Ecologic Institute at the COP 10 on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya

From 18-29 October 2010 the tenth meeting of the parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was held in Nagoya (Japan). Although expectations were low after the disappointing outcome of the climate conference in Copenhagen, which led to a general skepticism about multilateral agreements among experts, the Nagoya meeting terminated with a bunch of substantial decisions.

Most importantly, the Convention adopted a protocol on “access and benefit sharing” (ABS) for genetic resources after six years of negotiations. Major outcomes were complemented by a new Strategic Plan with a global goal of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2020 and a “resource mobilization strategy”, that recognizes the need for a substantial increase in funding for biodiversity conservation.

Thematic discussions in Nagoya included a wide range of issues. The (economic) value of ecosystem services highlighted by the report on “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)” played a prominent role in discussions about future strategies of conserving biodiversity.

McKenna Davis, Transatlantic Fellow and member of the delegation sent by SustainUs, gave a presentation on a side event organized from youth organizations. She presented her work at Ecologic Institute mainly by showing the outcomes from the project “Social dimension of biodiversity”.

Dr. Ralph Bodle of Ecologic Legal worked in collaboration with the German delegation and the EU team in the negotiations, especially on the protocol on “access and benefit sharing” (ABS).

Timo Kaphengst, coordinator of biodiversity and forest at Ecologic Institute, took part in different meetings about future approaches to conserve biodiversity, e.g. the ecosystem approach of adaptation, policy implications of the TEEB report, and further development of the REDD scheme (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation).