Virtual Science-Policy Forum identifies key biodiversity knowledge gaps and priorities for science-policy research
The virtual sessions of the joint fifth Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity and the eighth International Conference on Sustainability Science presented a unique opportunity for scientists, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders to exchange on recommendations of how science, technology and innovation can contribute to the effective implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Recommendations made are expected to bend the curve of biodiversity loss, obtain positive biodiversity outcomes, and foster transformative change towards achieving the 2050 Vision.
The conclusions and recommendations of the virtual sessions will be submitted to the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 24), the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 3), and the third meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
"It is you, the scientific community, through your tireless work and engagement, that have kept ringing the alarm bells on the continuing loss of biodiversity worldwide." -- Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Click here for further details about the joint sessions, including videos of all of the sessions.
More Information:
Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity
Technical and Scientific Co-operation
Key points identified during the sessions
Protected areas can play a big role in stopping the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Forest Restoration can decrease transmission risk of zoonotic diseases, however, depending on how it is done, it can also increase the risk of some diseases.
Investments in nature, including halting land-use change, supporting restoration and making food systems nature positive, are key to preventing next pandemic.
Nature is deeply intertwined with and influenced by social, economic, and political forces; therefore, nuanced understandings of dynamic people-nature relationships are crucial to inform restoration activities that can support positive ecological outcomes alongside social well-being.
Viable biodiversity-based solutions for sustainability already exist and new solutions still can be developed based on new technologies and local context.
A culture of data sharing and attribution, capacity building and resource mobilization are needed to generate the information needed to implement and track the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
There is a need to reduce/eliminate misalignment between policies on renewable energy expansion and biodiversity conservation.
Digital technologies can facilitate mechanisms such as information-sharing, transparency, interconnectivity, value maximization and automation to alleviate challenges in the woody biomass supply chain as a nature-based solution.
Renewable energy can create context-specific trade-offs, considering that renewable energy installations, ancillary infrastructure, and upstream/downstream activities could affect biodiversity through multiple mechanisms. Important to delineate and conceptualize trade-offs between biodiversity and renewable energy in a comprehensive manner.