On October 11 2019, Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, the Secretary-General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) was invited to the 150th anniversary of the founding of Vallombrosa arboreta and delivered a keynote speech themed with In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation—CCAfa on the International Conference: Arboreta Around the World-Share your knowledge on biodiversity. When introducing CBCGDF China Conservation Area (CCAfa) system, he added that it is very much consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In 2016, the Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force, addressing the need to limit the rise of global temperatures. The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030. CBCGDF hopes to work with organizations with goals and visions, to help achieve sustainable development goals.

SDG1 and SGD2 are respectively No Poverty and Zero Hunger. CBCGDF established China Conservation Area for Spotted Chicken at Chongren, aiming to promote ecological environmental protection and local community well-being at the same time through plant genetic resources conservation, agrobiodiversity conservation, food security, and economic growth.

SDG 13 is Climate Action. A wetland science-popularization base targeted to teenagers is established in the CBCGDF China Conservation Area for Snow Crane at Baiyangdian. Rich and vivid activities such as ecological study route touring in Baiyangdian wetlands encourage climate-friendly tourism. Young visitors enjoy themselves as well as realize the importance of eco-environment protection.

SDG14 and SDG 15 are respectively Life Below Water and Life on Land. One of the most serious threats to the life below water is illegal poaching including electrofishing, poisoning and catching fish by explosives. CBCGDF established FDY Fish Protection Center (Oppose Electro Fishing Union) to mobilize people's participation in aquatic resources. At present, 15,000 volunteers have joined in, and 51 volunteer service stations have been set up, covering 12 provinces. Besides, by far CBCGDF has established more than 130 CCAfa sites in over thirty provinces with various protected subjects including but not limited to: pangolin, Acer pentaphyllum, Libellula Angelina, relic gull, spotted a seal, etc.

SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals. Volunteers from China Conservation Area for great bustard at Changyuan organize publicity on anti-poaching for awareness promotion and make regular observation and record of the great bustard population. They also receive training from wildlife experts for capacity building. With multiple efforts, they have made significant progress. 

CCAfa system has many more interactions with the SDGs. CBCGDF keeps perfecting the working framework of CCAfa for better rising to the challenges brought up by climate change and biodiversity loss. CBCGDF as a leading Chinese NGO, will continue its efforts at the construction of ecological civilization and shoulder the responsibility to deeply engage in global environmental governance.

In the picture, the volunteers of CBCGDF CCAfa dismantled the bird nets, rescued the birds, released the pangolins, and cleaned the shoreline garbage.

(Photo credit: CBCGDF)

(Photo credit: UN)

Original Chinese article:

http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4937/10084.html

By / Wang Yanqing Modified / Maggie