CBCGDF Hosts Working Meeting in Response to Call on Technical Support Unit for IPBES Task Force on Indigenous and Local Knowledge
On the morning of October 30, 2023, the International Department of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) convened another working meeting to discuss a Project Proposal in response to the Technical Support Unit for IPBES Task Force on Indigenous and Local Knowledge.
Background: During the tenth session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), held from August 28 to September 2, 2023, the Plenary approved the revised terms of reference for various task forces, including those on capacity-building, knowledge and data management, Indigenous and local knowledge, and scenarios and models of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These task forces were tasked with implementing their respective work plans as approved in decision IPBES-10/1. In the same decision, the Plenary requested the secretariat to establish the institutional arrangements necessary for the technical support required to implement the work program, in consultation with the Bureau and within the approved budget set out in decision IPBES-10/3.
In response to the call, the CBCGDF is actively preparing the submission, and mutiple working meetings have been held during the past month.
The CBCGDF has a long history of engagement with Indigenous and Local Knowledge. They have established the Community Conservation Areas (CCAfa) work system and supported the establishment of 204 community conservation areas. CBCGDF advocates for the respect of traditional culture and indigenous knowledge, supporting the protection of Dai people's traditional "sacred mountains" (known as "Lóngshān" in Chinese). These areas are revered by ethnic minorities and have been designated as no-hunting and no-logging zones, becoming regions of remarkable biodiversity. In Wuliangshan, Yunnan Province, the CBCGDF helped a local community to establish a CCAfa to protect the endangered Black Crested Gibbons.
The CBCGDF has a long history of engagement with Indigenous and Local Knowledge. They have established the Community Conservation Areas (CCAfa) work system and supported the establishment of 204 community conservation areas. CBCGDF advocates for the respect of traditional culture and indigenous knowledge, supporting the protection of Dai people's traditional "sacred mountains" (known as "Lóngshān" in Chinese). These areas are revered by ethnic minorities and have been designated as no-hunting and no-logging zones, becoming regions of remarkable biodiversity. In Wuliangshan, Yunnan Province, the CBCGDF helped a local community to establish a CCAfa to protect the endangered Black Crested Gibbons.
CBCGDF also promotes the conservation of ancient seeds and local food crop genetic resources. For instance, they have supported the protection of traditional chicken breeds like the Chongren Mahi Chicken in Jiangxi, contributing to the sustainable development of local poultry resources. In Longyan, Fujian, they have supported the protection of a unique local pig breed called the Guanzhuang Hua Pig.
In terms of capacity-building, CBCGDF has consistently prioritized the mainstreaming of biodiversity and service capacity building. They have collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a three-year research project from 2015 to 2017, focusing on "Promoting Environmental Public Rights in China." The foundation has also organized capacity-building workshops, trained environmental lawyers, and conducted public interest litigation training for civil society organizations.
In terms of traditional knowledge, CBCGDF recognizes that many traditional practices hold the solutions to today's biodiversity crisis. For example, in southern China, Hunan has a traditional agricultural practice involving small-scale artificial ponds called "凼," which effectively conserves agricultural biodiversity and recycles waste into organic fertilizers. Such practices serve as excellent inspiration for today's nature-based solutions.
In terms of capacity-building, CBCGDF has consistently prioritized the mainstreaming of biodiversity and service capacity building. They have collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a three-year research project from 2015 to 2017, focusing on "Promoting Environmental Public Rights in China." The foundation has also organized capacity-building workshops, trained environmental lawyers, and conducted public interest litigation training for civil society organizations.
In terms of traditional knowledge, CBCGDF recognizes that many traditional practices hold the solutions to today's biodiversity crisis. For example, in southern China, Hunan has a traditional agricultural practice involving small-scale artificial ponds called "凼," which effectively conserves agricultural biodiversity and recycles waste into organic fertilizers. Such practices serve as excellent inspiration for today's nature-based solutions.
In terms of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) of genetic resources, CBCGDF believes that genetic resources related to biodiversity should respect the rights of local communities and indigenous people. An example of this is in the 1990s when buckwheat from a minority region in China was taken by an other East Asian country without providing any benefits in return. Scholars and industries in that country who obtained these resources reaped significant benefits, yet there was no feedback to the local community. This "biopiracy" behavior is expected to create increasingly serious social justice issues in the future, especially in the context of advancing technology (particularly in the background of DSI technology). Therefore, CBCGDF supports the establishment of "Traditional Buckwheat Reserves" by local communities and calls for ensuring that indigenous people receive their rightful rights on various international platforms.
In the realm of global environmental governance, the CBCGDF serves as observer to some key biodiverstiy conventions and entities such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). CBCGDF has consistently emphasized Indigenous and Local Knowledge-related issues and has also actively engaged in discussions surrounding the involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities within the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), underscoring its dedication to inclusive conservation efforts.
Globally, CBCGDF has noticed that many construction and development projects have led to ecological conflicts due to a lack of coordination and communication with indigenous peoples and local communities. To address this, CBCGDF has established a collection of "EBRs" case studies to raise awareness and inspire more investors and the finance sector, advising them to pay attention to the environmental impact and engage in thorough communication and collaboration with local communities.
(Please note: This article is a routine work record. It is based on meeting minutes and is for information only.)
Globally, CBCGDF has noticed that many construction and development projects have led to ecological conflicts due to a lack of coordination and communication with indigenous peoples and local communities. To address this, CBCGDF has established a collection of "EBRs" case studies to raise awareness and inspire more investors and the finance sector, advising them to pay attention to the environmental impact and engage in thorough communication and collaboration with local communities.
(Please note: This article is a routine work record. It is based on meeting minutes and is for information only.)
Reporter: Littlejane
Editor: Richard
Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776
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