Abstract:

Background: The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is the primary tool for the Parties to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity and serves as the master plan for national biodiversity conservation. Local governments play a crucial role as the managers of regional biodiversity conservation. The coordinated actions between central and local governments, according to their respective powers will unite the overall implementation of NBSAP and have a significant impact on the action effectiveness. 

Results: The China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023–2030) has updated the strategy, priority areas, and actions to address the challenges to biodiversity conservation in the new era. The responsibilities of local governments for biodiversity conservation have been continuously clarified through the development of relevant regulations and policies. Although the central and local governments have coordinated to promote NBSAP implementation and achieved remarkable results through multiple means such as strengthening legal safeguards, improving policies and planning, and integrating biodiversity into demonstration, evaluations, and assessments, challenges still remain. These challenges include: (1) operational methods and pathways for biodiversity conservation, (2) the return on conservation investment, and (3) the scale of social participation. 

Recommendations: In view of the challenges to biodiversity conservation and NBSAP implementation, it is recommended to provide operational methods through technical guidance and pilot demonstrations to bridge the gap from concept to practice. Additionally, promoting the market value realization of biodiversity and enhancing political returns can stimulate intrinsic motivation and improve the sustainability of conservation efforts. Lastly, enriching biodiversity-related policy instruments are crucial to mobilize extensive participation from the whole of society.

Key words: biodiversity conservation, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), local government, central-local cooperation, mainstreaming