| Political commitment and funding necessary for Nagoya success |
|
15 October 2010 As the Tenth Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity begins in Nagoya, Japan on Monday, delegates will need to demonstrate that they have the full support of their governments to achieve the conference’s three objectives: conservation of biological diversity; sustainable use of its components; and fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources. James Thornton, ClientEarth CEO, says: “In the International Year of Biodiversity it is disappointing that governments so often still pursue policies that favour narrow and short-term economic gains over the benefits of wildlife conservation. So far, the world has failed miserably to meet its goals on halting biodiversity loss. Nagoya presents us with the opportunity to turn this around. But sincere political commitment is needed - without this the good intentions of Nagoya will wither. “The conference must herald a significant shift in attitude towards halting biodiversity loss. The targets agreed must be meaningful and ambitious. They must be backed by serious commitments on funding for the expansion of global ecological restoration projects and protected areas. If Nagoya fails to pin these down, we will see continued loss of many of the essential services nature provides, like clean air and water, pollination, pharmaceuticals and food crops. “A recent UN report put the cost of biodiversity loss in 2008 between $2 trillion and $4.5 trillion. There is a healthy appreciation of the need for conservation projects to protect plants and animals around the world for their inherent value, and now the economic costs of failing to safeguard healthy ecosystems are clear as well. There is no excuse for leaving the dire and exponential rate of extinction among the world’s species unchecked any longer.” ENDS Media Contacts To speak to one of ClientEarth’s lawyers for comment and analysis throughout the week of the conference, please contact: Mike Haines | Communications officer | t. +44(0) 207 749 5978 | m. +44 (0)7538 418 460 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it George Leigh | Communications officer | t. +44(0) 203 030 5951 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental law organisation based in London, Brussels and Warsaw. We are lawyers working at the interface of law, science and policy. Using the power of the law, we develop legal strategies and tools to address major environmental issues. As legal experts working in the public interest, we act to strengthen the work of our partners - both governments and NGOs. www.clientearth.org |
