Global South Development Expo 2012 Nomination Form
Nomination from (choose all that apply):
✓ National Govt.
o UN agency
o Private sector
o NGO/Civil society org.
Name of group or organization being nominated:_ China-ASEAN Environmental
Cooperation Center _______________________________
Nominee details:
Address Building A, No.1 Yuhuinanlu Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, P.R.China __
City_
Country
Beijing_____________________________________________________________________________
China_______________________ Postal code
Business telephone number
Mobile telephone number
100029__________________
+86-10-84665956___________________________________
+86-13701266238____________________________ _________
Fax number __ _+86-10-84615268_______________________________________
_________
Email __ zhou.guomei@chinaaseanenv.org __________________________________________
Kindly answer the following questions using a maximum of six to seven pages:
1. Description of the initiative, including background and challenges: Provide a
description of the initiative, (i.e., its purpose, resources (human, material and financial), time
frame, activities, implementation process and challenges). Identify the main social, economic
and environmental issues addressed by the initiative.
China’s biodiversity – its wild species, cultivated crops, domestic livestock and functioning
ecosystems – provide the renewable resources on which humans depend for their very
survival. Biodiversity conservation is an essential consideration in development planning right
across the landscape and the economy. In economic terms China’s species and natural
ecological processes contribute benefits that are equivalent to all other economic production
as measured by GDP. Biodiversity in China, as elsewhere, is subject to a wide range of threats –
and there have been alarming decreases in species’ ranges and numbers, and in the extent and
condition of natural ecosystems, over many parts of the country.
A range of different income generation schemes have been introduced under the field projects.
Such “alternative livelihood” schemes, are a common component of conservation projects, the
rationale being that people can be persuaded from abandoning livelihood activities that
damage biodiversity in favour of new revenue generating activities that are sustainable and do
not have an impact on local biodiversity. Modification of livelihoods through introduction of
value-added processing to raw materials is another approach, but this also is subject to pitfalls,
if markets are expanded beyond the carrying capacity of the local ecosystem and if adequate
controls are not in place.
The Project will have three components ranging from experience sharing and capacity building,
public awareness and education to study/review of policy issues and implementation of
research projects.
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At the 11th China-ASEAN Summit in 2007, the Chinese Premier WEN Jiabao introduced a set of
cooperation proposals, including the formulation of a China-ASEAN Strategy on Environmental
Protection Cooperation and the establishment of the China-ASEAN Environmental Protection
Center (CAEC), with the aim to build a resource-conserving and environment-friendly East
Asia. With the approval of the Chinese Government, CAEC was established in March 2010.
Aiming at promoting regional cooperation on environment between ASEAN Member States
and China, CAEC operates independently under the guidance and with the support of the
Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) of China. In October 2009, ASEAN and China
jointly developed and adopted the “China-ASEAN Strategy on Environmental Protection
Cooperation 2009-2015", which provides the foundation for China and ASEAN to promote
concrete cooperation on environment. In order to promote the implementation of the Strategy
and the ASEAN and China Leaders’ initiatives, the two sides then jointly formulated the
"ASEAN-China Environmental Cooperation Action Plan 2011-2013", based on the principle of
supporting ASEAN’s leading role in the cooperation, out of common interest and needs. As the
first 3-year initiatives, the action plan lays the foundation for long-term continuous
cooperation on environment between two sides.
2. Main partners: Describe the origin of the partnership and for each partner country or
organization, indicate the partners’ roles and responsibilities in the planning, design,
implementation and funding of the initiative. Also describe the ways in which the partnership
has contributed to the success of the project or programme.
The Project will cover the ten (10) ASEAN Member States – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam,
as well as China.
3. Achievements and impact: Describe the estimated number and types of beneficiaries
(e.g., women, children, youth, poor, victims of conflicts and/or natural disasters) and the
impact of the initiative on beneficiaries’ living conditions (e.g., social, economic, environment,
health, education, employment, security of tenure, crime reduction, community involvement in
decisions/governance). Describe the impact of the initiative on the building of leadership
capacity at the local, national, regional and/or international levels. Describe the solutions that
have resulted from the activities of the project, focusing in particular on the impact of the
initiative on the achievement of the MDGs. Provide quantitative and qualitative assessments.
In terms of regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation, China, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Laos and Thailand have carried out Biodiversity Corridor Project. The project is
mainly to restore and maintain contact between existing national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries through establishing a biodiversity conservation corridor in pilot area. CAEC is
actively promoting the cooperation of the project and mechanisms. Xishuangbanna, Shangri-la
deqin area, Yunnan Province and the Jingx, Guangxi Province are the key areas of project
implementation.
In the area of “alternative livelihood” schemes, In Liziba the CI FP supported the establishment
of an economic cooperative focusing on organic tea planting and marketing. GTZ has promoted
Chinese Bayberry (Myrica rubra) and mushroom cultivation in Huangbaiyuan Village, Leifeng
County, Hubei. The TNC FP promoted alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on natural
resources, including bee-keeping, medicinal plant cultivation, chicken farming and garbage
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management. They also organized training on walnut grafting techniques involving 40
villagers in Liguang Village, aimed at improving the yield and quality of wild walnuts. GTZ
identified a market for cultivated wild raspberry and some people are now growing this fruit.
The Xinyang FP helped 3,800 farm households establish cooperatives for tea, flowers and TCM
production leading to “increased income and promotion of the farmers’ enthusiasm to
participate in nature conservation”. High quality green tea was sold at premium prices, and
flowers and medicinal herbs were cultivated in greater quantities and greater variety.
So through the project, we would like to: (i) Experience Sharing and Capacity Building, a
component aiming to develop and enhance the human and institutional capacity of the
governments of AMS and China in conserving and sustainably managing their biodiversity, and
in meeting their commitments as parties to various MEAs and other cooperation programs
between AMS and China; (ii) Enhancement of Public Awareness, a component focusing on
information dissemination and mainstreaming of knowledge in the public awareness
campaigns; and (iii) promoting effective ways to poverty reduction.
The expected outputs based on the different components/activities include:
 Manual on good practices on biodiversity and ecological conservation developed and
published;
 Proceedings of seminar is prepared; and
 Collaboration and personnel exchange between and among AMS and China established.
4. Sustainability: Indicate the ways in which the initiative has achieved lasting change,
including the mechanisms used to ensure sustainability (e.g., new legislation, capacity-building,
empowerment).
Considering sustainability, we must emphasize the importance of firm law enforcement as a
back-up to the community management of renewable biodiversity resources, both of medicinal
plants in Yunnan, Sichuan and Inner Mongolia – so it is a vital consideration in alternative
livelihoods that rely on exploitation of wild animals and plants. Field projects provided
assistance in getting local regulations approved so that people had official support in excluding
people from outside the area and in self-policing their own community. Local peerenforcement is powerful as soon as the people understand the reason for the restrictions and
see that they really will get some benefits and soon.
5. Innovation: Describe the main innovative aspects of the initiative, including what is
innovative about the Southern solutions that it is providing/has provided. Also indicate how
these solutions may be applicable to other communities’ efforts to reduce poverty or meet any
other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
We can find many ways to implement “alternative livelihood” schemes. Where collection or
cultivation of TCM plants appeared to be inherently unsustainable, the project persuades
people to stop collection by providing incentives and ideas for alternative sources of income. A
demonstration was established in Nenghuo village on the edge of the Dafengding Nature
Reserve in Meigu county, southern Sichuan, where the the project has been encouraging
alternative livelihood activities such as beekeeping, and cultivation of wild vegetables and
endangered species of plants important in TCM. Similar work has been done in Shaanxi
through a community development fund supporting alternative livelihoods ranging from
Polyporus umbellatus (a fungus used in TCM cultivation) to tree planting, home-stay and
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catering business, bee-keeping and “improved” piggeries. So in other counties, they may find
their particular ways to implement “alternative livelihood”.
6. Replicability and scaling up: Indicate whether this initiative is replicable and/or
adaptable and whether the solutions from the project can be scaled up. If scaling up is possible,
describe how it can be achieved.
Such mechanism can be scaled up in other regions with similar configurations through policy
dialogues and cooperation.
7. Areas of contribution: Explain the ways in which the initiative has made a significant
contribution to any of the following areas or sectors, where applicable:
a.
Job creation: How has the initiative had an impact on unemployment, etc.
b.
Income-generation: How has the initiative benefited disadvantaged groups (e.g.,
women’s’ groups, indigenous peoples, rural communities, etc.)?
c.
Infrastructure development: What contribution has the initiative made to affordable
alternative energy sources, creation of new information systems, provision of other
infrastructure?
d.
Education: How has the initiative resulted in increased enrolment in rural schools,
including improvements in quality of education, integration of science and
technology with emphasis on girls, and improved physical infrastructure?
e.
Social inclusion: How are the solutions geared towards uplifting disadvantaged
groups, women, youth and poor communities? How has the initiative had an impact
on small and medium-sized enterprises and community group projects?
f.
Outreach: How have the solutions had an impact on changing peoples’ attitudes,
lifestyles and understanding (e.g., regarding HIV/AIDS, agricultural innovations,
changes of education curriculum, human rights, etc.)?
g.
Networks: How has the initiative provided solutions that link various individual
groups, organizations and government through networks (e.g., scientists and
governments to address a particular issue; NGOs; women groups)?
h.
Environment: How have solutions contributed to conservation, management of
natural resources (e.g., sustainable forest management), pollution mitigation,
minimization or combating of poaching of wildlife, etc.?
i.
Global health: How environmental, societal and life-style factors create an impact on
health? What are the challenges the community and individuals are faced with to
come up with practical and sustainable solutions?
The designed project components/activities will: a) enable the governments of AMS and China
to coordinate and implement the cooperation strategy and its activities; and b) assist the
governments of AMS and China in building their awareness and capacities on biodiversity and
ecological conservation through experience sharing and capacity building, public awareness
and education, policy studies and research. This initiative will contribute greatly to national
capacity improvements in environment related sectors. It will build up national capacity, and
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enhance public awareness by information dissemination, public awareness campaigns, and
mainstreaming knowledge in the educational systems.
8. Awareness of the initiative: Indicate how information on the initiative and its results has
been disseminated (media, publications, lectures, web sites, etc.). Where possible, send copies
of the actual articles as an annex.
The Project is targeting at poverty reduction and biodiversity protection, as well as experience
sharing and capacity building. It will adopt all potential approaches to disseminate experience,
knowledge, and best practice. Such approaches include inter alia media, publications,
workshops/seminars, lectures, and web sites.
9. Other information: Please include any other information that is relevant regarding the
potential of the initiative to advance human development in the context of South-South
cooperation.
The project aims to improve national capacity of AMS countries and China. It will definitely
advance human development in the context of South-South cooperation.
Please send the completed form to:
Bob Kakuyo: Bob.Kakuyo@unep.org
Rui Zhang: Rui.Zhang@unep.org
Thank you
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