the potential costs and multiple benefits of ecosystem restoration at relevant scales. Benefits may include those linked to biodiversity and ecosystem services, and socioeconomic benefits, such as water and food security, carbon capture and sequestration, jobs and livelihoods, health benefits, and disaster risk reduction (e.g. fire and erosion control, and coastal protection). Identify opportunities for maximizing co-benefits and for reducing or eliminating conflicts among co-benefits. Costs of inaction may also be significant. Capitalize on lessons learned from previous restoration activities and the potential for ecosystem restoration to provide ecosystem services using nature-based solutions and developing green infrastructure.
5. Assess the relevant institutional, policy, and legal frameworks and identify financial and technical resources, as well as gaps, for implementing ecosystem restoration. Analyse opportunities for innovative approaches to restoration, including financial ones.
6. Identify options to reduce or eliminate the drivers of the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems at various scales. Utilize pre-degradation baselines where appropriate and consult with experts and stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities to determine baselines and other requirements, such as: resources; behavioural changes; incentive mechanisms; addressing perverse incentives; adopting sustainable land, water, forest, fisheries and agriculture management practices; diversifying land tenure; and recognizing resource rights. Assess areas where the implementation of sustainable productive practices could contribute to ecosystem restoration and to prevent land degradation.
B. Improving the institutional enabling environment for ecosystem restoration
14. In order to facilitate the implementation of ecosystem restoration actions, the further development of the enabling institutional framework for ecosystem restoration should be considered. This includes providing legal, economic and social incentives, and appropriate planning mechanisms, and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, to promote restoration and for reducing ecosystem degradation. This work may be informed by the assessments undertaken in step A, and, especially A5, and could be undertaken in parallel with the planning and implementation activities undertaken in step C. The following actions may be considered, and undertaken as appropriate:
1. Review, improve or establish legal, policy and financial frameworks for the restoration of ecosystems. This may include, as appropriate, laws, regulations, policies and other requirements for protecting and restoring habitats, as well as improving ecosystem functions. It may require a certain proportion of land, coast or sea to be maintained in its natural state.
2. Review, improve or establish a legal and policy framework for land tenure, and for recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.
3. Promote and strengthen formal and informal education systems at all levels by including content related to ecosystem restoration, and raise awareness about the benefits of ecosystem restoration for the economy and the well-being of society, including through the dissemination of scientifically sound information.
4. Review, improve or establish terrestrial and marine spatial planning processes and zoning activities in the framework of integrated management.
5. Consider the need for safeguard measures to reduce risks of displacing habitat loss and degradation as well as other risks to biodiversity and indigenous peoples and local communities (see Principles and appendix I).
6. Review, improve or establish targets, policies and strategies for ecosystem restoration. These activities would normally be reflected in national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and/or national plans for sustainable development, climate change mitigation and adaptation and land management. Setting targets can demonstrate political commitment and help to increase public awareness, support and engagement. Existing targets established under other relevant processes may also be taken into account.
7. Develop accounting processes that take into account the values of natural land, semi-natural, ecosystems, and of the functions and services they deliver.
8. Promote economic and financial incentives and eliminate, phase out or reform incentives harmful to biodiversity in order to reduce the drivers of ecosystem loss and degradation, and to foster ecosystem restoration, including through sustainable productive activities.
9. Develop plans for resource mobilization. Create a framework for mobilizing resources to support ecosystem restoration, from national, bilateral and multilateral sources, such as the Global Environment Facility, leveraging national budgets, donors and partners, including the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities and non-governmental organizations, to implement the action plans and to fill gaps identified through assessments in step A. Public funds and instruments can be used to leverage private funding through such methods as, inter alia, risk guarantees, payment for ecosystem services, green bonds, and other innovative financial approaches.
10. Promote and support capacity-building and training and technology transfer for the planning, implementation and monitoring of ecosystem restoration so as to improve the effectiveness of restoration programmes.
C. Planning and implementation of ecosystem restoration activities
15. Restoration activities should be planned on the basis of priorities identified in step A and implementation facilitated by actions in step B. Actions would benefit from consultation with stakeholders and experts from various disciplines to assist with all phases of project work (assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting). Capacity-building for stakeholders, including legal and legislative support for the rights of women and indigenous peoples and local communities, may be required. The following actions may be considered, and undertaken as appropriate:
1. Identify the most appropriate measures for conducting ecosystem restoration, based on the best available evidence and taking into account ecological appropriateness, the use of native species, scale of measures linked to the processes to be restored cost-effectiveness, and support to indigenous peoples’ and community conserved territories and areas, and respect for their traditional customary knowledge and practices. Emphasis should be given to restoration approaches and activities that allow people to maintain and/or establish sustainable livelihoods.
2. Consider how ecosystem restoration activities can support the ecological and economic sustainability of agriculture and other production activities, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction, and enhance ecosystem services, including for urban areas. Restoration may be mainstreamed into land- and seascape planning. The expected effects of restoration activities on the ecological function of adjacent lands and waters should be considered, for example through environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments. Potential future environmental changes, such as those resulting from climate change, should be taken into account.
3. Develop ecosystem restoration plans with clear and measurable objectives and goals for expected environmental, economic and social outcomes. In addition to goals and objectives, plans could include the extent and lifetime of the project, the feasibility of mitigating degrading forces, budget and staff requirements, and a coherent plan for monitoring project implementation and efficacy. Project goals may include the desired future condition of the areas being restored, and the expected ecological and socioeconomic attributes of the reference ecosystem(s). In addition, project goals could explicitly specify ecological and socioeconomic targets (e.g., biomass of vegetation, jobs), and for each target an action (e.g., reduce, increase, maintain), quantity (e.g., 50 per cent), and timeframe (e.g., five years). Objectives could then be developed with an appropriate monitoring programme to detail the specific steps required to fulfil the goals.
4. Develop explicit implementation tasks, schedules, and budgets. Anticipated details of implementation, including site preparation, installation, or follow-up activities, may be considered. In addition, performance standards could be explicitly stated, along with a preliminary and adaptable list of questions to be addressed through monitoring and the proposed protocols that will be used to examine project success at specified intervals during restoration. Monitoring and evaluation may benefit from the establishment of standards for data collection, management and retention, analyses, and sharing of lessons learned.
5. Implement the measures outlined in the ecosystem restoration plan to conserve, manage sustainably, and, restore degraded ecosystems and landscape units in the most effective and coordinated manner possible, making use of existing science and technology and traditional knowledge.
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