Component 2 will involve working with decision makers and practitioners in different sectors active in Quang Ninh Province to develop at least two SEEA-EA-based NC ecosystem accounts (provincial ‘satellites’) based on the SEEA-based NCA formats and partnership, spatial data platform as well as increased institutional capacity established under Comp 1. The focus would be on establishing accounts useful for spatial and sector planning purposes, including NCA on environmental assets (ecosystems and condition); flows of goods and services from the ocean to the economy (supply/use of ecosystem
services); flows from the economy (pollutants, residuals) into the ocean environment (2.1.1), whilst building on the methodology and related baseline work by the GOAP/ESCAP supported Ocean Accounting program as well as the data framework and partnership under the National Statistical Indicator System (NSIS) led by GSO.
The results from NCA development and data assessment will be used to inform (socio-economic and spatial) development planning in Quang Ninh Province to ensure the planning will take in consideration the sustainable use as well as protection of natural capital resources in the coastal and near-shore zone of the province (2.1.3). The project will conduct outreach including sector round tables with both NGO, public and private entities), to discuss and adopt the results of a comprehensive assessment on the dependence, interlinkages and impacts of different sectors (i.e. tourism, fishery, agriculture, etc.) on coastal and marine ecosystems and services; followed by agreed corporate commitments and plans/strategies, including through sustainable business investments benefitting (M)PAs, targeting key drivers of coastal and marine NC loss and degradation (2.1.2). As a result, development of Sustainable Business Plans/strategies is targeted for at least four (4) corporate entities related to especially tourism, and fishery sectors; yet also the identification of sustainable business opportunities, investments and
improved operations towards reducing vectors of NC impact, including nutrient-, plastics and other pollution, critical habitat loss and degradation, and loss of connectivity for key ecosystem services, including towards increased financial resources for meeting costs of PA management. This work will build on the good work done in Viet Nam under the WB ProBlue Program related to a blue economy growth strategy, (marine plastics) pollution control, the implementation of the baseline program Mitigating Marine Plastic Debris in Viet Nam with a budget of Euro 9.8 million for the period 2019 – 2023, supported by WWF-Germany, as well as related work funded by ADB.
NCA results as well as the incremental support towards a national data system will be used for better spatial planning, optimized resource allocation and reduction in potential development conflicts as part of the upcoming master plan on socio-economic development in Quang Ninh. The ecosystems condition NC account will be established to track the change of PAs condition over time to inform policy makers for taking actions for improvement management and protection of the NC contained in the PAs, including
especially a reduction in impact vectors in the landscape and economic sectors around the PAs.
The developed NCAs will directly support optimizing spatial planning for restoration and protection as well as for improved management and monitoring of coastal and marine NC resources over an area of 90,128 ha (excluding three PAs) – especially related to reducing vectors of NC impact, as well as indirectly over a total area of 42,978 ha of these three protected areas – 1 terrestrial and 1 marine PA, and one NP with the status of MPA pending. The project will provide incremental support to local implementation of the baseline program led by VASI on National Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and development of Master Plan on Sustainable exploitation and Use of Coastal Resources in the Period of
2021-2030, with Vision to 2045. The provincial NCA would assist tracking PA condition using the Ecosystem Condition NCA to inform decision makers on required actions to be taken, e.g. as part of the socio-economic development planning process. NC accounting would also analyze levels of ‘costbenefit’ (both ecological as well as monetary) of terrestrial and coastal resources for aquaculture and environmental protection; sustainable exploitation and restoration, reduction of impacts of natural disasters, as well as adaptation to climate change of e.g. agriculture through mechanization and naturebased solutions.
The basis for this is the NCAs as well as their input to the development of the government provincial master plan on socio-economic Development Plan 2026?2030, including optimizing spatial planning and NC resource allocation (output 2.1.3). The improved spatial allocation, management and monitoring of coastal and marine resources ? similar with the above enhanced corporate sector operations, would target reducing vectors of NC impact such as nutrient-, plastics and other pollution, critical habitat loss and degradation, and loss of connectivity for key ecosystem services.
The few listed historic initiatives (section 2.7 ) provide various data sets, tried methodologies, established partnership as well as examples of NCA development and application in Quang Ninh Province; including suggested collaboration with the ProBlue program of the WB towards their anticipated support on spatial planning. Additionally, the results of the GEF supported pilot testing at the provincial level will feed into national and provincial policies, regional learning platforms and the global dialogue (i.e. GOAP) on
natural capital accounting and its applications, to promote replication and widespread dissemination.
Component 2 has one Outcome, Outcome 2.1 Results of marine and coastal natural capital accounting applied toward development and implementation of blue economic growth and land-/seascape conservation planning for Quang Ninh Province. Outcome 2.1 is composed of 3 separate outputs.
Output 2.1.1. Two or three marine and coastal (SEEA-EA-based) NC ecosystems-accounts established and operationalized ? with specific data sets for Quang Ninh Province (see 1.1.1)
Under this Output the focus would be on establishing accounts useful for spatial and sector planning purposes, including NCA on environmental assets (ecosystems and condition); flows of goods and services from the ocean to the economy (supply/use of ecosystem services); flows from the economy (pollutants, residuals) into the ocean environment, whilst building on the methodology and related baseline work by the GOAP/ESCAP supported Ocean Accounting program as well as the data framework
and partnership under the National Statistical Indicator System (NSIS) led by GSO. (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: VASI, GSO, GOAP-ESCAP, DONRE, DARD etc.) Indicative activities under Output 2.1.1 include:
2.1.1.1 Review and identify key issues of marine and coastal natural resources in Quang Ninh for policy intervention. The project under this activity will support the inventarisation of all relevant spatial data resources and other data sources available needed to establish NC ecosystems accounts for the main coastal ecosystems in Quang Ninh.
2.1.1.2 Economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services of marine and coastal ecosystem of Quang Ninh through putting monetary value on the existing stocks and flows.
2.2.1.3 Development of at least two marine and coastal (SEEA-EA-based) NC ecosystems-accounts for Quang Ninh for improving spatial and sector planning based on the results of activities of 2.1.1.1. The focus would be on establishing accounts useful for spatial and sector planning purposes, including NCA on environmental assets (ecosystems and condition); flows of goods and services from the ocean to the economy (supply/use of ecosystem services); flows from the economy (pollutants, residuals) into the ocean environment, whilst building on the methodology and related baseline work by the GOAP/ESCAP supported Ocean Accounting program as well as the data framework and partnership under the National Statistical Indicator System (NSIS) led by GSO. The project will support the development through involvement of TA, in collaboration with GOAP, to guide the provincial staff and the involved staff of national level institutions.
2.1.1.4 In order to make optimal use of the established NC accounts in Quang Ninh and to use the information generated for spatial and economic planning purposes, the project will initiate and implement training and capacity building on NCA satellite accounts operations. This activity will focus on the removal of capacity barriers, prioritizing accounts development, data compilation and system operation skills, enabling the staff to confidently continue development, monitoring and application of natural capital accounts information and analysis into development planning.
Output 2.1.2. Corporate commitments and plans secured and options for PA friendly
operations/investments identified through quantification of impacts, dependency and interlinkages on marine and coastal NC in Quang Ninh Province communicated through outreach and sector roundtables
Under Output 2.1.2 the project will conduct outreach including sector round tables with both NGO, public and private entities, to discuss and adopt the results of a comprehensive assessment on the dependence, interlinkages and impacts of different sectors (i.e. tourism, fishery, agriculture, etc.) on coastal and marine ecosystems and services; followed by agreed corporate commitments and plans/strategies, including through sustainable business investments benefitting (M)PAs, targeting key drivers of coastal and marine NC loss and degradation. As a result, development of Sustainable Business
Plans/strategies is targeted for at least four (4) corporate entities related to especially tourism, and fishery sectors; yet also the identification of sustainable business opportunities, investments and improved operations towards reducing vectors of NC impact, including nutrient-, plastics and other pollution, critical habitat loss and degradation, and loss of connectivity for key ecosystem services, including towards increased financial resources for meeting costs of PA management. This work will build on the good work done in Viet Nam under the WB ProBlue Program related to a blue economy growth strategy, (marine plastics) pollution control, the implementation of the baseline program Mitigating Marine Plastic Debris in Viet Nam with a budget of Euro 9.8 million for the period 2019 ? 2023, supported by WWFGermany, as well as related work funded by ADB. Another key source of information is the recent UNDP (May 2022) report on Blue Economy Scenarios for Viet Nam, covering key ocean economic sectors, amongst others fishery and tourism and related blue economy scenarios to optimize socio-economic and
environmental benefits. In addition to the UNDP report, recent work by UNEP through the Pilot Rapid Readiness Assessment (UNEP, 2022, UNEP Transitional Framework to a Sustainable Blue Economy) and the report of the Wollongong University of Australia on Governance Framworks to support a Blue Economy, ANCHORS (2021) provide relevant information. (Lead: ISPONRE, Collaborating: VASI, WWF, ADB, DONRE, UNEP etc.).
Indicative activities under Output 2.1.2 include:
2.1.2.1 Conduct surveys and options analyses to develop an assessment of priority sectors/entities for project intervention. This will be supported through the organization of sector round tables to bring together key sectoral stakeholders in order to come to a shared assessment of the interlinkages and dependence of these sectors on coastal and marine ecosystems and services (Activity 2.1.2.2). Based on this understanding the project aims at securing support from corporate partners to adopt some of the results of the NC data sets and results of NCA in partnership with the provincial government. This common understanding stemming from the sector round tables will ultimately be supported by 2.1.2.2.
2.1.2.2 Under this activity, the project aims at the development of at least 4 Sustainable Business Plans/strategies of four corporate entities related to especially the tourism, and fishery sectors; and identification of sustainable business opportunities, investments and improved operations towards reducing vectors of NC impact. These sustainable business plans, or protocols, will take into consideration the value of natural capital, and through a consultative process for planning purposes in collaboration with provincial authorities and local stakeholders, to reduce or avoid impact from sector or corporate operations or investments in e.g. tourism or fisheries. Apart from the incentive to these corporations to integrate the protocols into their CSR programs, there is also a direct business or
economic incentive by enhancing secured supply of environmental services (reduced impact of plastic waste on aquaculture, safeguarding a clean landscape and environment as key environmental asset for the tourism sector etc.). For this output the target is set at least 4 Sustainable Business Plans or protocols, depending on how many separate corporations express their interest and willingness to develop and implement the plans.
2.1.2.3. In support of and follow-up to the Sustainable Business Plans developed under 2.1.2.3, the project will support capacity building and training of representatives of the private sector on sustainable business planning towards reducing vectors of NC impact, aimed at enhancing effective implementation of the plans/protocols and to identify those interventions with most impact.
Output 2.1.3. Socio-Economic development plan (2026 – 2030) in Quang Ninh Province developed, optimizing sector co-existence and spatial use of coastal and marine resources as well as identifying sector investments and operations for improved (financial) management effectiveness of protected areas – leading to reducing vectors of NC impact, using integrated NC ecosystems-account
Under Output 2.1.3 NCA results as well as the incremental support towards a national data system will be used for better spatial planning, optimized resource allocation and reduction in potential development conflicts as part of the upcoming master plan on socio-economic development in Quang Ninh. The ecosystems condition NC account will be established to track the change of PAs condition over time to inform policy makers for taking actions for improvement management and protection of the NC contained in the PAs, including especially a reduction in impact vectors in the landscape and economic
sectors around the PAs. The basis for this is the NCAs as well as their input to the development of the government provincial master plan on socio-economic Development Plan 2026?2030, including optimizing spatial planning and NC resource allocation. (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: VASI, DAE, PPC).
Indicative activities under Output 2.1.3 include:
2.1.3.1 Conduct an assessment and mapping of biological, socio-economic, environmental and institutional aspects, including assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services values and threats, climate risks, land degradation priorities for Socio-Economic development plan (2026 – 2030) in Quang Ninh Province (jointly with activities developed under Output 2.1.1).
2.1.3.2 Support optimizing spatial planning for restoration and protection as well as for improved management and monitoring of coastal and marine NC resources. Based on the information provided by the establishment and analysis of the ecosystem account, condition account, ecosystem services account and pollutant account, the project under this activity aims to inform the PA?s management teams and provincial authorities on temporal and spatial changes that could inform the management teams on specific actions to mitigate or reduce specific impact vectors and to channel targeted financial support to identified areas of negative change or impact in PAs and related buffer zones and ecological corridors. Whilst not anticipating the direct involvement of (M)PA management teams or work inside PAs, this may lead to the enhanced management effectiveness through new or additional financing for the costs of PA management, either through earmarking of line budgets or mobilizing interest for investment by other projects and or corporate entities. The NC accounts to be piloted in Quang Ning Province are intended to be able to document and monitor ongoing trends (spatially and over time), making use of the spatial database (GIS-based) and its various satellite accounts. The NC accounts to be established are therefore seen as the monitoring tool to measure the total area of landscape that has been improved through the application and use of the analysis provided by the NC accounts to the development of the socialeconomic development plan.
2.1.3.3 Building on the draft Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) and the information provided by the NC accounts, the project will support the development of the provincial Socio-Economic Development Plan 2026-2030, incorporating present trends in natural capital and the environmental services they provide and highlighting identifying areas for targeted interventions to limit negative impact on socio-economic development, while optimizing sustainable use of the environmental resources provided by the ecosystems of Quang Ninh.
