Nature-based solutions and biodiversity policy must become guidelines for federal policy. These are core statements of an orientation paper recently published by SDSN Germany.
©SDSN Germany
On the occasion of the 15th World Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Kunming, China, and in time for the start of coalition negotiations in Germany, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Germany presented a policy paper on the protection of biodiversity in Germany. Renowned scientists provided the basis for the policy recommendations for the incoming Federal Government. These cover ecosystems such as forests, moors and oceans as well as questions of biodiversity finance and governance.
The authors of the individual chapters explain the greatest challenges and gaps in the implementation of biodiversity policy and show how these gaps can be closed. One of the key recommendations is to make nature and climate protection the guiding principle of all political action in the new government. Nature’s potential to absorb greenhouse gases must be urgently preserved and expanded.
Executive Director of SDSN Germany, Dr. Sabrina Schulz: ”Effective climate protection is inconceivable without biodiversity protection. Therefore, the UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming must usher in a decade for ecosystem restoration. 30 per cent of ecosystems worldwide, both on land and in the oceans, must be protected effectively. In order to make climate and biodiversity policy in Germany effective the incoming Federal Government must initiate a decade of restoration, implement existing policies effectively, and realign funding instruments accordingly.”
The paper has met with a great response. More than 300 scientists support the policy recommendations. “Der Spiegel” also covered the paper: “Nature conservation: Government advisors want to see protection of biodiversity in the Basic Law”
