Biodiversity framework gazetted for comment

The overarching objective of a draft national biodiversity framework gazetted on Friday for comment within 30 days is to ‘co-ordinate and align the efforts of the many organisations and individuals involved in conserving and managing SA’s biodiversity, in support of sustainable development’. Not only is the draft framework informed by long-term strategies for biodiversity conservation and the ‘cost-effective expansion of the country’s protected areas estate’, it is also underpinned by ecosystem and species headline indicators and spatial assessments. Against that backdrop, notes Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch, the proposed new framework explores the potential role of established ‘communities of practice’ in facilitating ‘cooperation, lesson-sharing and knowledge exchange’ nationwide.

Noting that numerous such communities operate at different levels and on varying scales, the draft framework envisages a strengthened national network ‘co-ordinating, enriching and advancing the work of the (biodiversity) sector and ensuring a consistent approach’ to biodiversity stewardship. This would apparently be in line with strategic objectives spelled out in the 2015 national biodiversity strategy and action plan. Multi-stakeholder partnerships, improved monitoring, provincial and local-level structures and options for ‘mobilising finance’ are discussed in that context.

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