THE THEMATIC ASSESSMENT REPORT ON INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND THEIR CONTROL
40SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
codes of conduct (Box SPM.1) have limitations but they 
can be a valuable part of integrated systems to reduce the 
risk of biological invasions, when in line with relevant 
international obligations and national legislations (established 
but incomplete) {6.3.1.4(4)}. Adequately designed and 
implemented national biodiversity strategies and action 
plans are instruments to help manage biological invasions 
and mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species 
(established but incomplete) {6.1.2, 6.3.3.1}. Implementation 
of strategies could be accelerated by measuring and 
monitoring resourcing of actions, implementation processes, 
outputs and outcomes of policy management (established 
but incomplete) {Table 6.5, Box 6.3, 6.6.3}, which could also 
create a conducive policy environment for the utilization of 
environmentally sound technologies (established but 
incomplete) {6.3.3.4}.
D28 Long-term commitment and resourcing from 
governments and institutions will support the 
implementation of strategic actions to underpin the 
integrated governance of biological invasions 
(established but incomplete) {6.2.3.2, 6.5.1, 6.5.3, 
6.5.7}. With adequate levels of sustained investment and 
resources (Table SPM.2), including support to developing 
countries {6.5.7}, specific options that address the gaps and 
inconsistencies in current policy instruments and 
coordination can be implemented over appropriate 
timeframes (established but incomplete) {6.7.2.2, 6.7.2.3}. 
Regulatory and market-based instruments such as tax relief 
and subsidization can be used to incentivize action on and 
investment in prevention and control of invasive alien species 
(established but incomplete) {6.3.1, 6.5.1, 6.5.2}, especially 
when responsibility for the burden of biological invasions, 
including environmental liability, is shared (Figure SPM.7). 
These instruments may be non-market mechanisms or 
voluntary codes of conduct (Box SPM.1) {6.3.1.4}, 
transparent and conducive regulatory settings for new 
technologies {6.3.3.4, 6.7.2.7}, information-sharing {6.6.2, 
6.7.3}, product labelling {6.3.1.4} or direct regulatory 
intervention {6.3.3.1, 6.3.3.3}. Regulations could be enforced 
with economic penalties and tariffs (established but 
incomplete) {6.5.1, 6.5.2}. However, taxation incentives, 
international standards and cost-sharing mechanisms are 
generally the preferable policy instruments for encouraging 
entities to participate in prevention and control activities 
(established but incomplete) {5.6.2.1, 6.5.1, 6.5.2, 6.5.4, 
6.5.5, 6.5.6}. Efforts to overcome the asymmetries and 
differences in resource capacity among stakeholders and the 
potential unequal burden and responsibilities of addressing 
the causes and impacts of invasive alien species can be 
embedded in policies (established but incomplete) {6.2.3.3, 
6.4.4.3}. Cost-benefit and "willingness to pay" analyses and 
stakeholder consultation can support the development of 
national policies to assist in justifying the use of public 
resources and developing the most appropriate incentives 
(established but incomplete) {5.2.2.1.i, 6.2.3.1(2), 6.2.3.4}.
D29 Public awareness and engagement contribute 
to the effective management of biological 
invasions (well established) {5.6.2.1, 6.2.2(9), 
6.3.1.4, 6.4.1, 6.6.2.1, 6.7}. Public understanding of the 
risks associated with invasive alien species is particularly 
important for preventing new introductions (well 
established) {6.2.2(9), 6.4.1}. Increased understanding of 
possible biological invasions and the negative impacts of 
invasive alien species can be achieved through public 
awareness campaigns {Box 6.11, 6.7.2.5}, education 
across all age groups {6.7.2.4} and citizen science 
(established but incomplete) {5.4.2.2.a, 6.6.2.1}. 
Engagement of the general public via citizen science 
platforms, awareness campaigns and community-driven 
eradication campaigns also contributes to establishing 
shared responsibilities for managing biological invasions 
(established but incomplete) {6.7.2.5}. Surveillance for 
detecting invasive alien species through citizen science and 
social media provides broader security by empowering and 
engaging the public (established but incomplete) {5.4.2.1.a, 
5.4.2.2.a, 6.6.2.1}. Communication is an effective tool for 
inspiring collective action to monitor and control invasive 
alien species {6.2.3.1(4), 6.2.3.4, 6.4.4.4} by supporting the 
co-design of management actions, knowledge exchange 
and enhanced partnerships among stakeholders and 
researchers (established but incomplete) {6.2.3.3, 6.4.4.3}. 
It can also enable alignment of resource managers' 
responses with national plans and policy priorities (well 
established) {6.3.1.3, 6.3.2.1}. An effective communications 
strategy considers the most appropriate timing, media and 
channels/interfaces for the target audience (established but 
incomplete) {Box 6.13, 6.6.2.6}.
D30 Indigenous Peoples and local communities 
have invaluable knowledge systems that could 
contribute to addressing biological invasions 
(established but incomplete) {Box 4.18, 5.5.3, 5.5.4, 
6.4.3.2}, yet their lack of land tenure and access 
rights can limit the extent to which they are able to 
take action (well established) {3.2.5, 6.4.3.1}.
Indigenous Peoples and local communities can be partners 
in co-developing policies and strategies to address 
biological invasions while giving consideration to the 
challenge of conflicting perceptions and values in order to 
achieve consensus on management actions (established but 
incomplete) {5.6.1.2, 6.2.3.3, 6.4.3.1}. Participation of 
Indigenous Peoples and local communities can be 
enhanced with sufficient legal, political and financial support 
(well established) {6.4.3, Box 6.16}. Successful strategies 
respect the knowledge, priorities and rights of Indigenous 
Peoples and local communities, including customary 
governance systems, in accordance with national legislation 
(established but incomplete) {5.1.3, 5.2.1, 5.6.2, 6.4.3}. In 
cases where the impact of invasive alien species on the 
quality of life of Indigenous Peoples and local communities is 
unavoidable, those communities need ongoing support and 
SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
19SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
BACKGROUND
e SPM 7 Integrated governance of biological invasions.