Locations
The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) phase II
Project summary:
The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a collaborative effort among UNDP, UNEP-WCMC, and UNESCO, supported by the Government of Germany’s Climate Initiative (IKI) and SwedBio, aiming to promote the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of diverse ecosystem services which will translate into strengthened resilience for the planet and human welfare. BES-Net builds on the latest assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) to offer transformative solutions for biodiversity diversity on the ground. This runs in parallel with the collaborative platform for scientists, policymakers, and practitioners that fosters effective BES management and multi-stakeholder knowledge sharing.
Background:
During the first phase of BES-Net, Vietnam was tasked, alongside Cameron, Ethiopia, and Columbia, to undertake its first National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA). UNEP-WCMC, the Institute of Strategy and Policy for Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), and the Center for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC) multilaterally facilitated Phase I, instrumentalizing the Trialogues for the 3 communities and generating evidence-informed advocacy toward national decision-makers with NEA’s key recommendations.
Building on Phase I’s successes, BES-Net extends its catalytic investments for biodiversity solutions, culminating in the initiation of the second phase starting in 2020. Recognizing NEA’s deliberate focus on enacting policy changes supported by scientific assessments in Phase I, Phase II aims to also prioritize greater inclusion of local voices and channel its funds into more locally led actions.
Major achievements:
Phase I:
- November 2019: Vietnam National Trialogue and Consultation Workshop on Draft National Ecosystem Assessment Report
- May 2022: The release of Vietnam’s first National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA)
Phase 2:
- October 2022: Presentation of post-NEA's envisaged activities at the UNEP-WCMC Global Conference
Payment for Ecosystems Services (PES):
- Baseline study to propose options for the implementation of Payment for Marine and Wetland Ecosystem Services (PMES and PWES)
- Development of provincial PES plan for 01 selected province
- Implementation of the provincial PES plan: technical guidelines for PES providers’ preparation, economic valuation, communication, and knowledge management strategy
BES Platform:
- BES Platform Establishment Profile
- BES Platform Forward 3-year Strategy
IPBES’ engagement:
- Vietnam’s contribution reports to IPBES
- Vietnamese delegation to IPBES 9 and 10
- Consultation workshop on the Global IPBES report
Project outcome:
BES-Net Phase II, cognizant of the NEA’s recommendations as well as its established priorities, works toward the completion of:
- Outcome 1: The BES Platform in Vietnam, a knowledge-sharing and collaborative hub for scientists, policymakers, and practitioners, with more participation from local organizations and communities.
- Outcome 2: Accelerated advocacy for improved implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) institutionally and provincially.
- Outcome 3: Heightened IPBES’ engagement and visibility across the three communities
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) component:
BES-Net is committed to upholding gender equality by amplifying women’s voices in the Trialogues, outreach activities and promoting inclusion of women’s participation in Phase II’s various processes.
In terms of indigenous people and local communities’ engagement, BES-Net Phase II strives to better facilitate their participation in Trialogues and BES-Net's future communication materials. Understanding that indigenous people and local communities are key actors in biodiversity conservation while also being directly impacted by the degradation of ecosystems, creating space for their insights helps build inclusive, locally appropriate policies and conservation actions.
