Close of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010
Within the framework of the Belgian Presidency and the International Year of Biodiversity, a conference day was organised at the Bois du Cazier. At the conference, the recent decisions taken at the Nagoya Summit and the new commitments of the EU and the stakeholders in Belgium extending beyond 2010 were discussed.
Within the framework of the Belgian Presidency and the International Year of Biodiversity, the Federal Public Service for Public Health, Food Safety and the Environment, in collaboration with the international Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Business and Society, organised a day-long conference entitled “Better understanding and communicating the socio-economic value of biodiversity – Thefuture and ecological advantages for all - Biodiversity and social responsibility” on 14 December 2010 at the Bois du Cazier (Charleroi, Belgium). At the conference, the recent decisions taken at the Nagoya Summit and the new commitments of the EU and the stakeholders in Belgium extending beyond 2010 were discussed.
Biodiversity offers us individually and collectively a multitude of goods and services that are indispensable to our dignity, our cultures, and our well-being. These goods and services are often taken for granted and regarded as inexhaustible. Greater awareness of all of these benefits will therefore make better communication possible, with the aim of preserving or restoring them. The optimisation of the benefits generated by this biodiversity and the reduction of the risks associated with the loss of biodiversity for companies and consumers are important measures within the framework of a responsible social policy. It is therefore necessary to associate the action of public authorities with an approach that combines, where relevant, the market, cultural values and civil society, in a dialogue among all stakeholders.
The Conference intentionally placed the accent on the socio-economic value of ecosystems instead of on the strict conservation of Nature, values that are often little-known or poorly understood, in accordance with the agreements reached in Nagoya and the results of the report on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB). The efficient use of resources and materials as well as sustainable modes of consumption and production made up the two poles of a sustainable utilisation of biodiversity, the common thread throughout the Conference.
Certain actions which have already been implemented by certain key actors are worthy of more widespread promotion after evaluation of their relevance and effects in the field, for the benefit of companies, employees and syndicates, local actors and consumers. Improving the understanding of the socio-economic value of biodiversity for society has proven to be an indispensable step towards good communication and, therefore, the appropriation and integration of biodiversity.
In anticipation of the 2011/2020 UNO Decade of Biodiversity, and in conclusion of this year dedicated to biodiversity, a number of major ideas were generated at the Conference. These include a more in-depth study of biodiversity with an approach that is both integrated and sectoral. Another idea concerns the climate which has a direct influence on biodiversity. The actions in each of these two domains must mutually support one another in an approach of shared benefits. The objectives established for the former must be transformed into concrete measures for the latter. A third idea points out that biodiversity is a concern for all and must be implemented essentially at the national and regional level. In order that all actors may become involved, including the private and public sectors, the general public and local actors, dialogue remains the most effective means of defining the framework for taking action and the resources to be mobilised at the most appropriate level.
This day has made it possible not only to draw up an assessment of the political action that must be taken from 2011 onwards and the necessary coherence that must be ensured in the face of emerging strategic and operational challenges at the level of the EU and nationally, but also to better emphasise the upcoming issues in the areas of sustainable utilisation of resources and promoting the preservation of biodiversity. It has thus provided an additional step towards a permanent forum for exchange, understanding and mediation between actors from diverse backgrounds in a spirit of solidarity.
The results of this Conference will also contribute to the implementation of the Belgian Federal plan for 2009-2013 geared towards the economy with the aim of integrating biodiversity into the four core federal sectors (Economy, Development Cooperation, Scientific Policy and Transport).
