IUCN WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS

TAKING FORWARD THE ‘PROMISE OF SYDNEY’

IUCN WORLD PARKS CONGRESS 2014

The Importance of the IUCN World Parks Congress

TheIUCN World Parks Congress was held by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Sydney, Australia in November 2014. Over 6000 participants, from over 160 countries, met at this once-in-a-decade event. The World Commission on Protected Areas (WPCA) played a central role in the planning and delivery of the Congress.

It was not ‘just another’ conference but a highly influential, interdisciplinary gathering of global leaders and experts. The Sydney Congress was the sixth and largest since the first Congress in 1962 in Seattle, USA. These Congresses are the world’s most important forum on all forms of protected areas, documenting trends and shaping global conservation policy and practice for the decade ahead. Today, there are approximately 200,000 protected areas in the world, which cover around 14.6% of the world’s land and around 2.8% of the oceans. The Congress had a major focus on meeting and looking beyond the Aichi targets.

The Sydney Congress was held at a critical time in humanity’s relationship with the natural systems that support our collective survival on the planet - a relationship that is seriously out of balance. A central theme of the Congress was to build on the informed view of global experts that healthy nature, secured by protected areas and other effective means, is fundamental in addressing many of the challenges facing our planet’s and humanity’s future.

The ‘Parks’ of the Congress title embraces many forms of in situ conservation, primarily the myriad forms of protected areas established to conserve biodiversity – the rich variety of life and the earth’s natural ecosystems whose services underpin our existence, cultural and spiritual identities, economies and well-being. These range from national parks and marine protected areas, to Indigenous Peoples', community and privately conserved areas to sacred sites, urban/peri-urban parks and nature reserves. In some cases these protected areas are components of multi-tenure large scale conservation corridors.

With its theme ‘Parks, people, planet: inspiring solutions’, the Congress set out to:

  • Address the challenges facing the planet by promoting protected areas as the principal mechanism to ensure conservation of biodiversity;
  • Find better and fairer ways to conserve natural and cultural diversity, involving governments, businesses and citizens in establishing and managing parks;
  • Inspire people around the world and across generations to reconnect with nature;
  • Demonstrate nature’s solutions to our planet’s challenges such as climate change, health, and food and water security.

What is the Promise of Sydney?

The key output from the World Parks Congress is expressed in the Promise of Sydney

The four pillars of the Promise embody the wisdom and experience and insights of thousands of global leaders and experts. These pillars are:

  • Visionfor the future – the high level aspirations for the changes we need
  • Innovative Approaches– bold steps to achieve these aspirations and 150 recommendations to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges
  • Solutions– evidence that shows how we can approach our work differently
  • Commitments– from all sectors to advancing this change for people protected areas and the planet

The Congress was a major event involving many members of WCPA and other IUCN Commissions and others from a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Given the breadth of the Congress agenda and the scope of the Promise of Sydney, IUCN as a whole will be central to fulfilling this Promise, with WCPA and the IUCN Global Protected Areas Programme (GPAP) playing lead roles in advancing many of its specific elements.

This document extracts the Congress’ key directions that will be central to the WCPA mission, strategic direction and future priorities. It identifies areas and specific actions for the WCPA Steering Committee, Specialist Groups and Task Forces and their partners. Members are encouraged to use this document to identify where they can best add value and fulfill their Promise of Sydney. As these directions are important to IUCN’s quadrennial programme for 2017-2020 the document is organized under IUCN’s three core framework areas of work.

It is important to note that this document does not attempt to reflect the fullbreadth of material generated by the Congress. The complete text of the Promise of Sydney is available on the website:

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FROM THE ‘PROMISE OF SYDNEY’FOR THE WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS

THE URGENCY OF ACTION

The Congress called for an urgent and substantial scaling up of the global conservation effort[CK1][PF2]and achievement of a stronger and larger protected areas estate. This call derived from the clear evidence that the life support systems of the earth and a sustainable future for humanity are in peril. It concluded that nature conservation offers solutions to key global challenges and should be a mainstream issue fully integrated into major international fora, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and into the economic discourses of the world. This sense of urgency to elevate ecosystem health and nature conservation, particularly through protected and conserved areas in all their forms, to a global priority will shape WCPA’s work over the next four years.

VALUING AND CONSERVING NATURE

Achieving conservation goals

  • Scale up protected area investment to deliver goals in support of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (POWPA) and Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD)
  • WCPA will be a champion of the achievement of Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as a minimum level of global protection, but also be a major contributor to discussions on the post 2020-needs of natural systems and species.

WCPA will work with others to provide the evidence to demonstrate the real benefits to people of protected areas and ecosystem services

WCPA will work with others to provide the evidence of the financial needs of protected areas and resultant benefits.

  • Acknowledge the urgency of action for the natural world with major progress not regression for protected areas
    WCPA will support efforts of UNEP-WCMC to document identify and address] [pc3]regressive steps[and mobilise support for maintaining and enhancing protected area coverage and effectiveness]
  • Focus on measurable biodiversity outcomes and the key measures to assess the effectiveness of protected areas

The WCPA-SSC Joint Task Force on Biodiversity and Protected Areas will develop guidance on measuring biodiversity outcomes in protected areas

  • Establish new protected areas in the right places to conserve biodiversity, using the best science
    The joint SSC /WCPA Biodiversity Outcomes Task Force will continue to identify Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), the sites that contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity, and promote their inclusion in protected area networks that are integrated into landscape scale conservation initiatives.
  • Work to establish protected area networks, understanding protected areas must be connected to ensure long term population viability and to respond to global change.

The Mountains and Connectivity Specialist Group will continue to strongly promote inclusive and integrated approaches to landscape scale conservation and information on the spatial location of recognised large-scale connectivity conservation areas covering terrestrial, marine, freshwater and aerial categories will be developed as a co-operative project with UNEP-WCMC.

  • Ensure effective management of protected [SW4]areas [and conserved areas] for real outcomes and bring management effectiveness to all countries
    WCPA Green List Specialist Group will develop the IUCN Green List of Protected Areas as a mechanism to both celebrate sites that meet high standards of protected area outcomes and encourage the necessary dramatic improvement in protected area management and work with IUCN/WWF partnership to achieve 1000park goal.

The Management Effectiveness Specialist Group will provide global leadership for action through the partnership with UNEP-WCMC on this issue.

  • Increase capacity to address novel threats[PF5]
    This issuewill be considered by the WCPA Capacity Development Specialist Group.
  • Recognise the contribution of conservation achieved by private interests, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities and where appropriate, account for these in global and national protected area statistics

The WCPA Task Force on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures will define and document “other effective area-based conservation measures” under Aichi Target 11 and recognise new partnerships in delivering nature conservation outcomes.It should therefore assist in working towards a clear definition and understanding of what can be considered “conserved areas”.[TS6]

The Privately Protected Areas and Nature Stewardship Specialist Group [N7]of WCPA will continue to promote innovative partnerships with the private sector, land trusts and indigenous and community partners as a key component of achieving diverse governance, sustainable financing and whole of landscape/seascape conservation initiatives which contribute to Aichi Target 11 connectivity goals.

[A Best Practice Guideline is being planned by this group.]

The Young Professionals Group will help promote nature-based education to teach young people how to value and conserve nature and through “Our Pact for Parks, People and the Planet” will support the work of young people in achieving conservation goals through protected areas.

World Heritage

The WCPA World Heritage Specialist Group will take leadership on the following goals in close cooperation with IUCN World Heritage Programme. However all WCPA Members can contribute to aspects of conserving World Heritage.

  • Ensure World Heritage Sites are global models for effective, equitable and enduring conservation

All WCPA members will be encouraged to have a role in informing IUCN of issues relating to the state of conservation of World Heritage sites (including successes as well as threats/challenges) and assisting IUCN in fulfilling its role as official Advisory Body to the World Heritage Convention on natural and mixed sites.

  • Achieve a credible World Heritage List that only includes sites with Outstanding Universal Value

WCPA members who have a role in World Heritage Assessments should ensure the highest standards are applied to assessmentsby recommending for inscription only those sites that truly meet the stringent Outstanding Universal Value standard.

  • Work towards World Heritage sites having an improved and resilient outlook, as assessed by IUCN with the support of WCPA.

WCPA members will be encouraged to have a significant role in contributing to IUCN’s ConservationOutlook Assessments for World Heritage sites.

  • Set and maintain a global norm that impacts on World Heritage sites should be avoided, and not compensated by offsets

WCPA members should endeavour to promote this principle in legal instruments and policy in specific regions and nations.

The WCEL and WCPA Joint Specialist Group, working with the IUCN Environmental Law Centre and the GPAP, will generate specific legal guidelinesfor implementation of the Convention at national level.

  • Promote strong adherence to rights-based approaches in all phases of IUCN's work with the Convention
  • All WCPA members will be requested to promote IUCN’s policies regarding rights-based approaches to World Heritage.
  • Help ensure that decision-taking by the World Heritage Committee is driven by objective scientific and technical standards

WCPA members should assist the IUCN Programme in delivering the highest quality scientific and technical advice to the World Heritage Committee. [WCPA members should also monitor decision making within the Convention and participate in civil society networks established in part for this purpose][pc8].

Marine conservation

WCPA has a strong WCPA Marine Specialist Group (MSG) with a dedicated Young Professionals Marine group to take forward the following Promise of Sydney’s innovative solutions for marine conservation.

  • Urgently increase the ocean area that is effectively and equitably managed as MPAs and by other long term effective means

WCPA Marine Specialist Group (MSG) working with the IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme, other Commissions and other key marine organisations, will champion and support existing and new partnerships to drive the creation of further MPAs, with greater levels of protection and management and better representation of ocean regions, ecosystems and governance types.

  • Improve environmental standards and transparency in ocean supply chains

MSG will strengthen existing and build new partnerships that demonstrate customer-orientated sustainable sourcing of marine resources.

  • Detect and prevent illegal activities at sea with MPAs the first priority

MSG will champion and promote resource efficient remote sensing mechanisms to prevent IUU as well as pushing for greater penalties and use of laws to prosecute offenders.

  • Protect and manage biodiversity in the high seas through a UN Law of the Sea legal instrument and other measures

MSG will achieve this by the coordinated action of WCPA and WCEL members on devising an effective implementing agreement, whilst highlighting areas of the high seas that warrant protection, including as Outstanding Universal Value.

  • Invest in large-scale marine management initiatives with MPAs at the core

MSG will take the debate on ocean protection to new levels, pushing for protection beyond boundaries and sustainable action across the whole global ocean.

  • Work to ensure Marine Protected Areas meet the IUCN definition, with a focus on creating no-take areas that eliminate large scale industrial fishing[LW9][pc10]
  • Adopt the ultimate aim of a fully sustainable ocean, at least 30% of which has no-extractive activities.

WCPA Marine will be a major advocate for ambitious marine ocean targets.

Young Professionals Marine Task Force will work to connect young people with MPAs, build capacity for young people to conserve marine areas, and help bring greater awareness to marine issues through the use of social media.

Capacity Development

The WCPA Capacity Development Specialist Group will disseminate and implement the four programmes of the Strategic Framework for Capacity Development, developed to enable implementation of the Promise of Sydney. They will:

Promoteprofessionalisation so that protected area management is widely recognized as a distinct profession, with its own standards, systems and tools.

  • Develop and disseminate a comprehensive global register of competences for protected area work,
  • Provide guidance on performance assessment and certification.
  • Develop a website providing latest information on learning resources and opportunities, cross-referenced to the competence framework.
  • Support projects to secure official national recognition of protected area occupations

Support indigenous peoples and local communities so that capacity development initiatives include and address the specific needs of indigenous, traditional, and community stewards.

  • Support indigenous people and local communities to maintain and establish their own learning approaches and networks.
  • Develop tools for local stewards to engage effectively with legislation and official procedures regarding protected area and natural resource management.
  • Make best use of traditional knowledge to help achieve conservation goals.

Enable capacity development so that resources, support and learning opportunities are available to implement the strategic framework for capacity development.

  • Pilot online competence based learning programmes for protected areas management
  • Pilot a global mentoring system for conservation professionals.
  • Develop a system for WCPA endorsement of learning programmes.
  • Broaden affordable access to learning and qualifications
  • Publish a comprehensive handbook for protected area managers available to download free of charge ( / ).

Measure and assess the impacts so effectiveness and impact of capacity development is fully evaluated.

  • Conduct a systematic review of capacity development evaluation approaches and techniques and their impacts.
  • Publish a directory of field-tested evaluation tools, practices and processes, to help practitioners design and assess effective learning programmes, and help donors and supporters focus their investments, as well as demonstrate the link between better capacity and successful conservation and development outcomes.

[WCPA will work with the WCPA Young Professionals Group and the WCEL Early Career Group to support young people with an interest in protected areas governance and management as a profession, including through the development of capacity building and skills-training opportunities.] (From BB)

[WCPA will be centrally involved in the joint commitment of IUCN and WWF to enhance and promote the role of protected and conserved areas in achieving sustainable development over the next ten years. In particular[CK11]:

  • Expanding the number of protected areas reaching IUCN Green List quality standards to at least 1000 protected areas in 50 countries,
  • Seeking the application of $2 billion of new investment finance in the enhanced performance and sustainability of these protected areas
  • Generating at least 20 new ambitious protected area commitments for biodiversity and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from communities, governments and other organisations.]

EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE GOVERNANCE OF NATURE’S USE

Enhancing the diversity and quality of governance

  • Promote innovative diversity in governance models which strengthen conservation, support sustainable livelihoods and meet human rights[PF12]].
  • Develop more supportive legal and policy frameworks and integration of customary law[PF13].
  • Fully recognise and support voluntary conservation of protected and conserved areas
    This issue will be addressed through the WCPA Specialist Group on Governance of Protected Areas supported by the Task Force on OECMs
  • Protected areas are widely accepted as fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

WCPA will promote effectively and equitably managed protected areas as cornerstones of natural solutions and the achievement of the SDGs.