Natural Resource Governance Framework

The Natural Resource Governance Framework (NRGF) is an IUCN/CEESP initiative created for the purpose of providing a robust, inclusive, and credible approach to assessing and strengthening natural resource governance, at multiple levels and in diverse contexts. The overarching goal of NRGF is to: set standards and guidance for decision-makers at all levels to make better and more just decisions on the use of natural resources and the distribution of nature’s benefits, following good governance principles, such that improved governance will enhance the contributions of ecosystems and biodiversity to equity and sustainability.

Key strategies for NRGF from 2017-2020 are to:

• Consolidate development of an overarching Natural Resource Governance Framework for independent assessment of the status of natural resource governance – emphasizing issues of rights, equity and social justice ‐ in multiple contexts.
• Use the NRGF to build coherence and consistency across IUCN Secretariat work on governance – facilitating coherent approaches and building skills and capacity to further integrate governance and rights dimensions into IUCN’s policy, programme and project-level work.
• Promote the NRGF as a standard for the broader conservation and natural resource community – by engaging networks of IUCN Members and partners including indigenous, community and civil society organizations.
• Strengthen knowledge and action on natural resource governance – by conducting assessments, through application of the framework, and using the results to strengthen natural resource governance.

This workshop offered an opportunity for participants to learn about NRGF’s work to date and engage in developing and implementing next steps. The session focused particularly on exploring interests and opportunities for broader engagement with the NRGF as a conservation standard (strategy 3, above) as well as interests and opportunities to strengthen knowledge and action on natural resource governance through applications of NRGF (strategy 4).

Key Themes: 

Governance, Rights & Conflict, Places & Spaces, Conserved Areas, Climate & Environmental Changes

Presenters:

Jenny Springer (CEESP Theme on Governance, Equity and Rights), Emmanuel Nuesiri (University of Illinois Urbana Champaign), Kristen Walker-Painemilla (IUCN Commission on Environment, Economics, and Social Policy), Stewart Maginnis (IUCN Commission on Environment, Economics, and Social Policy), Lorena Aguilar (IUCN)