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COP 9 - Convention on Biological Diversity
Bonn, Germany, 19 - 30 May 2008
The ninth meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention
on Biological Diversity was the last meeting of the Parties before
2010 – the decisive date by which heads of state and government
want to significantly reduce the loss of biological diversity.
The “Bonn Agenda for global biological diversity” adopted
during the ministerial meeting identifies areas where progress is
particularly important:
• adoption of an internationally binding agreement on the fair
sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of biological
diversity,
• continuation of the Life Web Initiative for a voluntary global
network of protected areas on land and at sea,
• mobilisation of financial resources, detailed assessment of the
2010 target and conclusion of a study showing the economic
costs caused by destruction of nature.
Bonn also saw important decisions taken in other areas:
• Illegal logging: Calls for further national and international
measures against illegal logging and trade in illegal timber are
far more explicit than before.
• Marine protected areas: Delegates committed to establishing
a global network of marine protected areas by 2012.
• Biofuels: The Delegates agreed on sustainable production and
use of biofuels, with a view to biodiversity conservation.
• Genetically modified trees: It was agreed that without a risk
analysis, Parties have the right to forego the use of genetically
modified trees.
• Climate protection and biodiversity: The cooperation between the CBD and the Framework Convention on Climate Change is
to be improved.
• Fertilisation of marine areas: COP 9 took a clear stance
against activities for the artificial fertilisation of marine areas
with the goal of carbon capture.
The German delegation also presented two new initiatives: the
LifeWeb Initiative and the Business and Biodiversity Initiative.
The LifeWeb Initiative facilitates the financing of new or existing
protected areas in a swift and unbureaucratic way. With LifeWeb,
Germany and other countries will provide additional funding,
including for the financing of existing or new forest protected
areas. In the framework of the Business and Biodiversity
Initiative, 34 internationally active companies presented their
voluntary commitment to make biodiversity conservation an
important component of their future corporate and management
policies.
In addition, the fourth meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety took place from 12 to 16 May 2008.
For more information visit: http://www.cbd.int
Urban Biodiversity and the Role of Cities
With more than half of the world’s people now living in cities,
191countries for the first time, discussed ways to promote
biodiversity in an urban setting at the Biodiversity Conference
that took place in Bonn, Germany in May 2008. Cities have long
been viewed as major contributors to the pollution,consumption,
waste and habitat loss that have contributed to the accelerating
loss of biodiversity around the world. But in recent years,
many cities have been at the forefront of efforts to conserve
biodiversity resources within the urban setting.
The Conference of Parties adopted, for the first time, a decision on
cities and biodiversity—decision IX/28. This decision encourages
the 191 Parties to the Convention to recognize the role of cities
in national strategies and plans, and invites Parties to support
and assist cities in implementing the Convention at local level.
Indeed, one of the greatest achievements of the ninth meeting
of the Conference
of the Parties is
the recognition
that the
implementation
of the three
objectives of the
Convention on
Biological Diversity
requires the full
engagement of
cities and local
authorities.
A plan of action on cities and biodiversity will be submitted to
the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to be held
in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, in October 2010, the
International Year of Biodiversity. A Nagoya Summit on Cities and
Biodiversity will be convened during the meeting.
Fifty mayors, from 30 countries, representing over 100
million urban dwellers met in Bonn on 26-27 May 2008
the under the theme “Local Action for Biodiversity”
to underline the importance of urban biodiversity. The
Mayors at the conference and urban experts discussed
ways to incorporate biodiversity into the urban context through
projects to protect water supplies, treat sewage, manage garbage,
provide recreational facilities, and conserve biodiversity-rich
areas adjacent to cities.
The full text of the decision on Cities and Biodiversity is available at
http://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-09/cop-09-dec-28-en.pdf
President appeal to make conservation of Nature and Environment People’s Movement
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| Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Honourable President of India launched
the ‘Kaun Banega Bharat Ka Paryavaran Ambassador’ Campaign on the
occasion of World Environment Day - June 5, 2008 |
On the occasion of World Environment Day on 5 June 2008,
President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil said that every member of
our society will have to contribute to the task of conservation
of nature and environment and make this people’s movement
in which local bodies, civil societies and NGOs can participate.
On the issue of climate change, the President said even though
the generation of Green House Gases in India is much less than
that of developed countries, India is a responsible member of the
world community; India gives high leveled and focused attention
to climate change. She drew attention to the fact that the
harshest impact is being felt by the poorest in the world who have
had hardly any share in causing this problem. Global discussions
on climate change must, therefore, bear in mind that the process
of burden sharing should be fair and in line with the principle
of common but differentiated responsibility and respective
capabilities. Referring to this year’s World Environment Day
slogan, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil expressed the hope that
new and advanced technologies will play a key role in achieving
the objective of picking right choice to reduce carbon emission.
On the ocassion of the World Environment Day, Smt Pratibha
Patil launched the Kaun Banega Paryavaran Campaign and also
presented the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar to Dr. Kamal
Singh, Vice Chancellor of Sant Gadge Baba Amrawati University
of Maharashtra, Shri Jagadish Babla of Uttaranchal and Dr.
Amrita Patel of Gujarat, for their contribution in protecting and
conserving our environment. She also conveyed her good wishes
to Ms. Shefalika, the Young Environmentalist of the year.
World Environment Day 2008 in India
The World Environment Day (WED) is observed annually on 5
June as an opportunity to raise awareness and promote action
on environmental issues. WED is observed to inspire action by
governments, individuals, NGOs, youth and general community
to improve their environment. The WED slogan and theme for
the year 2008 is “CO2, Kick the Habit! Towards
a Low Carbon Economy”. The theme and slogan
highlight that Climate Change is the defining
issue of our times and the challenge needs to
be addressed by all of us. The day is observed
in more than 100 countries.
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In India the Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MoEF) organizes special events on WED. The
slogan announced by UNEP has been adapted
by the MoEF to “CO2, Pick Right! Towards
Sustainability and Growth”.
Pick Right! is a positive message which encourages each individual
to reflect on lifestyle choices which matter in dealing with Climate
Change. The choices we do make in our everyday living are vital
in the carbon footprint that we leave on earth. By making the
right choices we can lead our future towards sustainability and
growth.
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