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The World Conservation Congress, co-hosted by Spain and Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain from 5 to 14 October 2008, is the premier environmental event of 2008. The first part of the Congress, the World Conservation Forum, runs from 6 to 10 October and is a great opportunity to debate pressing issues and their solutions for sustainable development.
The Congress theme is: A diverse and sustainable world
Thematic streams include:
- A new climate for change
- Healthy environments – healthy people,
- Safeguarding the diversity of life
Proposals are currently being accepted on-line at: http://www.iucn.org/congress/2008/contributions/index.htm
Stream 1: A new climate for change
Climate change may soon accelerate beyond our power to avert catastrophic consequences. We must set limits to the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gasses. Setting and meeting such a target is politically and practically difficult, but essential. Besides mitigating the impacts of climate change and reducing emissions, we also need adaptation strategies that reduce risks, allow species to migrate, and keep future management options open.
In this stream, we seek to present the best practice and science, discuss the main issues and identify a range of collaborative actions to address the relationships between energy, climate change, ecosystem goods and services and human security, guided by the following key questions:
Sharing know how
- How can we provide energy to poor communities without adversely impacting or even improving their environment?
- How can ecosystem management and adaptation strategies help biodiversity and people cope with climate change and energy issues?
- Which incentives and voluntary and legal measures promote energy saving, emission reductions and adaptation measures throughout society, including by businesses and consumers?
Reaching agreement
- What policies and strategies need to be in place to ensure future scenarios of energy production and consumption improve human well-being, conserve biodiversity and tackle climate change?
- What international agreement that clearly addresses mitigation and adaptation measures should follow the Kyoto Protocol in 2012?
Moving to action
- Which actions need to be taken?
- Which stakeholders need to be involved?
- How do we work together with them?
- What commitment are you making?
Stream 2: Healthy environments – healthy people
Environmental security is fundamental to human security. Human communities depend on ecosystem goods and services such as air to breathe, water to drink, soils to grow food, seas to fish in, and materials for construction. Nevertheless, the capacity of ecosystems to deliver these vital ecosystem goods and services is being eroded at an alarming rate.
In this stream, we will look at the importance of natural resources to human well-being, security, cultures and equity. By examining the following key questions, we seek to arrive at the sustainable management of land- and seascapes to meet the needs of growing populations and improve human well-being:
Sharing know how
- How can environmental management reduce vulnerability and increase security of communities?
- How do we value ecosystem goods and services and translate these values into livelihood, market and finance opportunities?
- How can we reduce the impacts of over-consumption and make producers and consumers worldwide aware of the social and environmental impact of production and consumption choices?
Reaching agreement
- What are the costs and benefits of conservation to human well-being, including health, poverty reduction and security?
- What could stimulate the growth of a new world economy that is clean, green and equitable?
Moving to action
- Which actions need to be taken?
- Which stakeholders need to be involved?
- How do we work together with them?
- What commitment are you making?
Stream 3: Safeguarding the diversity of life
Countries and communities depend on natural wealth to fuel their development. Nature provides valuable assets that underpin the world’s social fabric, cultural diversity and economic progress. Yet we are drawing down on those natural assets as our dwindling biological diversity testifies.
This stream, will examine the state of biodiversity and how it delivers ecosystem goods and services, how well-managed land and seascapes, including protected areas, sustainably deliver them, and how economic, social and cultural factors contribute to biodiversity loss or conservation, based on the following key questions:
Sharing know how
- How do we assess the state of ecosystem goods and services and improve our understanding of their delivery?
- How do we best manage ecosystems, including protected areas, so they sustainably deliver ecosystem goods and services for the long-term benefit of people and nature?
- How can we influence economic, social and cultural factors to contribute to the sustainable management of ecosystems and the conservation of species?
Reaching agreement
- How can the world meet the 2010 target to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, and what do we do if we don’t?
- What changes do we need in international and regional governance structures to address the sustainable use of biodiversity and the maintenance of ecosystem goods and services?
Moving to action
- Which actions need to be taken?
- Which stakeholders need to be involved?
- How do we work together with them?
- What commitment are you making?
For more information:
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IUCN Website: http://www.iucn.org/congress/2008/contributions/index.htm