Regional Optimisation of Transboundary Ecosystem Development for Nature-Based Solutions in ASEAN (ROOTED)

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Project Context

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognised as cost-effective approaches for climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood resilience. However, in ASEAN, the application of NbS, in transboundary ecosystems remains fragmented due to inconsistent policy frameworks, limited regional coordination, and weak integration of NbS into national climate and sectoral policies. Transboundary landscapes in the ASEAN like the Mekong region, while having a tapestry biodiversity, traditional ecological knowledge, and management regimes face accelerating degradation from deforestation, land-use change, and climate impacts.

ROOTED is part of the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF), the UK’s flagship program designed to accelerate ASEAN’s transition to a clean and climate-resilient economy by reducing emissions in key sectors, supporting green economic growth, and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.

ROOTED aims to strengthen regional governance and cross-border collaboration to scale up inclusive, nature-positive Nature-based Solutions across ASEAN’s shared ecosystems by working with ASEC, ASOF, AWG-FCC and key stakeholders to develop and operationalise an ASEAN-endorsed transboundary NbS policy framework, demonstrated through a pilot landscape between Cambodia and Vietnam and aligned with ASEAN and UK PACT climate and environmental priorities.

Objectives

ROOTED comprises four outputs:

Output 1: Comprehensive transboundary policy mapping report
Output 2: ASEAN policy on transboundary frameworks for NbS implementation
Output 3: Establishment of a multistakeholder collaboration to support identified transboundary NbS project
Output 4: Policy guidelines and training modules for NbS application in transboundary landscape.

client:

ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund under UK PACT

LOCATION:

Cambodia,South East Asia,Vietnam

TIME:

November 2025

to December 2026

Activities

ICEM will undertake the following activities to support transboundary NbS policy and implementation in collaboration with The Asia Foundation.

Transboundary local and national workshops
- Local transboundary workshop bringing together Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary (Cambodia) and Yok Don National Park (Vietnam) stakeholders, leading to a NbS Policy Brief for the shared biodiversity landscape
- National transboundary workshop with relevant government agencies from Cambodia and Vietnam, leading to a National NbS Strategy for transboundary landscapes.
Contribution to regional policy development Provide technical inputs to the Transboundary Policy Mapping Report and the ASEAN NbS Strategy, ensuring that lessons from Mekong transboundary landscapes and field-based NbS applications are reflected in ASEAN-level policy guidance.
Preparation of NbS training modules
- Develop practical training modules to strengthen local transboundary capacity for planning and implementing NbS.
- Prepare applied training modules on NbS implementation in transboundary biodiversity landscapes, supporting replication and upscaling.
Transboundary biodiversity landscape reports

- Conduct an integrated diagnostic of the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary–Yok Don National Park landscape to assess ecosystem condition, drivers of change, past NbS application, climate risks, and community livelihoods. The assessment will identify priority NbS interventions to restore ecosystem integrity, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen linked livelihoods.
- Prepare comprehensive NbS-focused assessments of three additional transboundary biodiversity landscapes of regional and global importance. These case studies will analyse biodiversity values, ecological connectivity, climate risks, and livelihood linkages, and identify NbS priorities and transferable lessons to inform ASEAN nature-positive policies and practices.