National Sustainable Development Network-Biodiversity Action Plan


‧Biodiversity Action Task Framework ‧Biodiversity Action Task Framework(CDB) ‧Biodiversity Action Plan

Ratified during the 2,747th meeting of the Executive Yuan August 15th, 2001 Compiled by the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan Biodiversity Action Plan Table of Contents I. Plan objectives II. Implementation timeline III. National comprehensive objectives and implementation strategy IV. Required human resources V. Management and compliance measures VI. Expected results Illustration: Biodiversity Action Task Framework Biodiversity Action Plan Task Allocation Chart I. Plan objectives
	Biodiversity refers to variations of life in all ecosystems, and covers all levels of life including genes, individuals, populations, species, communities, ecosystems, and landscapes. An expanded definition also includes the complex, intricate and fragile interdependencies of all life forms living together in both cultural and natural systems - this is what humans share in common with all other life forms on Earth. Ultimately, biodiversity has intrinsic values whether speaking of ecology, economy, science, education, culture, ethics or esthetics. Biodiversity protection is one of the most important global issues in the 21st century and is also the basis for sustainable development. According to research estimates, if the global trend of diminishing biodiversity is not ameliorated, over a quarter of the world's species will have vanished from Earth by 2050. This will have a serious impact on human survival and welfare. In order to find solutions to these problems and give them more weight in the global arena, 180 nations have already signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since its conception during the Earth Summit in June 1992. Nations have actively begun to work on tasks related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, making CBD of the largest organized conventions in the world. Currently, Taiwan is not a signatory nation to the Convention on Biological Diversity. According to stipulations in this convention, each nation has jurisdiction over the biological resources in their own country. Moreover, each nation has the responsibility to conserve their country's biodiversity, encourage sustainable use of biological resources, and attain common goals to both conserve global biodiversity and promote the sustainable development of human society. Taiwan is endowed with abundant biological resources, and is home to about 150,000 species, or 1.5% of the world's species. Taiwan's geographical location spans across both subtropical and tropical zones, giving it a diversity of habitats and ecosystems and making it a keystone among the world's biological resources. These resources also help maintain economic development in Taiwan and ensure a quality living environment for all citizens as well as a foundation of enduring benefits. Work in biodiversity involves three main concepts: conservation, sustainable use and mutual benefits. The scope of work is therefore involved with the development of economic industries, the furthering of social culture, setting of policies and laws, and is enacted throughout systems, organizations, education, and research as one national integrated effort. Biodiversity work in Taiwan is directed by the Executive Yuan, yet emphasizes links and coordination between all departments as well as citizen awareness and full participation. Taiwan is also working in the international realm to promote exchanges and development partnerships related to biodiversity. This project specifies responsibilities and duties for each department. Therefore the goal of conservation and sustainable use of Taiwan's biodiversity shall be reached through interaction between departments in coordinating and implementing biodiversity actions. Such measures to promote biodiversity work will also help to enhance Taiwan's international competitiveness.

II. Implementation timeline
	This project is effective from July 2001 to December 2005

III. National comprehensive goals and implementation strategy
	i. National comprehensive goals in biodiversity
	In line with the spirit and goals of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, after evaluating the current status of biodiversity and progress made in related areas in Taiwan, the following national comprehensive goals on biodiversity have been set forth to: 1. Conserve Taiwan's biodiversity 2. Utilize biological and related resources in a sustainable manner 3. Equitably share the benefits provided by biological resources 4. Enhance public awareness and knowledge of biodiversity conservation 5. Participate in regional and global cooperation efforts to conserve biodiversity

	ii. Implementation strategy
	To achieve the above national comprehensive goals in promoting biodiversity, the Executive Yuan has drawn up the following implementation strategy and corresponding functions for each department. This is also clearly depicted in the following illustration.

	1.	Strengthen national mechanisms that promote biodiversity work Promotion of biodiversity work has become global trends. Related agencies under the Executive Yuan must revise and revamp existing laws, policies and organizations so as to effectively promote work on the issues at hand. Firstly, in order to implement the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity, it is not only necessary to include new regulations or systems, but even more important, we must be guided by policies that are concretely imbedded in governmental administration. Examples include: 1) the establishment and revision of biosafety law, biotechnology law and other related laws; 2) the inclusion of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in national construction plans and integrated laws for land development and planning; 3) the establishment of a permanent biodiversity agency within the administrative framework as well as the establishment or adaptation of related research institutes on biodiversity. All related research shall be actively implemented and integrated so as to continue the promotion of sustainable objectives in fostering biodiversity. Apart from this, it is necessary to establish assisting financial mechanisms in order to conserve and utilize biodiversity in a sustainable manner. Additionally, information exchange mechanisms should be established as soon as possible, as much of Taiwan's information on biodiversity is dispersed in different locations.

	2.	Reinforce management of biodiversity Protective actions in biodiversity management, can basically be classified as in-situ, ex-situ, and restoration measures. In addition to reviewing the effectiveness of existing protected areas (national parks, wildlife refuges, forest reserves, etc.), in-situ conservation requires the preservation of non-protected areas as well. Areas of natural habitat with abundant biological resources or unique ecosystems, but which have not yet been designated as protected areas or reserves, must also be considered when planning national land use so that development in these areas is limited. The purpose behind ex-situ conservation of species is to preserve resources for future sustainable use. A consensus should be reached among citizens that local genetic resources are appropriately preserved. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety should be incorporated into national laws to effectively address socioeconomic concerns. The Protocol on Biosafety addresses safety issues raised by the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs). Taiwan needs to set laws to control the importation of LMOs; and before LMOs are allowed into the environment, risk assessment should be made and appropriate control measures should be taken. Several infectious diseases of domestic animals occurred in countries neighboring Taiwan. Once free trade opens to allow agricultural products, the likelihood of infectious diseases to enter the country via animal, plant and their products will greatly increase. Moreover, as authorities in China do not regulate quarantine of agricultural products and as pet ownership is becoming more popular, these factors could lead to the invasion of non-native species and threaten the genetic safety and conservation of native species. Therefore, there is a great need to strengthen biosafety protection and quarantine measures.

	3.	Fortify research and sustainable use of biodiversity There are three important elements to biodiversity work, namely, preservation, use and research. In order to save biodiversity and slow the decline of biodiversity, we need to increase our understanding of the importance that biodiversity plays in ecosystems as well as its significance to humans. To ensure that we use biodiversity in a sustainable manner, we must apply both traditional and contemporary knowledge to research on biodiversity and biological resources. Both traditional and contemporary biotechnology has expanded applications to agriculture, industry and waste management. Recent research and development of biotechnology is just beginning to unfold, and without regulation, it may hinder efforts to protect biodiversity. How to avoid impacts that biotechnology may place on biodiversity is an issue that must be confronted at present. Biodiversity involves the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge and coordination in calling together research and development inputs from both government and private sectors. Creating information products and training experts are important tasks in this realm.

	4.	Strengthen education, training and full citizen participation in conserving biodiversity To successfully promote work on biodiversity, it is necessary to cultivate and make the best use of experts in related fields. It is also crucial to have participation from more people. Personnel training, education and public awareness campaign provide impetus for community participation and is an extremely important issue. As we face the destructiveness that modern society inflicts on nature, the Convention on Biological Diversity puts specific emphasis on recognizing the importance of aboriginal traditional knowledge, wisdom and harmonious relationships that have been established within ecosystems. Under the preconditions that humans around the world have a basic right to life and that it is necessary to maintain biodiversity, it is primarily essential that we respect aboriginal peoples' right to life. This attitude should prevail as we carry out work in biodiversity.

	5.	Promote national and international partnerships in conserving biodiversity. As work in biodiversity is an integrative undertaking, its components are far-reaching and range over a multitude of levels. Interlinking and coordinating between parties is a difficult endeavor. In recent years, public awareness of environmental conservation has increased along with the gradual increase of citizen groups founded on the goal of nature conservation. Of these groups, some focus on sharing enthusiasm about nature with others, while others focus on taking conservation actions to address environmentally destructive behavior. The most important challenge in the current phase of promoting biodiversity is to maintain information on biodiversity, and establish multi-faceted links and exchanges so as to coordinate between governmental agencies, NGOs, academic bodies, organizations and individuals. Moreover, nation-to-nation cooperation in biodiversity conservation is a growing global trend. Taiwan can contribute to regional and international biodiversity conservation through bilateral and multilateral international relations, and thereby increase the welfare of Taiwan's citizens and other people in the world.

	IV. Required human resources In order to effectively promote this plan, all participating departments in the central government, as well as local governments, should appoint personnel to specific implementation responsibilities. Civil servants in other governmental agencies should also have a background knowledge in biodiversity management. If there is a need for an increase in personnel, existing staff can be transferred from other positions or be given additional required training. V. Management and compliance measures
	1.	Concrete and attainable measures are chosen to carry out administrative affairs. Such measures are jointly promoted by agencies (as listed in the following chart) and managed by the Biodiversity Working Group (National Council for Sustainable Development) to ensure that the plan is carried out effectively.
	2.	After this plan was ratified, related authorities were immediately assigned to implement its components. All authorized agencies are responsible for coordinating other supporting agencies and creating an annual implementation plan. This plan is to be proposed to the Biodiversity Working Group (NCSD) for review and ratification.
	3.	The Biodiversity Working Group (NCSD) is responsible for coordinating and promoting this plan and all authorized agencies should fully meet its terms, make detailed plans and cooperate under the administrative system to work with all levels of governmental agencies in implementing the plan.
	4.	Depending on the requirements of this plan, related academic institutions can be entrusted to help with surveys and plan other research work.

	VI. Projected results Upon implementation of this plan, we expect to: reach a certain level of biodiversity protection and natural equilibrium; help citizens realize the concept of biodiversity; research technological applications of biodiversity in Taiwan; complete the establishment of basic information on biodiversity in Taiwan; advance sustainable use and equally shared benefits by all citizens; help citizens place more importance on their living environment; and raise Taiwan's international status.