Bootcamp for the “new kid” on the Conservation Block - Understanding Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are the “new kid” on the conservation block. Being a new tool, it is essential as a country to ensure we all have a common understanding of the mechanism and is implemented in a standardised manner across our landscape. To achieve this, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) arranged an inaugural OECM Bootcamp workshop at the end of November 2023. This Bootcamp was a gathering of almost 80 participants from national government, provincial conservation Departments and Authorities, conservation NGOs and civil society, and was generously funded by the WWF Nedbank Green Trust (through the BirdLife South Africa OECM pilot project) and the SANBI GEF 7 project.
OECMs are a mechanism that was adopted at the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022 to meet the (conserving) 30% by 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3, also known as 30x30. The 30x30 target specifically recognises the role of OECMs in contributing to achieving conservation security for critically important biodiversity on privately and communally owned land. OECMs provide a supported global framework for South Africa to recognise the effective conservation work done for nature outside of the traditional protected areas and to report on these alternative conservation measures. The role of OECMs (where biodiversity conservation may be a secondary objective) is not to replace protected areas (where biodiversity conservation is the primary objective), but rather to complement each other to protect and conserve important representative biodiversity (diverse species, habitats, natural – resources on land and sea) through well-connected conservation networks – benefitting both nature and people.
So, what are OECMs?
A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values. (CBD Decision 14/8).
“The aim of the OECM Bootcamp was to create dialogue and have discussions to better understand this conservation mechanism in the South African context and explore the manner of implementation considering the urgency of contributing to the GBF 30x30 target,” commented Ayaka Peter of SANBI. “OECMs are essentially a recognition of existing conservation mechanisms, such as Biodiversity Management Agreements and National Botanical Gardens, Conservation Agreements and Conservation Servitudes. Several mechanisms such as biospheres, conservancies and wildlife ranching fall short of the criteria through initial assessment, although provide the conservation sector with a unique opportunity to engage these sectors in exploring ways of improving their contributions to conservation.”
The first day of the OECM Bootcamp focused on creating a collaborative learning space to introduce participants to the key concepts and provide insights from the pilot projects implemented by the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere and BirdLife South Africa between 2018 and 2023. Further discussions were had on the potential means of strengthening the OECM mechanism from a legal perspective, as well as exploring the international criteria for OECMs within the South African context. Day 2 focused on the mode of implementation, identifying the need for a standard implementation guideline, what
institutional structures are required for implementation (resources, capacity) and how we as a country ultimately report international on our OECM achievements.
Key outcomes and next steps identified from the 2-day Bootcamp included the need to create specific metrics for South African OECMs, flagging the urgent need to lodge OECMs within our legal framework recognising that finding the appropriate home for the mechanism will create improved credibility and provide a standardisation of its implementation; Working on building our capacity for implementation through training and co-developed implementation strategies within provincial structures, and strengthening partnerships across our landscape to improve coordination and implementation.
“OECMs are an exciting opportunity to add realistic conservation and biodiversity value in South Africa – as landscapes and seascapes and their respective use are complex issues. OECMs are innovative and are a new conservation approach to a country like Africa with diverse needs,” concluded Dr Kendyl Wright of WILDTRUST.
Photo Credit: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Supplied.
