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01 February 2024|News
On January 31, 2024, Dr. Zhang Linxiu, Director of the United Nations Environment Programme - International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), along with Dr. Liao Xiaoyong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and their respective teams, visited the Soil Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Soil Center, Mr. Hong Yaxiong, Deputy Director Mr. Chen Hedong, Division Chief Mr. Shi Huading, and related laboratory researchers. The main focus of the meeting was to deepen research exchange and international cooperation in soil conservation. Director Hong Yaxiong presented the latest progress in the protection of black soil in the Northeast region of China. He emphasized the importance of bringing the achievements of China's black soil protection research to the global stage and expressed the desire to share outstanding soil conservation techniques with the international community. The venue for the meeting Director Zhang Linxiu commended the work of the Soil Center and emphasized the significance of farmland conservation in maintaining agricultural biodiversity and enhancing the resilience of food systems. She particularly noted the positive impact of these efforts in addressing climate change and preventing land degradation. During the meeting, Director Zhang proposed integrating various perspectives to promote the protection of black soil. She suggested combining the scientific outcomes of black soil conservation with its impact on socio-economic aspects to conduct a comprehensive assessment, thereby guiding conservation strategies and promoting synergistic development between environmental protection and socio-economic progress. At the end of the meeting, both parties reached a preliminary agreement on international cooperation to promote soil conservation and improve its quality and efficiency.
01 February 2024|News
On January 24th, 2024, the kick-off meeting of the Major International (Regional) Joint Research Project, "Urban Soil Biodiversity: Regulator for Zoonotic Pathogens and Its Risks to Human Health", was held at the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. The participants included project team members and experts from the Institute of Urban Environment, CAS; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS; Wuhan Botanical Garden, CAS; Zhejiang University; Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University; Wuhan Institute of Technology; Peking University; Lanzhou University; and UNEP-IEMP. The meeting was hosted by Prof. Xin Lu (Chief of the Science and Technology Division of the Institute of Urban Environment, CAS), and welcomed by Prof. Shaohua Chen (Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Urban Environment, CAS) and, subsequently, Prof. Linxiu Zhang (Director of UNEP-IEMP) officially announced the launch of the project. In the meeting, Prof. Xin Sun (project leader, Institute of Urban Environment, CAS) gave a detailed presentation on various aspects of the project, including the research significance and scientific questions, research content and implementation plan, research team and division of work, as well as annual plans and expected outcomes. Then, the meeting thoroughly discussed the implementation plan and suggested on specific details, such as the selection of representative cities, international collaborative team management, and the format of project outputs. Afterwards, Prof. Jianming Xu (Zhejiang University) led the discussion on the work plan. The project integrates the strengths and resources of three institutions: Institute of Urban Environment, CAS; the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS; and Peking University. Collaborating with interdisciplinary research teams from multiple regions, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, this project aims to assess the relationship between soil biodiversity and zoonotic pathogens in the context of urbanization. It investigates the global distribution pattern and driving mechanisms of zoonotic pathogens in urban green space soil. In addition, the project analyzes the regulatory mechanisms of urban biodiversity and environmental factors on zoonotic pathogens and ultimately assesses the risk of zoonotic pathogens in the context of global urbanization. The results of the project are expected to contribute to several urban-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have important implications for the well-beings of urban residents and the realization of sustainable urban development. As a collaborative research project between the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the project is carried out on the basis of mutual agreement, with special attention given to cooperation and support for developing countries in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
08 December 2023|News
On November 13, 2023, Dr. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, was invited to participate in the High-Level Policy Dialogue on "Policy Dialogue on Human Development: Navigating the future: Advancing human development in a changing world ", which was co-hosted by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China and China Institute for Development Planning (CIDP), Tsinghua University. The event was centered on the topics of concern of the 2024 Regional Human Development Report for Asia and the Pacific by UNDP in November, focusing on pathways to advance human development in the context of global crises and megatrends. The dialogue featured four keynote presentations and two roundtable forums. Director Zhang discussed the relationship between human development and environmental pressures with guests at a roundtable discussion on "Climate and nature-positive actions to power up human development". Director Zhang emphasized the importance of utilizing the climate and nature-friendly actions to facilitate human development. While addressing climate change, protecting nature and biodiversity, it was important to empower people and to build resilient social systems to promote sustainable livelihoods. Nexus approach and mind are needed regarding the multiple benefits of climate and nature-friendly actions. It is significant to view the role of policymaking and the green economy development, as well as the community participation. Meanwhile, it is meaningful to empower women and their full involvement. This policy dialogue was reported by media, please see below links 高层政策对话|人类发展路径的变革与机遇 (UNDP) 以人为本的政策和投资至关重要——联合国开发计划署与清华大学联合举办前瞻政策对话(农民日报)
20 November 2023|News
On November 7-9th, 2023, UNEP-IEMP together with the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) organized the 13th Chinese-German Workshop on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the 2nd Workshop for Young Researchers: "Implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Enhancing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions through Forest and Wetland Restoration" in Hainan Province, China. This workshop exchanged experiences from China, Cambodia, Germany, Kenya, Nepal, and Thailand on Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) implementation, focus on targets 2 of restoring 30% global degraded ecosystems. The workshop gathered over 60 on-site and on-line participants from UN organization, governments, science community, and NGOs. There is focused exchange on forest and wetland ecosystem restoration, its experiences, lessons and key challenges under climate change impact. The UNEP-IEMP director Dr. Linxiu Zhang gave an opening remark by emphasizing on the role of science for the GBF implementation. Ms. Guoqin Wang shared a presentation on "South-South Cooperation on ecosystem restoration: actions and implications", which elaborated restoration experiences and lessons from the Greater Mekong Sub-region and the Africa Great Green Wall initiative in the Sahel region. Guoqin Wang presenting experiences on South-South cooperation The workshop discussion covered issues like complex linkages of climate change, ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation, roles and perspectives of different stakeholders on restoration, and effectiveness of restoration efforts. There were also two group discussions on challenges for future biodiversity conservation and policy &research gaps under the GBF implementation, multiple benefits of ecosystem restoration. Field tours at the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park and the Dongzhaigang Mangrove Nature Reserve were organized to exchange experiences. Group photo at the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park
13 November 2023|News
The publication presents knowledge and experience on transboundary landscape management in the Lancang-Mekong region, which is one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots and fastest-growing areas. It contains an inventory of tools that are useful for transboundary landscape management in this region and beyond. It also presents five strategies for effective transboundary management implemented in all countries across a variety of landscapes in the region, with highlights of case studies that demonstrate both conservation and livelihood outcomes that yield significant benefits for people and planet. The report reveals that transboundary ecosystem management has been gaining attention in the region over the past decades with primary objectives covering not only the conservation of ecosystems (particularly important biodiversity areas and wildlife habitats) but also enhancing the livelihoods of those (often marginalized) groups of people living along the boundaries. Cooperation on the interconnectedness of human and natural systems is central to landscape management success and this cooperation can take place at various levels – between national governments, sub-national agencies, researchers and communities. Moreover, currently there is no transboundary cooperation for the internationally designated sites in the region; hence an opportunity to start with some of the priority transboundary landscapes to maintain their viability and ecological integrity. In terms of application of tools, the most common challenges faced in the region include data availability and data sharing in transboundary landscapes, as well as limited capacity for those tools that require technical expertise, such as spatial tools. This is a knowledge product prepared under the context of the project "Improving Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Livelihoods within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation", funded by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, through the China Trust Fund to UNEP. The report is available:https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/43893andhttp://www.unep-iemp.org/periodical_41_page1.html
20 October 2023|News
On October 14 and 15, the Open Science Conference and the First Scientific Committee Workshop of Ecosystem Restoration and Carbon Neutrality Programme (Global ERCaN) were organized in Beijing. The events were participated by policymakers, scientists, and UN agency representatives. The Open Science Conference shared the latest development on science related to ecosystem restoration and carbon neutrality from renowned scientists around the world. Dr. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, moderated the opening session. In her introduction remarks, she emphasized that ecosystem restoration and achieving carbon neutrality have emerged as critical challenges in our pursuit of a sustainable future. She also encouraged the participants - global researchers, scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders - to exchange knowledge, ideas, and experiences in addressing these pressing issues of escalating impacts of climate change and escalating loss of biodiversity. The venue for the Open Science Conference The First Scientific Committee Workshop aimed to share and discuss the research gap analysis and science plan of the whole programme as well as its 4 themes. UNEP-IEMP, as part of the Global ERCaN team, also shared ideas, particularly on enhancing stakeholder engagement and raising visibility and uptake. Global-ERCaN, funded by CAS under the CAS International Partnership Program, aims to provide a global collaboration platform on ecological restoration and carbon neutralization, with focuses on monitoring, research, restoration technology, and solutions for policymakers. UNEP-IEMP is part of the programme to facilitate global collaboration and enhance science for policy.
18 October 2023|News
The International Conference on Energy Transition in Developing Countries was successfully held at Beijing Normal University’s Jingshi Hall on October 13. The conference was organized by the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the International Cooperation Bureau of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and co-sponsored by School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, and the United Nations Environment Programme International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP). Prof. Zhang Lixiao of Beijing Normal University and Prof. Zhang Linxiu, the Director of UNEP-IMEP are the co-chairs of the conference. Prof. Zhang Lixiao opened the conference by introducing the background and emphasizing the challenges facing developing countries in their energy transition effort and the urgency of international technical cooperation. Director Rong Nianhe of the International Cooperation Bureau of the National Natural Science Foundation then outlined the framework and project groups of their collaboration with UNEP. Director Zhang Linxiu highlighted the essential role of UNEP-IEMP in supporting the South-South cooperation initiatives and presented the climate-Ecology-Livelihoods (CEL) flagship program. This program aims to help developing countries achieve the development goal of improving people’s livelihoods by restoring and protecting critical ecosystems in the context of climate change. Prof. Shen Zhenyao, Dean of the School of Environment at Beijing Normal University, welcomed the guests and provided an overview of the school’s disciplinary development. The venue for the International Conference on Energy Transition in Developing Countries Director Zhang Linxiu chaired the first half of the conference. The event featured a hybrid meeting by holding both online and offline sessions, with renowned international experts in related field delivering cutting-edge academic presentations. The speakers included Prof. AbuBakr Bahaj from the University of Southampton, Academician Alvin Culaba, the Vice Chancellor of the Philippine Academy of Science, Director Beni Suryadi of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation’s Energy Center, Isaac Kiva, Director of Renewable Energy at the Kenyan Ministry of Energy, Prof. Anthony Shun Fung Chiu from the University of De La Salle, Prof. Alexey Voinov from the University of Twente in the Netherlands, Prof. Rebecca R. Hernandez from the University of California, Davis, Prof. Soteris Kalogirou from Cyprus University of Technology, Prof. Soocheol Lee from Meiji University, Prof. Jiang Kejun from the Energy Research Institute of the China Macroeconomic Research Institute, Prof. Xu Ming from Tsinghua University, Prof. Liu Yu from Peking University, Prof. Chen Weiqiang from the Institute of Urban Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Yang Yi from Chongqing University. Director Zhang Linxiu concluded the conference, emphasizing that energy transition is a global challenge that requires the collective attention and collaborative efforts of worldwide nations and societies. She urged scientists from different countries to engage more actively in international activities, speak up on international platforms, and stressed the importance of the synergy between the scientific community and policymakers in making evidence-based decisions. The International Conference on Energy Transition in Developing Countries is one of the outcomes of the National Natural Science Foundation’s international (regional) cooperation and exchange project "Sustainability Research on Energy Transition in Developing Countries: Mechanisms, Impacts, and Pathway Optimization," with Director Zhang Linxiu as the overseas cooperation leader for this project.
16 October 2023|News
On October 11, 2023, the Workshop on Developing Environmental Cooperation Platform in Northeast Asia for Joint Prevention and Control of Sandstorm under the "3+X" Cooperation Mode was held in Beijing. The theme of the workshop was "Combat Sand and Dust Storms, Contribute to Ecological Civilization", aiming to build cooperation consensus, build an environmental cooperation platform, deepen information sharing and exchange, and strengthen international cooperation on comprehensive prevention and control of sandstorm among relevant government departments, environmental protection agencies, scientific research institutions, international cooperation organizations and other stakeholders in Northeast Asian countries. Hosted by the Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences, the workshop was attended by more than 80 government officials, representatives of international cooperation agencies, non-governmental organizations, experts from research institutes, universities, and business representatives from China, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia. Dr. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, was invited to attend the workshop and deliver a keynote speech entitled "Promote sustainable land use through various means to prevent and control sand and dust pollution". In her speech, Dr. Zhang first introduced the current situation and challenges of global land use, analyzed the impact of factors such as climate change, population growth and industrialization, urbanization, global trade and capital flows, government subsidies, and gender inequality on land use, and then presented examples of multiple ways to promote sustainable land use. Relevant examples include the grassland property rights system to improve the quality of grassland and reduce dust pollution, the land tenure system to prevent sand pollution at the source, and legal empowerment providing necessary legal support to secure women’s land property rights. She concluded that a systematic approach can fully take into consideration the ecological, social and economic spillover effects of land protection projects and contribute to the sustainable use of land, and called on further efforts to be made to stabilize land property rights, strengthen women's empowerment, and strengthen ecological and environmental education. Director Linxiu Zhang delivered a keynote speech Participants in the workshop conducted extensive and in-depth exchanges on topics such as "Technologies and policies for land desertification and sandstorm mitigation in Northeast Asia", "Countermeasures for regional ecological degradation and climate change", "Coordinated measures for land desertification and sandstorm control", and "Green development in desertification areas and community management in dust source areas", and reached broad consensus on strengthening regional cooperation on sandstorm issues. Dr. Zhang indicated that UNEP-IEMP will continue to play the role of the UNEP Collaborating Center and provide an exchange and cooperation platform for various parties in the region.