Management
Tools for GDI Area Management Systems
This section of the Toolkit provides an introductory selection of general tools to assist in establishing an area-based biodiversity management systems. As the GDI Toolkit develops, additional guidance for specific ecosystems, habitats, land uses and circumstances will be added.
Beginners’ Guide to using the Ecosystem Approach
The key CBD guidance on biodiversity management is known as the Ecosystem Approach. To get started, the GDI Area manager may wish to refer to the Beginners’ Guide which outlines a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way.
Ecosystem Approach Sourcebook
The Ecosystem Approach Sourcebook is a more extensive exposition of the CBD’s Ecosystem Approach developed by the CBD Secretariat as a tool to help managers implement the approach. It provides an overarching and comprehensive framework for the design of a GDI Area biodiversity action plan.
IFC Performance Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources
Performance Standard 6 (PS6) is one of the requirements for companies who borrow from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It is also applicable for companies who borrow from private banks that have signed up to the Equator Principles. PS6 sets out a well-structured approach to avoiding, minimising and mitigating negative biodiversity impacts and to achieving net biodiversity gains. In this respect, it provides best practice guidance for key elements to incorporate into an area-based biodiversity management system. (Also see Guidance Note 6.)
Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation
This detailed publication has been developed by the Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP) – a cooperative association of conservation NGOs – to provide a standardised, practical and thorough approach to design, manage and measure conservation programmes and projects. Though the Open Standard focuses on conservation, its approach is also useful for addressing sustainable use. As the GDI progresses in its pilot phase, opportunities for more closely aligning with such initiatives as the CMP will be explored.
Biodiversity in Impact Assessment
In support of a undertaking a Biodiversity Baseline Assessment, the CBD offers technical guidance on biodiversity in environmental impact assessment. This document was produced in response to the CBD requirement in Article 14 for impact assessments of projects, programmes, plans and policies with a potential negative impact on biodiversity. For GDI Areas, the guidance provided in this document can also be used to help assess the potential positive impacts on biodiversity arising from the implementation of a GDI Area Management System.
Social and Biodiversity Impact Assessment (SBIA) Manual For REDD+ Projects
A more recent publication from CCBA and Forest Trends provides further useful areas-based guidance. Though this publication focuses on carbon projects, the authors point out that it is “applicable to a range of payments for ecosystem services (PES) situations and not just land-based carbon projects.” It is also applicable to GDI Area assessments.
Evaluating Effectiveness: A framework for assessing management effectiveness of protected areas
This guideline from the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas focuses on and defines management effectiveness. As management effectiveness will be key to ensuring successful outcomes in GDI Areas, this guideline can be useful for both area managers and investors in these areas.
Biodiversity: A GRI Reporting Resource
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has released guidelines for biodiversity reporting, Though this document focuses on organisation-based reporting, it provides practical guidance on biodiversity performance indicators and measurement which may be useful for GDI Area managers.
