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RIO+20 outcomes recognize the value of biodiversity and ecosystems: Implications for global, regional and national policy

2012; Elsevier BV; Volume: 1; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.ecoser.2012.07.013

2212-0416

Ibrahim Thiaw, Richard Munang,

Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development

More than 190 countries gathered in Rio de Janeiro during 20–22 June 2012 for the United Nations Conference on SustainableDevelopment and charted a pathway of expectant hope for thefuture of people and our planet. During the meetings, represen-tatives from around the world agreed that the recent global crisisshows old-fashioned views about development which are mis-leading and it is now time to rethink the very foundations of howwe consider development, wellbeing and wealth. Over the pastfour decades, the world has increasingly realized that our eco-systems and biodiversity are under serious pressure.These concerns are reflected particularly in points 39 and 40 ofthe outcome document of the Rio deliberations ‘The Future WeWant’: ‘‘We recognize that planet Earth and its ecosystems are ourhome and that ‘‘Mother Earth’’ is a common expression in a numberof countries and regions, and we note that some countries recognizethe rights of nature in the context of the promotion of sustainabledevelopment. We are convinced that in order to achieve a justbalance among the economic, social and environmental needs ofpresent and future generations, it is necessary to promote harmonywith nature. We call for holistic and integrated approaches tosustainable development that will guide humanity to live in harmonywith nature and lead to efforts to restore the health and integrity ofthe Earth’s ecosystem.’’This shows that world leaders believe that the rights of naturemust be preserved while balancing the economic, social andenvironmental needs of present and future generations forsustainable development and opens a window of opportunity totransition towards a sustainable development pathway by incor-porating the multiple values of biodiversity and ecosystemservices into policy and management decisions.RIOþ20 outcomes: Implications for global, regional andnational policy for biodiversity and ecosystemsEcosystems and biodiversity underpin human survival and liveli-hoods. As a result they must be protected, restored where damaged,and managed sustainably within a so cio-ecological context to ensurecontinued provision of their services for human wellbeing. Thehuman population is expanding, rising to over nine billion by 2050and an increasing number of peopl e expect living standard improve-ment and material gain, placing additional demands on resource use.Current consumption rates of natural resources are a trade-offbetween human demands and mainta ining the long-term capacityof ecosystems to supply goods and s ervices. A sustainable use ofbiodiversity and ecosystems requires a shift in human expectationsand aspirations, behavior and immediate resource use. At the sametime it must be recognized that poverty alleviation is a primaryobjective. The aspirations of the poor need to be respected andsupported, especially in cases where impoverished people causebiodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in their struggle forsurvival using scarce resources. This is often due to a lack of solid, up-to-date science to inform polic y processes that would enablecountries and regions to reverse the decline through ecosystemrestoration and also lack of effective governance of natural capitalthrough the collaboration of the public and private sectors, civilsociety and local communities. Central to many of the solutions interms of practical application is the need to achieve behavioralchange through supportive and enabling policies that redress thecurrent imbalance in trade- offs. Building on the RIO þ20 outcomesrecognizing the value of natural capital can help in input to policydevelopment that leads to the realization of these possibilities.This could be done through Strengthening ecosystems and biodiversity governance andinstitutions at local and national levels, as a basis for supportingeffective policy development. Recognizing that the effectiveContents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirectjournal homepage:www.elsevier.com/locate/ecoser