Search is on for the next batch of ASEAN Green Initiatives

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — In celebration of the 57th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) launches the second call for nominations for the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI)— a recognition programme for outstanding small-, medium-, and large-scale ecosystem restoration initiatives across the ASEAN region. 

The AGI advances ASEAN’s commitment to working together towards biodiversity conservation in the region by encouraging the planting of at least 10 million native trees across the 10 ASEAN Member States in a span of 10 years, in line with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This is also part of ASEAN’s efforts to contribute to the realisation of the  Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework or the Biodiversity Plan particularly Targets 2 and 3, which aim to restore 30 per cent of all degraded ecosystems and conserve 30 per cent of land, waters, and seas. 

The AGI is also an opportunity to recognise grassroots actions that support regional policies, strategies, and programmes. These people-led initiatives also significantly promote biodiversity appreciation and awareness of tangible actions to address climate change and pollution. 

“The ACB encourages everyone to play an active role in protecting the environment and contributing to ecosystem restoration. Tree-growing initiatives are an investment for everyone’s future, for tomorrow’s source of cleaner air, water, and sustenance,” says Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, Executive Director of the ACB. 

“The AGI aims to establish standards for the recognition of the best ecosystem restoration activities that regrow our forests and serve as an integral part of nature-based solutions or ecosystem-based approaches to minimise climate change impacts and reduce risks to ecosystems and communities, as part of Target 8 of the UN Biodiversity Plan”, Dr. Lim continues. 

The AGI is committed to ensuring inclusivity among all sectors, including civil society organisations, the private sector, and the government, among others.

Nomination guidelines can be found at https://agi.aseanbiodiversity.org/guidelines. 

The urgent need for ecosystem restoration

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Asia-Pacific is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change and its impacts are projected to worsen. It also accounts for nearly half of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Environmental degradation comes at a great price. Floods and storms result in economic losses, zoonotic diseases, and even the loss of human lives. According to the ASEAN State of the Climate Change Report, GHG emissions in the region have been increasing due to industrialisation based on fossil-fuel energy and associated land-use change, resulting in the loss of tropical forests and peatlands rich in biodiversity. In addition, worsening climate change impacts, such as sea level rise and the corresponding saline-water intrusion into freshwater resources, have affected the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and reduced water quality (ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook 3).

While climate change may lead to the loss of this natural wealth, healthy species diversity and ecosystems also enhance nature’s ability to store and sequester carbon and act as our natural defence against the effects of the changing climate. 

Past recipients of the AGI awards

The first-ever AGI awarding ceremony was held in Jakarta in June 2023. These recipients have planted more than 1.4 million native trees in their respective areas. They were chosen based on the following criteria: ecological soundness, socio-economic impacts, sustainability, and compliance with governance and institutional mechanisms. 

The recipients of the large-scale initiatives (over 5,000 trees planted) were: 

Malaysia: 

Habitat Rehabilitation Programme through Tree Planting Activities under Central Forest Spine Management and Development Project, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia

Yayasan PETRONAS Tree Planting Activities in support of PETRONAS Walk4Trees Programme Yayasan PETRONAS, implemented by the Global Environment Centre in Malaysia

Philippines:

Ayala Land Carbon Forest Project in Cebu Ayala Land, Inc.

BINHI: The Greening Legacy Energy Development Corporation

Singapore: 

OneMillionTrees Movement National Parks Board Singapore

For the medium-scale initiatives (up to 5,000 trees planted), the recipients were: 

Lao PDR:

Lao Cherry Blossom Tree Project located in Houaphan-Kouangning National Park, Lao Houng Garden, Culture and Keo Halls Houaphan Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office with the Sumnuen District Development Organization, and Kaona Sathapath Company, Ltd.

Philippines: 

Ayala Land Carbon Forest Project in Davao Ayala Land, Inc. Ayala Westgrove Heights Native Tree and Wildlife Haven Ayala Westgrove Heights Homeowners Association