Towards a Legal Framework for OECMs in South Africa

Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are embedded within Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted by parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022. The important role and influence of law in the context of supporting and strengthening the recognition of OECMs has recently been highlighted in the IUCN’s Guidance on OECMs (2024). A handful of countries are currently exploring the development of domestic OECM legislation, with South Africa being one such country.

BirdLife South Africa commissioned Professor Alexander Paterson to prepare an OECM Legal Review for South Africa, the purpose of which is to inform and support the South African Government to draft its future legal intervention focussing on supporting and strengthening the recognition of OECMs. You can access a copy of the draft OECM Legal Review here, which was presented at a national workshop held in December 2024.