KEY PUBLICATIONS AND ONLINE
RESOURCES
BIODIVERSITY AND WILDLIFE
This page was updated
on: 01/12/10
OCEAN
NOISE: TURN IT DOWN
(IFAW, December 2008)
This report highlights the dramatic increase of undersea noise from
human activities in recent decades. It notes that this increase is set
to continue and, unless tackled, poses a potentially major threat to
marine animals of many kinds worldwide. The report calls for
wide-ranging action, including a requirement that builders and owners of
all vessels factor noise reduction measures into vessels' design and
operation. The
report.
ESTABLISHING RESILIENT MARINE PROTECTED AREA NETWORKS – MAKING IT HAPPEN
(IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, 2008)
This document represents a synthesis of the expertise, knowledge and
views of leading experts in marine protected area network design and
implementation. It highlights global commitments for marine conservation
and shows how to move from individual MPA sites to an effective system
of national regional MPA networks. The
report.
Carbon and
Biodiversity Demonstration Atlas
(UNEP, 2008)
This atlas highlights areas where high carbon content and high
biodiversity overlap, demonstrating that reducing emissions from
deforestation can combat climate change and biodiversity loss. The
atlas.
INTEGRATING BIODIVERSITY INTO BUSINESS STRATEGIES: THE BIODIVERSITY
ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK
(Fondation pour la recherche sur la biodiversité, Orée – entreprises,
territoires et Environnement, 2008)
This study, presented during the European platform for biodiversity
research strategy meeting (17-21 November 2008, Paris, France), confirms
that biodiversity underpins the development of numerous businesses, as
the economy as a whole interacts, directly and indirectly, with living
systems. It proposes a new model for the co-evolution of businesses and
ecosystems, calling it the co-viability of biodiversity and business.
Based on the language of business itself, that of costs and revenues,
this model calls for the introduction of a new accounting system,
complementing financial accounting. The report in
English and
French.
THE STATE
OF WILDLIFE TRADE IN CHINA
(TRAFFIC, November 2008)
According to this review of wildlife trade in China in 2007, China's
traditional medicine trade is rapidly growing, China's consumption of
wildlife is rising, China's illegal ivory trade is declining, and China
is the world's second largest wood importer, whilst China's trade in
freshwater turtles is thriving. Over-harvesting and poor management of
resources are looming threats and currently there are no standards to
ensure the sustainable collection of wild medicinal plants. The majority
of illegal wild animal trade was in freshwater turtles and snakes,
mostly sold in China for their meat and for medicinal purposes. The
report.
INDUSTRIAL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND ITS IMPACT ON SMALLHOLDERS IN
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(League for Pastoral Peoples, April 2008)
Authored by Susanne Gura, this study describes the industrialization of
livestock production and its impact on smallholder producers, and
discusses what should be done to improve their situation. It presents
many examples of how smallholders and pastoralists have lost out with
the expansion of industrial livestock production, but also how their
movements and supporting organizations have set out to secure their
rights, and continue to develop their breeds, their production systems
and their cultures. Several case studies are provided, as well as a
series of recommendations for action. The
report.
NEW PGRFA PORTAL
Launched by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a new portal
for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) is now
available. Aiming to foster implementation of the Global Plan of Action
adopted in 1996, the portal provides access to a wide range of
information, including funding sources, regarding activities in the
field of PGRFA. The
portal.
PUBLISH OR
PATENT? KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(IFPRI Discussion Paper no. 795, September 2008) Authored by An Michiels
and Bonwoo Koo, this paper concludes that there have been significant
shifts toward applied research by developing countries and toward
patenting as a means of knowledge dissemination during the past few
decades, reflecting the increasing role of the private sector in
developing countries in crop improvement research. The
paper.
LINKING
INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE WITH ACTION FOR
SUSTAINABLE POVERTY ALLEVIATION: WHAT WORKS?
(Center for International Development, Harvard University, 2008) This
working paper reviews the experience of the International Livestock
Research Institute in Kenya in implementing five agricultural projects
in Africa and Asia, to identify institutional arrangements and
procedures that are more likely to strengthen the links between research
and development. The authors develop a seven-point framework for
establishing better links between knowledge generated through research
with actions that help people. The
paper.
SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN UEMOA MEMBER COUNTRIES
(West African Economic and Monetary Union and The Hub for Rural
Development in West and Central Africa, October 2008)
Produced by the United Nations Foundation, the International Centre for
Trade and Sustainable Development and the Energy and Security Group,
this report concludes that bioenergy can provide significant economic
and environmental opportunities for rural areas in West Africa finds
that donor and host country investments in bioenergy can reduce the
exposure of West African countries to high food and oil prices and open
up new economic opportunities in clean energy development.
The
report.
THE ROLE OF
AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGIES FOR PRODUCTION OF BIOENERGY IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES
(FAO, 2008)
This UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report is the background
document for an upcoming FAO e-mail conference that takes places from 10
November-7 December 2008. It provides an overview of the current status
regarding bioenergy, focusing on first and second generation liquid
biofuels, including the reasons for the major current focus on liquid
biofuels, as well as current concerns about them. It then considers some
of the potential ways in which biotechnologies could contribute to
bioenergy production, covering production of biomass as well as
conversion of the biomass to first or second generation liquid biofuels,
in addition to production of biodiesel from microalgae and production of
biogas.
The
document.
The
e-mail conference website.
ACCESS TO
GENETIC RESOURCES IN AFRICA: ANALYZING DEVELOPMENT OF ABS POLICIES IN
FOUR AFRICAN COUNTRIES
(UNEP and UNU-IAS, 2008)
This publication includes case studies on access to genetic resources
and benefit-sharing (ABS) arrangements in four African countries:
Botswana, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia. The report provides a detailed view
of the national policy climate relating to ABS in the four countries,
based on research carried out by consultants in cooperation with
national agencies, using questionnaires and workshops.
The
report.
KILLING WITH
KEYSTROKES: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE ON THE WORLD
WIDE WEB
(IFAW, 2008)
This report offers the fourth and most comprehensive investigation into
the potentially illegal trade in endangered species on the Internet by
the International Fund for Animal Welfare. It is based on a three-month
investigation on 183 publicly accessible websites. Investigators looked
at both the wildlife product and live animal trade in primates, birds,
reptiles, big cats, bears, elephants, rhinoceros, sharks, Tibetan
antelopes and sturgeon. The investigation concludes that illegal
wildlife transactions via the Internet may be fostered by low levels of
awareness about guidelines regarding trade in protected wildlife; by a
lack of stringent and enforceable legislation that clearly declares
trade in endangered wildlife online as a serious criminal offense; by
weak monitoring and enforcement; and by readily available electronic
loopholes through which wildlife traffickers can operate without
detection.
The
report.
ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME – A THREAT TO OUR FUTURE
(Environmental Investigation Agency, October 2008)
Organized environmental crime poses a growing threat, yet remains a low
priority for the enforcement community. Environmental crime includes
illegal trade in wildlife, smuggling of ozone-depleting and
global-warming substances, illicit trade in hazardous waste, illegal
fishing, illegal logging and the associated trade in stolen timber. This
report shows the scale and impacts of environmental crime and calls for
strong political will to tackle it as a matter of urgency. The
report.
DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO THE MANAGEMENT OF
OCEAN-RELATED ACTIVITIES
(DOALOS, 2008)
This UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS)
interdisciplinary manual focuses on the development and implementation
of an ecosystem approach to the management of human activities and their
impacts on the marine environment within a national context, while
meeting regional and international obligations. The manual will form a
basis for the delivery of a training workshop, organized by DOALOS in
the context of the Train-Sea-Coast Programme, and in collaboration with
the UN Environment Programme and other partners, to be held in Mombasa,
Kenya, from 27 October to 1 November 2008. The objective of the workshop
is to provide government officials and managers with the necessary
knowledge and skills to develop and implement an ecosystem approach to
the management of ocean-related activities. The
manual.
MDG ON
REDUCING BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND THE CBD's 2010 TARGET
(UNU, September 2008)
This report, written by Balakrishna Pisupati and Renata Rubian, focuses
on the critical link between the MDGs, in particular MDG 7 on
environmental sustainability, and the Convention on Biological
Diversity's (CBD) 2010 target and indicators. The authors argue that the
adoption of the 2010 biodiversity target as part of the MDG framework,
as target 7b, is a recognition of the role that biodiversity plays in
ensuring the livelihoods of the poor. However, the selection of
indicators for monitoring progress under MDG 7, such as the proportion
of terrestrial and marine protected areas and species threatened, is
still limited vis-à-vis the options under the 2010 biodiversity target.
The authors argue that indicators should be more flexibly applied and
tested according to national requirements. The
report.
THE STATE OF
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2008 – BIOFUELS
(FAO, October 2008)
The 2008 edition of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization State of
the World's Food and Agriculture Report focuses on the prospects, risks
and opportunities for biofuels. The report addresses key questions
relating to the benefits and impacts of biofuel production and use,
including impacts on food security, land and water resources, as well as
contributions to greenhouse gas reduction and agricultural development.
The report assumes that biofuel demand will affect food prices for the
coming decade or longer. While higher food prices threaten the food
security of poor households in developing countries, they could offer an
opportunity for agricultural development if they are accompanied by
increased investments in research, institutions and infrastructure as
well as sound policies. It also points to the need to harmonize
approaches towards assessing greenhouse gas balances and other impacts,
and calls for investments in research and development of second
generation biofuels. The report stresses that blending mandates and
subsidies have resulted in a rush on biofuels in advance of actual
knowledge about their effects and impacts, and calls for their revision
and additional policy action to ensure they are produced in an
environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
FAO Press Release.
State of the World's Food and Agriculture Report.
ANNUAL
REPORT ON PROTECTED AREAS: A REVIEW OF GLOBAL CONSERVATION PROGRESS IN
2007
(UNEP-WCMC, 2008)
The Annual Report on Protected Areas highlights achievements made in
protected areas around the world during the past year. The report
addresses both the current status of global and national protected area
coverage for terrestrial and marine environments, with additional
insights on forest biodiversity and the high seas. Topics such as the
management effectiveness of protected areas, livelihood impacts and
climate change are highlighted to demonstrate the breadth of
conservation issues related to protected areas. The report concludes
with a look at the 2008 International Year of the Reef. It indicates
that while progress towards achieving the 10% protected area target has
been better on land, marine areas remain especially poorly protected.
While 12.2% of the planet's land area is under legal protection, only
5.9% of the world's territorial seas and less than 1% of the high seas
are protected. The
report.
THE 2008
REVIEW OF THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES
(IUCN, October 2008)
This publication explores all aspects of the IUCN Red List, including:
the Red List as a key conservation tool; freshwater biodiversity; status
of the world's marine species; broadening the coverage of biodiversity
assessment; species susceptibility to climate change impacts; and the
Mediterranean, a biodiversity hotspot under threat. The
review.
LIFE AS
COMMERCE: THE IMPACT OF MARKET-BASED CONSERVATION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES,
LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND WOMEN
(Global Forest Coalition, October 2008)
This report features case studies from India, Costa Rica, South Africa,
Paraguay and Colombia about the impact of market-based conservation
mechanisms like ecotourism, forest certification, biodiversity offsets
and carbon trade on indigenous peoples, local communities and women.
Focusing on the rules and standards needed for these mechanisms to
generate benefits for local communities, the report concludes that
governments and other donors should undertake a profound analysis of
market-based conservation approaches to assess whether they really do
strengthen rights-based, socially just biodiversity conservation
policies, or whether they are, in reality, ineffective, inefficient and
risky, contributing to the erosion of good public governance over
biodiversity. The
report.
BIOSAFETY
PROTOCOL FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OUTREACH MATERIAL
(CBD, September 2008)
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety, celebrated on 11 September 2008, the CBD Secretariat has
posted a CD containing related outreach material. The
CD.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN OVERALL
HEALTH STRATEGY IN THE AREA OF GMOs
(EC Joint Research Centre, September 2008)
This study assesses the current state of knowledge in the field of
potential health impacts of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It
contains an expert opinion stemming from an international workshop on
assessment and monitoring of health effects of GMOs. The
executive summary of the study.
JRC news release.
STATE OF THE
WORLD'S BIRDS
(BirdLife International, September 2008)
Launched at BirdLife International's World Conservation Conference, held
from 22-27 September 2008, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this report and
related website indicate that common birds are in decline across the
world, providing evidence of a rapid deterioration in the global
environment that is affecting all life on earth. The report identifies
many key global threats, including the intensification of
industrial-scale agriculture and fishing, the spread of invasive
species, logging and the replacement of natural forest with monocultural
plantations, but mostly climate change.
State of the World's Birds website.
FUELLING
DESTRUCTION IN LATIN AMERICA: THE REAL PRICE OF AGROFUELS
(Friends of the Earth International, 2008)
On the basis of a number of case studies regarding Latin and Central
America, this report concludes that the development of agrofuels is
unlikely to benefit people in Latin America, noting that rapid expansion
will increase preexisting social, environmental and human rights
problems enabling national, and increasingly international, agribusiness
and investors to profit. The
report.
NEW KEY ISSUES
ELDIS GUIDE: PAYMENTS FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(Eldis, September 2008)
This guide provides an overview of Payments for Ecosystem Services
schemes, their potential and possible pitfalls, and links to further
reading from a range of sources. The
guide.
THE WIPO
VOLUNTARY FUND: A STRONGER VOICE FOR INDIGENOUS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN
WIPO'S WORK ON TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, TRADITIONAL CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
AND GENETIC RESOURCES
(WIPO, 2008)
This booklet presents the Voluntary Fund created within the framework of
the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic
Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore of the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO). It includes practical steps and tips for
applicants and donors. The
booklet.
BIOSAFETY
REGULATIONS OF ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES
(Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions,
Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology and FAO, 2008)
This publication provides a compilation of the biosafety regulatory
instruments of 39 countries of the Asia and the Pacific region, allowing
for clear understanding and comparison. The
publication.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF ADAPTATION OPTIONS FOR CLIMATE-SENSITIVE
ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES
(USEPA, 2008)
This report is a contribution to the US Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) and
was developed by the Global Change Research Program in the US
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and
Development. It is one of 21 synthesis and assessment products
commissioned by the CCSP. This report has been peer-reviewed and seeks
to provide the best-available science to date on management adaptations
for ecosystems and resources. The
report.
INTERNATIONAL SEED TREATY'S GOALS OF BIODIVERSITY, FOOD SECURITY TOUGH
TO IMPLEMENT
(IP Watch, August 2008)
This article, authored by Catherine Saez, presents an overview of the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture, including its main provisions, breeders' and NGOs' concerns
and funding issues. The
article.
POST-MORTEM FOR
THE GENEVA MINI-MINISTERIAL: WHERE DOES TRIPS GO FROM HERE?
(ICTSD, August 2008)
This article by Frederick M. Abbott provides an overview of the state of
play in the negotiations on the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), including biodiversity-related
issues, following the collapse of the WTO Geneva Ministerials. The
article.
PROMOTING
VALUE CHAINS OF NEGLECTED AND UNDERUTILIZED SPECIES FOR PRO-POOR GROWTH
AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: GUIDELINES AND GOOD PRACTICES
(Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species, 2008)
Authored by Margret Will, this publication presents guidelines and good
practices for value chain development of neglected and underutilized
species. The guidelines draw upon lessons learned and good practices
described in eight case studies implemented by the Global Facilitation
Unit and its partners, other published and grey literature, and the
experience of the author in horticultural marketing and value chain
development. The
publication.
AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEMS, FACTS AND TRENDS
(WBCSD and IUCN, July 2008)
This report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
and IUCN presents facts and figures on trends in agricultural production
and consumption to help governments, farmers, consumers and industry
better understand the challenges facing the sustainable management of
agricultural ecosystems, such as meeting demand form a fast growing
world population, adapting to impacts of climate change, and managing
natural resources of an increasingly depleted planet. The
report.
CURBING UK IMPACTS ON GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY: AN
AGENDA FOR ACTION
(IIED, May 2008)
Stemming the tide of biodiversity loss is a global issue with national
implications. The UK has set up initiatives to reduce its impacts on
biodiversity worldwide, but a government review found in 2006 that they
have yet to add up to a comprehensive strategy. This research identifies
possible actions to fill the gaps. The
full brief.
ENTANGLED IN THE WEB OF LIFE: BIODIVERSITY AND
THE MEDIA
(IIED, May
2008)
This brief explains why biodiversity loss will be an increasingly
important story in the coming years. The
brief.
WORLD RESOURCES
2008: ROOTS OF RESILIENCE – GROWING THE WEALTH OF THE POOR
(World Resources Institute, July 2008)
This report, produced collaboratively by UNDP, UNEP, the World Bank, and
the World Resources Institute, looks at the overlap between ecosystems
and poverty. The report argues that properly designed enterprises can
create economic, social and environmental resilience that cushion the
impacts of climate change, and help provide needed social stability. It
suggests that efforts that foster resilience chart the first steps on
the path out of poverty. The
report.
SAFETY NET:
PROTECTED AREAS AND POVERTY REDUCTION
(WWF, 2008)
This report, written by N. Dudley, S. Mansourian, S. Stolton, and S.
Suksuwan, looks at the role of protected areas in poverty reduction,
focusing primarily on the poorest countries and on poor communities.
Case studies are from Argentina, Finland, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal,
Poland and Tanzania. The report concludes that: there is an evolution of
approaches to integrating the needs of people and nature in protected
areas; monitoring is critical; and good examples of effective protected
area management combined with poverty reduction strategies need to be
studied and replicated. The
report.
FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE: THE ANSWER IS
BIODIVERSITY
(Greenpeace, June 2008)
This report suggests that a review of recent scientific literature
underlines that the most effective strategy to adapt agriculture to
climate change is to increase biodiversity. A mix of different crops and
varieties in one field is a proven and highly reliable farming method to
increase resilience to erratic weather changes. The report further notes
that the best way to increase stress tolerance in single varieties are
modern breeding technologies that do not entail genetic engineering,
such as marker assisted selection. The
report.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND TRADITIONAL
KNOWLEDGE: BIOPIRACY OR BIOPROSPECTING?
(ETH Zürich, June 2008)
Authored by Michael J. Krieger, this working paper examines issues
related to bioprospecting as addressed by the provisions of the
Convention on Biological Diversity and the Agreement on Trade-Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, as well as the friction created
between the two treaties, in view of their differing goals. The
paper.
ANOTHER
INCONVENIENT TRUTH: HOW BIOFUEL POLICIES ARE DEEPENING POVERTY AND
ACCELERATING CLIMATE CHANGE
(Oxfam, June 2008)
In this report, Oxfam calculates that rich country biofuel policies have
dragged more than 30 million people into poverty, according to evidence
that biofuels have already contributed up to 30% to the global rise in
food prices. The
report.
PLANT
BREEDING AND RELATED BIOTECHNOLOGY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT
(FAO, 2008)
This database provides information from a survey carried out by the UN
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its partners to assess
national plant breeding and related biotechnology capacity worldwide.
The survey has been concluded in 62 countries and is still ongoing in 30
countries. The
database.
BECON
WEB-BASED BIBLIOGRAPHY
(IFPRI, 2008)
BEcon, a web-based bibliography developed by researchers at the
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), is a selective
collection of peer-reviewed applied economics literature that assesses
the impacts of genetically engineered crops in developing countries.
BEcon.
THE
ECONOMICS OF ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY – AN INTERIM REPORT
(EC, 2008)
Inspired by the momentum created by the Stern Review of the Economics
of Climate Change, and proposed by the German Government and
endorsed by the G8+5 leaders in 2007, this study was designed to
"initiate the process of analyzing the global economic benefit of
biological diversity, the costs of the loss of biodiversity and the
failure to take protective measures versus the costs of effective
conservation." Under the leadership of Deutsche Bank's Pavan Sukhdev,
several partners worked during the first phase of the study to
demonstrate the huge significance of ecosystems and biodiversity and the
threats to human welfare if no action is taken to reverse current damage
and losses. The second phase of the study will expand on this and show
how to use this knowledge to design the right tools and policies.
Preliminary findings included in this interim report were presented to
the High-Level Segment of the ninth Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP9). Final results will be
presented at CBD COP10 in 2010. The
report.
FARMERS
RIGHTS.ORG
(Fridtjof Nansen Institute, 2008)
Developed as a tool for decision makers, practitioners and others
involved in the realization of farmers' rights, this website was
launched in the framework of the Farmers' Rights Project of the Fridtjof
Nansen Institute in Norway. It includes information on the history,
legal status and contents of farmers' rights, a comprehensive database
on legislation and policies, and concrete recommendations on
implementation. The
website.
INTERNATIONALLY FUNDED TRAINING IN BIOSAFETY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY - IS IT
BRIDGING THE BIOTECH DIVIDE?
(UNU-IAS, 2008)
On the basis of a global assessment undertaken from 2004-2007, and
seeking to examine whether capacity-building activities deliver to
developing countries the capacity to make and implement choices about
biosafety and biotechnology, this report has concluded that the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety has provided a focus and catalyst for
various capacity-building initiatives. The study found, however, that
there remains a significant lack of capacity in the majority of
developing countries, which are unable to manage modern biotechnology
and implement their national biosafety frameworks. The report stresses
that the capacity deficiencies are so pervasive and broad that there is
no effective international biosafety system at the moment. The
report.
THE
2010 BIODIVERSITY TARGET IN EU DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
(WWF, 2008)
This paper aims to provide a brief analysis of the progress made by the
EU towards the 2010 biodiversity target in its external development
cooperation policy, with a focus on policies and programmes for Africa,
Caribbean and Pacific countries and Asian and Latin American countries.
Progress made is assessed in light of the political commitments and
instruments adopted and their implementation. The paper focuses on the
initiatives and undertakings made by the European Commission in its
development cooperation policy to foster the achievement of the 2010
biodiversity target outside Europe. The
paper.
NONTARGET
EFFECTS OF GENETIC MANIPULATION
(The Nature Institute, 2008)
This website is designed to set the public debate about genetic
engineering upon a more accessible scientific foundation. The purpose of
the project is to make the evidence about the wide-ranging and never
wholly predictable effects of genetic engineering readily accessible to
citizens, policy makers and scientists. The
website.
ECOSYSTEM-BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF
INCREASING TRAWL SELECTIVITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
(WWF Mediterranean, April 2008)
This
report encourages the switch from the unselective
diamond-mesh nets currently used by bottom-trawlers in the Mediterranean
to more selective square-mesh nets, sooner than the obligatory deadline
of 2010 stipulated under European legislation (EU Council Regulation
1967/2006). The WWF report is based on new ecosystem-based management
analyses that use computer models to assess the effects of square-mesh
nets on marine ecosystems and fishing fleets. Results show that
square-mesh nets will make trawling more selective – meaning the capture
of less immature juveniles and non-target species, and reducing discards
– and thus allowing the Mediterranean's fragile marine life to begin
recovery. The
report.
CHALLENGES TO
MANAGING ECOSYSTEMS SUSTAINABLY FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION: SECURING
WELL-BEING IN THE ANDES/AMAZON
(Iniciativa Amazônica, WWF, King's College London, Universidad
Nacional de Colombia, The Nature Conservancy, International Center for
Tropical Agriculture, May 2008)
As part of the Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation Programme,
this report is a "situation analysis" of ecosystem services and poverty
in the Amazon basin and the eastern Andean slopes. It focuses on,
inter alia, the benefits that local populations derive from using
ecosystem services, and options to manage ecosystem provision in ways
that also prevent or help to alleviate poverty. The
report.
EUROPEAN FORESTS
– ECOSYSTEM CONDITIONS AND SUSTAINABLE USE
(European Environment Agency, May 2008)
The report identifies the state, trends and major pressures on the
forest ecosystems across Europe and suggests needed actions and
capacity-building for sustainable forest management and safeguarding
biodiversity. The
report.
BIODIVERSITY: DELIVERING RESULTS
(UNDP-GEF, May 2008)
This publication features the UN Development Programme's (UNDP's)
biodiversity work around the world, including the achievements and
results from projects undertaken by UNDP's network of 132 country
offices and its specialized environment team. It highlights projects
funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to mainstream
biodiversity issues, build institutional capacity, and support the
implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas under the
Convention on Biological Diversity. The
publication.
CLIMATE CHANGE-INDUCED WATER
STRESS AND ITS IMPACTS ON NATURAL AND MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS
(Ecologic, IEEP and SYKE, 2008)
This study explores which ecosystems will be most impacted and analyzes
how the effects of climate change act as causes of additional emissions,
thereby reinforcing global warming in a positive feedback loop. The
paper was prepared for the European Parliament by Ecologic jointly with
the Institute for European Environmental Policies (IEEP) and the Finnish
Environment Institute (SYKE). The study also highlights existing policy
and management approaches, identifies gaps in the regime and concludes
with sector-specific policy recommendations. The
study.
INTRODUCING A GENETICALLY MODIFIED BANANA IN UGANDA: SOCIAL BENEFITS,
COSTS, AND CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS
(IFPRI, 2008)
This resource, authored by Enoch Kikulwe, Justus Wesseler and Jose Falck
Zepeda, examines potential social welfare impacts of adopting
genetically modified (GM) bananas in Uganda, with three objectives.
First, the paper suggests and applies an approach to calculate
reversible and irreversible benefits and costs of introducing GM banana.
Second, it suggests an approach for assessing producer/consumer
preferences and willingness to pay for introducing a GM banana. Finally,
the paper discusses the main implications for biosafety decision making
for GM crops in Uganda. Results of MISTICs estimation (maximum
incremental sociaResults imply that although GM bananas promise vast
benefits, realization of those benefits depends on consumers'
perceptions and attitudes and the willingness to pay for the GM
technology. The
resource.
Biofuel and
global biodiversity
(Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy, April 2008)
This paper, written by D. Keeney and C. Nanninga, analyzes how biofuels
are changing land-use patterns in many regions around the world. The
paper suggests that the impacts of biofuels are more symptomatic of
inappropriate agricultural production systems and policies, and
recommends protecting native ecosystems and indigenous lands, making
sustainability a priority for all biofuel production, and taking
advantage of this opportunity to redesign the agricultural and energy
sectors. The
paper.
PLANT
CONSERVATION REPORT
(CBD Secretariat and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 2008)
The Plant Conservation Report outlines progress in implementing the
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. It highlights the urgent
challenges and some priorities for further implementation up to 2010, as
well as providing a background and rationale for further global
initiatives in plant conservation beyond 2010. The
report.
FORESTS AND
THE BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION
(Global Forest Coalition, 2008)
This report includes the summary of 22 independent monitoring reports on
the implementation of the expanded programme of work on forest
biodiversity of the CBD, in 22 different countries. The
report.
CROP WILD
RELATIVE GLOBAL PORTAL
(UNEP/GEF and BIOVERSITY INTERNATIONAL)
This portal provides access to information and data resources important
for the conservation and utilization of crop wild relatives. It has been
developed over the past four years in the framework of a UNEP/GEF
project entitled "In situ conservation of crop wild relatives
through enhanced information management and field application," and
executed by Bioversity International in collaboration with five partner
countries. The
portal.
THE
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY ASTRAZENECA PARTNERSHIP FOR NATURAL PRODUCT
DISCOVERY
(UNU-IAS, 2008)
Authored by Sarah Laird, Catherine Monagle and Sam Johnston, this study
presents an access and benefit-sharing case study, the Natural Product
Discovery partnership between Griffith University in Australia and the
pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. The
study.
THE
CORPORATE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES REVIEW
(WRI, Meridian Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable
Development, 2008)
The Corporate Ecosystem Services Review consists of a methodology that
helps managers develop strategies to manage business risks and
opportunities arising from their company's dependence and impact on
ecosystems. The
review.
THE VALUE OF
NATURE: ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF PROTECTED
AREAS
(CBD Secretariat, 2008)
This brochure seeks to illustrate the ecological, economic, social and
cultural benefits of protected areas, in order to generate a stronger
call to action for policy-makers and other stakeholders. The
brochure.
PLANTS AND
CLIMATE CHANGE: WHICH FUTURE?
(Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 2008)
Written by Belinda Hawkins, Suzanne Sharrock and Kay Havens, this report
seeks to demonstrate the linkages between plant diversity and climate
change and why it is crucially important to care for the world's natural
plant diversity. The
report.
TRADING
NATURE: THE CONTRIBUTION OF WILDLIFE TRADE MANAGEMENT TO SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOODS AND THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
(TRAFFIC and WWF, May 2008)
Edited
by Dilys Roe, this report indicates that well-managed wildlife trade has
the potential to deliver significant development benefits for the
world's poor. The report examines case studies on the wild meat trade in
East and Southern Africa, the trade in Peccari and Caiman skins and
Vicuña wool in Latin America and the trade in Asian coastal fisheries
products. The
report.
FRESHWATER ECOREGIONS OF THE WORLD
(WWF and Nature Conservancy, May 2008)
Launched in May 2008, this collaborative project displays biodiversity
in all the world's freshwater ecosystems. Including a map and a
database, the project was designed: to be a
tool for
underpinning global and regional conservation planning efforts,
particularly to identify outstanding and imperiled freshwater systems;
for serving as a logical framework for large-scale conservation
strategies; and for providing a global-scale knowledge base for
increasing freshwater biogeographic literacy.
Freshwater Ecoregions of the World website.
GENDER AND EQUITY
ISSUES IN LIQUID BIOFUELS PRODUCTION - MINIMIZING THE RISKS TO MAXIMIZE
THE OPPORTUNITIES
(FAO, 2008)
This paper on gender and equity issues in liquid biofuels production was
prepared at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) by the UN in
Gender Equity and Rural Employment Division. The paper discusses the
potential gender-differentiated risks of large-scale liquid biofuels
production in developing countries, particularly in terms of food
security, and suggests research and policy strategies to better
understand and address these risks. The
paper.
DEMOCRATIZING TECHNOLOGY CHOICES? EUROPEAN
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN AGBIOTECH ASSESSMENTS
(IIED, 2008)
This paper examines four European country case studies of participatory
technology assessments (TAs) of "agbiotech" to explore: how and why
state bodies sponsored participatory TA of agbiotech; the various aims
in designing, managing and using such exercises; why they matter for
efforts to democratize choices of technology designs and priorities; and
how we can democratize technology choices or at least hold governments
accountable for their technology policies. The
paper.
THE MULTILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONTEXT FOR
BIOFUELS
(IIED, December 2007)
This paper looks at the multilateral trade and investment context for
biofuels, particularly the agricultural crops that are being converted
into liquid fuel on a commercial scale – ethanol and biodiesel. It
summarizes some of the factors driving the rapid expansion in biofuel
production and use, analyzes trade and investment issues for biofuels
and issues on developing standards, and offers proposals for how
governments, particularly small and medium-sized economies, might
develop appropriate trade and investment rules to support a fair and
sustainable biofuels sector. The
paper.
BRING ON THE RIGHT BIOFUELS
(IHT, 23 April 2008)
In this opinion piece published in the International Herald Tribune
and New York Times, Roger Cohen considers the current heated
debate over biofuels. He argues that biofuels – which until recently
were hailed by some as the "answer to everything" and are now dismissed
by critics as "the worst thing since the Black Death" – can be a part of
the solution. He dispels as a myth the claim that growth in biofuel
production is the main cause of recent global food price rises, and
argues that the solution lies in supporting the right kind of biofuel,
such as sugar-based ethanol, rather than corn ethanol. The
article.
THE
MULTILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONTEXT FOR BIOFUELS: ISSUES AND
CHALLENGES
(Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
and International Institute for Environment and Development, 2008)
This paper, authored by Sophia Murphy, outlines the different interests
of the largest global players in the biofuel market, including the US,
EU and Brazil, and analyzes biofuel trade within the context of World
Trade Organization rules governing agriculture, environmental goods,
services, patents and investment. The
resource.
Economic Valuation of Large Marine
Ecosystems
(IUCN, 2008)
This report offers proceedings from an IUCN workshop that took place in
Cape Town, South Africa, from 29-30 July 2007, on the economic valuation
of large marine ecosystems (LMEs). The workshop provided an overview of
economic valuation as a tool in LME management, and profiled several
cases of LME valuations worldwide, including for the Benguela Current,
Caspian Sea, and Yellow Sea. The
report.
BUILDING
BIODIVERSITY BUSINESS
(Shell International, IUCN, 2008)
Authored by J. Bishop, S. Kapila, F. Hicks, P. Mitchell and F. Vorhies,
this report calls for policy reforms to increase the commercial rewards
for conserving biodiversity, increased penalties for biodiversity loss
and better information on the biodiversity performance of business. The
authors suggest that business will conserve biodiversity only if it
becomes profitable, and identify pro-biodiversity business opportunities
that can generate profits, as well as benefits for nature. The
report.
CROSS-SECTORAL TOOLKIT FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
OF FOREST BIODIVERSITY
(Convention on Biological Diversity, 2008)
Edited by I. Thompson and T. Christophersen, this technical series
publication summarizes information on policy approaches that aim to
minimize the negative impacts of other sectoral policies on forests and
forest biodiversity. The
toolkit.
Coping with water scarcity in
developing countries: What role for agricultural biotechnologies?
(FAO, 2007)
This document provides a summary of the moderated e-mail conference,
hosted by the FAO Biotechnology Forum from 5 March to 1 April 2007, on
the role agricultural biotechnologies can play in helping developing
countries cope with water scarcity. The summary outlines the main issues
discussed during this e-mail conference, namely the application of
biotechnologies to develop crops with improved drought resistance or
water-use efficiency; the use of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi in
water-limited conditions; and the use of biotechnology in wastewater
treatment. The
summary.
PROTECTED LANDSCAPES AND AGROBIODIVERSITY VALUES
(IUCN, 2008)
Edited by Thora Amend, Jessica Brown, Ashish Kothari, Adrian Phillips
and Sue Stolton, this book presents case studies from around the world
on the role of protected landscapes in sustaining agricultural
biodiversity and related knowledge and practices. The volume is the
first in a series on the Values of Protected Landscapes and Seascapes,
a project of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Protected
Landscapes Task Force in cooperation with several partners. The
book.
BIOFUELS: MAKING TOUGH CHOICES
(IIED, February 2008)
Authored by Sonja Vermeulen, Annie Dufey and Bill Vorley, this opinion
piece looks at the serious trade-offs involved in the production and use
of biomass-derived alternatives to fossil fuels. It provides a "decision
tree" to guide the interdependent processes of deliberation and analysis
needed for making tough choices in national biofuels development. The
paper.
BIODIVERSITY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND POVERTY:
EXPLORING THE LINKS
(IIED, February 2007)
Authored by Hannah Reid and Krystyna Swiderska, this IIED Brief explores
the links between biodiversity, climate change and poverty. It unpicks
these strands to show that conserving and managing biodiversity can help
natural systems and vulnerable people cope with a shifting global
climate. It suggests that, compared with activities such as forest
conservation and afforestation, biodiversity conservation is a neglected
area. The paper argues that this relative neglect must be addressed, and
that "urgent support is needed for local solutions to biodiversity loss
that provide benefits on all counts." The
paper.
PROTECTING FARMERS' RIGHTS IN THE GLOBAL IPR
REGIME: CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(SAWTEE, 2007)
Authored by Regine Andersen and published by South Asia Watch on Trade,
Economics & Environment (SAWTEE), this policy brief addresses challenges with
regard to implementation of farmers' rights, including upholding and
developing legal space for farmers, customary practices related to
agro-biodiversity, and creating support mechanisms for farmers'
contributions to the global pool of genetic resources. The author
suggests policy options that developing countries in particular have in
protecting farmers' rights in the context of a global intellectual
property rights regime. The
policy brief.
UNDG GUIDELINES ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' ISSUES
(UNDG, February 2008)
The UN Development Group (UNDG) Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples Issues
entered into force on 1 February 2008. The guidelines aim to mainstream
indigenous issues across programmatic areas of UN agencies, while
providing a normative framework to operational work in the field. The
next step is for UNDG to adopt a 5-7 year plan of action that will roll
out these Guidelines and provide support on the ground. The
guidelines.
GLOBAL STATUS
OF COMMERCIALIZED BIOTECH/GM CROPS 2007
(ISAAA Brief 37-2007)
In their annual report, the International Service for the Acquisition of
Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) concludes that biotech crops are still
gaining ground: in 2007, GM crop area grew by 12 percent to reach 114.3
million hectares. The
executive summary of the report.
WHO BENEFITS
FROM GM CROPS? THE RISE IN PESTICIDE USE
(Friends of the Earth International, January 2008)
The 2008 edition of the "Who Benefits from GM crops?" report series
concludes that genetically modified crops on the market today have, on
the whole, caused an increase rather than a decrease in toxic pesticide
use, and have failed to tackle hunger and poverty. The
report.
WHAT IS THE
REAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CBD WORKING GROUP ON ACCESS AND BENEFIT
SHARING AND WIPO AND THE WTO?
(South Centre, Center for International Environmental Law, Intellectual
Property Quarterly Update, 2007)
This article examines the elements of the relationship between the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the World Intellectual
Property Organization and the World Trade Organization. It also asks
whether the CBD Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing should seek
to strengthen their linkages. The
article.
GMOS IN AFRICA:
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE STATUS REPORT 2007
(African Centre for Biosafety, December 2007)
Authored by Shenaz Moola and Victor Munnik, this book provides an
overview of the current status of GMOs in Africa's agriculture and food
systems, including a synopsis of the overall current situation in
Africa, an analysis of the key issues and trends, regional overviews and
country by country status reports. The
book.
BIOPIRACY: IMITATIONS NOT INNOVATIONS
(Gene Campaign, 2007)
Authored by Suman Sahai, Prasmi Pavithran and Indrani Barpujari, this
book argues that the current intellectual property rights regime system
is turning into a tool for the unjust exploitation of biological
resources and associated indigenous knowledge of the rural and
indigenous communities. The book includes an overview of biopiracy
cases. The
book.
THE TIGER
TRADE REVISITED IN SUMATRA, INDONESIA
(TRAFFIC, 2008)
This report concludes that laws protecting the critically endangered
Sumatran Tiger have failed to prevent the marketing of tiger body parts,
and recommends that resources and effort should concentrate on effective
enforcement to combat the trade by arresting dealers and suppliers. The
report.
THE
WORLD'S MANGROVES 1980-2005
(FAO, 2007)
Based on national and subnational data sets from 124 countries, this
study reports a 20 percent loss of mangrove cover worldwide since 1980,
a large part of which is due to large-scale conversion of mangrove areas
to aquaculture and tourism infrastructure. The study calls for regular
updating of information on the extent and condition of mangroves, to aid
policy- and decision-making for the conservation, management and
sustainable use of the world's remaining mangrove ecosystems. The
study.
PLANTS FOR
LIFE: MEDICINAL PLANT CONSERVATION AND BOTANIC GARDENS
(Botanic Gardens Conservation International, January 2008)
Authored by Belinda Hawkins, this report outlines the key trade,
livelihood and conservation issues surrounding medicinal plants,
highlights the relevance of botanic gardens to their conservation, and
recommends focus areas for future work. The
report.
NIGHT TIME
SPINACH: CONSERVATION AND LIVELIHOOD IMPLICATIONS OF WILD MEAT USE IN
REFUGEE SITUATIONS IN NORTH WESTERN TANZANIA
(TRAFFIC, 2007)
Authored by George Jambiya, Simon Milledge and Nangena Mtango, this
report outlines why enforcement of wildlife laws and regulations cannot
address the drivers of unsustainable wild meat use in refugee hosting
areas. It argues that positive incentives, whether via equitable market
frameworks for wild meat or through provision of alternative sources of
protein or livelihoods, may better reconcile refugee needs, local
development imperatives and wildlife management objectives. The
report.
THE
FUTURE CONTROL OF FOOD: A GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS AND RULES
ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, BIODIVERSITY AND FOOD SECURITY
(Earthscan, 2008)
Edited by Geoff Tansey and Tasmin Rajotte and launched during the sixth
meeting of the Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing of the
Convention on Biological Diversity, this book is a guide to the issues
of intellectual property and ownership, genetics, biodiversity and food
security. Its chapters cover negotiations and instruments in the World
Trade Organization, Convention on Biological Diversity, Food and
Agriculture Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, the
International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants and
other international bodies.
More information.
BERN CONVENTION
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT
(Bern Convention, 2007)
The report of the annual meeting of the Standing Committee of the
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
(Bern Convention), held from 26-29 November 2007, in Strasbourg, France,
is available online. The meeting agreed on a number of recommendations
to the contracting parties, covering, among other issues, invasive alien
species, the European sturgeon and a European Charter on Hunting and
Biodiversity. The
report.
ABS-MANAGEMENT
TOOL: BEST PRACTICE STANDARD AND HANDBOOK FOR IMPLEMENTING GENETIC
RESOURCE ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING ACTIVITIES
(IISD, Stratos Inc. and Swiss Confederation, January 2008)
The ABS-Management Tool (ABS-MT) was developed by IISD,
Stratos Inc.
and Jorge Cabrera on behalf of the State Secretariat for Economic
Affairs, Swiss Confederation. It
is a
best practice standard and a handbook that provides guidance and tools
on access and benefit-sharing (ABS) practice to help companies,
researchers, local and indigenous communities, and governments ensure
compliance with the Bonn Guidelines and ABS requirements under the
Convention on Biological Diversity. It provides users and providers of
genetic resources with a structured process for participating inand
making decisions aboutABS negotiations and the implementation of ABS
agreements for access to and agreed use of genetic resources. The
resource in
English -
Français -
Español.
WATER
IMPLICATIONS OF BIOFUELS PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES
(National Research Council, 2007)
This study was written by a US National Research Council
committee that was convened to look at how
shifts in US agriculture to include more energy crops, and potentially
more crops overall, could affect water management and long-term
sustainability of biofuel production. Among its findings, the committee
found that agricultural shifts to growing corn and expanding biofuel
crops into regions with little agriculture, especially dry areas, could
change current irrigation practices and greatly increase pressure on
water resources in many parts of the US. The
study.
BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION: A QUALIFIED ANALYSIS AND
UNQUALIFIED SUGGESTIONS
(ANPED, 2008)
This report compares the place biodiversity and consumption hold in the
overall sustainable development discourse, and focuses on the known
reasons for biodiversity loss and how they could be influenced by
sustainable consumption. The report concludes that the discussion about
biodiversity policy must no longer be restricted to the levels of nature
protection efforts, but should address the drivers behind the pressures
leading to biodiversity loss. The
report.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD AND
INTERNATIONAL TRADE: THE CASE OF INDIA, BANGLADESH, INDONESIA, AND THE
PHILIPPINES
(IFPRI, December 2007)
Genetically modified (GM) food crops have the potential to raise
agricultural productivity in Asian countries, but they also pose risks
for market access losses in sensitive importing countries. This new
paper from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
examines the potential economic effects of trade-related regulations on
the adoption of new GM food crops resistant to biotic or abiotic stress
(such as drought resistant rice) in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and
the Philippines. The simulation results show that the gains associated
with GM food crops largely exceed the potential trade losses these
countries may incur. Segregation of non-GM food for exports can help
reduce potential commercial risk for countries willing to adopt GM
crops. Adopting GM crops also allows net importing countries to greatly
reduce their imports. The
Discussion Paper.
SCIDEV.NET
SPOTLIGHT ON BIOFUEL R&D
(SciDev.Net, December 2007)
This resource looks at biofuels research and development in the
developing world. The
resource.
TROUBLE
IN PARADISE: TOURISM AND INDIGENOUS LAND RIGHTS - TOGETHER TOWARDS
ETHICAL SOLUTIONS: THE IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
(Minority Rights Group
International, 2007)
This briefing paper argues that many indigenous
communities who traditionally occupied current ecotourism destinations
have been evicted in order to create these spaces, thus limiting their
access to ancestral land and undermining their traditional livelihoods.
The paper concludes that ecotourism stakeholders must strive to ensure
that global standards are established, monitored and met, to ensure that
those affected by ecotourism may benefit. The
briefing paper.
Potential and challenges of payments for ecosystem services from
tropical forests
(Overseas Development Institute, December 2007)
This briefing, written by Michael Richards and Michael Jenkins,
summarizes current potential and challenges facing the development of
payments for ecosystem services as a means of promoting the sustainable
management or conservation of tropical forests. The
briefing.
If you
would like to submit details of
recently published documents and online resources,
send a message to
Diego Noguera, IISD
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