Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 19. Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council issued the “Opinions on Further Strengthening the Protection of Biodiversity”, and issued a notice requesting all regions and departments to conscientiously implement them in light of actual conditions.
The full text of the “Opinions on Further Strengthening the Protection of Biodiversity” is as follows.
Biodiversity is the foundation for human survival and development, and the bloodline and foundation of the earth life community. It provides humans with a wealth of production and life necessities, a healthy and safe ecological environment, and unique landscape culture. China is one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in the world. The conservation of biodiversity has achieved significant results, but it still faces many challenges. In order to implement the relevant decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and earnestly promote biodiversity protection, the following opinions are hereby put forward.
1. General requirements
(1) Guiding ideology. Guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Plenary Sessions of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s thoughts on ecological civilization, based on the new development stage, complete, Accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, build a new development pattern, adhere to ecological priority and green development, and take effective response to the challenges faced by biodiversity and comprehensively improve the level of biodiversity protection as the goal, solidly promote major biodiversity protection projects, and continue Intensify supervision and law enforcement, further improve protection capabilities and management levels, ensure that important ecosystems, biological species and biological genetic resources are fully protected, integrate biodiversity protection concepts into the entire process of ecological civilization construction, and actively participate in global biodiversity governance , To build a beautiful home in harmony with all things.
(2) Working principles
——Respect for nature and give priority to protection. Firmly establish the concept of ecological civilization of respecting nature, conforming to nature, and protecting nature, insisting on giving priority to protection and focusing on natural restoration, following the law of natural ecosystem succession and zonal distribution, giving full play to the ecosystem’s self-repair capabilities, and avoiding humans’ impact on the ecosystem. Excessive intervention, effective protection of important ecosystems, biological species and biological genetic resources, and protection of ecological security.
——Improve the system and make overall plans for advancement. Under the leadership of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the National Committee for the Conservation of Biodiversity of China will play its role in overall planning and coordination and improve the annual work scheduling mechanism. All member units should focus on improving ecosystem service functions, focus on key areas, fields and key issues, perform their duties, coordinate and cooperate closely, exchange information, and promote biodiversity conservation in an orderly manner.
——Implementation at different levels and linkage between upper and lower levels. Clarify the central and local biodiversity protection and management powers, and level and compact responsibilities. The central level should do a good job in planning, legislation and other top-level design, formulate and promulgate policy measures, plans and technical specifications, etc., to strengthen guidance and support for local work. Local party committees and governments at all levels implement the responsibility of biodiversity protection, and they work together to form a joint force.
——Government-led and multi-party participation. Give full play to the leading role of governments at all levels in the protection of biodiversity, increase management, investment and supervision, establish and improve long-term mechanisms for enterprises, institutions, social organizations and the public to participate in biodiversity protection, and improve the protection of biodiversity in all sectors of society The consciousness and participation of the whole society will create a good atmosphere for the whole society to participate in the protection of biodiversity.
(3) Overall goal
By 2025, continue to promote the background investigation and assessment of biodiversity conservation priority areas and national strategic areas, build a national biodiversity monitoring network and a relatively stable spatial pattern of biodiversity protection, and nature reserves with national parks as the main body It accounts for about 18% of the land area, the forest coverage rate has increased to 24.1%, the grassland comprehensive vegetation coverage has reached about 57%, the wetland protection rate has reached 55%, and the natural coastline retention rate has not been less than 35%. The conservation rate of plant species reached 77%, 92% of terrestrial ecosystem types were effectively protected, the integrity index of the aquatic organisms of the Yangtze River was improved, the collection and preservation of biological genetic resources remained at the forefront of the world, and a mechanism for sustainable utilization of biodiversity was initially formed , Basically establish relevant policies, regulations, systems, standards and monitoring systems for biodiversity conservation.
By 2035, biodiversity protection policies, regulations, systems, standards, and monitoring systems will be comprehensively improved, and a unified and orderly spatial pattern of national biodiversity protection will be formed. The country’s forests, grasslands, deserts, rivers and lakes, wetlands, oceans and other natural ecology will be formed. The situation of the system has been fundamentally improved. The forest coverage rate has reached 26%, the grassland comprehensive vegetation coverage has reached 60%, and the wetland protection rate has increased to about 60%. The nature reserve with national parks as the main body accounts for more than 18% of the land area. Typical ecosystems, national key protected wild animal and plant species, endangered wild animals and plants and their habitats have been fully protected, the Yangtze River’s aquatic integrity index has been significantly improved, biological genetic resources acquisition and benefit sharing, and sustainable utilization mechanisms have been fully established. Biodiversity has become a conscious action of citizens, forming a good situation in which biodiversity conservation promotes green development and harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and strives to build a beautiful China.
2. Accelerate the improvement of biodiversity protection policies and regulations
(4) Accelerate the establishment of the rule of law for biodiversity protection. Improve the biodiversity protection and supervision system, study and promote the formulation and revision of laws and regulations in the fields of wildlife protection, fishery, wetland protection, nature reserves, forests, wild plant protection, and the acquisition and benefit sharing of biological genetic resources. Study and draft regulations on the protection of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity, formulate and improve lists of invasive alien species and management methods. Localities can issue corresponding local regulations on biodiversity protection in accordance with local conditions.
(5) Incorporate biodiversity protection into the mid- and long-term plans of all regions and related fields. Formulate a national biodiversity conservation strategy and action plan for the new period, and prepare a ten-year plan for major biodiversity conservation projects. When formulating five-year plans for national economic and social development, provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government should put forward biodiversity conservation goals and main tasks. Relevant departments incorporate biodiversity protection into industry development plans, strengthen sustainable management, and reduce negative impacts on ecosystem functions and biodiversity. Localities can formulate and revise regional biodiversity conservation action plans and plans based on actual conditions, and clarify the objectives and division of responsibilities for biodiversity conservation in provinces, cities, and counties. Encourage enterprises and social organizations to voluntarily formulate biodiversity protection action plans.
(6) Formulate and improve relevant policies and systems for biodiversity conservation. Improve the compensation system for ecological protection of nature reserves, improve the compensation system for ecological environmental damage, improve the identification and assessment methods and working mechanisms of biodiversity damage, and improve the system for combating illegal trade in wild animals and plants. Promote the recuperation of grasslands, forests, rivers, lakes and bays, implement a ten-year ban on fishing in the Yangtze River, and improve the cropland fallow rotation system. Implement the fiscal and taxation policies for individuals or companies engaged in seed source imports, etc.
3. Continue to optimize the spatial pattern of biodiversity protection
(7) Implement an in-situ protection system. In the territorial and spatial planning, we will make overall plans for ecological protection red lines, optimize and adjust nature reserves, strengthen protection and supervision of priority areas for biodiversity protection, and clarify biodiversity protection and management policies in key ecological function areas. According to local conditions, scientifically construct ecological corridors that promote species migration and gene exchange, and strive to solve outstanding problems such as fragmentation of natural landscapes, isolated islands in protected areas, and reduced ecological connectivity. Reasonably lay out and build a species protection space system, focus on strengthening the protection and management of rare and endangered animals and plants, flagship species and indicator species, clarify key protection objects and their threatened levels, and implement different protection measures for their habitats. Select important, rare and endangered species, very small populations and fragmented distribution points of genetic resources to build protection points. Continue to promote the standardization and standardization of protection spaces at all levels and types of nature reserves and urban green spaces.
(8) Promote the protection and restoration of important ecosystems. Overall consideration should be given to the integrity of the ecosystem, the continuity of natural geographic units and the sustainability of economic and social development, and the overall promotion of the integrated protection and restoration of landscapes, forests, fields, lakes, sands and ice. Implement the National Master Plan for Major Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Projects (2021-2035), scientifically and standardly carry out the construction of key ecological projects, and accelerate the restoration of species habitats. Strengthen the protection of key ecological function areas, important natural ecosystems, natural relics, natural landscapes, rare and endangered species populations, and very small populations to enhance the stability and resilience of the ecosystem.
(9) Improve the ex-situ protection system of biodiversity. Optimize the construction of animal and botanical gardens, endangered plant expansion and ex-situ conservation centers, wild animal shelter and rescue centers, conservation and rescue stations, germplasm banks (fields, districts, nurseries), microbial strain collection centers, and other rescue relocations at all levels. Site protection facilities, fill the gaps in the protection of important areas and important species, and improve the ex situ conservation and breeding system of biological resources. Scientifically construct ex situ conservation communities of rare and endangered animals and plants, flagship species and indicator species, strengthen research and demonstration construction of alternative habitats for key species whose habitat environment has been severely damaged, and promote artificial breeding and reintroduction of special species . Do a good job in file construction and monitoring management of ex-situ protected populations.
Fourth, build a complete biodiversity protection monitoring system
(10) Continue to promote biodiversity survey and monitoring. Improve the technical standard system for biodiversity survey and monitoring, coordinate and link various resource survey and monitoring work, and comprehensively promote biodiversity protection priority areas and key ecological areas of the Yellow River, key ecological areas of the Yangtze River, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, coastal waters and other key regional ecosystems , Investigation of key biological species and important biological genetic resources. Fully rely on the existing monitoring sites and monitoring sample plots (lines) at all levels and types to build a monitoring network such as ecological positioning sites. Establish a list of indicator species that reflect the quality of the ecological environment, carry out long-term monitoring, and encourage qualified areas to carry out periodic surveys. Continue to promote the investigation, cataloging and database construction of biological genetic resources and germplasm resources such as crops, livestock and poultry, aquatic products, forest and grass plants, medicinal plants, and bacterial species. The “China Biodiversity Red List” is updated every 5 years.
(11) Improve the information cloud platform for biodiversity protection and monitoring. Intensify the development of monitoring equipment for ecosystems and key biological groups and the construction of facilities, accelerate the application of satellite remote sensing and UAV aerial remote sensing technology, explore the application of artificial intelligence, and promote the modernization of biodiversity monitoring. Relying on the national ecological protection red line supervision platform, effectively linking the basic information platform of land and space, applying cloud computing, Internet of Things and other informatization methods, fully integrating and utilizing various types of biological species, genetic resource databases and information systems at all levels, ensuring biological genetic resource information Realize data sharing under the premise of safety. Research and develop biodiversity prediction and early warning models, establish early warning technology systems and emergency response mechanisms, and realize long-term dynamic monitoring.
(12) Improve the biodiversity assessment system. Establish and improve the evaluation standard system for the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation and restoration, ecosystem service functions, and the economic value of species resources. Combined with the national ecological status survey and assessment, a comprehensive assessment report of biodiversity is released every 5 years. Carry out large-scale project construction, resource development and utilization, alien species invasion, biotechnology application, climate change, environmental pollution, natural disasters, etc., to evaluate the impact on biodiversity, clarify the evaluation methods, content, and procedures, and propose response strategies.
5. Focus on improving the level of biosafety management
(13) Strengthen biotechnology environmental safety monitoring and management in accordance with the law. Strictly implement the Biosafety Law, establish a sound biotechnology environmental safety assessment and supervision technical support system, fully integrate the existing monitoring foundation, rationally deploy monitoring sites, and quickly identify and perceive biotechnology safety risks. Improve the monitoring information reporting system, establish biosafety training, follow-up inspections, regular reports and other work systems, formulate risk prevention and control plans and biosafety incident emergency plans, strengthen process management, and ensure biosafety.
(14) Establish and improve the supervision system for the access and benefit sharing of biological genetic resources. Implement the investigation and registration of biological genetic resources and related traditional knowledge, formulate and improve the catalog of biological genetic resources, establish a biological genetic resource information platform, and promote the acquisition, development and utilization, entry and exit of biological genetic resources, intellectual property protection, benefit sharing and other regulatory information across departments Unicom shared. Improve the acquisition, utilization, entry and exit approval responsibility system and accountability system, and strengthen the supervision and management of the external provision and cooperative research and utilization of biological genetic resources.
(15) Continue to improve the management level of invasive alien species prevention and control. Improve the inter-ministerial coordination mechanism for the prevention and control of invasive alien species, and coordinate and solve major problems in the prevention and control of invasive alien species. Carry out a general survey of invasive alien species, and strengthen the investigation, monitoring, early warning, control, assessment, removal and ecological restoration of invasive alien species in key areas such as farmland, fishery waters, forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal waters, and islands. Improve the invasion prevention system of alien species, strengthen the approval management of the introduction of alien species, strengthen the prevention and control of invasive species at ports, and strengthen the supervision of marine transportation ballast water. Promote the deployment and construction of wildlife alien disease monitoring and early warning platforms, build a technical support system for alien species risk assessment and supervision, and further strengthen the research and demonstration applications of early warning sniping, emergency control, blocking and extermination, and sustainable comprehensive defense control.
6. Innovating mechanisms for sustainable use of biodiversity
(16) Strengthen research on the development and sustainable utilization of biological resources. Carry out investigations on the development of new crops, new varieties, new strains, new genetic materials and crop diseases and insect pests, strengthen the protection and sustainable use of wild animal and plant germplasm resources, and ensure food security and ecological security. Improve the level of germplasm resources to improve biotechnology, promote the research and development of alternative resources in brewing, fuel, environment, medicine, etc., and promote the transformation and application of bio-resource scientific and technological achievements in the fields of environmental protection, agriculture, medical treatment, military, and industry.
(17) Regulate biodiversity-friendly business activities. Guide the standardized use of biological resources, develop green industries such as artificial breeding, cultivation and utilization of wild biological resources, conversion and utilization of biomass, green prevention and control of crops and forest and grassland pests and diseases. Further expand the scope of application of demonstration technologies and innovative mechanisms that coordinate biodiversity conservation and rural revitalization. Formulate management methods for franchise management of operational projects in nature reserve control areas, encourage indigenous residents to participate in franchise activities, carry out activities such as nature education, eco-tourism and health care in appropriate areas, and build a high-quality, diversified ecological product system.
7. Strengthen law enforcement, supervision and inspection
(18) Fully carry out law enforcement supervision and inspection. Establish a regular remote sensing monitoring mechanism for the ecological destruction of the habitats of important protected species, and incorporate the behavior and remediation of the national key protected wild animals and plants and their habitats into special actions such as the Central Ecological Environmental Protection Inspectorate, and the strengthening of supervision of the “Green Shield” nature reserve. Regularly organize and carry out special law-enforcement operations during the off-season (banned) fishing in the ocean and inland rivers (lakes) during the banned fishing period, to clean up and ban all kinds of illegal use and destruction of aquatic biological resources and their ecology and habitat. Improve the joint law enforcement mechanism, severely crack down on illegal and criminal activities such as illegal hunting, gathering, transportation, and trading of wild animals and plants and their products, and form a high-pressure situation of strict crackdown, strict prevention, strict control and strict control. Improve the linkage mechanism between administrative law enforcement and criminal justice, establish and improve mechanisms for hierarchical management of cases, emergency handling, and listing supervision, and pursue criminal responsibility for serious damage to important biological species, biological genetic resources and other crimes that constitute crimes. Combining with the pilot project of ecological damage supervision on the red line of ecological protection, we will seriously investigate and punish behaviors that endanger biodiversity.
(19) Strictly implement the accountability system. Establish an evaluation index system for the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation, take the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation as an important reference for party and government leadership and leading cadres’ comprehensive assessment, accountability, and outgoing audits, and implement lifelong accountability for serious damage to the ecological environment and resources. responsibility.
8. Deepen international cooperation and exchanges
(20) Actively participate in global biodiversity governance. Adhere to the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, actively participate in global multilateral environmental governance, strengthen exchanges and consultations on key issues, promote the formulation of a “post-2020 global biodiversity framework”, and earnestly implement China’s participation in the Convention on Biological Diversity, Wetland Convention, and Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora International trade conventions and other biodiversity-related international treaties, and actively participate in the formulation of international standards related to biodiversity.
(21) Strengthen diversified biodiversity protection partnerships. Relying on opportunities and platforms such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on Wetlands, the International Alliance for Green Development of the “Belt and Road” and other opportunities and platforms to strengthen bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the field of biodiversity conservation and green development, strengthen partnership recognition, and promote knowledge and information , Science and technology exchange and achievement sharing, and enhance international influence. Continue to actively participate in international special joint law enforcement actions against cross-border biological resource trade crimes.
9. Comprehensive promotion of public participation in biodiversity protection
(22) Strengthen publicity and education. Strengthen the publicity and popularization of laws and regulations, scientific knowledge, typical cases, and major project results related to biodiversity conservation, promote news media and online platforms to actively carry out public welfare publicity on biodiversity conservation, promote the construction of biodiversity museums, and launch a number of distinctive education Display exhibitions with warning significance and motivational effect will increase education and training for local party and government cadres at all levels, and guide party committees and governments at all levels, enterprises and institutions, social organizations and the public to actively participate in biodiversity conservation.
(23) Improve the social participation mechanism. Encourage enterprises, institutions, and social organizations to carry out activities such as publicity and education on biodiversity conservation, consulting services, and legal assistance through government purchases of services. Improve the reporting mechanism for illegal activities, unblock reporting channels, encourage citizens and social organizations to actively report illegal activities that cause damage to biodiversity, such as indiscriminate fishing, illegal trading, and environmental pollution, and support the news media to conduct public opinion supervision. Strengthen the information disclosure mechanism and promptly respond to relevant hot issues of public concern. Establish a sound biodiversity public interest litigation mechanism, and strengthen judicial guarantees for public participation in biodiversity protection.
X. Improving safeguard measures for biodiversity protection
(Twenty-four) strengthen organization and leadership. Local party committees and governments at all levels must strictly implement the same responsibility of the party and government for ecological environmental protection, and one post with two responsibilities, further strengthen related organization building, team building, and system building, and earnestly assume the responsibility for biodiversity protection, and promote environmental pollution prevention and biodiversity. Synergy of sexual protection. All relevant departments must earnestly perform functions related to biodiversity protection, incorporate biodiversity protection related work into the performance appraisal content, implement a target responsibility system, strengthen coordination and cooperation, and promote work implementation.
(25) Improve the fund guarantee system. Strengthen the overall planning of financial resources at all levels, and continue to support biodiversity conservation through existing funding channels. Study the establishment of market-oriented and socialized investment and financing mechanisms to raise protection funds through multiple channels and fields.
(26) Strengthen the support of technology and talents. Strengthen basic science and applied technology research in the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration, and promote the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements. Give full play to the professional education advantages of scientific research institutes, and strengthen the cultivation of biodiversity talents and academic exchanges. Improve the talent selection mechanism and management methods, build a team of high-quality professional talents, and enhance the ability of biodiversity conservation and contract performance, dialogue and cooperation.