China: GEF7: Green and Carbon Neutral Cities Project (TF0B8386) Implementation Support Mission March 18-26, 2024 Aide Memoire I. INTRODUCTION 1. The World Bank (WB) task team, 1 led by Xueman Wang as Task Team Leader, visited Chengdu, Chongqing, Ningbo, and China Center for Urban Development (CCUD) for the third project implementation support mission from March 18 to March 26, 2024. Throughout the mission, the task team engaged in comprehensive discussions with Project Management Offices (PMOs) and conducted site visits to gain a thorough understanding of the project implementation status. The team focused on addressing issues including technical assistance, procurement, financial management, and compliance with social and environmental safeguards policies. The task team would like to express sincere gratitude to the Municipal Finance Bureaus, Development and Reform Commissions, PMOs, and their consulting teams in Chengdu, Chongqing, Ningbo and CCUD for their warm hospitality and support extended. Their cooperation and assistance have been invaluable in facilitating the successful execution of the project. 2. The Aide Memoire was discussed at the wrap-up meetings with the Chengdu PMO Executive Director Mr. ZHAO Sen on March 19, Ms. GUO Zhi, Deputy Division Director of Chongqing Development and Reform Commission (DRC) Foreign Investment Division on March 20, Ms. ZHOU Huining, Ningbo PMO staff on March 22, and Mr. ZHAO Kun, CCUD PMO Director as the chairs on March 25, respectively. The final version of the Aide Memoire was endorsed by the Bank management. The Aide Memoire contains the following Annexes: Annex 1: Detailed Status of Project Activities by Cities and Agreed Actions Annex 2: Summary of the Meeting with Ministries Annex 3: List of Officials Met During the Mission Annex 4: Results Framework II. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS AND KEY FINDINGS A. Overall Implementation Status and Key Issues 3. Overall Implementation Progress. Overall, the project is making good progress towards achieving the PDO. There are a total of 27 Technical Assistance (TA) contracts under the project, including 6 contracts managed by Chengdu PMO, 8 by Ningbo, and 13 by Chongqing. By the time of the mission, one contract is awarded and five contracts have entered bidding stage. Another 6 Terms of References (ToRs) have been approved by the Bank team and the PMOs will soon start selecting qualified consultancies. Out of remaining 15 contracts, 10 are currently at the stage of ToR preparation. 4. Highlights of the Progress. - National Policy Engagement. The project is designed to facilitate the integration of “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches to bring coherence to policy implementation: the ministries set out broad policy frameworks and pilot cities (Ningbo, Chengdu, and Chongqing) operationalize them (see figure 1). Lessons learned during project implementation will be fed back to the ministries to help consolidate and refine strategy as well as set the standards. Convened by CCUD under National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Bank team had a meeting with the Ministry of Ecology and 1 The mission consisted of Ms. Xueman Wang (Task Team Leader/Senior Urban Specialist), Ms. Xiaodan Huang (Senior Environmental Engineer), Ms. Shuang Zhou (Senior Social Development Specialist); Mr. Hongkun Yang (Senior Procurement Specialist/Consultant), Ms. Xiaona Liang (Urban Development Consultant). Ms. Fang Zhang (Senior Financial Management Specialist) and Ms. Xiao Wu (Urban Development Analyst) joined the mission partially. 1 Environment (MEE), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) on March 25, 2024, to discuss policy support on advancing climate change mitigation and urban biodiversity conservation initiatives through the GEF7 Project. The ministries shared their proposals, for which the Bank provided the feedback. The first batch of the policy analysis would include: National Guideline on Integrating Urban Biodiversity into Territorial and Spatial Planning by MNR, National Guideline on Integrating Low-carbon Principles into Urban Regeneration Initiative by MOHURD, National Guideline on Advancing China’s Low-carbon Pilot City Project, National Strategy on Climate Financing, and Mechanism for Ecological Services and the Pathway to Value Realization by MEE (see annex 2 for details). Figure 1. National Engagement and City Pilots - City Policy Support on Climate Change and Biodiversity. All three cities will develop carbon neutrality roadmaps. Notable progress is being made by Ningbo. Ningbo's carbon neutrality roadmap emphasizes leveraging industrial transformation within existing industries to effectively advance carbon-neutral objectives, while also considering responses to carbon tariffs. Furthermore, Ningbo has initiated the development of a platform aimed at monitoring carbon emissions within the building sector. On green and high-quality indicators, the indicators and monitoring framework established will inform the preparation of the 15th Five Year Plan (FYP) in three cities. On urban biodiversity strategy, Ningbo has advanced a city-wide comprehensive plan to establish an inventory of biodiversity, monitor the city’s biodiversity status and explore how to bring nature and biodiversity to high-density urban areas and reflect it in the urban land planning. As for Chongqing, its urban biodiversity strategy will be implemented at the district level in Bishan district. - Pilot Selection. All three cities have shown significant progress in selecting pilot sites. Regarding piloting nature-based solutions (NBS), Chengdu is committed to demonstrating ecological restoration across four types of giant panda habitats within the Giant Pandas National Park in areas previously affected by natural disasters or human activities. Chongqing and Ningbo have each identified specific river sections for their NBS pilot projects. Chongqing's focus is on the Bilan River in Bishan district, while Ningbo will concentrate its efforts on the western section of the Cicheng Moat in Jiangbei district. In terms of piloting low-carbon communities or neighborhoods, Chongqing's chosen site is situated in the densely populated area of Yuzhong district, encompassing older residential complexes, commercial buildings, hospitals, and public squares. Similarly, Ningbo's pilot site is strategically located near its NBS site, reflecting a deliberate decision aimed at demonstrating an integrated approach to fostering sustainable urban development. As for Chengdu, the Bank recommended concentrating on multiple smaller neighborhoods to effectively implement practical low-carbon regeneration solutions and encourage future construction efforts. 2 5. Mid-term Review (MTR). The Bank team plans to conduct the MTR in early 2025. The PMOs need to prepare an MTR review report, which should be submitted to the Bank no later than January 31, 2025. To accelerate the project progress towards the mid-term, the Bank team has closely monitored the disbursement progress and the implementation of each contract every month by establishing a comprehensive project progress monitoring table for the PMOs. 6. Results Framework. The Bank team reminded the three city PMOs to pay close attention to the project Results Framework when preparing the ToRs. The PDO-level indicators and intermediate indicators should be incorporated into the design and implementation of each contract. 7. Capacity Building. The Bank team reminded the three project cities and CCUD to prepare in advance for international visits and study tours in 2025. Following the grant usage requirements of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), overseas visits and study tours are essential to learn from excellent experiences and establish linkages with international cities and platforms focusing on green and sustainable urban development. The insights gained from these international tours will benefit the project outcomes and consequently enhance the effectiveness of grant usage. B. Implementation Progress by Components 8. Component 1: Strengthen the high-quality development framework with the focus on promoting ecological and biodiversity conservation, and carbon neutrality. Good progress has been made. The Bank team has approved the ToRs for formulating indicators in all three cities and Ningbo has awarded the contract and started the development of the data platform. It is noteworthy that the indicators and monitoring framework established will inform the preparation of the 15th FYP in three cities. 9. In all three cities, good progress has been made in the formulation of high-quality green and low carbon indicators. In Ningbo, the focus is on monitoring the progress and implementation of dual carbon indicators at municipal and county levels. To ensure the effective application of green indicators in Ningbo, where the industrial output value accounts for more than 70% of Ningbo’s GDP, the need for new industrialization development will be considered in the indicators. In Chengdu, the plan is to apply the indicators framework in two pilot industrial parks, and the results will be used to further improve the framework. The advanced experience will also be promoted to the management of other industrial parks. In Chongqing, the indicators will be used to assess the development quality in all the districts and counties within the municipality. The project also supports the formulation of indicators in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC). Chongqing has agreed to compare its indicator system with the ones in CCEC to avoid duplication of efforts. 10. There has been progress and changes in the development of the data-sharing platform. Both Chengdu and Chongqing planned to develop a data-sharing platform and link it to the high-quality and green indicators framework. Chengdu decided to link the platform with the existing “City Digital Brain” platform, adding a new dual-carbon module and aiming to provide visual decision-making reference for policy makers. Ningbo is developing a platform to monitor carbon emissions of the building sector, which represents an innovation in digitalizing carbon emissions monitoring. The platform's framework and mechanism are designed to be consistent with the existing building code system and government approval procedures. The Bank team fully agreed with the importance of monitoring carbon emissions in building sector and would like to see a demonstration of several tools as early as possible. The Bank team also suggested Ningbo to determine the user or responsible division of the platform and ensure funds for the platform operation after the project closure. The consultancy team agreed to show the Bank team a demonstration of several tools before August 2024. 11. Component 2: Support integrated solutions to biodiversity and climate change - planning for and investing in “nature” and carbon neutrality. The progress of component 2 is significant in all three cities. Under Component 2, five activities are funded, including (i) Urban biodiversity strategy and natural capital accounting, (ii) Developing Carbon-Neutral Roadmap, (iii) Piloting NBS, (iv) Piloting low carbon communities, and (v) Green finance. 3 12. All three cities made good progress in biodiversity and natural capital accounting activities. Ningbo will produce a city-wide comprehensive plan comprising efforts including establishing an inventory of biodiversity, monitoring the city’s biodiversity status, and identifying areas that require ecological restoration. The Bank team suggested Ningbo break through the traditional mindset and innovate by exploring how to bring nature and biodiversity to high-density urban areas and reflect it in urban land planning. The improvement of green connectivity and linkage with climate change adaptation should also be considered in the strategy. The natural capital accounting activity will be conducted in Ningbo’s Jiangbei district with a priority on how to assess the economic value of urban natural assets and ecosystem services and use gross ecosystem product (GEP) to value nature in decision making. The Bank team fully supports Ningbo's efforts in natural asset accounting at the district level and recommends that Jiangbei District pay special attention to the urban setting when assess the value of the various natural assets within the district. A particular emphasis should be given on the cultural aspects of ecosystem services. Given the relatively smaller size of Jiangbei District, there is a need to enhance the sophistication of investigations and research efforts. Chengdu’s biodiversity action will primarily focus on the preservation and enhancement of the city's wetland system. The pilot sites are currently being selected; the Bank team has agreed to expand the wetland pilot selection scope from both sides of the Tuojiang River to the Tuojiang River Basin and asked the PMO to finalize site selection by July 2024. Unlike Ningbo’s plan, Chongqing will commence its efforts at the district level. Bishan district has developed the ToR and a consultancy agency will be selected soon to conduct Bishan district’s biodiversity strategy and natural capital accounting research. 13. Ningbo and Chengdu made significant progress in developing their carbon-neutral roadmaps. Ningbo has completed preliminary preparations for this activity and the focus will be on how to leverage the industrial transformation on existing industries to better achieve carbon-neutral goals. Since Ningbo relies heavily on small and medium sized enterprises and exports, the responses to carbon tariffs will also be considered. The Bank team suggested Ningbo to explore the potential of circular economy. The outputs will contribute to preparing the related topics in the city’s15th FYP. Chengdu combined the carbon-neutral roadmap and green finance pilot into one contract, and this contract has entered the bidding procedure. The roadmap will integrate models on transportation and other related sectors into the prediction of carbon emissions and use it in policy making, while the green finance pilot will experiment with innovative tools like green credit, subsidies, and zero-carbon coupons. Given the importance of formulating carbon-neutral roadmap, it is agreed that Chongqing will start the preparation for this activity in the next step. The Bank team also recognized the challenges in conducting innovation activities in the CCEC, as the institutional settings and collaboration mechanisms in CCEC are not yet well established. It is agreed that Chongqing will prepare detailed activities that can be supported by fund savings and submit them for the Bank review by the end of April 2024. 14. Piloting NBS and low carbon community. The selected pilot sites for both activities in Ningbo are located within the same area: Cicheng Ancient Town. The Bank team fully supports this deliberate choice as it exemplifies integrated solutions towards sustainable cities effectively. The NBS pilot site is the 2.4- kilometer western section of the Cicheng Moat. This pilot project aims to implement NBS, transforming the river into a green infrastructure that brings multiple benefits to the neighborhood. The Bank team agreed to utilize saved funds to support this piloting activity, for example, purchasing necessary goods. The low carbon community site is not far away from the river, but the exact site is still under determination. During the mission, the Bank team recommended downsizing the research area for the pilot neighborhood to relatively smaller, practical scales. The Bank team agreed to utilize saved funds to support this piloting activity, for example, purchasing goods for carrying out small-scale construction work to better demonstrate a low-carbon, livable image, utilizing locally sourced natural and recyclable materials. In Chengdu, the Bank team visited the selected ecological restoration site in the Giant Pandas National Park. The Bank team has agreed to utilize saved funds, for example, to support the purchase of necessary goods that benefit the restoration of giant panda habitats. It is also suggested by the Chengdu PMO to further leverage the ecological restoration funded by the project to apply for domestic funds for further construction. For the low carbon community activity, the pilot sites are under selection, and the Bank team recommended concentrating on multiple smaller neighborhoods to effectively implement practical low-carbon regeneration solutions and encourage future construction efforts, and the purchase of necessary goods is agreed upon. The selection of pilot sites will be determined and discussed with the Bank team in late May 4 2024. The two pilots’ contracts in Chongqing have been thoroughly prepared, with low carbon community pilot under bidding procedure and Bishan NBS ToR approved by the Bank team. The Bank team has also agreed for Bishan to utilize any saved funds, if available, to support the purchase of necessary goods. 15. Green finance. Ningbo will utilize the outputs of the green finance pilot within this project to encourage private sector involvement. Three local private commercial banks have been invited to offer green financial products aimed at supporting urban green development across various sectors. Furthermore, these outcomes will also assist in securing additional funds for Ningbo's new Asian Development Bank (ADB) project focused on low-carbon development. This pilot initiative will generate larger impacts and showcase demonstration effects in the field of green finance. Chengdu’s efforts on green finance are combined into the carbon-neutral roadmap activity. Chongqing will conduct climate investment and financing pilots based on the characteristics of local industries. A city-wide project inventory has been established. Chongqing intends to use this activity to attract the participation of private sector and demonstrate initiatives in selected financial institutions. C. Environmental and Social Safeguards 16. The mission reviewed the project's overall environmental and social (E&S) performance through meeting discussions and desk reviews. All three PMOs - Chengdu, Chongqing, and Ningbo - have been staffed with E&S coordinators. Additionally, ToRs for technical assistance (TAs) have undergone review and revision by the Bank team to ensure the integration of E&S considerations, including stakeholder engagement, where necessary. 17. During the mission, it was reported that both Chengdu and Chongqing PMOs were in the process of selecting pilots, which involve river catchments and residential communities. The Bank Team underscored the significance of E&S screening throughout the pilot selection process, encompassing both project activities and any associated facilities or activities identified. 18. The mission agrees that PMOs will submit completed E&S screening forms, utilizing the provided template in Appendix 1 of respective ESMFs, for candidate activities to the Bank team. These submissions will be incorporated into the semi-annual progress reports. Furthermore, the Bank's E&S specialists are available to provide technical guidance on activity screening as needed. D. Procurement 19. Procurement Progress: Since the last mission, Ningbo signed one study and research (SR) contract, Chongqing completed the re-selection of its 4 IC contracts, and Chengdu nearly finished the selection processing of its first 3 SR contracts. All three cities start ToR preparation of the second batch of SR contracts, which will be advertised in August-October 2024 and implemented in the last quarter of 2024. The recent procurement progress is shown in the below table. City Total of Planned Total of Signed Total of Processing Total of Pending Remarks Contracts Contracts Contracts Contracts Ningbo 13 5IC+1SR 1SR 6SR 6SR ToRs remaining Chongqing 19 4IC 3SR 12SR 4IC completed & 6 SR ToRs completed Chengdu 9 3IC 3SR 2SR + 1GD 2SR ToRs remaining *IC = individual consultants, SR = study and research assignments, GD = goods 20. Procurement Management. All three cities are requested to update their procurement plan by incorporating the present progress situation and the particulars due by April 30, 2024. It is recommended to revise the ToRs of several remaining SR contracts of Chongqing with realistic scope and detailed activities and the revised procurement plan will be submitted for the Bank review by the end of April 2024. In the meantime, the cities are recommended to pay high attention to the quality of the selection processing documents including REOI, shortlist evaluation reports, RFPs, and technical and financial evaluation reports. 5 21. Domestic Auditing Issues. Chengdu and Chongqing PMOs reported issues regarding recent domestic auditing, which was caused by gaps between the national bidding laws and the Bank’s procurement regulations. The mission reiterated that the project procurement should be carried out in accordance with the “World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”, required by the provisions of the Grant Agreement. Accordingly, the domestic auditing of project procurement activities should also refer to the Regulations, instead of the national bidding laws and regulations. E. Financial Management 22. Interim unaudited financial report (IFR) and Audit report. The IFR for the period ended on December 31, 2023, is March 1, 2024, as required by the Bank. As of the mission date, Chengdu PMO, Ningbo PMO, and CCUD have submitted the first IFRs which were well-prepared. The mission reminded that Chongqing PMO should complete the IFR preparation and submission as soon as possible and all the PMOs need to strictly follow the IFR due date required in the Bank’s legal documents. 23. Implementation arrangement for collaboration with national agencies. It is agreed that CCUD will enter into an implementation agreement (IA) with the selected responsible public institutions to clearly define sub-project activities, roles, and responsibilities between CCUD and these institutions. CCUD still holds fiduciary responsibility including organizing the procurement process, payment review, and payment process as well as related project accounting and financial reporting. The selected institutions are responsible for the preparation of ToRs, bidding process, and implementation of the agreed activities, with guidance and monitoring from CCUD PMO and no-objection from the Bank if needed. The procurement under the collaboration will follow the Bank’s procedure. CCUD, the selected national agency, and the contractor will sign a triple contract that will be acceptable to the Bank. In addition, the incremental operating cost incurred by the selected national agency for the project implementation and compliance with the grant agreement could be financed by the grant proceeds. All these implementation arrangements will be addressed and exercised through the IAs. 24. Disbursement status. Per the Bank’s record, CCUD, Ningbo, Chengdu, and Chongqing have withdrawn the advance to Designated Accounts (DA). 7.25% of the total grant was disbursed. III. NEXT STEPS AND AGREED ACTIONS Table 1: Summary of Agreed Actions Actions Responsible Due Date 1 Select pilot sites for piloting low carbon community Chengdu PMO May 30, 2024 2 Select wetland biodiversity protection pilot sites Chengdu PMO July 30, 2024 3 Submit and discuss with Bank team the reconsidered Chongqing PMO April 30, 2024 activity plan on the reallocated funds for CCEC 4 Submit the first project audit report Chengdu, Chongqing, Ningbo and June 30, 2024 CCUD PMOs 5 Submit the IFR to the Bank for review Chongqing PMO April 30, 2024 6 Submit MTR Progress Reports Chengdu, Chongqing, Ningbo and January 31, 2025 CCUD PMOs 25. Next Implementation Support Mission and Annual Conference. The next implementation support mission is scheduled for the second half of the year 2024. The annual conference will be organized by CCUD, combined with UrbanShift’s international workshop and coordinated by Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI). CCUD will invite the three project cities to participate in capacity-building and peer-to-peer learning activities on specific project-related themes. To further enhance the influence of sustainable cities network and the China Sustainable City Platform (CSCP) managed by CCUD, other cities will be invited to join the conference. 6 Annex 1: Detailed Status and Agreed Actions of Project Activities by Cities Budget (US$)/ Activities Outputs Actual Status Contract Amount Component 1. Strengthen high-quality development framework with the focus on promoting ecological and biodiversity conservation, and carbon neutrality Chengdu Research and  Develop a green and low-carbon 1,400,000 Status: The ToR was approved by the Bank, and piloting for development indicator system for the bidding procedures are ongoing. strengthening Chengdu and the Chengdu Bank suggestion: The Bank team encouraged the high-quality metropolitan area technical exchange between cities after the development  Monitoring and evaluating the consultancy is selected around mid-2024. frameworks with a level of green and low-carbon Follow-up actions: Chengdu PMO plans to focus on development award the contract in June 2024 promoting  Build a data-sharing and ecological, management platform with urban biodiversity carbon peaking and carbon conservation and neutrality as the goal and connect carbon neutrality with the existing “City Brain” platform  Pilot green development evaluation system in two selected industrial parks in Chengdu Chongqing Development of  Establish green and high-quality 290,000 Status: The previous ToR was approved by the green and low development indicators Bank. carbon indicator  Analyze trends of green and high- Issues raised by PMO: Progress has been system quality development indicators in delayed. the Five-Year Plan (FYP) Bank suggestions: The indicators and monitoring  Propose a monitoring framework framework established should inform the for tracking implementation of preparation of the 15th Five Year Plan (FYP). green and high-quality Follow-up actions: PMO and the responsible development indicators agency will compare its indicator system with the ones in CCEC to avoid duplication of efforts. The PMO plans to upload ToR to STEP in June 2024. Pilot Evaluation of  Develop guidelines on indicators 600,000 Status: No progress yet Green and Low for green and high-quality Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed Carbon Indicator development for Chengdu Chongqing to reconsider this activity to better fit System of Chongqing city clusters, including the responsible division’s needs. Chongqing in "One methodology for data collection, Follow-up actions: The responsible division will Area and Two management, and evaluation submit reconsidered ideas and fund use of this Clusters"  Framework for monitoring and activity and discuss with Bank team in late April evaluating implementation 2024. Ningbo Indicator system  Develop green and high-quality 400,000 Status: PMO will restart bidding procedures for Green High- development indicators when the new ToR is ready and approved by the quality  Determine key indicators and Bank team. Development in principles for obtaining indicator Issues raised by PMO: Ningbo City targets The formulated indicator system and monitoring  Establish a monitoring framework framework must fit the practical needs for both for promoting green and low municipal- and county- levels. Moreover, the carbon development. needs for new industrialization development will  Use the framework to conduct be considered in the indicators, as the industrial mid-term monitoring and output value accounts for more than 70% of evaluation for the implementation Ningbo’s GDP, of the 14th FYP Bank suggestions: Consideration should be given  Provide suggestions on the to how the government can support enterprises of preparation of the 15th FYP and small and medium sizes when defining the its indicators setting indicators and target values. Follow-up actions: PMO plans to resubmit the revised ToR to Bank team’s review in April 2024 7 Building  Develop a carbon management 800,000/ Status: The contract was awarded, and the Construction platform to support the CNY research has started. Industry Double- implementation of the climate 4,860,959 Bank suggestions: The Bank team suggested Carbon Smart goals, including various smart Ningbo consider the user of the platform and Service Platform tools/modules for data ensure funds for the platform operation after the management, assessment, project closure. monitoring, and coordinating Follow-up actions: The consultancy team will operation show a demonstration of the platform to the Bank team before August 2024. Component 2 Support integrated solutions to biodiversity and climate change - planning for and investing in “nature” and carbon neutrality Chengdu Wetland  A detailed natural resources and 1,300,000 Status: ToR is under preparation and pilot site is Biodiversity assets maps with description of under selection. Survey, Ecological ecoservices and economic value of Issues raised by PMO: The choices of pilot sites Restoration, the natural assets were limited, as most of the sites along Tuojiang Biodiversity  Economic evaluation of Chengdu River which have demonstration value were Management wetlands and ecosystem services already funded by domestic funding. System Research, and recommendation on Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed to and Tuojiang ecological restoration plans with expand the wetland pilot selection scope from Integrated NBS both sides of the Tuojiang River to the Tuojiang Management  Biodiversity index and River Basin. Strategic management system for the Follow-up actions: The selection of pilot sites Framework and wetlands will be determined before early August 2024. Method  NBS design options in pilot sites Optimization and  Developing technical guidelines Improvement Plan for ecological restoration of wetlands based on natural solutions and for Tuojiang River integrated management Ecological  Develop ecological restoration 1,600,000 Status: Previous ToR was approved by the Bank restoration plan for design and ecological connectivity team. Chengdu Giant enhancement master plan for Issues raised by PMO: This activity is very Panda Habitat Giant Panda Habitats Chengdu likely to have saved funds. Another issue is that it areas. could cause potential procurement issues as the  Demonstrate ecological restoration number of qualified consultancies for giant panda across four types of giant panda habitats restoration are limited. habitats in pilot sites area Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed to previously affected by natural utilize saved funds to ensure efficient use in this disasters or human activities activity, for example, saved funds could be used within the Giant Pandas National to purchase necessary goods for the restoration of Park Chengdu area giant panda habitats. It could also help the responsible Giant Panda Bureau to leverage these outputs to apply for domestic funds for future construction. Follow-up actions: Chengdu PMO will submit a revised budget plan and ToR (if needed) to discuss with the Bank team as soon as possible. Research and  Strategic report on carbon 600,000 Status: ToR was approved by the Bank, and the Piloting for Carbon neutrality roadmap, including bidding procedure is on progress. Neutrality targets and timetable for achieving Bank suggestions: This activity should prioritize Roadmap and carbon neutrality goals fundamental research, which holds the potential Green Finance  Guidance/recommendations for to offer sustained support for Chengdu in its green financial modality in pursuit of carbon neutrality in the long term. Chengdu Follow-up actions: Chengdu PMO plans to  Studies on implementing green complete the bidding and award the contract in finance modality in selected June 2024. projects Guidelines and  Design options for the selected 1,000,000 Status: ToR is under preparation and pilot site is Piloting for Green communities in functional zones under selection. and Low-Carbon to enhance livability and reduce Issues raised by PMO: The selection of pilot Communities carbon footprint sites was constrained, as the majority of eligible  Guidelines on regenerating communities in Chengdu for low-carbon neighborhoods to improve regeneration have already completed livability and reduce carbon transformation using domestic funding. footprint 8 Bank suggestions: The Bank team recommended concentrating on multiple smaller neighborhoods to effectively implement practical low-carbon regeneration solutions and encourage future construction efforts. The purchase of necessary goods was agreed by the Bank team, which could be an incentive for local communities’ active participation. Follow-up actions: The selection of pilot sites will be determined and discussed with the Bank team in late May 2024. Chongqing Carbon Neutrality  Undertake studies and modeling 1,410,000 Status: No progress yet Implementation work to formulate a roadmap and Issues raised by PMO: The responsible agency Plan time frame for Chongqing’s proposed to study on the Carbon Neutrality visions toward carbon neutrality roadmap for both Chongqing municipality and districts/counties. Bank suggestions: The Bank team requested Chongqing to consider the detailed plan for this activity as soon as possible. It was also suggested for Chongqing’s consideration to select one pilot district, for example, Yuzhong district, to explore the challenges in achieving carbon neutrality at the district level. The Bank team reminded that the budget of this activity is huge, so Chongqing needed to reconsider the fund use for this activity. Follow-up actions: Chongqing agrees to start the preparation for this activity in the next step. The new activity plan and funds use plan will be submitted and discussed with the Bank team in late April 2024. Pilot of near-zero  Prepare and integrate design 800,000 Status: The ToR was approved by the Bank, and carbon transition options and retrofit schemes in the the bidding procedures are ongoing of old communities selected sites in Yuzhong District Bank suggestions: The Bank team encouraged - Yuzhong District to support transition to net zero the technical exchange between cities after the communities consultancy selected around mid-2024. The Bank  Design of the selected team agreed to utilize saved funds to support this neighborhood/communities to piloting activity, for example, purchasing enhance livability and reduce necessary goods. carbon footprint Follow-up actions: The PMO plans to award the  Develop guidelines on contract in June 2024 regenerating historic neighborhoods to improve livability and reduce carbon footprint Natural capital  Survey the natural assets and 600,000 Status: The ToR was approved by the Bank, and accounting and analyze ecosystem services of the the bidding procedures are ongoing biodiversity natural assets in Bishan to support Issues raised by PMO: The PMO and the protection for municipality’s ecological spatial responsible agency were concerned that the Bishan District planning bidding may fail because some participating  Develop tools and guidance to consultancies reflected that the budget was not support natural capital accounting enough to cover the workload defined in the ToR. and evaluations in Bishan The responsible agency proposed to cut the  Support biodiversity survey, the natural assets accounting part if the budget stayed development of biodiversity the same amount. strategy in Bishan, and integration of biodiversity into spatial Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed to strategy. reduce the work on natural capital accounting in Bishan to avoid bidding failure due to limited contract budget. The Bank team requested Bishan to revise the ToR to make it better fit Bishan’s needs. Bank’s procurement specialist reminded Bishan to proactively approach to potential qualified consultancies to improve the competitiveness of the bidding, which could benefit the quality activity outputs. The 9 procurement specialist also reminded that the ToR at the bidding stage was allowed to modify, so Bishan should revise the ToR as soon as possible. Follow-up actions: Bishan will submit the revised the ToR or activity plan for the Bank’s review in April 2024. Bishan nature-  Strategic framework and 700,000 Status: The ToR was approved by the Bank. based solutions methodology for applying NBS to Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed to (NBS) pilot the Bishan water system utilize saved funds to support the purchase of  Prepare and integrate NBS design goods and materials for piloting construction. options for the selected sites in Follow-up actions: This activity will enter Bishan bidding stage in May 2024 and award the contract  Concept and detailed NBS design in August 2024. of selected sites Green finance  Guidance on municipal financial 500,000 Status: The ToR is under preparation. Chongqing modality in Chongqing will conduct climate investment and financing  Standards and toolkit for assessing pilots based on the characteristics of local financial viability, social, and industries. A city-wide project inventory has been environmental benefits of projects established.  Demonstration of the pilot for the Bank suggestions: The Bank team suggested to green business model use this activity to attract the participation of  Analyze different categories of private sector and demonstrate initiatives in green projects, revenue streams, selected financial institutions. and business models for private Follow-up actions: The PMO will submit ToR sector for the Bank’s review in May 2024.  Identify and develop a list of green investable projects Assessment system  Formulate monitoring index 290,000 Status: The previous ToR was approved by the and system for green and low-carbon Bank team. implementation collaborative development in Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed to mechanism of Chengdu-Chongqing twin-city proceed on this activity and required Chongqing Chengdu economic circle to speed up the process. Chongqing  research on realization mechanism Follow-up actions: PMO and the responsible Economic Circle of ecological product value in agency will compare its indicator system with the (CCEC) green and Chengdu-Chongqing region ones in Chongqing municipality to avoid low-carbon duplication of efforts. synergetic development Research on factor  Investigate the development status 450,000 Status: The ToR was approved by the Bank team. market integration and existing problems of land, Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed to and ecological labor, capital, technology, data, proceed on this activity and required Chongqing product value energy, ecological environment to speed up the process. realization and other factor markets in CCEC Follow-up actions: This activity will enter mechanism of  Propose policy suggestions for bidding stage in May, and the PMO planned to CCEC, Guidelines factor market integration in CCEC award the contract in August 2024. for ecological  Propose policy recommendations restoration of on the value realization mountains, rivers, mechanism of ecological products forests, farmlands, in the Mingyue Mountain Green lakes and Development Demonstration grasslands Zone, providing a reference for optimizing the value realization of ecological products in CCEC Regional net zero  Design of the near net carbon zero 600,000 Status: No progress yet industrial park industrial park Issues raised by PMO: The responsible agency construction action  Develop construction plan of the reported challenges in adhering to the scheduled cross-regional net carbon zero timeline for this activity. The responsible agency park was currently not clear about the objective and  Design of the standardized detailed plan of the activity. recycling system of cross-regional Bank suggestions: The Bank team recognized renewable resources the challenges in conducting innovation activities in CCEC, and requested the PMO and the 10 responsible agency to submit a new activity plan and surplus funds use plan. Follow-up actions: The new activity plan and surplus funds use plan will be submitted and discussed with the Bank team in late April 2024. Regional net zero  Develop green city standardization 600,000 Status: No progress yet urban-rural technology and certification Issues raised by PMO: The responsible agency construction action system reported challenges in adhering to the scheduled  Formulate zero carbon building timeline for this activity. The responsible agency standards and certification system was currently not clear about the objective and detailed plan of the activity. Bank suggestions: The Bank team recognized the challenges in conducting innovation activities in CCEC, and requested the PMO and the responsible agency to submit a new activity plan and surplus funds use plan. Follow-up actions: The new activity plan and surplus funds use plan will be submitted and discussed with the Bank team in late April 2024. Regional  Develop guidelines for ecological 260,000 Status: The ToR was approved by the Bank team. ecological restoration of mountains, forests, Bank suggestions: The Bank team agreed to environment fields, lakes and grasses proceed on this activity and required Chongqing protection action-  Formulate guidelines for cross- to speed up the process. Guidelines for regional water basin pollution Follow-up actions: This activity will enter collaborative collaborative management bidding stage in May, and the PMO planned to watershed  Develop guidelines for cross- award the contract in August 2024. pollution control regional pollution contingency projects plan and Heavy Pollution Weather Emergency Plan Activation Standards and Method Guide Pilot action on  Consolidating the work done by 1,800,000 Status: No progress yet green, low-carbon Chongqing and Chengdu and Issues raised by PMO: The responsible agency and high-quality formulating policy toolkits to reported challenges in adhering to the scheduled development in guide city clusters in developing timeline for this activity. The responsible agency adjacent areas of their own roadmaps and strategy was currently not clear about the objective and Sichuan and for carbon neutrality detailed plan of the activity. Chongqing  Design of low-carbon transition Bank suggestions: The Bank team recognized development mechanism in South the challenges in conducting innovation activities Sichuan and West Chongqing, and in CCEC, and requested the PMO and the design of ecological protection responsible agency to submit a new activity plan and development mechanism in and surplus funds use plan. Northeast Chongqing and Follow-up actions: The new activity plan and Northeast Sichuan surplus funds use plan will be submitted and discussed with the Bank team in late April 2024. Ningbo Biodiversity  Undertake Ningbo biodiversity 1,000,000 Status: Qualified consultancy has been selected. Conservation resources survey and inventory PMO will award the contract in April. Strategy in Ningbo assessment Bank suggestions: The Bank team has required  Develop a monitoring framework Ningbo to break through traditional mindset and for biodiversity innovate by investigating how to bring nature and  Develop a biodiversity biodiversity to high-density urban areas and conservation strategy for Ningbo reflect in the urban land planning. The  Development of a biodiversity improvement of green connectivity and linkage index for Ningbo with climate change adaptation should also be  Public participation and considered in the strategy. dissemination for raising the Follow-up actions: The consultancy team will awareness of biodiversity incorporate the Bank team’s technical conservation recommendations into the research plan. Pilot Project of  Natural asset inventory survey and 900,000 Status: The ToR is under preparation. Blue and Green ecosystem services analysis Bank suggestions: The Bank team fully Natural Assets  Conduct natural asset accounting supported Ningbo's efforts in natural asset Accounting in accounting at the district level and recommends Jiangbei District that Jiangbei District pay special attention to the 11  Exploration the realization of urban setting when assess the value of the various ecological product value and natural assets within the district. A particular transformation path from GEP into emphasis should be given on the cultural aspects GDP of ecosystem services. Given the relatively  Case studies of ecological product smaller size of Jiangbei District, there is a need to value realization and summary of enhance the sophistication of investigations and pathways, identification of research efforts. ecological product types and Follow-up actions: PMO will submit the ToR for space, planning and strategy the Bank’s review in June 2024. research of ecological product value realization pathways in pilot regions, exploration of transformation pathways from GEP to GDP)  Formulation of strategic plans for ecological space in Jiangbei District Conceptual Design  Formulate NBS application 400,000 Status: The NBS pilot site in Ningbo is decided- for Nature-Based strategy for water system in the 2.4-kilometer western section of the Cicheng Solutions in Jiangbei district Moat. This pilot project aims to implement NBS, Jiangbei District  Develop NBS design options of transforming the river into a green infrastructure for the selected river section in that brings multiple benefits to the neighborhood. Cicheng ancient town in Jiangbei The ToR is under preparation. district Issues raised by PMO: The PMO preferred  Support the demonstration selecting the same or nearby pilot sites for both this NBS and the low carbon community activities. The future transformation and construction projects may potentially impact the housing and land of local residents and nearby farmers. Bank suggestions: The Bank team fully supported PMO’s selection of nearby sites for two piloting activities, as this will be an effective demonstration of the integrated urban sustainable solution. To address potential environmental and social (E&S) concerns, the Bank team requested that the PMO submit detailed information and photographs to aid in the Bank's decision-making process and recommendations. The Bank team agreed to utilize saved funds to support this piloting activity, for example, purchasing necessary goods. Follow-up actions: PMO will submit the E&S information and the ToR for the Bank’s review in May 2024 Integrate zero  Design of low/net-zero carbon 600,000 Status: The pilot site was decided in the west part carbon concept regeneration for pilot communities of Cicheng ancient town, near the NBS site into urban renewal  Exploring low/net-zero carbon mentioned above, but the exact site is still under and pilot low urban regeneration practical determination. carbon community technologies Bank suggestions: The Bank team recommended  Demonstrate the low carbon downsizing the research area for the pilot regeneration in selected site in neighborhood to relatively smaller, practical Cicheng ancient town in Jiangbei scales. The Bank team agreed to utilize saved District funds to support this piloting activity, for example, purchasing goods for carrying out small-scale construction work to better demonstrate a low-carbon, livable image, utilizing locally sourced natural and recyclable materials. Follow-up actions: PMO will submit the ToR for the Bank’s review in July 2024. Carbon Neutrality  Undertake studies and modeling 500,000 Status: The ToR is under preparation. Roadmap for work to formulate a roadmap and Bank suggestions: The Bank team suggested Ningbo time frame for visions toward Ningbo consider the responses to carbon tariffs as carbon neutrality Ningbo relies heavily on small and medium sized enterprises and exports which are heavily affected 12  Formulate strategic report on by the emerging carbon tariffs. The Bank team carbon neutrality roadmap and also suggested Ningbo explore the potential of time frame, including circular economy. The Bank team reminded that recommendations on low-carbon the outputs should contribute to the relative topics development policies in the city’s15th FYP and the PMO should incorporate the indicators and targets in the Results & Framework of the project into the ToR design. Follow-up actions: PMO will submit the ToR for the Bank’s review by June 2024. Study on Green  Help local city commercial banks 600,000 Status: The responsible agency shows a clear Financial Products with corporate headquarters in understanding and has a well-defined plan for and Innovation of Ningbo to establish and improve conducting this activity. The ToR is under Green Financial green financial business preparation. Model  Leverage this activity to support Bank suggestions: The Bank team recommended the loan for Ningbo from other enhancing the depth of the activity outputs and development banks developing a series of operational project lists.  Investigate projects in the fields of The Bank team recognized the importance of this carbon reduction and biodiversity activity and suggest PMO and the responsible in Ningbo, and form a list of agency to speed up the process to generate investment and financing projects outputs promptly. to adapt to climate change and Follow-up actions: PMO will submit the ToR for promote biodiversity the Bank’s review in July 2024  Form independent financial product and financial model evaluation reports for typical demonstration projects, and form investment and financing empirical cases 13 Annex 2: Summary of the Meeting with Ministries Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) 1. MNR is leading the development of national territorial and spatial planning through the definition of ecological conservation redline, farmland preservation redlines, and urban development redline. This is a new system to guide future urban expansion, protect areas anchored on National Parks, and preserve farmland to ensure food safety. It operates on three hierarchical levels: the master plan, sectoral plan, and detailed plan. 2. A notable policy gap exists wherein low-carbon principles and biodiversity conservation have yet to be fully integrated into the sectoral and detailed plans. Additionally, there's a lack of robust policy measures and enforcement mechanisms to oversee the implementation of policies and plans related to low-carbon initiatives and biodiversity conservation. 3. MNR oversees a national territorial and spatial planning information platform, which currently consolidates data, integrates different plans into one, and addresses conflicts between different plans. MNR aims to enhance the platform’s functions by establishing an assessment and evaluation framework to effectively monitor the implementation of spatial planning. 4. The Spatial Planning Bureau of MNR proposed to develop a policy on integrating urban biodiversity into the national territorial and spatial planning and formulate a technical guideline. This policy aims to address the existing gap wherein the ecological protection redline is defined without accompanying restrictions or regulations to protect biodiversity within the urban development boundaries. The proposed work will support the MNR to issue a national technical guideline on territorial spatial planning for biodiversity conservation and formulating a comprehensive policy system, incorporating effective planning, monitoring, and evaluation of territorial spaces to conserve biodiversity. This policy support also aligns with the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) 5. The Ecology Protection Bureau of MEE leads on crafting biodiversity strategies, while the Climate Change Bureau leads on climate action. 6. The Ecological Protection Bureau of MEE proposed to develop national guidance on China’s low-carbon pilot cities to advance this initiative. While these pilot programs have tested several innovations for more sustainable urban development since 2010, they have yet to scale up and cities face challenges in articulating integrated visions with clear timelines, targets, and monitoring mechanisms for low-carbon development. Additionally, cities struggle with developing their carbon-neutral pathways. This policy support aims to strengthen the guidance to pilot cities and to promote innovative approaches. Drawing on international best practices, the output will include issuing national guidance on deepening the development of low-carbon pilot cities and the evaluation of the implementation effectiveness of low-carbon city pilot programs, aiming to assess their impact and identify areas for improvement. 7. Another proposed policy support will focus on climate investment and financing. It will analyze the role of climate investment and financing in promoting urban green and low-carbon transformation and develop strategies for climate investment and financing. 8. The Nature Ecology Protection Bureau proposed a policy initiative aimed at actualizing ecological values in the domain of ecology and environment. It will focus on ecological services and the pathway to value realization. The outputs include the formulation of a comprehensive list of categories of ecological products, the delineation of ecological service boundaries, and the application of ecological product value accounting results, including ecological compensation mechanisms. 14 Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MoHURD) 9. MOHURD has implemented the City Regeneration Initiative to lower emissions by promoting a compact and efficient urban spatial structure. The GEF7 project cities, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Ningbo, are pilot cities for the city regeneration initiative. 10. MOHURD proposed to conduct a policy analysis on integrating low-carbon principles into urban regeneration and develop indicators for monitoring and enforcing policies. Recognizing urban renewal as a critical entry point for implementing climate goals in urban and rural construction, this policy support aims to address policy gaps in lacking a technical guideline for embedding low-carbon principles into urban renewal practices and a mechanism for monitoring policy implementation. This policy support will develop a quantifiable and operational urban renewal evaluation indicator system and formulate a methodology for low-carbon calculation. The national policy will not only guide the low carbon community pilots in three project cities but also leverage best practices tested in three cities to enhance national guidance for implementing low-carbon urban regeneration initiatives. World Bank 11. The Bank provided technical feedback on the proposals submitted by the ministries, emphasizing the importance of enhancing national guidelines and reinforcing policy enforcement. Specifically, the feedback underscored the imperative of integrating urban biodiversity into spatial planning, incorporating low-carbon principles into urban regeneration, and the pivotal roles of climate financing and ecological services in cities’ green transition. 12. The Consultant Qualification Section Method and Procedure has been recommended as the appropriate procurement selection method. 13. The Bank introduced the selection procedures for consultant qualification and outlined specific requirements for preparing the terms of references. The procurement under the collaboration will follow the Bank’s procedures. 14. The meeting highlighted the cost budget should be based on TOR, staff remuneration, and direct expenses. 15. The meeting clarified the responsibilities for procurement management, project accounting, and financial reporting are within the purview of CCUD. The central ministries will be responsible for preparing the terms of references (TORs) and overseeing the policy support activities from a technical perspective. A triple contract signed by CCUD, the national ministry, and the contractor will be acceptable to the Bank. 15 Annex 3: List of Officials Met Officials During the Mission China Center for Urban Development (CCUD) ZHAO Kun CCUD Deputy Director General, PMO Director BAI Wei Department of International Cooperation, CCUD Deputy Division Director, PMO Executive Director GUAN Jing Department of International Cooperation, CCUD Project Manager NI Biye Department of International Cooperation, CCUD Project Officer (Procurement) PANYE Meizi Department of International Cooperation, CCUD Project Officer (Financial Management) LIAN Yufan Department of International Cooperation, CCUD Project Officer ZHU Peiqi Department of International Cooperation, CCUD Project Officer Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) LU Wenke Territorial and Spatial Planning Bureau, MNR Deputy Division Director HU Jingjing Territorial and Spatial Planning Bureau, MNR Staff Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) PENG Huifang Natural Ecology Conservation Department, MEE Deputy Division Director ZHANG Yifan Natural Ecology Conservation Department, MEE Staff XING Baiying Climate Change Address Department, MEE Deputy Division Director ZHANG Yajing Climate Change Address Department, MEE Staff LIANG Xi Climate Change Address Department, MEE Staff CHEN Jiaqi Climate Change Address Department, MEE Staff CAO Ying Climate Change Address Department, MEE Staff Ministry of Housing and Rural-Urban Development (MoHURD) SHAO Lingyu Building Energy Efficiency and Technology Department, MoHURD Staff SUN Yi Building Energy Efficiency and Technology Department, MoHURD Staff LIU Jia Building Energy Efficiency and Technology Department, MoHURD Staff HUANG Shengwen Building Energy Efficiency and Technology Department, MoHURD Staff XING Yan Building Energy Efficiency and Technology Department, MoHURD Staff LU Wei Building Energy Efficiency and Technology Department, MoHURD Staff Chengdu WU Ying Chengdu Municipal Development and Reform Commission Deputy Director General ZHAO Sen Chengdu Municipal Development and Reform Commission Division Director, PMO Executive Director SHI Yi Chengdu PMO Project Management Expert CAI Shibo Chengdu Municipal Development and Reform Commission Staff YANG Li Chengdu Government Investment Project Evaluation Center Section Chief LIU Yuanyue Sichuan Academy of Eco-environmental Sciences Senior Engineer NI Weijia Sichuan Academy of Eco-environmental Sciences Senior Engineer TAN Xiulan Chengdu Municipal Party Committee Social Governance Staff Committee LIU Zhongdi Chengdu Finance Bureau Staff LI Dejiang Chengdu Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau Staff HU Ran Chengdu Ecology and Environment Bureau Staff XU Ping Giant Panda National Park Bureau Chengdu Branch Department Head FAN Xing Giant Panda National Park Bureau Chengdu Branch Staff ZHANG Jia Chengdu PMO Project Management Expert LIU Jinhua Chengdu PMO Carbon Neutrality Expert LIU Gangcai Chengdu PMO Biodiversity Expert 16 PENG Jiongbo Chengdu PMO Social Development Expert LI Chenyang Chengdu PMO Social Development Expert LIU Liao Chengdu PMO Environment Expert ZHAN Ruirui Chengdu PMO Financial Management Specialist Zhao Jin Chengdu PMO Financial Management Specialist Chongqing ZHU Jiang Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Deputy Director General QIN Mingshan Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Member of Leadership GUO Zhi Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Deputy Division Director YANG Yulei Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Deputy Division Director ZHANG Yanan Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Staff HOU Haoran Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Staff LIAO Hui Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Staff LI Zonghang Chongqing Development and Reform Commission Staff FU Juan Chongqing Finance Bureau Staff LUO Weibo Chongqing Ecological Environment Bureau Staff XU Jun Chongqing Ecological Environment Bureau Staff XU Wei Chongqing Development and Reform Commission, PMO Staff YANG Xu Chongqing Development and Reform Commission, PMO Staff ZHAO Meng Yuzhong District Development and Reform Commission Deputy Director General LI Xue Yuzhong District Development and Reform Commission Staff GAO Wei Bishan District Development and Reform Commission Deputy Director General LI Tiantian Bishan District Development and Reform Commission Section Chief Ningbo YU Ning Cicheng Town, Ningbo Secretary of the Party Committee JIANG Donghui Ningbo Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau Division Director, PMO Deputy Director ZHOU Ze Ningbo Urban Infrastructure Construction Development Division Director, PMO Deputy Center, Ningbo PMO Director ZHOU Huining Ningbo PMO Project Officer ZHOU Xiaoping Ningbo PMO Procurement Staff GAN Hongli Ningbo PMO Financial Management Staff YAN Bin Ningbo PMO Consultant LU Zheng Ningbo PMO Project Management Consultant LU Hailong Ningbo Statistics Bureau Deputy Director General MA Dingling Ningbo Development Planning Research Institute Division Director LU Zichuan Ningbo Ecology and Environment Bureau Deputy Division Director LI Dejian Ningbo Finance Bureau Deputy Division Director ZHANG Yige Ningbo Finance Bureau Staff SHI Zhen Ningbo Construction Data Management Center Section Chief LIU Pan Ningbo Audit Bureau Section Chief WANG Lisheng Ningbo Natural Resources and Planning Bureau Jiangbei Staff Branch YING Libo Jiangbei District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Director General Bureau ZHU Yifeng Jiangbei District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Deputy Director General Bureau GE Ninghui Jiangbei District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Section Chief Bureau FAN Shimin Jiangbei District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Staff Bureau 17 CHEN Kewei Ningbo Ecology and Environment Bureau Jiangbei Deputy Director General Branch ZHANG Kan Jiangbei District Agricultural and Rural Bureau Chief Agronomist ZHENG Xin Jiangbei District Agricultural and Rural Bureau Deputy Section Chief WU Jinbo Jiangbei District Agricultural and Rural Bureau Staff LI Yonggang Cicheng Town, Ningbo Deputy Division Director WU Jun Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE Project Manager Ganjingjing Ningbo Yonghuanyuan Environmental Protection Senior Engineer Engineering Technology Company LI Zhilei Ningbo Huacong Building Information Technology General Manager/ Project Company Manager HU Yingjian Ningbo Huacong Building Information Technology Deputy Chief Engineer Company QI Wenjie Ningbo Huacong Building Information Technology Product Manager Company 18 Annex 4: Results Framework GEF7: Green and Carbon Neutral Cities Project Development Objectives(s) The objective is to integrate biodiversity conservation in participating cities’ urban development and establish their pathway to carbon neutrality. Project Development Objective Indicators (No indicators are expected to be achieved in 2023) Indicator Name Baseline Current End Target incorporate biodiversity conservation and carbon neutrality considerations in participating cities Cities using ecological conservation and carbon neutral development indicators in the performance evaluation of 14th 0.00 0.00 3.00 Five-Year Plan (#) (Number) Biodiversity strategy promulgated by the responsible local government agency through a relevant local government decree 0.00 0.00 3.00 (#) (Number) Cities that set time bound GHG emissions targets and investment priorities toward carbon neutrality in their roadmaps (#) 0.00 0.00 3.00 (Number) Table SPACE Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Indicator Name Baseline Current End Target Strengthen the framework on promoting ecological, biodiversity conservation, and carbon neutrality Ecological conservation and carbon neutral development 0.00 indicators developed (#) (Number) 0.00 10.00 19 Indicator Name Baseline Current End Target Data-sharing platforms established or strengthened (#) 0.00 0.00 3.00 (Number) Support integrated solutions to biodiversity and climate change Inventory of natural assets and ecosystem services established in 0.00 0.00 100.00 the targeted territories (%) (Percentage) Biodiversity strategy prepared for the selected territories (#) (Number) 0.00 0.00 3.00 Design options for investing in nature-based solutions No No Yes implemented for selected demonstration sites (Y/N) (Yes/No) Options for gender consideration identified in the demonstration 0.00 0.00 6.00 sites for nature-based solutions (#) (Number) Options for green financing modality identified (Y/N) (Yes/No) No No Yes Carbon neutrality roadmaps completed (#) (Number) 0.00 0.00 3.00 Carbon neutral design options for investing in urban regeneration demonstration sites implemented (Y/N) (Yes/No) No No Yes Options for gender consideration identified in the urban 0.00 regeneration sites (Number) 0.00 6.00 Knowledge sharing, capacity building, and project management Cities in China and other countries participating in knowledge exchange activities on urban sustainability (#) (Number) 0.00 14 50.00 – of which cities participating in recurring events (#) (Number) 0.00 0 40.00 Trainings and workshops (#) (Number) 0.00 1 12.00 Policy dialogue events between cities and relevant national 0.00 0.00 10.00 ministries (#) (Number) IO Table SPACE 20