China adds 22 sites to wetlands of national importance list – ecns.cn

Report on China’s Wetland Conservation Efforts and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Expansion of National Wetland Network

The People’s Republic of China has advanced its commitment to environmental stewardship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by designating 22 new wetlands of national importance. This action, announced by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), underscores a strategic focus on ecosystem preservation.

• The total number of nationally designated wetlands has now reached 80.
• Newly added sites include the Genheyuan Wetland in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Jiushan Islands in Zhejiang Province.
• This expansion directly supports SDG 15 (Life on Land) by protecting critical habitats and halting biodiversity loss.

Contribution to Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

China’s comprehensive approach to wetland management demonstrates significant progress toward multiple SDGs. The restoration and legal protection of these ecosystems are integral to achieving global sustainability targets.

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: With over 1 million hectares of wetlands added or restored, China is actively working towards Target 6.6, which calls for the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems. Wetlands are vital for purifying water and maintaining freshwater supplies.
2. SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land: The nation’s 82 internationally important wetlands and growing national network serve as crucial refuges for biodiversity. These efforts are essential for conserving terrestrial, inland freshwater, and coastal ecosystems.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action: Wetlands are critical carbon sinks. By protecting and restoring them, China contributes to climate change mitigation through nature-based solutions.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The designation of 22 international wetland cities highlights the integration of natural ecosystems into urban planning, fostering environmental resilience and sustainability.

Legislative Framework and Future Directives

The implementation of China’s first specialized law on wetland protection provides a robust legal foundation for these conservation efforts, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by strengthening environmental governance.

Looking ahead, the NFGA plans to intensify its work, focusing on:

• Promoting further wetland restoration projects nationwide.
• Enhancing monitoring systems to ensure the long-term quality and stability of wetland ecosystems.

These future actions reaffirm a continued commitment to enhancing ecological integrity and contributing to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article’s central theme is the conservation and restoration of wetlands, which are critical inland water and terrestrial ecosystems. The text explicitly mentions China’s efforts to strengthen wetland conservation, add new wetlands to its list of national importance, and restore over a million hectares, directly aligning with the goal of protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.
2. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article mentions the inclusion of the “Jiushan Islands in east China’s Zhejiang Province” as a new wetland of national importance. As islands, their ecosystems are inherently coastal and marine. Protecting these areas contributes to the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, which is the core of SDG 14.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Wetlands are fundamental water-related ecosystems that play a crucial role in water purification, flood control, and maintaining water quality. The article’s focus on promoting “wetland restoration and monitoring efforts to enhance the quality and stability of wetland ecosystems” directly supports the protection and restoration of these vital water sources.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article notes that “China is home to… 22 international wetland cities.” This concept involves integrating the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands into sustainable urban planning. This effort connects directly to safeguarding the world’s natural heritage within and around communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
   • The article directly addresses this target by describing China’s actions to add “22 wetlands to its list of wetlands of national importance” and having “added or restored more than 1 million hectares of wetlands nationwide.”
2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
   • The protection of the “Jiushan Islands” as a nationally important wetland is a direct action towards protecting coastal ecosystems, aligning with this target.
3. Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
   • The entire article is a testament to actions fulfilling this target. The statement that the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) “will further promote wetland restoration and monitoring efforts” reinforces this commitment.
4. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
   • The designation of “82 wetlands recognized as internationally important” and the establishment of “22 international wetland cities” are clear efforts to protect and safeguard areas of significant natural heritage.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 15.1 & 6.6 (Implied: Progress in restoring water-related ecosystems):
   • The article provides a quantitative measure of progress: “more than 1 million hectares of wetlands” have been added or restored. This figure serves as a direct indicator of the extent of ecosystem restoration.
2. Indicator for Target 15.1 & 14.2 (Implied: Coverage of protected areas for biodiversity):
   • The article states that China now has “80 wetlands of national importance” and “82 wetlands recognized as internationally important.” These numbers act as indicators for the proportion of important biodiversity sites that are covered by protected areas.
3. Indicator for Policy Implementation (Implied):
   • The mention of the “implementation of its first specialized law on wetland protection” serves as an indicator of progress in establishing legal and policy frameworks for the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.
4. Indicator for Target 11.4 (Custom Indicator):
   • The figure of “22 international wetland cities” is a specific, measurable indicator of the integration of natural heritage protection (wetlands) into urban development and planning.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ecns.cn