Introduction
This decade is humanity’s last best chance to address the ongoing nature and climate crises. The implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is of vital importance to our response. The Framework’s four global goals and targets aim to catalyze transformative action for biodiversity in this decade. This transformation will only be possible by harnessing the power of spatial data tools to support inclusive data-informed planning.
Are you interested in learning how to apply a data-driven approach to integrated planning for biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development? Do you want to be at the forefront of mainstreaming biodiversity in national climate and development policies? The United Nations Development Programme and PacMARA are pleased to offer a FREE self-paced course on Integrated Spatial Planning. This five-module course draws on the Essential Life Support Areas (ELSA) methodology, developed by UNDP and partners for using spatial data to identify areas where nature-based actions can support in halting biodiversity loss, addressing climate change, and fostering sustainable development based on the experiences of 12 pilot countries. The course was developed with funding support from the GEF and Sida.
In this course, you’ll discover how this integrated spatial planning methodology is helping countries create their own ‘Maps of Hope’ to chart a course for action on nature, climate, and sustainable development. You will also learn how integrated spatial planning can support the national efforts towards the goals and targets of the new Framework, including Target 1, which sets the ambition of ensuring that all areas are under participatory, integrated and biodiversity inclusive spatial planning and/or effective management processes to bring loss of areas of high biodiversity importance close to zero.
Skills you will gain
What you will learn
- Learn how integrated spatial planning is revolutionizing the way that countries are making decisions around nature, climate, and sustainable development
- Understand how to work with diverse stakeholders to come to a common agreement on national policy priorities
- Learn about the process to collect and transform data to serve as the basis of a ‘Map of Hope’
- Learn about the process of customizing a ‘Map of Hope’ that indicates how and where action can be taken to achieve national priorities around nature, climate, and sustainable development, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 1
- Become familiar with the steps to review and refine a ‘Map of Hope’ with national experts and mainstream the results into the national policy landscape
- Be able to effectively communicate integrated spatial planning results to experts and general audiences alike
- Learn how integrated spatial planning is revolutionizing the way that countries are making decisions around nature, climate, and sustainable development
- Understand how to work with diverse stakeholders to come to a common agreement on national policy priorities
- Learn about the process to collect and transform data to serve as the basis of a ‘Map of Hope’
- Learn about the process of customizing a ‘Map of Hope’ that indicates how and where action can be taken to achieve national priorities around nature, climate, and sustainable development, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 1
- Become familiar with the steps to review and refine a ‘Map of Hope’ with national experts and mainstream the results into the national policy landscape
- Be able to effectively communicate integrated spatial planning results to experts and general audiences alike
Completion requirements
- Complete all online lessons
- Complete the course survey
- Pass five quizzes
- Complete all online lessons
- Pass five quizzes
- Complete the course survey
Course modules
Welcome to the course 1 activity
Discussion forum 3 activities
Module 1: Introduction to ‘Mapping Hope’ 4 activities, 1 quiz
Module 2: Creating a national ‘Map of Hope’ vision 3 activities, 1 quiz
Module 3: Co-creating a ‘Map of Hope’ 3 activities, 1 quiz
Module 4: Mainstreaming ‘Map of Hope’ results 4 activities, 1 quiz
Module 5: ‘Maps of Hope’ across the world 3 activities, 1 quiz
FAQs
1. How many languages is the course available in?
The course is available in English, French, and Spanish.
2. Do I need any qualifications to enroll in this course?
No. This course is aimed at representatives of governments, biodiversity practitioners and civil society engaged in shaping policy to protect nature and biodiversity but is open to everyone.
3. What are the technical requirements to enroll in this course?
Participants should be able to access the Internet, even if only periodically, in order to access the course materials and complete the course requirements.
4. Are there any system requirements for accessing course content?
No, there are no specific system requirements to view the content of this course.
5. What are the requirements to receive the certificate of completion?
In order to receive the certificate of course completion, participants must complete all online lessons, pass five quizzes, and complete the course survey.
6. How do I receive my course completion certificate when I complete the course?
Once you complete the course requirements, the certificate of course completion will be automatically generated and will become available for download in PDF format directly from the course home page. To download the certificate, you will need to click the “Download my certificate” button right above the Course Content section of the course home page.
7. Is it possible to request modifications to the certificates, such as adding the number of hours required for the course?
Certificates for the course are generated automatically and cannot be modified.
8. How can I get in touch with other course participants?
If you would like to send a private message to any of the course participants, click on their name and send them a connection request first by clicking the “Connect” button on their profile. You will receive an email notification once they accept your connection request. When your connection request has been accepted, select “Private message” on your contact’s profile page to send them a private message. To view the list of all the Learning for Nature users, select Community → Learners on the site homepage.
9. How do I contact the course coordinator?
If you have any questions about the course and/or experience any technical difficulties, please contact the course coordinator at info@learningfornature.org or by clicking the “Contact course coordinator” button at the top of the course room.