Extracts from the communiqué ...
Recommendations for policy and decision makers
· The universal problems of biodiversity loss, climate change and ecosystem change, faced by people everywhere, are closely linked and this should be reflected in processes to develop solutions at global to local level.
· Biodiversity and ecosystems are valued and often understood best at local scales. Local knowledge and contexts need to be incorporated.
· Ecosystem services depend on biodiversity but all the goals of biodiversity conservation may not be met by management for ecosystem services, especially where that is directed at small numbers of services over short time scales. Biodiversity conservation must continue to have its own agenda.
· Much biodiversity exists in oceans, polar and other international spaces. Science bodies have the potential to contribute to the management of these for the global good.
· Economists have recently made real advances in valuing biodiversity and ecosystems, including economic valuation, innovative discounting approaches and cost benefit analyse for advising on investment decisions. These new approaches should be developed and brought into the mainstream of economic analysis.
· The information, knowledge and tools available for ecosystem-based policy and decision-making are still developing but sufficient for use in many cases. We encourage wider and bolder implementation of these new ideas. As one example, the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) scheme should proceed, taking due caution.
· International science-policy links in biodiversity and ecosystem services need to be strengthened, made relevant, accelerated to address new issues and built on the widest possible knowledge base including indigenous. The creation of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is one possible mechanism to achieve these goals.
· Public engagement is essential; scientists and policymakers need to engage with a range of audiences, to understand their viewpoints, to communicate issues better and encourage public participation in biodiversity management. Currently the concepts of biodiversity and ecosystem services and the urgency required for better management are not well understood. Clear communication will enhance understanding between scientists, academics, policymakers and the public.
Recommendations for science
· Encourage the rapid growth and development of the new science needed, including links across the disciplines to deliver science and science policy for sustainable development.
· Develop the science for ecosystem management (“gardening the planet”) in order to meet growing demands for food and energy and enhancing the ability of ecosystems to deliver multiple benefits, especially under environmental change and in agricultural, urban, restored and/or novel habitats.
· New metrics are needed in order to evaluate progress towards meeting biodiversity and ecosystem service goals to evaluate trends in drivers, their effects on people and their well being, and as a basis for assessing shadow prices for embedding natural capital into national accounts. Policymakers need metrics to assess progress towards slowing or halting the loss of biodiversity.
· Provide incentives for young scientists working in interdisciplinary projects worldwide. Provide enhanced support for cross-disciplinary collaboration and build a community of scientists that will carry forward the new science over the long term.
Full text available on the Biodiversity Conference page.