Guo Yinfeng: How can marine spatial planning help to realise a regenerative blue economy in Asia?

 

On 3 September 2024, the 8th IUCN Asia Nature Conservation Forum (RCF 2024) officially kicked off in Bangkok, Thailand. This year's Forum attracted more than 500 delegates from across Asia, including multinational government officials, scientists, members of environmental organisations, and representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities. Delegates gathered to discuss how to achieve the ambitious goal of "Asia's Future for Nature". Under the theme of "Reimagining Conservation in Asia: A Nature Positive Future", the conference aimed to assess progress in nature conservation in Asia, reshape conservation priorities, and It aims to assess Asia's progress in nature conservation, reshape conservation priorities, and discuss key directions for change and action to realise nature's benefits in Asia and the world in the future. The conference was attended by the Editor-in-Chief  Linda WONG of OceanWetlands of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF).

On 4 September 2024, during the second day of the Forum, Mr Guo Yinfeng from the Ocean Disaster Reduction Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China gave a presentation on "How can marine spatial planning help to realise a regenerative blue economy in Asia? ". (see video: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2f2rCDLeBIpXX3QzxspjvA)

Mr Guo explained the key pathways to achieve this goal and made a series of strategic and forward-looking recommendations, which are summarised below.

Mr Guo Yinfeng pointed out that the IUCN's 20-year strategic vision, to be adopted at the 2025 Nature Conservation Congress, contains five key changes that will drive the development of a regenerative blue economy, and that the IUCN's mission is to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature, and to ensure that natural resources are used equitably and in an ecologically sustainable manner. The Regenerative Blue Economy, one of the eight changes between nature and people, will promote nature conservation through protected areas and conservation zones, while advocating for nature-friendly actions in key economic sectors such as shipping, aquatic food and tourism. Technology, education, regulatory frameworks and equity are key conditions for achieving these goals. Expanding action measures in species and ecosystem protection and restoration is the cornerstone for achieving blue economy development, and the IUCN needs to develop a coherent regenerative blue economy plan for all members and ensure sustainable resources for its realisation.

He went on to mention that coastal and marine areas were interconnected and affected by excessive inputs of pollutants from land-based sources. Climate change would further exacerbate the problem of biodiversity integrity. The realisation of a regenerative blue economy would require an ecosystem-based approach that took into account not only conservation and restoration, but also aspects such as nutrient and sewage treatment, shipping, renewable energy and mariculture.

Mr Guo Yinfeng pointed out that Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a key tool for promoting a regenerative blue economy and contributes to the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).MSP provides an integrated investment framework for the development of the blue economy by reducing investment risk and increasing certainty of investor access to marine resources. financial and social rationality. Specifically, it addresses upstream environmental and social issues and allocates the spatial and temporal distribution of ocean activities. Based on IOC/UNESCO studies, MSP has an important role to play in promoting the Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE) and the Regenerative Blue Economy (RBE).

In addition, he talked about how MSP can contribute to the realisation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Targets 1 and 3 while supporting the Regenerative Blue Economy (RBE).Target 1 ensures that all regions address land-sea use change in a participatory, integrated and biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and management process. The inclusion of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Ecologically and Biodiversity Significant Areas (EBSAs) and other globally important biodiversity areas in spatial planning can ensure the long-term protection of 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, marine and coastal areas. However, the current coverage of marine areas is still low, especially in the absence of MSP in many small island states (SIDS).

Finally, Mr Guo Yinfeng pointed out that regenerating the blue economy and MSP is the direction of support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Partnerships are essential, including with the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

(Pls note this article is basically machine translation, and for reference ONLY.)

See original Chinese article with video: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2f2rCDLeBIpXX3QzxspjvA

Edited by: Samantha  

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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