The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Implications for the Convention

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Implications for the Convention on Biological Diversity David Cooper Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity International Day for Biological Diversity and the Launch of the MA Biodiversity Synthesis Mc. Gill University, Montreal, 19 May 2005 BIODIVERSITY: Life insurance for our changing world

Convention on Biological Diversity Objectives: • Conservation of biological diversity • Sustainable use of its components • Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources

Programmes of Work Thematic: Cross-cutting: • Marine and Coastal Invasive alien species Incentive Measures • Forest Protected areas • Inland Waters Sustainable use • Agricultural Traditional Knowledge • Dryland Access & Benefit Sharing • Mountains Biosafety • Islands Ecosystem Approach

The Challenge “to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national levels as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth” Decision VI/26 Strategic Plan

Framework of goals and targets for assessing progress towards the 2010 target A: PROTECT THE COMPONENTS OF BIODIVERSITY B: PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE USE C: ADDRESS THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY D: MAINTAIN GOODS & SERVICES FROM BIODIVERSITY E: PROTECT TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATIONS … F: ENSURE FAIR & EQUITABLE SHARING FROM GENETIC RESOURCES G: ENSURE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE RESOURCES

Framework of goals and targets for assessing progress towards the 2010 target 1: Promote conservation of ecosystems, habitats. . 2: Promote conservation of species diversity 3: Promote conservation of genetic diversity. . 4: Promote sustainable use & consumption 5: Reduce pressures from land/water use change. . 6: Control threats from Invasive alien species 7: Address challenges from climate change, pollution 8: Maintain ecosystem capacity, goods and services 9: Maintain socio-cultural diversity of communities 10: Ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits … 11: Improved capacity to implement the Convention

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

The MA and the CBD COP-7: Requests SBSTTA to review the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment including the synthesis report on biodiversity, (…. ) and to prepare recommendations to the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties - 8 Brazil, March 2006 SBSTTA - 11 Montreal, Nov-Dec 2005 MA Review Draft Synthesis Conditions & Trends Scenarios Responses

MA: Main findings on biodiversity 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Biodiversity is being lost at rates unprecedented in human history Losses of biodiversity and decline of ecosystem services is of a concern for human well-being, especially for the poorest Costs borne by society due to biodiversity loss is often greater than the benefits gained through ecosystem change The drivers of change are steady or, more often, increasing Many successful response options have been used, but further progress will require actions to address the drivers of biodiversity loss Unprecedented additional efforts would be required to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss at all levels

Biodiversity is being lost.

Reasons for Concern: • • Decline in Ecosystem Services Statu s Impact on the poorest Regulating Services • • Loss of resilience shocks & surprises Loss of Unique species & habitats Air quality regulation Climate regulation – global Climate regulation – regional & local Water regulation +/– Erosion regulation Water purification and waste treatment Disease regulation +/– Pest regulation Pollination Natural hazard regulation

Biodiversity & ecosystems are being degraded …. . need for many services increasing. Nitrogen in ecosystems Population Climate Change

“Unprecedented additional efforts would be required to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss at all levels” • • Biodiversity will continue to decline this century With appropriate responses: – it is possible to achieve by 2010 a reduction of the rate of biodiversity loss for certain components, or for certain indicators – Several of the sub-targets can be met

Framework of goals and targets for assessing progress towards the 2010 target 1: Promote conservation of ecosystems, habitats. . 2: Promote conservation of species diversity 3: Promote conservation of genetic diversity. . 4: Promote sustainable use & consumption 5: Reduce pressures from land/water use change. . 6: Control threats from Invasive alien species 7: Address challenges from climate change, pollution 8: Maintain ecosystem capacity, goods and services 9: Maintain socio-cultural diversity of communities 10: Ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits … 11: Improved capacity to implement the Convention

Framework of goals and targets for assessing progress towards the 2010 target 1: Promote conservation of ecosystems, habitats. . 2: Promote conservation of species diversity 3: Promote conservation of genetic diversity. . 4: Promote sustainable use & consumption 5: Reduce pressures from land/water use change. . 6: Control threats from Invasive alien species 7: Address challenges from climate change, pollution 8: Maintain ecosystem capacity, goods and services 9: Maintain socio-cultural diversity of communities 10: Ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits … 11: Improved capacity to implement the Convention

Most threats to biodiversity in most habitat types are increasing

Address direct drivers of biodiversity loss Important drivers of biodiversity loss to 2050: • Land use change (and water use), especially expansion of agriculture • Increased Nitrogen Use • Climate Change Key Response Options: • Elimination of perverse subsidies • Sustainable intensification of agriculture • Slowing and adapting to climate change • Slowing increases in nutrient loading • Correction of market failures • Adopt ecosystem approach Changes in Energy & Agriculture Sectors Reduce or moderate drivers Increase Ecosystem Resilience Mitigate impacts

Level of biodiversity Possible future trajectories of biodiversity loss (2) (3) (1) past Total Per-Capita x = Consumption Pressure on Biodiversity present Time Population future x Resource Use Efficiency

Challenges for the Convention • Achieving progress towards 2010 goals and targets Implementation of agreed programmes • Better measures of biodiversity and models of biodiversity change Setting longer term strategy To address direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss Influencing major economic sectors More attention to economic issues: • valuation • incentive measures • market creation Integration into development policy and practice • •

Thank you! BIODIVERSITY: Life insurance for our changing world

MA Framework

Outcomes for hunger reduction and biodiversity loss under the MA scenarios 100 million Hunger Reduction (reduction in number of malnourished people, 2050 as compared to 2000) 0 -20 0 Biodiversity loss (eventual loss of vascular plat species on land due to land use change, climate change and nitrogen deposition by 2050, as compared to 1970) 20%

Need for multiple and longer term goals

Reasons for Concern: (2) Impacts on the poorest

Reasons for Concern: (3) Ecosystems become less resilient

Reasons for Concern: (4) Unique species and habitats are lost