Biodiversity
2007-2008: Follow-up of the EU Communication Halting the loss of
biodiversity by 2010 and beyond
Co-chairs: Antonio Domingos Abreu, Portuguese Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development
(CNADS)
and Xavier Cazorla, Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development
of Catalonia (CADS)
Main outcome 2008
- 2008:
The
main issue continued to be the follow-up of the implementation of the EU
Communication Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 and beyond
and
its action plan published
in May 2006. The WG continued its participation in the EU
BEG and focused on the compilation of case studies to illustrate the economic
value of biodiversity. On the international arena, the WG followed up the
preparation and outcome of the 9th meeting of the CoP of the Convention of
Biological Diversity in Bonn in May 2008.
- April 2008: The WG Biodiversity will meet on 24 April in Dublin,
kindly hosted by the Irish COMHAR. The WG members presented their
councils' latest developments on this policy
field. The members also prepared for the EEAC Annual Conference 2008,
commenting the theme paper prepared by the co-chair on diversity. The WG Biodiversity
also assessed how to
contribute to the next IUCN World Conservation "Shaping a Sustainable
Future" Congress in Barcelona in October 2008.
- October 2007: The WG Biodiversity met in Évora (Portugal) at the
15th Annual Conference.
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2006: Adoption of EU Biodiversity Communication
Co-chairs: Antonio Domingos Abreu, Portuguese Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development
(CNADS) and Xavier Cazorla, Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development
of Catalonia (CADS)
The WG Biodiversity welcomed the adoption of the EU
Communication "Halting
the loss of biodiversity by 2010 - and beyond" and its Road
Map in May 2006.Here the WG advocates for the provision of adequate
funding for nature conservation, political will at EU level and better
communication for the public.
Download
letter to Ladislav Miko, DG Environment
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2005: EEAC 13th Annual Conference in Oxfordshire on
biodiversity, climate change and the need for adaptation.
Chair: Sue Collins, Natural England (NE)
The focus of the conference was on adaptation measures to reduce the
risks of climate change to biodiversity, and the conservation of ecosystems and
the species they support. It considered how adaptation needs to be embedded
in both biodiversity and sectoral policies, and showed how regional and national
adaptation strategies are being formulated to address climate change issues. The
conference also used a story-telling method to explore why "biodiversity matters" and
made clear
why everyone should care about it, particularly in a time of climate change.
Engaging the public and politicians in action to protect the environment and
enhance its quality is vital.
The EEAC Conference contributed to the climate change discussions, which
are considered a priority by the UK Presidency. A reader that contains key papers on biodiversity adaptation and include the findings from
the conference is available for download and printed copies are available at the
EEAC Office.
See
more information on conference
Download
conference reader
The EEAC Statement on Biodiversity conservation and adaptation to the
impacts of climate change was also presented during this Conference. The statement underlines that biodiversity
loss is being exacerbated by climate change and this is hindering the European
Union commitment to achieving the Gothenburg target of halting the loss of
biodiversity by 2010. Whilst mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions are essential, adaptation measures are also required to minimise the
risk of loss of plant and animal species. Synergies should also be developed
between biodiversity conservation and adaptation and mitigation policies in
other key sectors.
Download
EEAC Statement on Biodiversity
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2004: Establishment of Working Group Biodiversity.
Chair: Sue Collins, Natural England (NE)
The purpose of the Working Group Biodiversity (WG Biodiversity) is to
exchange information on national biodiversity policies, to advise on the
implementation and development of EU policies and where appropriate, help shape thinking on national and
EU policies as they relate to, or have a potential impact on,
achieving the Gothenburg target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010. The WG Biodiversity was established in 2003 and became effective in October
2004. The terms of reference foresee the following:
- Provide advice and recommendations to the EU
Biodiversity Expert Group and other relevant EU biodiversity working groups to
help secure effective and sustainable implementation of the EU Biodiversity
Strategy and EU BAPs for Natural Resources, Agriculture and Fisheries and
achievement of the Gothenburg target;
- Work with the EEAC Working Groups on
Sustainable Development, Marine, Governance, Energy and Agriculture to ensure
consistent advice and an integrated approach that takes account of
biodiversity and ecosystem considerations;
- Organise the EEAC 2005 Annual Conference;
- Develop a
‘reader’ of papers on climate change, biodiversity, adaptation and
ecosystem resilience;
- Further the
‘knowledge sharing’ agenda, related to biodiversity and its importance to
people.
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Environment and
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Reserved.
Last update on 28 October 2008