The Core Environment Program (CEP) supported Viet Nam’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to host the regional workshop: “Mainstreaming ecosystem-based approaches to climate change into biodiversity conservation planning in Viet Nam.”

An ecosystem-based approach (EBA) is a strategy for integrating the management of land, water and living resources. EBA promotes the equitable conservation and sustainable use of resources.  It can help people and biodiversity adapt to the adverse impacts of environmental threats, including climate change.

Mainstreaming EBA to climate change into biodiversity conservation planning processes could be a cost-effective way to improve the management of natural resources.  Apart from generating social, economic and cultural benefits, it could also help to maintain ecosystem resilience. Viet Nam has used EBA in small and medium projects, and achieved good results, but has no experience mainstreaming EBA into development planning processes.

The workshop aimed to share EBA lessons among GMS countries and from outside the region and to build partnerships for mainstreaming EBA approaches into biodiversity conservation planning.

CEP funded the attendance of 10 environment ministry delegates from the GMS countries as well as providing technical support, including presentations by Environment Operations Center staff.

WWF also co-organized the workshop.