News Release
ADB and NDRC co-host 10th International Conference on Eco-Compensation and Payments for Ecosystem Services
Miyun, PRC 25 Nov 2024BEIJING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (5 December 2024) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the People’s Republic of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), with support from the ADB-PRC Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative (RKSI) and other partners, co-hosted the 10th annual eco-compensation conference in Miyun, PRC, from 25–27 November.
ADB East Asia Director General Muhammad Ehsan Khan and NDRC Vice Secretary General Xiao Weiming opened the conference, while AFNR Senior Director Qingfeng Zhang delivered a keynote presentation, reflecting on achievements from 15 years of ADB-NDRC collaboration, of continuously refining and improving the eco compensation mechanism as a means of financing ecological restoration work in vital ecosystems including the Yangtze and Yellow River basins.
This year’s conference, a regional flagship event led by ADB’s East Asia Regional Department and the Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Group (AFNR), focused on market-based and user-pays mechanisms, and legal frameworks for eco-compensation and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes. Importantly, the conference served as the international launch of the PRC’s National Ecological Protection Regulations, a pioneering effort at standardizing a mechanism of payment for ecosystem services.
“This conference provides a vital platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration on critical issues related to environmental protection and sustainable financing,” said ADB Director General for East Asia Department Muhammad Ehsan Khan. “ADB is committed to supporting its member countries in developing and implementing effective eco-compensation and PES mechanisms to achieve their environmental and development goals. Eco-compensation mechanisms are not just about protecting our environment; they are about unlocking the economic potential of nature. By investing in natural capital, we can drive sustainable development and create a greener, more prosperous future for all.”
Around 300 participants from government agencies, national and international research institutes, academia, and the private sector attended the event, including delegations from 13 countries. The conference helped strengthen collaboration between the PRC and other developing member countries through sharing of knowledge on sustainable conservation finance strategies.
On the first day of the conference, participants embarked on a field visit to observe various watershed conservation programs in Miyun. This excursion included stops at the Miyun Reservoir Exhibition Museum and Dam, the Chinese Bee Protected Area in Fengjiayu, the Jixing Agricultural Park built on reclaimed wildlands, and the Earth System Simulation Facility. These site visits provided firsthand insights into the practical implementation and diverse applications of modern and sustainable agriculture, engineering and science.
Conference sessions discussed a range of topics including the PRC’s experience in implementing eco-compensation programs, which have contributed towards improving environmental quality and enhancing sustainable agriculture practices, while also enhancing ecotourism activities and promoting nature positive investments. The eco-compensation schemes also serve as a mechanism to channel financial flows from carbon or biodiversity credit schemes.
The conference also facilitated the sharing of experiences and best practices from other regions, including the Greater Mekong Subregion, Lao PDR, and India, with presentations highlighting successful initiatives like the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. Discussions highlighted the importance of identifying additional avenues for dissemination of PRC’s rich experiences in implementing eco-compensation mechanisms with other DMCs, including through the RKSI and other knowledge sharing platforms.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.
