IUCN Green List of Protected

Areas

Progress on the IUCN Green List Initiative

JAMES HARDCASTLE, MARC HOCKINGS, DAVID REYNOLDS WCPA Steering Committee meeting, Podgorica, Montenegro, 22nd April 2013

What is the IUCN Green List of Protected Areas?

The IUCN Green List of Protected Areas is an international standard of effective and equitable management and governance to encourage, measure, and celebrate success of protected areas

Green List Principles:

The IUCN Green List of Protected Areas is being designed with the following principles in mind:

• Simplicity in process and designation

• Recognition of diversity in PA governance • Celebrate accomplishments of PA and agencies

• Potential to include various dimensions (i.e. visitor experience, community outreach, tiger reserves)

1. To recognize and reward effective and equitable protected area governance and management, and thereby:– provide an incentive for improved policies and

governance arrangements that will catalyze more effective and equitable protected area systems

– stimulate investment in capacity and leadership that enable effective and equitable management and governance of protected areas

Aims of the Green List of Protected Areas

2. To allow participating countries to recognize and report on the quality of progress in the implementation of their national protected area systems towards meeting CBD Aichi Target 11 commitments.

Aims of the Green List of Protected Areas

IUCN Green List Initiative• Jeju WCC – IUCN mandate

• Projectized to 2016

• WPC Launch in 2014

• GLI Development Group:

• Technical

• Business case

• Outreach

Aichi Target 11

ATTRIBUTE AND TARGET 11 REFERENCE

PRINCIPLE DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE ADAPTATION OF STANDARDS

VALUESRepresentativity“areas of particular importance for conservation of biodiversity” “ecologically representative” “areas of particular importance for …ecosystem services”

The area should be of importance for the conservation of biodiversity and/or other ecosystem services

1. BIODIVERSITY, CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICE VALUES ARE KNOWN: The biodiversity, cultural heritage and ecosystem service values of the protected area are clearly identified and documented (Method of verification: referenced description of biodiversity and ecosystem service values, Worksheet 1 and x, evaluator );

The area could also satisfy at least one of the following?

a. KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA: The protected area overlaps with Key Biodiversity Areas, such as IBAs, AZEs etc. (Method of verification: GIS analysis, IUCN GIS Officer)

b. IMPORTANT SITE FOR THE PROTECTION OF RARE & UNIQUE SPECIS (and/or ONE OR MORE IUCN RED-LIST SPECIES Vu or higher risk category)

c. IMPORTANT SITE FOR THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED HABITAT and / or ECOSYSTEM INCLUDED IN THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED ECOSYSTEMS

d. CONSERVES ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: The protected area overlaps with important carbon storage, water provision or other ecosystem services, including cultural services. (Methods of verification: 1) GIS analysis and overlay with carbon storage maps, vulnerable coastlines, watersheds, floodplains, wetlands, areas of glaciations, IUCN GIS Officer; 2) referenced identification and assessment of ecosystem services, Worksheet 5, evaluator)

e. CONSERVES CULTURAL HERITAGE…

2. CONDITION OF VALUES IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED: The condition of the biodiversity, cultural heritage and ecosystem service values of the protected area, as defined under Standard 1, are assessed as ‘Good’ or ‘Low Concern’ (Method of verification: referenced assessment of the condition of biodiversity, cultural heritage and ecosystem service values, Worksheets, evaluator)

CBD Aichi Target 11By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.

Partner Jurisdictions• Colombia, Kenya

• South Korea, NSW, China

• Georgia, Italy, Micronesia, RSA

• Croatia, Andalucia, France

Tiger Standards:

• Nepal, India, Bhutan, Malaysia

Other themes:World Heritage

• Candidate WHAs

• Conservation Outlook

Potential:

• FSC

• NATURA 2000 Award

• Species (CA/RS?!)

• Biome (Blue Solutions)

Case Study: Colombia• Pioneer

• Collaboration

• Evolving process

• Informing global initiative

• Ongoing learning

Status / funding Key focus of GLI partner Progress to date Key lessons so far Next steps Contacts COLOMBIA Ongoing / core

PNC + local partner contribitions (WWF, IUCN-WCPA, UQ, with PNC support)

Establishing reference group with relevant and appropriate TOR; representation of the reference group; selection of PAs for initial portfolio of candidates; data requirements and assessment process and criteria; national and regional context for South America; Communications and messaging, stakeholder engagement in GL process.

Initial meetings and kick-start; Presentation and presence at WCC in Jeju; Leadership nationally and globally from Parques Nacionales PA Agency. Communication products and outreach; initial PA portfolio; initial Reference Group composition and draft TOR. Initial format for PA candidate prospectus prepared. Discussion on standards and means of verification (metrics). Deeper focus and understanding needed to ensure match to standards.

Communications and outreach on GL is very important and needs attention early as part of GL process. Candidate PAs selected do not all meet proposed GL standards. Colombia is leading on using Tourism Standards as part of the GL criteria; also adding elements of Governance - interesting standards for Parks in Areas of Conflict (AoC) - as a model for other global jurisdictions with Parks in similar circumstances. Also looking at how threat analysis can be better incorporated at both site and region.

Share draft prospectus format (to be translated). Convene follow-up RG meetings. Prepare candidate prospectus. Develop process for assessment and evaluation. Attend GLI meeting in Korea (date tbc). End of May - expected conclusion on discussions and evaluation of standards; for example, criteria for AoC within Governance standards. Also intent to examine link to Aichi targets, also to examine transboundary areas and their link to GL nomination.

Sandra Valenzuela (WWF); Julia Miranda PNC; Marc Hockings; Dave Reynolds; Paula Bueno

Case Study: China- Integration (IUCN, WCPA, WH)

- National Partners (CNPA, UNESCO)

- Government endorsement

- Initial workshop success

- Global Ecoforum event, July 2013

- Project framework to 2016

Challenges:

- Structure and guidance

- PA Governance in China

- Funding

- Scale and credibility

Business Case and Benefits

T.O.R. for an initial strategic business case study, needs GLI development group input

Technical Progress

Green List Process

Marc Hockings…

Reference GroupGlobal StandardsNational context

Criteria and measuresCandidate prospectus

Assessment…

Green List Process

Green List

Standards achievement

Site LevelStandards assessment and preparation

of prospectus Standards verification

National and System LevelStandards setting, matching of management effectiveness assessment to Green List

criteria, Establishment and training of Green List reference group

Global and Regional Level

Management and quality control Standards framework

WCPA

IUCN/WCPA

Agencies, PA

WCPA Agencies, PA, Stakeholders

Green List Process

Green List

Standards achievement

Site LevelStandards assessment and preparation

of prospectus Standards verification

National and System LevelStandards setting, matching of management effectiveness assessment to Green List

criteria, Establishment and training of Green List reference group

Global and Regional Level

Management and quality control Standards framework

WCPA

IUCN/WCPA

Agencies, PA

WCPA Agencies, PA, Stakeholders

Green List Process

Green List

Standards achievement

Site LevelStandards assessment and preparation

of prospectus Standards verification

National and System LevelStandards setting, matching of management effectiveness assessment to Green List

criteria, Establishment and training of Green List reference group

Global and Regional Level

Management and quality control Standards framework

WCPA

IUCN/WCPA

Agencies, PA

WCPA Agencies, PA, Stakeholders

Green List Process

Green List

Standards achievement

Site LevelStandards assessment and preparation

of prospectus Standards verification

National and System LevelStandards setting, matching of management effectiveness assessment to Green List

criteria, Establishment and training of Green List reference group

Global and Regional Level

Management and quality control Standards framework

WCPA

IUCN/WCPA

Agencies, PA

WCPA Agencies, PA, Stakeholders

Green List Process

Green List

Standards achievement

Site LevelStandards assessment and preparation

of prospectus Standards verification

National and System LevelStandards setting, matching of management effectiveness assessment to Green List

criteria, Establishment and training of Green List reference group

Global and Regional Level

Management and quality control Standards framework

WCPA

IUCN/WCPA

Agencies, PA

WCPA Agencies, PA, Stakeholders

Outreach and Communications- IUCN / WCPA members involved

- Policy linkages (Aichi 11)

- Communication strategy

- Products underway and planned

- Logo design, branding, film

- Growing leadership / ownership

Mobilizing WCPA Members- GLI to increase:

Value

Reach

Impact

of WCPA expertise

- Membership drive

- Capacity to deliver evaluation

Financing the GLI• Korea NPS budget

• Other restricted amounts

• Partner contribution

• Need overall project fund

• Project proposal ‘live’

• Support welcome!

Key Issues• who needs to join GLI?

• momentum vs funds

• advance business case

• positioning / Policy

• pilot phase partnerships

• capturing lessons

• scaling-up beyond WPC

Next Steps - discussion 6.30 pm tonight!

• IUCN/WCPA Task Force?

• Business Case TOR

• Finalise GLI portfolio

• Compile technical dossier

• Orientation meeting, Seoul

• Momentum, engage partners

• Event platforms to WPC

• Fundraising