Knowledge to support policy implementation
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 (2010), states that the global target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 has not been met. A new global-level target and strategy were agreed at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010.
Following ‘Nagoya’ the European Commission outlined the policy options for the EU post-2010 actions on biodiversity, and agreed a new EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. This strategy and its six targets forms the backbone of action for biodiversity and ecosystem services until 2020.
With a programme dedicated to Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity Assessment, ECNC contributes to the knowledge base on the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe, in particular via indicators, monitoring methods, reporting and policy feedback.
Brief on climate change
ECNC believes that maintaining resilient ecosystems that can function as a resource for biodiversity, for mitigating climate change and as a source of enjoyment, recreation and economic benefit, is the key to addressing the challenge of climate change for the future of plant, animal and habitat diversity.
Brief on biosafety
The issue of genetically modified organisms (GMO) is one of the most important ones facing policy makers today. There are strongly held differences of opinion, and so far a lack of consensus between the European Union and the United States. Given the poor state of knowledge on the relation between GMOs and biodiversity, ECNC calls for careful analysis of possible impacts before any major policy decisions are taken to continue with GMOs.
Brief on ecosystem services
The natural environment provides people with goods and services that are fundamental to human well-being. These ‘ecosystem services’ are essential to society and, ultimately, all human welfare and livelihoods depend on them for fundamental necessities such as clean air, clean water and food production.