1 IUCN GL GLPA Standard Framework Matthew Wenban-Smith (Technical Support to Green List PA Steering Group) 25 th February 2014

2 Overview 1.Background (slides 3-5) 2.Overview of governance, in relation to standards development (slides 6-7) 3.Proposed structure for GLPA Standard at Global and Jurisdictional levels (slides 8-10) 4.Proposed organization of content of the GLPA Standard into performance levels (slides 11-13) 5.Outline roles and process for standards development (slides 14-18) 6.Next steps (slide 19)

3 IUCN Resolution, Jeju … to develop objective, transparent and repeatable criteria for Green Lists that systematically assess successful conservation of species and ecosystems, including in protected areas… … to monitor both risk and success… … to assess the management status and effectiveness of protected areas throughout their global distribution

4 CBD Aichi Target 11 “By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.” (Emphasis added)

5 Intended aims of GLPA include: – International recognition for successful initiatives… – Increased motivation of conservation staff and rangers… – Benchmark for future management and operational planning to maintain focus – Increased incentives to address lagging issues of governance… The IUCN Green List of Protected Areas (GLPA) Business Plan

6 GLPA Governance Structure (focus on standards) GLPA Jurisdictional Reference Groups Meets generic ToR as specified by GLPA Cttee Drafts Jurisdictional adaptations of GLPA Standard GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group Defines GLPA operational governance Defines ToR for GLPA Standards Group Defines generic ToR for Jurisdictional Reference Groups Determines membership of GLPA Standards Group Final approval of all procedures, standards, etc GLPA Standards Group Meets ToR as specified by GLPA Cttee Drafts GLPA Standard IUCN/ WCPA Institutional Governance Specifies overall objectives provides IUCN/ WCPA institutional endorsement

7 GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group and Global Standards Group IUCN ex-oficio representation Formal jurisdictional representation Technical representation Defined, consensus-based decision-making Global and Jurisdictional Groups NB: There is overlapping participation between GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group, GLPA Standards Group, and Jurisdictional Reference Groups, facilitating communication and coordination. Jurisdictional Reference Groups Representativeness mirrors that at global level Rules for formal recognition by global level General procedures (consultation, transparency, decision-making etc) mirror those at global level, appropriate to jurisdiction

8 GLPA Pillars (= ‘Sets of Criteria’) Criteria (= ‘Standards’) Indicators + means of verification (~ ‘How measured’) GLPA Standard Structure GLPA Pillars currently referred to as ‘sets of criteria’ equivalent to ‘principles’ in some schemes e.g. ‘Values Stated, Objectives Declared and Being Met’ Criteria currently referred to as ‘standards’ internationally agreed, constant across all jurisdictions normative e.g. ‘Natural values: Biodiversity values sufficiently documented’ Indicators define objectively verifiable measures of conformity with Criteria adaptable at Jurisdictional normative Means of verification provide guidance for assessors and managers not normative This structure is intended to provide for global consistency as well as Jurisdictional flexibility. See following slide for draft definitions of terms

9 Draft Glossary of Terms GLPA Pillars (‘Sets of Criteria’) The high level organizing principles of the Green List Standard for Protected Areas. Each Pillar consists of a set of Criteria. Criteria (‘Standards’) The globally consistent requirements* that any protected area must meet in relation to each of the GLPA Pillars in order for it to be ‘Green Listed’. Each Criterion is further subdivided into a number of Indicators. Indicators The elements that are assessed on the ground to determine whether each Criterion is being met. Indicators may be adapted to take account of key differences related to the particular type or jurisdiction of the protected area being assessed. Means of Verification Examples of sources or types of information that an assessor would be expected to have access to and/or the kinds of activities that an assessment team would be expected to undertake in order to verify that each Indicator is being met. The means of verification help to provide clarity to protected area managers and assessors, but are non-normative.

10 ‘Pillars’ Criteria Indicators + means of verification Regional Adaptation Pillars Global, no adaptation Criteria Global, no adaptation* Indicators Jurisdictions have option to develop adapted set of indicators if desired and resources available, within limits specified at global level A generic, ‘default’ set prepared for use in absence of jurisdictional adapted set Means of verification Jurisdictional means of verification developed at same time as sets of jurisdictional indicators Global* Adaptable *Criteria are intended to be globally consistent without the need for subsequent adaptation, but the possibility of a mechanism to allow some variation at the Criteria level has not been ruled out at this point, if this proves necessary.

11 Notes 1.Criteria are intended to be globally consistent without the need for subsequent variation at this level. However, if it is not possible to define a set of Global Criteria that cover all the necessary issues without the need for variation, then a process will be developed to allow some jurisdiction-level variation (e.g. some jurisdiction-specific additions and/or deletions) in some circumstances and subject to an agreed approval process. 2.Criteria do not have to be assessed at a particular site if they are not relevant. A requirement is ‘not relevant’ if the issue to which the requirement relates is not relevant at the site. For example, requirements related to riparian protection would not be relevant in a marine protected area.

12 1: GLPA Registration Level formal commitment to GLPA scheme, its structure and standards goals, objectives, defined 2: GLPA Continual Improvement key management structures defined and operational (e.g. monitoring, reporting) progress towards goals monitored and reported 3: GLPA Nomination Level Biodiversity performance goals being achieved and celebrated Time ‘level of performance’ Standard Performance Levels

13 GLPA Registration Level is not the same as “nomination”. GLPA Registration represents a level of commitment, acknowledging the GLPA initiative, and committing to meet its standard GLPA Nomination only occurs when a Protected Area considers that it has achieved all the elements of the GLPA standard, and is ready to undergo the full assessment process to confirm this, culminating (if successful) in the award of ‘Green List’ status Time ‘level of performance’ How this links to ‘nomination’ Nomination Assessment “Green Listing”

14 1: GLPA Registration Level encourages participation doesn’t exclude anyone that is signed up in terms of genuine commitment intended to support those seeking funding for PA management, based on commitment to GLPA scheme 2: GLPA Continual Improvement supports and monitors progress thereby provides value for funders as well as managers rewards ongoing commitment 3: GLPA Nomination Level Celebrates achievement Time ‘level of performance’ Implications, intent

15 Standards Development: roles, responsibilities GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group GLPA objectives, structure, theory of change, global work plan, global business plan, etc GLPA Standard structure and design specifications (including both global and Jurisdictional specifications, and the relationship between them) GLPA Standard development procedures (including both global and Jurisdictional specifications, and the relationship between them) Final approval of final GLPA Standard and default Global Generic Indicators Final approval of ‘Jurisdictional’ Indicator Sets GLPA Standards Group Drafting GLPA Global Standard and Generic Indicators Review, input on GLPA Jurisdictional Indicator Sets Jurisdictional Reference Groups Drafting GLPA Jurisdictional Indicator Sets Review, input on GLPA Standard and Generic Indicators

16 Outline Process for GLPA Standards Development GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group IUCN/ WCPA Review and Feedback ToR: Process Specifications for standard GLPA Standards Group Draft Standard: Global Criteria Generic Indicators Ready for final approval? GLPA Jurisdictional Reference Groups Standards meet ToR? Standards Approved Yes No Yes

17 Outline Process for Jurisdictional Adaptation (possible model) * GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group IUCN/ WCPA Review and Feedback GLPA Standards Group GLPA Jurisdictional Reference Groups ToR: Process Specs for adaptations Draft Adaptations: Adapted Indicators Ready for final approval? Adaptations meet ToR? Adaptations Approved Yes No Yes

18 Outline Process for developing GLPA Standard + Jurisdictional Adaptations* GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group IUCN/ WCPA Review and Feedback ToR: Process Specifications for standard GLPA Standards Group Draft Standard: Global Criteria Generic Indicators Ready for final approval? GLPA Jurisdictional Reference Groups ToR: Process Specs for adaptations Draft Adaptations: Adapted Indicators Ready for final approval? Standards/ Adaptations meet ToR? Standards/ Adaptations Approved Yes No Yes

19 GLPA Cttee/ Steering Group Defines ToR for both Global and Jurisdictional Standards Groups Final approval for Global and Jurisdictional Standards/ Indicators which meet ToR GLPA Standard Group and Jurisdictional Reference Groups Develop Global/ Jurisdictional Standards/ Indicators Approve drafts for final GLPA Committee review and approval ‘Dual approval’ of standards

20 Next Steps… (for global standards development) Drafting more detailed procedures in line with outline, including ToR for GLPA Standards Group (process + specifications) Review and Approval of ToR by GLPA Steering Group Proceed with development of GLPA Standard and Generic Indicators