Mainstreaming gender in China’s biodiversity actions under Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

doi:10.17520/biods.2024235

Abstract

Abstract:

Background & Aim: Gender plays a critical role in biodiversity governance, with women contributing essential traditional knowledge and practices for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. However, women often face disadvantages in decision-making and resource access, which result in the neglect of their needs and contributions. This, in turn, impacts the effectiveness and sustainability of biodiversity governance. The international community has increasingly recognized the importance of mainstreaming gender in biodiversity governance. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) emphasizes this by establishing Target 23, which aims to ensure gender equality and empower women and girls to contribute equally to the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The recent adoption of the Gender Plan of Action (2023-2030) at the 15th meeting of the Conference (COP15) of the Parties to CBD further highlights the growing global focus on gender issues in biodiversity governance. As one of the most populous and biodiverse countries, China’s integration of gender considerations into its biodiversity governance is crucial for achieving global sustainable development goals.

Review Results: This paper explores the integration of gender considerations within the CBD and its impact on global biodiversity governance. Initially, gender issues were peripheral in the CBD, however, they have progressively gained prominence, leading to significant milestones such as the adoption of gender action plans and the inclusion of gender as a key target in the KMGBF. The analysis reveals varied approaches to incorporating gender considerations in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) across different countries. Women are increasingly recognized not only as vulnerable groups but also as essential stakeholders and agents of change in biodiversity governance. Best practices identified include the use of gender-sensitive indicators and ensuring women’s active participation in biodiversity initiatives. In China, recent progress has been made with the inclusion of gender considerations into its NBSAP for the first time, although gaps remain, particularly at the provincial level and in local biodiversity projects.

Recommendations: To further advance gender mainstreaming in biodiversity governance in China, this paper suggests several key actions. First, there should be a concerted effort to incorporate gender considerations into biodiversity policy-making, including the collection and use of gender-disaggregated data and the engagement of gender experts in policy development processes. Second, it is crucial to bolster research on the intersection of gender and biodiversity, with targeted projects and the inclusion of gender experts in interdisciplinary academic exchanges. Finally, the management of international cooperation projects should integrate gender considerations throughout their project lifecycle, ensuring that both men and women benefit equally from these initiatives. These measures will not only enhance the effectiveness of China’s biodiversity governance but also serve as a model for other countries, reinforcing China’s leadership in global biodiversity efforts.

Key words: biodiversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity, gender equality, gender mainstreaming

Lei Liu, Zhiming Hao, Leshan Du, Haiou Liu. Mainstreaming gender in China’s biodiversity actions under Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2025, 33(1): 24235.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2024235

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2025/V33/I1/24235

Figures/Tables 4

References 11

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会议 Meetings	缔约方大会决定 COP decisions	内容 Contents
COP3	Decision III/11 Decision III/14	保护和可持续利用农业生物多样性(Decision III/11)和《公约》8(j)条执行情况(Decision III/14)两项决定纳入性别考虑 Gender considerations were integrated into the decisions on the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity (Decision III/11) and the implementation of Article 8(j) of the Convention (Decision III/14)
COP8	Decision VIII/31	《公约》行政工作和预算相关决定要求根据《联合国宪章》规定在填补各层级职位空缺时关注性别平等, 原住民妇女能力建设首次纳入双年度预算 Administrative and budgetary decisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity emphasized gender equality in recruitment processes at all levels, in line with the Charter of the United Nations, and for the first time included capacity-building for indigenous women in the biennial budget
COP9	Decision IX/24	通过《性别平等行动计划》, 性别首次成为缔约方大会的单独议题 The Gender Plan of Action was adopted, making gender a distinct agenda item at the Conference of the Parties for the first time
COP10	Decision X/2	提出确保促进女性为全面执行《公约》和《2011-2020年生物多样性战略计划》的各项目标做出全面和有效的贡献, 并请缔约方在执行战略计划及其战略目标、爱知目标和指标时酌情将性别纳入主流。爱知目标14提出“到2020年, 提供重要服务的生态系统, 包括与水资源有关的服务、对健康与生计以及福祉有益的服务等, 得到恢复与保护, 同时考虑女性、原住民和当地社区以及贫困人口和脆弱人口的需求” Called for the full and effective contribution of women to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Encouraged Parties to mainstream gender in the execution of the Strategic Plan, Aichi Targets, and indicators. Aichi Target 14: By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, and contribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable
COP12	Decision XII/7	将COP9通过的《性别平等行动计划》更新为《2015‒2020年性别问题行动计划》, 与《2011‒2020年生物多样性战略计划》及“爱知目标”保持一致 The Gender Plan of Action was updated to cover the period 2015-2020, aligning it with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Targets
COP14	Decision 14/18	强调在制定“2020年后全球生物多样性框架”时应依据联合国可持续发展目标中的性别平等目标处理性别因素 Highlighted the need to incorporate gender considerations in the development of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, in line with the gender equality goal of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
COP15	Decision 15/4 Decision 15/11	《昆明-蒙特利尔全球生物多样性框架》行动目标22提出“确保土著人民和地方社区以及妇女和女童、儿童和青年、残疾人在决策中有充分、公平、包容、有效和促进性别平等的代表权和参与权, 有机会诉诸司法和获得生物多样性相关信息, 尊重他们的文化及其对土地、领地、资源和传统知识的权利”。行动目标23首次将性别作为一项独立的行动目标纳入全球生物多样性框架, 提出“确保性别平等, 确保妇女和女童有平等的机会和能力采用促进性别平等的方法为《公约》的3个目标作贡献, 包括承认妇女和女童的平等权利和机会获得土地和自然资源, 以及在生物多样性有关的行动、接触、政策和决策的所有层面充分、公平、有意义和知情地参与和发挥领导作用” Target 22 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework emphasizes the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities. Target 23 introduces gender as a standalone target within the global biodiversity framework for the first time, proposing that “ensure gender equality in the implementation of the Framework through a gender-responsive approach, where all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to the three objectives of the Convention, including by recognizing their equal rights and access to land and natural resources and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, engagement, policy and decision-making related to biodiversity.” 《性别平等行动计划(2023‒2030年)》敦促缔约方并邀请其他国家政府、次国家政府、城市和其他地方政府以及相关组织执行性别平等行动计划, 支持和推进性别平等主流化, 以性别平等的方式执行“昆蒙框架” Gender Equality Action Plan (2023‒2030) urged Parties, and invites other governments, subnational governments, cities and other local authorities, and relevant organizations to implement the Gender Plan of Action to support and advance gender mainstreaming and gender responsive implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

会议 Meetings	缔约方大会决定 COP decisions	内容 Contents
COP3	Decision III/11 Decision III/14	保护和可持续利用农业生物多样性(Decision III/11)和《公约》8(j)条执行情况(Decision III/14)两项决定纳入性别考虑 Gender considerations were integrated into the decisions on the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity (Decision III/11) and the implementation of Article 8(j) of the Convention (Decision III/14)
COP8	Decision VIII/31	《公约》行政工作和预算相关决定要求根据《联合国宪章》规定在填补各层级职位空缺时关注性别平等, 原住民妇女能力建设首次纳入双年度预算 Administrative and budgetary decisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity emphasized gender equality in recruitment processes at all levels, in line with the Charter of the United Nations, and for the first time included capacity-building for indigenous women in the biennial budget
COP9	Decision IX/24	通过《性别平等行动计划》, 性别首次成为缔约方大会的单独议题 The Gender Plan of Action was adopted, making gender a distinct agenda item at the Conference of the Parties for the first time
COP10	Decision X/2	提出确保促进女性为全面执行《公约》和《2011-2020年生物多样性战略计划》的各项目标做出全面和有效的贡献, 并请缔约方在执行战略计划及其战略目标、爱知目标和指标时酌情将性别纳入主流。爱知目标14提出“到2020年, 提供重要服务的生态系统, 包括与水资源有关的服务、对健康与生计以及福祉有益的服务等, 得到恢复与保护, 同时考虑女性、原住民和当地社区以及贫困人口和脆弱人口的需求” Called for the full and effective contribution of women to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Encouraged Parties to mainstream gender in the execution of the Strategic Plan, Aichi Targets, and indicators. Aichi Target 14: By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, and contribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable
COP12	Decision XII/7	将COP9通过的《性别平等行动计划》更新为《2015‒2020年性别问题行动计划》, 与《2011‒2020年生物多样性战略计划》及“爱知目标”保持一致 The Gender Plan of Action was updated to cover the period 2015-2020, aligning it with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Targets
COP14	Decision 14/18	强调在制定“2020年后全球生物多样性框架”时应依据联合国可持续发展目标中的性别平等目标处理性别因素 Highlighted the need to incorporate gender considerations in the development of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, in line with the gender equality goal of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
COP15	Decision 15/4 Decision 15/11	《昆明-蒙特利尔全球生物多样性框架》行动目标22提出“确保土著人民和地方社区以及妇女和女童、儿童和青年、残疾人在决策中有充分、公平、包容、有效和促进性别平等的代表权和参与权, 有机会诉诸司法和获得生物多样性相关信息, 尊重他们的文化及其对土地、领地、资源和传统知识的权利”。行动目标23首次将性别作为一项独立的行动目标纳入全球生物多样性框架, 提出“确保性别平等, 确保妇女和女童有平等的机会和能力采用促进性别平等的方法为《公约》的3个目标作贡献, 包括承认妇女和女童的平等权利和机会获得土地和自然资源, 以及在生物多样性有关的行动、接触、政策和决策的所有层面充分、公平、有意义和知情地参与和发挥领导作用” Target 22 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework emphasizes the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities. Target 23 introduces gender as a standalone target within the global biodiversity framework for the first time, proposing that “ensure gender equality in the implementation of the Framework through a gender-responsive approach, where all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to the three objectives of the Convention, including by recognizing their equal rights and access to land and natural resources and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, engagement, policy and decision-making related to biodiversity.” 《性别平等行动计划(2023‒2030年)》敦促缔约方并邀请其他国家政府、次国家政府、城市和其他地方政府以及相关组织执行性别平等行动计划, 支持和推进性别平等主流化, 以性别平等的方式执行“昆蒙框架” Gender Equality Action Plan (2023‒2030) urged Parties, and invites other governments, subnational governments, cities and other local authorities, and relevant organizations to implement the Gender Plan of Action to support and advance gender mainstreaming and gender responsive implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

文件名称 Document title	发布时间 Release time	内容 Contents
《浙江省生物多样性保护战略与行动计划》(2023-2035年) Zhejiang Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2035)	2023.3	倡导生物多样性保护全民行动: 保障企业、地方社区、妇女、青年等利益相关方在生物多样性相关决策中有充分、公平、有效的代表权和参与权, 充分尊重并承认当地居民的风俗文化和对传统知识的权利(优先行动30) Promotes public participation in biodiversity conservation: Ensuring that stakeholders such as businesses, local communities, women, and youth have full, fair, and effective representation and participation in biodiversity-related decision- making. It also respects and acknowledges local residents’ customs and their rights to traditional knowledge (Priority Action 30)
《海南省生物多样性保护战略与行动计划》(2023-2030年) Hainan Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030)	2023.10	形成全民保护生物多样性新格局: 强化公众参与生物多样性保护的司法保障, 确保地方社区、妇女、青年以及少数民族在生物多样性决策中有充分、公平、包容、有效和促进公平平等的代表权和参与权(战略任务6) Encourages the formation of a new societal framework for biodiversity conservation: Strengthening judicial protection for public participation, ensuring that local communities, women, youth, and ethnic minorities have full, fair, inclusive, and effective representation and participation in biodiversity-related decision-making (Strategic Task 6) 推动全社会共同参与: 保障地方社区、妇女、青年、少数民族在生物多样性决策中有充分、公平、有效的代表权和参与权, 充分尊重并承认他们的文化及其对传统知识的权利(优先行动27) Promotes societal participation: Ensuring that local communities, women, youth, and ethnic minorities have full, fair, and effective representation and participation, while respecting their cultures and rights to traditional knowledge (Priority Action 27)
《云南省生物多样性保护战略与行动计划》(2024-2030年) Yunnan Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030)	2024.5	推进生物多样性保护全民参与: 充分发挥各级工会、共青团、妇联等群团组织作用, 积极动员广大职工、青年、妇女参与生物多样性保护(优先行动6) Encourages public participation in biodiversity conservation: Fully leveraging the roles of organizations such as trade unions, youth leagues, and women’s federations to actively mobilize workers, youth, and women in biodiversity conservation (Priority Action 6)

文件名称 Document title	发布时间 Release time	内容 Contents
《浙江省生物多样性保护战略与行动计划》(2023-2035年) Zhejiang Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2035)	2023.3	倡导生物多样性保护全民行动: 保障企业、地方社区、妇女、青年等利益相关方在生物多样性相关决策中有充分、公平、有效的代表权和参与权, 充分尊重并承认当地居民的风俗文化和对传统知识的权利(优先行动30) Promotes public participation in biodiversity conservation: Ensuring that stakeholders such as businesses, local communities, women, and youth have full, fair, and effective representation and participation in biodiversity-related decision- making. It also respects and acknowledges local residents’ customs and their rights to traditional knowledge (Priority Action 30)
《海南省生物多样性保护战略与行动计划》(2023-2030年) Hainan Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030)	2023.10	形成全民保护生物多样性新格局: 强化公众参与生物多样性保护的司法保障, 确保地方社区、妇女、青年以及少数民族在生物多样性决策中有充分、公平、包容、有效和促进公平平等的代表权和参与权(战略任务6) Encourages the formation of a new societal framework for biodiversity conservation: Strengthening judicial protection for public participation, ensuring that local communities, women, youth, and ethnic minorities have full, fair, inclusive, and effective representation and participation in biodiversity-related decision-making (Strategic Task 6) 推动全社会共同参与: 保障地方社区、妇女、青年、少数民族在生物多样性决策中有充分、公平、有效的代表权和参与权, 充分尊重并承认他们的文化及其对传统知识的权利(优先行动27) Promotes societal participation: Ensuring that local communities, women, youth, and ethnic minorities have full, fair, and effective representation and participation, while respecting their cultures and rights to traditional knowledge (Priority Action 27)
《云南省生物多样性保护战略与行动计划》(2024-2030年) Yunnan Provincial Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030)	2024.5	推进生物多样性保护全民参与: 充分发挥各级工会、共青团、妇联等群团组织作用, 积极动员广大职工、青年、妇女参与生物多样性保护(优先行动6) Encourages public participation in biodiversity conservation: Fully leveraging the roles of organizations such as trade unions, youth leagues, and women’s federations to actively mobilize workers, youth, and women in biodiversity conservation (Priority Action 6)

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