Surfbirds News

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) , initiated by CBDhost government Germany and the G8 Environment Ministers and supported by European Commission, has been likened to the equivalent for biodiversity of the key Stern report which transformed the climate change debate by clearly outlining adverse consequences to the world economy.

“Biodiversity is not just a green issue – it is the life support system of our planet providing food, fuel, fibre, medicines and services such as pollination, soil fertility and clean water, said Gordon Shepherd, WWF International’s Director of International Policy.

“We have to integrate biodiversity in all policies. The loss of biodiversity is now affecting the economy of our countries through the depletion of fish stocks in our oceans through overfishing and illegal fishing to agricultural activities polluting river basins.”

“The TEEB report recognises the economic value of biodiversity both to our global economy and for the millions of people directly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods.”

WWF’s report 2010 and Beyond: Rising to the Biodiversity Challenge, released as the CBDcommenced, revealed that biodiversity has declined by more than a quarter in the last 35 years andd highlighted the inequitable burden placed by developed countries on the world’s biodiversity through unsustainable production and consumption.

Another WWF report released at the CBDestimated that the value of goods and services provided by our oceans is $US21 trillion, with only 0.5 per cent of ocean areas within protected areas.

“The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services is undermining efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and is reducing nature’s natural resilience to adapt to the impacts of climate change,” said Shepherd.

WWF believes that financial resources are urgently needed to meet the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In addition to traditional sources from international financing and national budgets, new and additional funding should be sought through the identification of innovative financial mechanisms such as payments for ecosystem services.

The EU also has a role to play in raising awareness on the importance of addressing biodiversity and the value of the ecosystem services as central issues for achieving the Millennium Development Goals.