produce measureable results Outcome 2.4: Climatic variability and change at coasts and in LMEs incorporated into updated SAP to reflect adaptive management and ICM principles (including protection of “blue forests”) Total Project Cost 15,000,000 83,451,948 Project Framework Project Objective: To assist countries in meeting the targets of the approved Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the marine and coastal environment of the South China Sea (SCS) through implementation of the National Action Plans in support of the SAP, and strengthening regional co-ordination for SCS SAP implementation. Project Component Type Expected Outcomes Expected Outputs Fund Indicative Grant Amount ($) Indicative Cofinancing ($) 1. Reducing habitat degradation and loss via national and reforms to achieve Strategic Action Programme targets for coastal habitat management in the South China Sea 1.1 Appropriate forms of sustainable management established for 860,000 ha of mangrove by Yr 5 1.2 153,000 ha of coral reef at 82 priority sites managed sustainably by Yr 5, including a reduction in the decadal rate of degradation in live coral cover from 16 to 5% 1.1.1 Declaration of 57,400 ha of mangrove as National Parks and Protected Areas 1.1.2 Designation and plans for the management of 166,600 ha of mangrove as non-conversion, sustainable use areas 1.1.3 Reform of laws and regulations for the sustainable use of 602,800 ha of mangrove forest 1.1.4 Replanting of 21,000 ha of deforested mangrove land 1.1.5 Biodiversity increased for 11,200 ha of mangrove forest via enrichment planting 1.2.1 Management capacity (number/levels resources, facilities and equipment, and sustainable financing mechanisms) built for 82 coral reef sites 1.2.2 Management approaches (integrated, community-based, multiple use) improved at 82 coral reef sites 7,250,000 44,366,892
B. GEF Agency(ies) Certification This request has been prepared in accordance with GEF/LDCF/SCCF/NPIF policies and procedures and meets the GEF/LDCF/SCCF/NPIF criteria for CEO endorsement/approval of project. Agency Coordinator, Agency name Signature Date (Month, day, year) Project Contact Person Telephone Email Address Brennan Van Dyke, Director, GEF Coordination Office, UNEP October 7, 2016 Isabelle Van der Beck Isabelle.vanderbeck@unep.org
size and abundance of Scylla spp and Sesarma spp hazard risk reduction potential of rehabilitated mangrove areas pollution from shrimp farming operations; charcoal production; and storm surge inundation 1.2 153,000 ha of coral reef at 82 priority sites managed sustainably by Yr 5, including a reduction in the decadal rate of degradation in live coral cover from 16 to 5% Status of management capacity, including: Human resource capacity; Facilities and equipment; and Sustainable financing 13 of 82 priority coral reef sites in the SCS characterised as being sustainably management due to management capacity constraints 1.2.1 Management capacity built for 82 coral reef sites Assessment of government and civil society organisation competencies and mgmt. capacity developments needs Reports of capacity building initiatives Management capacity initiatives are sufficiently well planned to accommodate biodiversity conservation and livelihood/food security at coral reef sites Status of institutional reform for and multiple use coral reef management Predominantly single sector (environment) and centralised approach to coral reef management 1.2.2 Management approaches (integrated, community-based, multiple use) improved at 82 coral reef sites Reports of coral reef management bodies Existing tensions between reef resource users and governments may limit community participation Number of management tools developed, adopted and applied at priority coral reef sites Coral reef management largely focused on awareness raising with limited use of management tools to address threats to coral reef sites 1.2.3 Management (licensing and permit systems, seasonal closures, zoning) developed and utilized to address key threats at priority sites Endorsed policies and executive orders ordinances and for coral reef management Commitment of central and local governments, as well as resource users, to jointly develop and apply management tools governing coral reef resource use Status of mechanism established for monitoring coral reef management effectiveness and stress reduction Management, ecological and environmental, and socio-economic indicator frameworks developed but not yet applied at priority sites 1.2.4 Established mechanism for the monitoring of management, ecological and indicators at 82 sites Annual results reports on coral reef management at priority sites Capacity of provincial and level resource managers to collate nationally and regionally comparable information and data 1.3 Conservation, management and sustainable use of Number of sites under sustainable management Majority of seagrass areas in the SCS are unmanaged, or 1.3.1 Twenty-one seagrass areas totalling 25,900 ha Annual country reports on seagrass mgmt Central and local government commitment to enact economic based
25,900 ha of known seagrass area in the South China Sea by Yr 5 Number of seagrass sites for which management regulations exist managed ineffectively, due to lack of enabling environment for zoning/regulation under sustainable management with supporting laws and regulations Laws and regulations enacted for seagrass management laws for seagrass management in light of development pressures Number of MPA management containing management actions Sustainable use and management of seagrass and related resources is rarely addressed in management for MPAs in the SCS 1.3.2 Amended management plans for 7 existing MPAs with significant seagrass areas, to include specific management actions Amended MPA management Adequate local cooperation, as well as satisfaction with existing MPA management, to agree priority seagrass management actions Number of newly established MPAs focused on seagrass management MPA management in SCS predominantly focuses on strict protection of reef areas 1.3.3 Designation of 7 new Marine Protected Areas focusing on seagrass areas Official proclamations, executive orders, and ordinances establishing MPAs for significant seagrass sites Adequate joint government and community commitment to manage seagrass on a protected area basis Status of mechanism established for monitoring seagrass management effectiveness and stress reduction Management, ecological and environmental, and socio-economic indicator frameworks developed but not yet applied at priority sites 1.3.4 Established mechanism for monitoring management, ecological and indicators at 21 sites Annual results reports on seagrass management at priority Capacity of provincial and local level resource managers to collate nationally and regionally comparable information and data 1.4 Integrated management of 783,900 ha of coastal wetland at 19 sites, including habitat restoration and protection strengthened at priority locations Number of integrated management developed Total area (ha) of wetland under management plan for sustainable use Population growth, and urbanisation of the coastal fringe, combined with rapid economic growth in the SCS region places tremendous pressure on coastal wetland ecosystems 1.4.1 Integrated management plans developed and under implementation for at least 3 lagoons (26,818 ha), 9 estuaries (614,680 ha), 5 tidal flats (96,903 ha), 1 peat swamp (45,700 ha) and 1 non-peat swamp (9,808 ha) Adopted integrated management plans Annual implementation reports, including results of environmental stress reduction initiatives Adequate cooperation to agree boundaries and compile and analyse information to identify threats and agree management actions economic
community round-table meetings Improved relevance of SAP implementation initiatives planning coastal habitat management Low level mobilization of civil society, community groups and the private sector in habitat management national and regional round-table meetings to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing on achievements and best practices decisions and participant lists) Annual reports of best practice examples of community-led SAP implementation community leader participation Internal tensions between community organisations may be exacerbated by discussions community priorities Demonstrable use of of coastal habitat reports in national and regional planning Baseline national habitat reports developed and require periodic uptake 1.5.4 Biennial of coastal habitat reports published Published state of coastal habitat reports Adequate national and regional mechanisms for the step-wise review of information and data used in reporting Table 2 Results framework for project component 2 Components Outcomes Indicator Baseline Targets End of Project Source of Verification Risks and Assumptions 2. Strengthening knowledge-based action planning for the management of coastal habitats and land-based pollution to reduce environmental degradation of the South China Sea 2.1 Enhanced information-base for coastal habitat management and action planning Volume of remotely sensed information interpreted and made available for planning Extent of uptake of remotely sensed coastal habitat information and data in management planning and action Rapid advancements in aerial visual survey techniques and remote sensing of inter-tidal and shallow water biomes have potential to greatly enhance coastal habitat management planning in the SCS marine basin 2.1.1 Algorithms for the interpretation of remotely sensed information and data on coastal habitat associations and zonation developed and applied Regional report on methodologies and procedures for the application of aerial visual survey and remotely sensed data in coastal habitat management in the SCS marine basin published and accessible online Adequate national and local capacity to ground-truth and conduct rapid assessments for validation of remotely sensed information and data Number and completeness of regionally comparable coastal habitat site characterisations Regional GIS and meta-database of SCS coastal habitat information developed but not updated 2008 2.1.2 Mechanism for collection and exchange of regional coastal habitat information and data established Agreed site characterisation forms for the compilation of regionally comparable coastal habitat information and data Engaging appropriate expertise to facilitate consensus on the selection of physical, biological and variables to economic
dominant coastal biomes aquaculture to the SCS marine basin 1 * IW Experience Note environmental impact of operations 2.3 Strengthened and harmonized national policies and laws, and supporting financial mechanism, for the management of sources of pollution Number of best practice technologies and measures tested, documented and shared Lesson learned in community-based wastewater mgmt. in Batam, Indonesia documented and shared regionally although other examples from East Asian seas region largely focus on broad scale ICM planning 2.3.1 National best practices in waste water management, law enforcement, and community and industry participation in managing sources of pollution documented and shared Catalogue of best practice technologies and management approaches for pollution published and accessible online Challenges and costs associated with demonstrating stress reduction benefits may constrain replication and upscaling Uptake of best practices may also be constrained if the publicizing of the benefits is inadequate Extent of harmonization of sectoral governance frameworks achieved as a result of review findings Effectiveness of existing legal and institutional frameworks limited by predominantly single sector approaches 2.3.2 Review of legislative and institutional frameworks for pollution management in participating countries Review published and shared regionally Willingness of sector agencies to participate in review Harmonization of governance frameworks may take longer than the period of the project Number of countries participating and adopting harmonized, regionally comparable SOPs Lack of Standard Operating Procedures for pollution management 2.3.3 Harmonized national Standard Operating Procedures for land-based pollution control and management [including agreed sediment, biota, & water quality criteria] Regional guidelines on Standard Operating Procedures published Adopted National Standard Operating Procedures available online Willingness of sectoral agencies to participate in the development of Standard Operating Procedures Status of endorsement of national policies and enactment of laws and regulations for land-based pollution control Absence of clear and effective policies, laws, and regulations relating to control of pollution 2.3.4 Revised national/provincial policies and supporting regulations for pollution 6 national reports on policy and legal aspects of land-based pollution management National and provincial government commitment to reform
developed, enacted and implemented by Yr 5 Endorsed policy and executive orders, provincial/local ordinances and by-laws Status of endorsement of National Investment Plans Number of participating countries adopting National Investment Plans Guidelines for assessing the economic impacts of land-based pollution developed but not yet applied as part of analysis of pollution mgmt. in the SCS 2.3.5 Updated and adopted National Investment Plans for land-based pollution management in the SCS [Yr 5] 6 endorsed National Investment Plans published and disseminated nationally and regionally Availability of information and data to enable comparison of cost of action versus cost of inaction as part of investment planning approach Status of agreement among participating countries on a sustainable financing approach for regional actions Lack of sustainable mechanism to finance regional support actions including M&E 2.3.6 Regional financial mechanism for pollution management [Yr 5] Endorsed regional report on sustainable financing of regional actions for land-based pollution in the SCS Level of commitment of participating countries, development partners, and donors to invest in coordinated action 2.4 Improved national and regional values for the Total Economic Values of coastal habitats for use in development planning and decision-making Completeness of value information compiled for coastal biome goods and services Values determined for SCS are incomplete as not all known goods and services from individual biomes have been valued 2.4.1 Expanded datasets of valuation information on the goods and services of SCS coastal habitats 6 national reports on economic valuation of coastal biomes, including tabulated data and reference material, published Application of regionally consistent methodology in the collection and review of information and data Status of initiative to develop national and regional estimates linkages between habitats and coastal fish production Comparatively few existing values for the services provided by habitats as nursery areas for coastal living resources 2.4.2 Estimates of the value for the service provided by coastal habitats as nursery areas for coastal fish and crustaceans 6 national and 1 regional report on the economic contribution of coastal habitats to coastal fisheries production in the SCS, including tabulated data and reference material, published Application of regionally consistent methodology in the collection, review and analysis of information and data Status of initiative to value economic costs of coastal shipping No existing information linking shipping accidents to loss of economic 2.4.3 Estimates of economic losses of coastal ecosystem goods and services 1 regional report on the economic losses consequent upon coastal shipping Application of regionally consistent methodology in the collection, review and
accidents and pollution damage benefits associated coastal biomes in the SCS consequent upon coastal shipping accidents and pollution damage accidents and pollution damage analysis of information and data Status of initiative to update estimates of total economic values of coastal biomes Economic valuation of coastal habitats used in cost benefit analysis of endorsed Strategic Action Programme actions in 2008 2.4.4 Updated estimates of Total Economic Values for coastal habitats of the SCS and converted to 2017 value by means of the consumer price index 1 regional report on updated Total Economic Values for coastal habitats published and online Application of regionally consistent methodology in the collection, review and analysis of information and data 2.5 Regionally appropriate tools and mechanisms to guide the development of sustainable management systems for coastal habitats and land-based pollution Status of initiative to develop and apply standards and criteria for determining the sustainability of coastal habitat management systems Sustainable management indicator matrices developed for dominant coastal habitats but not yet applied and tested in framework of SAP implementation 2.5.1 Regionally applicable standards and criteria for defining the sustainability of coastal habitat management systems, including documented models of sustainable use 1 regional report documenting sustainability of management systems developed and applied at priority coastal habitat sites Supporting communication approach and facilitation of consultative processes are sufficiently well design to ensure stakeholder engagement and participation Number of best practice management measures and technologies documented, codified, and accessible via online catalogue Lessons learned and best practices in coastal habitat management from 23 demonstration sites documented and published in peer reviewed article 2.5.2 Online catalogue of best practice management measures and technologies for sustainable use of SCS coastal habitats and land-based pollution management Catalogue of best practices accessible online Communications products on best practices produced and syndicated online Internet connectivity and in provincial and local offices of environment and natural resource agencies adequate to support effective online knowledge sharing Extent and continuity of local leader and local government participation in study tour and exchange initiatives Level of improved local relevance of Limited engagement of community-based governance mechanisms in national policy and planning Low level mobilization of civil 2.5.3 Government officials, community leaders, and habitat and pollution managers exposed to practices in rehabilitation, management , and pollution control and Reports of study tour and exchange initiatives Annual reports of best practice examples of community level inputs to SAP implementation initiatives Existing tensions between local leaders, land owners, and government agencies may limit community leader or government official participation
national policy and planning efforts for reducing environmental degradation in the SCS society, community organisation and the private sector in environmental investment planning treatment via programme of study tours and exchange Study tours and exchange initiatives are sufficiently well designed to guide uptake of best practice at provincial/community levels Number of public awareness products accessible online Extent of uptake and use of awareness products Public awareness materials developed via TDA/SAP project compiled and accessible via SCS website 2.5.4 Expanded China Sea online public awareness centre, including awareness packages for local adoption Awareness packages accessible online via a SCS SAP implementation website Awareness materials are sufficiently well designed and shared with stakeholders to ensure uptake and desire local impact 2.6 Updated and Ministerially adopted Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programme, including prioritization of national management actions to address climate variability and change Status of national and regional level consensus on contemporary issues of transboundary significance with respect to coastal habitat and land-based pollution management TDA for SCS published in 2000 Special of Ocean and Coastal Management on South China Sea published in 2013 2.6.1 National and regional level consensus on contemporary issues and problems, including the quantification of environmental compromises and the prioritization of problems (Yr 2) Updated and regionally endorsed Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis for the SCS marine basin published and disseminated at national and regional levels Securing adequate and consistent inputs of expertise may be compromised if incentives for national and regional specialists to participate in work are inadequate Status of national and regional level consensus reached on priority actions for intervention Status of cost benefit analysis of comparative net benefits of alternative options for management Strategic Action Programme endorsed in 2008 outlines priorities for management Established methodology for cost of action versus non-action in the context of SCS SAP implementation 2.6.2 The immediate and ultimate root causes of the problems identified and consensus reached on priorities for intervention, including comparative analysis of the net benefits of alternative options (Yr 3) Updated and regionally endorsed prioritisation of options for management intervention in the SCS Published cost benefit analysis of alternative options for coastal habitat and land-based pollution interventions Securing adequate and consistent inputs of expertise may be compromised if incentives for national and regional specialists to participate in work are inadequate
Status of Ministerial adoption of an updated Strategic Action Programme for the China Sea Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea endorsed in 2008 2.6.3 National and regional consultative process to develop updated Strategic Action Programme SAP for adoption at the Ministerial level (Yr 5) Endorsed Strategic Action Programme published Minister-level commitment to adopt and sign the revised SAP Level of demonstrable use of the regional review on sea level rise, climate change, and episodic events in SAP formulation Evolving understanding of sea level rise, climate change, and episodic events in East Asia but not applied in context of transboundary planning in the South China Sea 2.6.4 Prioritization of national management actions to address climate variability and change for incorporation into national policies and plans Report of priority actions National policies and plans with demonstrable uptake of priority actions Engaging appropriate technical expertise to identify priority national actions that achieve local benefit as well as high transboundary impact Table 3 Results framework for project component 3 Components Outcomes Indicator Baseline Targets End of Project Source of Verification Risks and Assumptions 3.1 Regional and co-operation in the integration of scientific knowledge and research outputs with management and policy making Status of the RSTC and the uptake of the scientific and technical advice it provides Continuity of participation of RSTC members in annual meetings Lack of a formal mechanism for the sharing of science and technical knowledge relating to the South China Sea SAP implementation 3.1.1 Regional Scientific and Technical Committee of the SCS project functioning as a bridge between the scientific community and decision-makers [annual meetings] RSTC Terms of Reference Annual meeting reports (documenting scientific and technical advice and participant lists) Harnessing sufficient scientific and technical expertise across disciplines in coastal habitats, ecology, economic valuation, oceanography, pollution and its impacts Extent of demonstrable use of scientific knowledge exchanged during Limited application of approaches by central 3.1.2 Knowledge exchanges between government and scientific community Published reports of the Regional Scientific Conferences Strong and consistent support from government agencies
biennial conferences by central and provincial government agencies and provincial government agencies through biennial Regional Scientific Conferences Report on the uptake and use of regionally accumulated science to actively participate in scientific fora Number of Mayor’s Round-Table meetings convened Number, scope & reach of communications to raise local official awareness of best practices Four Mayors meetings convened during period 2005-2008 and documented as a key innovation for improving local relevance of action planning and M&E 3.1.3 Best practice exchanges between local government officials and coastal managers on management via annual Mayor’s Round-Table meetings Reports of Round-Table Meetings, including documented evidence of behaviour change as a result of exposure to best practice guidance Strong and consistent support from local government officials to actively participate in fora aimed at stimulating knowledge sharing on best practice management approaches and technologies Status of bilateral cooperation for transboundary resource management between (a) Cambodia and Vietnam and (b) Cambodia and Thailand Status of signature of Memoranda of Agreement Bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam initiated during the period 2007-2008 although this has stagnated as a result of a lack of regional coordination support 3.1.4 Memoranda of Agreement for joint management of 2 priority transboundary water areas agreed & implemented Signed Memoranda of Agreement outlining agreed joint actions for transboundary coastal resource management Commitment of central governments, provincial governments, and resources to participate in consultative processes relating to the joint management of transboundary resources Extent of joint planning by both projects Number of best practices and lessons learned captured from the fisheries refugia project Execution of the UNEP/GEF Fisheries Refugia project to commence in Q3 of 2016 through SEAFEDC and national fisheries agencies 3.1.5 Cooperation with the GEF fisheries refugia project and other relevant regional initiatives Reports of joint planning meeting Published revised NAPs and SAP containing section on lessons from fisheries refugia project Commitment of SEAFDEC and UNEP to actively and constructively cooperate on identifying and sharing best practices between projects Number of best practices identified Lack of mechanism to formally recognize and communities, 3.1.6 Operational award program on best practices in coastal Documented examples of innovation and best practice by Communities, local governments and industry initiatives
Number of community organisations, local governments and industry receiving awarrds local governments and industry for innovation and generation of best practices for environmental management of the South China Sea habitat and land-based pollution management for communities, local governments and industry [annual] communities, governments and industry Annual report of award project result in innovative approaches Interest of stakeholders to participate in such a programme 3.2 Capacity for civil society and community organization participation in SAP implementation strengthened via operational partnership with GEF SGP Number of GEF Small Grants Programme projects commissioned and implemented in support SAP implementation Need for strengthened mobilization of civil society and community organizations in SAP implementation 3.2.1 Cooperation with GEF SGP in the commissioning and implementation of an additional [#] of community-based projects for SAP implementation 5 annual reports of SGP-SAP implementation partnership There will be sufficient number of civil society and community based organisations to act as GEF SGP proponents in support of SAP implementation Extent and scope of inputs from CSOs and COs Number of NGO forums convened Need for CSO and CO inputs to planning of an SCS-SGP partnership 3.2.2 CSO & CO inputs elicited for planning and M&E of the SCS-SGP partnership via annual NGO forums Reports of NGO forum meetings That linked capacity building initiatives are sufficiently well designed to build capacity of CSOs and COs for planning Extent of capacity built among SGP proponents to implement local actions in support of the achievement of SAP targets Limited society and community organisation experience and capacity for coastal habitat and pollution management 3.2.3 Training program on science and management of SCS coastal habitats and resources for SGP proponents Training modules for SGP proponents developed and accessible online Training materials are sufficiently well planned and presented in local languages to meet needs of the staff of SGP proponent organisations 3.3 Relationships between central and local governments and the private sector strengthened and formalized Number of partnerships identified and documented Many private sector oganisations operate corporate social and environmental responsibility programmes but they are not aligned with SAP implementation 3.3.1 Review of past and ongoing partnerships for coastal management in SCS region Review of report on public-private partnerships published Engaging appropriate expertise to link information on corporate social responsibility to SAP targets and implementation priorities Number of opportunities for Significant commercial enterprise 3.3.2 Identification of opportunities for Letters of commitment from private sector Communications and engagement strategies
policy and planning elements of SAP implementation and revision GEF Knowledge management systems Number of IW:LEARN experience notes published Limited regional and global sharing of information on best practices and lessons learned from investments in the SCS despite for example publication of a complete Special Issue of an academic journal on the progress to date 3.4.4 Active engagement with GEF IW:LEARN [1% of project resources] including participation in IW conferences and 3 experience notes Published experience Retention of national and regional level staff required to resource the documentation of experiences and lessons learned as IW:LEARN experience notes 3.5 Agreed arrangements for strengthened regional cooperation in the management of the marine and coastal environment of the South China Sea Number of Regional Task Force meetings Continuity of participation of nationally nominated members Regional Task Force on Legal Matters established through SCS project but presently not functioning 3.5.1 Biannual meetings of the Regional Task Force on Legal Matters Reports of the meetings of the Regional Task Force on Legal Matters National government commitment to ensure continuity of participation of nominated members Number of National Working meetings Continuity of participation of nationally nominated members National Working Groups established through SCS project but presently not functioning 3.5.2 National Working Groups on established and functional Reports of the meetings of National Working Groups Adequate incentive structures are in place nationally to secure adequate expertise to consider matters relating to cooperation Status of agreement on identified process Framework process developed but requires national and regional consultation 3.5.3 Process for development of a proposed arrangement for regional cooperation defined and planned Report outlining agreed process Adequate planning and facilitation to support consensus building Extent of national stakeholder input to drafting phase of instrument for cooperation SAP formulation benefited from an emphasis on consensual planning and decision making 3.5.4 National stakeholder inputs to drafting of instrument for strengthened regional cooperation Reports of national stakeholder consultation process Adequate planning and facilitation to elicit national inputs required to support consensus building
facilitated via national consultations Status of adoption of the instrument Participating countries agreed in the SAP, and in endorsing the PIF for this project, to explore the development of an instrument for strengthened regional cooperation 3.5.5 Adopted instrument for strengthened regional cooperation Adopted instrument Government commitment to cooperate on matters relating to coastal and marine environmental management in the South China Sea basin