IPSI Collaborative Activities

Research on development and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) toward realization of societies in harmony with nature

Lead organizations: Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), The University of Tokyo; United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)


Participating organizations (IPSI members):
 The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)


Background

Applying integrated approaches in production landscapes, inclusive of social aspects as well as biodiversity, is expected to contribute to many of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets, including Targets 4, 6 and 7. Integrated landscape approaches like those promoted by IPSI, however, have not yet been sufficiently incorporated into policies in many countries.


Activities

This research project will analyze National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), the principal policy instruments for national-level biodiversity policy, focusing on how concepts and measures related to integrated approaches in production landscapes are incorporated and how they are to be implemented.


The project includes the following main elements:

  1. Review of concepts related to integrated approaches in production landscapes
  2. NBSAP research (text mining and in-depth study, an expert interview)
  3. An international workshop
  4. Policy recommendations


Expected outcomes

By understanding the current situation and causes for incorporation of these integrated approaches, the study will provide useful knowledge on future NBSAP development and implementation. It is expected that the research will identify means for concepts like the Satoyama Initiative and SEPLS to be appropriately included in NBSAPs and ultimately contribute to the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets through appropriate management of production landscapes, with the aim of societies in harmony with nature.


Actors and task sharing

Planning and overall direction is developed by UNU-IAS and IR3S. IR3S will play the main role in implementing the research in collaboration with UNU-IAS. The project will get suggestions and advice from the CBD Secretariat as appropriate in order to maximize its usefulness for the CBD.


How the activity relates to the IPSI Strategy and IPSI Plan of Action

The project contributes to Strategic Objective 1 as it provides knowledge related to SEPLS and their relationship with policy. The project is also related to Strategic Objective 2, as incorporation of concepts and measures important for SEPLS is important to address direct and underlying drivers of change in SEPLS. The project will contribute to efforts to feed and implement the SEPLS concept into NBSAPs, relevant for Strategic Objective 4.


Resources, funding

The collaborating organizations will provide resources as needed.