What do the new IUCN Protected Areas Category Guidelines mean for the UK?

Adrian Phillips

The task before us – today and later

• To understand the significance of the protected area categories (Nik, Nigel, Charles, background papers)

• To understand the new guidelines (Nigel)• To agree how to go about applying the guidelines in the

UK (this talk)• To review potential protected areas against the guidelines• To assign categories to those places recognised as

protected areas• To report this information to UNEP/WCMC and IUCN• And then to use the resulting information intelligently,

here and internationally

Where we are now

• Major review of protected area category guidelines 2002-2008

• New guidelines published 2008 (no change to 1994 categories but new definitions and greater clarity re application of system)

• WCPA chair invites countries to consider implications (“UK lags behind .. in quality of protected areas reporting”)

• IUCN/UK Committee agrees to lead exercise

Why UK should do it*

• Can give a platform for UK leadership• More comprehensive data re protected areas• Raise profile of protected areas • Demonstrate variety of protected area types and

governance systems in the UK• Reveal potential for connectivity• Introduce UK/IUCN Cttee. (and IUCN) to new audiences• Improve UK reporting (e.g. CBD, Natura 2000)• Better dialogue between all concerned• Better integration of nature and landscape• Better public understanding re protected areas

* quite apart from Nik Lopoukhine’s request!

What we have now on WDPA ...*

• Category IV: NNRs, MNRs* If you can find it!

What we have now on the WDPA (cont.)

• Category V: National Parks, AONBs, National Scenic Areas plus others

What we do not have on the WDPA**unless they are NNRs or MNRs. Many though occur within Category V protected areas

Also we may not be using the categories properly

For example:• Have we no strict nature reserves? (Category

Ia)• Or places that meet Category II criteria?

(possibly Rhum?)• What about Category III? (possibly Jurassic

Coast WH site?)• Or Category VI? (perhaps some marine sites?)

Some questions• What status should SSSIs and ASSIs, and Natura 2000

sites, have as protected areas in IUCN terms (if any)? • What about Category V – do they pass the protected

areas the IUCN test? Can they be made to do so? Should they?

• Are sites on privately/NGO owned land protected areas – and if so in what category?

• What do we do about the range of designations? Are they all potential protected areas (e.g. geological sites)?

• How do we deal with overlapping designations• Should we make more use of ‘neglected’ categories?• What about the marine environment?

What we hope to do today is to agree how to answer those questions

• Agree the need for an assignment review• Secure general commitment to support review• Agree the main features of the review: – Partners – Management– Major phases– Timetable– Outline budget

• Next steps

Suggested review process phases

1. Planning (today)2. Launch event at Edinburgh, IUCN conference 18-

20 April3. Capacity building – materials, training etc. 4. Consultation with all interested parties and

initial assignment (includes workshops)5. Analysis of data leading to draft assignment6. Checking7. Sign-off

Possible workshop on biodiversity sites

Some issues:

•SSSIs and ASSIs•Natura 2000 sites •NGO & private conservation sites•Marine sites

Possible workshop on Category V

Some issues:

•The IUCN “test”•NP & AONB purposes•Strengthening b/d conservation role•Cultural v. natural values

Managing the review process - suggestions

• A task force to steer (appointed by IUCN/UK but with wider-than-IUCN membership)

• An ‘independent’ chair• Logistical support from IUCN UK Committee

Secretariat• Project co-ordinator• 12 month (or more?) timetable• A budget (c.£30K)

The outcome and its significanceThe assignment exercise should result in:- An accurate record of all the UK’s protected area conservation

efforts, for use at national and international levels - In effect, for the first time, a “UK system of protected areas”- The value of this system is not as a static record but how it can

be used, e.g. in:– Conserving and restoring biodiversity within protected areas and on a

landscape scale– Mitigating the effects of, and adapting, to climate change– Valuing and protecting ecosystem services – Realising the health and social welfare benefits of landscape, countryside

and greenspace– Making links with aspects of the historic landscape– Relating to green infrastructure in urban development.