COP 11 biodiversity: High Level Panel on Global Assessment of Resources for Biodiversity releases first findings

By Syed Akbar 

Hyderabad, Oct 16:  The joint UK and Indian sponsored independent panel of experts has concluded that a stronger policy framework which reflects the value of biodiversity in all decision making is vital to secure the Aichi targets.

The High Level Panel on the ‘Global Assessment of Resources for Implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020’ released its first findings at ‘COP 11’ of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) today. The Panel, chaired by eminent Indian economist, Pavan Sukhdev, was established to help understand the global resource requirements for the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, including the Aichi targets.

The Panel’s assessment, which is the first of its kind, provides an insight into the resources needed to meet the 20 international “Aichi” biodiversity targets agreed at the last Conference of the Parties in Nagoya, Japan in 2010. The Panel’s findings are underpinned by detailed research looking at the actions needed to meet each specific target and the potential resources required.

Speaking in Hyderabad, UK Minister for the Natural Environment Richard Benyon, and Indian Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan both warmly welcomed the work of the Panel.

Minister Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, Government of India and CBD CoP-11 President said:

“The decisions that CoP-11 takes in Hyderabad will lay the foundation for achieving the Aichi targets so as to ensure that by 2020 ecosystems are resilient and continue to provide essential services, thereby securing the planet’s variety of life, contributing to human well-being and poverty eradication, provided sustained and focused efforts are made by all stakeholders”.

UK Environment Minister Mr Benyon said:

“I am delighted to be here in Hyderabad at this conference talking about biodiversity, which is a significant issue for the entire world.

“The Panel which the UK and India have established together has shown how important it is to mobilize resources of every kind – human, technical and financial, both public and private - in order to achieve the challenging targets we set ourselves at Nagoya.

“We are very grateful to the members of the Panel for their hard work in producing this report and are keen to examine how we can build on their findings”.

Pavan Sukhdev in his presentation said:

“Whilst there are some big numbers in this report, our panel found that the greatest resource needs are around reducing the direct drivers of biodiversity, those which occur throughout our economies and societies, and those which – if addressed – will deliver benefits far beyond biodiversity, to human health, livelihoods, and sustainable development based on a healthier and more secure natural environment. In this context they should not be seen as a bill to the biodiversity community, but a call for action to develop our institutions and governance structures to ensure biodiversity is taken into account in decisions in all sectors of our society.”