【IUCN】厦门实践——沿海城市发展中融入自然解决方案的案例研究-2024

Xiamen Practice – A Case Study of Integrating Nature-based Solutions in Coastal Development

Core Content

Xiamen, a coastal city in Fujian Province, China, has emerged as a global example of successful integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into its coastal development strategies. Over the past 30 years, Xiamen has implemented a range of ecological and social initiatives that align with Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilisation, promoting sustainable development while conserving biodiversity and enhancing urban resilience.

Main Milestones

• 1985–1988: Xi Jinping, then Vice Mayor of Xiamen, initiated the Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy (1985–2000), which was the first in China to include ecological protection as a key objective.
• 1986: The Provisional Regulations on the Protection and Management of Sand, Stone, and Soil Resources were introduced, requiring quarrying and remediation plans before any mining activity.
• 1988: The Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) approach was adopted, and the Ecological Red Lines (ERLs) were established to protect sensitive ecosystems.
• 1993: Xiamen was designated as an ICM demonstration site, marking a long-term commitment to ecological governance.
• 2018: The State Council issued a notice on coastal wetland protection and land reclamation control, leading Xiamen to cease new reclamation projects.
• 2020: The Citizen Lake-Chief Model was introduced to engage the public in river and lake protection.

Key Measures and Results

1. Strengthening Protection through Spatial Planning and Ecological Red Lines

• Xiamen developed a holistic spatial planning system that integrates ecological systems with urban development.
• The city delineated Ecological Red Lines covering 303,69 km², including sensitive areas such as forests, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
• These measures have helped preserve biodiversity and protect water sources, while also ensuring the long-term provision of ecosystem services.

2. Restoring Natural Processes by Removing Seawalls, Dykes, and Infrastructure

• Xiamen removed seven seawalls to restore natural hydrological processes and improve connectivity for coastal fauna.
• The Ecological Blue Line Management Measures (2017) required a 30-metre water ecological buffer around urban development zones.
• These actions have successfully restored nine major streams over 465 km, enhancing the city's ecological resilience.

3. Restoring Coastal Wetlands

• Yundang Lake, a key brackish wetland, was protected through wastewater management, shoreline restoration, and ecological revitalisation.
• Similar efforts were extended to other lakes and rivers, and Xiamen has implemented marine and artificial wetland restoration projects in multiple bays.
• The city's approach aligns with the four categories of restoration activities outlined by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

4. Fostering Sustainable Community Development

• Mountainous communities in Xiamen transitioned from deforestation to fruit and tea plantations, which have improved livelihoods and reduced soil erosion.
• The tea plantations in Junying Village were integrated into the carbon trade project, generating CNY 6 per tonne in carbon credits.
• Policies such as the 2015 Opinions on Accelerating the Transformation of Agricultural Development have expanded the role of productive landscapes to include recreation, tourism, and cultural heritage.

5. Rehabilitating Mining Sites and Supporting Green Transformation

• Xiamen has implemented ecological restoration, natural rehabilitation, and transformation for over 100 abandoned mining sites.
• The Xiamen Industrial District is an example of transforming former quarries into eco-friendly high-tech industrial zones.

6. Diversifying Financing and Public Participation Models

• Xiamen has established a dedicated public fund for ecological restoration.
• It has successfully used public-private partnerships, franchising, green credit, and disaster insurance to attract private investment.
• The city has pioneered marine and agricultural carbon trading platforms, achieving significant market shares in blue carbon trading and agricultural carbon trading.
• The Citizen Lake-Chief Model encourages public involvement in environmental protection through volunteer engagement and knowledge dissemination.

Main Viewpoints

• NbS as a Strategic Tool: Xiamen has integrated NbS into its economic and social development plans, demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban resilience.
• Holistic and Integrated Approach: The city's planning system ensures that ecological protection and urban development are in harmony, guided by spatial planning, ICM, and ERLs.
• Community Engagement and Poverty Alleviation: By involving local communities in restoration efforts, Xiamen has achieved poverty reduction, improved well-being, and sustainable land use.
• Innovative Financing and Partnerships: Xiamen has adopted diverse financing models and collaborative governance to support its ecological initiatives, including carbon trading and public-private partnerships.

Key Information

• Geography: Xiamen covers 1,699 km² of land and 333 km² of sea, with over 5 million residents, 90% in urban areas.
• Climate: The city has a south subtropical oceanic monsoon climate, with 80% of annual rainfall during the rainy season.
• Biodiversity: Xiamen is home to nearly 2,000 marine species, including national first-class protected animals like the Chinese white dolphin.
• Economic and Social Impact: Per capita annual income in Xiamen's rural areas increased from CNY 200 in 1986 to over CNY 40,000 in 2023 due to sustainable development and ecological restoration.
• International Recognition: Xiamen's practices have been acknowledged by IUCN and are considered a global example of NbS integration.

Outlook

Xiamen's future focus will be on:

• Enhancing public participation and decision-making involvement.
• Balancing development and conservation interests.
• Strengthening climate resilience through integrated ecological strategies.
• Promoting private investments through targeted policies and incentives.
• Continuing to lead in NbS implementation and eco-friendly urban development.

Conclusion

Xiamen's integration of Nature-based Solutions into its coastal development has set a global benchmark for sustainable urban planning and ecological conservation. The city's success is attributed to its strategic vision, community engagement, innovative financing, and holistic planning system, which have enabled harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Xiamen's experience provides valuable lessons for other coastal cities seeking to implement NbS for sustainable development.