At the World Biodiversity Summit in Montreal (CBD-COP 15) in December 2022, almost 200 participating states concluded a global agreement for the protection, sustainable use and restoration of nature, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Species extinction and habitat destruction are pressing challenges also in Saxony, requiring a comprehensive political and societal response. Therefore, the Interim Dresden Nexus Conference (DNCi 2023) brought experts from science, industry, agriculture, political institutions and civil society together to discuss how Saxony can contribute to these global goals. The DNCi 2023 on the topic "A reality check at the regional level – The Implications of the CBD-COP15 for Saxony" is a joint event of the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) and the Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), supported by the Saxon State Ministry of Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture (SMEKUL) within the framework of its cooperation with UNU-FLORES.
Click here to read to the conference report
Summary of the key findings
Two important goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are the restoration of at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine ecosystems (Target 2), and the effective conservation and management of at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas (Target 3) by 2030. We recommend that existing landscape plans for the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity to be implemented quickly and provided with implementation funding. In addition, Saxony should take up the nationwide green infrastructure concept and further detail as well as expand it. This concept should go beyond the existing protected areas and be made legally binding. The creation of a nationwide biotope network should be supported to promote habitat connectivity. To support the restoration of degraded ecosystems, suitable areas in Saxony must be identified and funding programs need to be created for targeted implementation.
About half of Saxony's land is used for agriculture. Agriculture plays an important role in biodiversity, as it significantly shapes the landscape. Against this background, biodiversity services in agriculture should be rewarded. In addition, we recommend that policymakers promote small-scale and diverse forms of farming, smart farming, and innovation in the field of "biologicals" for comprehensive pesticide reduction, as well as the cultivation of adapted local and drought-resistant species. Multifunctional land use in terms of biodiversity, e.g. combining photovoltaic systems with agricultural production, paludiculture or agroforestry, should be considered as well as promoted.
Achieving the global biodiversity goals will require transformation across all sectors. Companies can play a significant role in the protection, sustainable use and restoration of biodiversity by strategically embedding biodiversity management. Policymakers in Saxony should therefore create incentives and framework conditions that motivate companies to implement biodiversity-friendly practices. We therefore recommend the creation of support programs and advisory services on management concepts and biodiversity assessment, biodiversity-friendly land use practices, and further training opportunities. In addition, an introduction of labels, certification systems and detailed requirements can support clear labeling of biodiversity-friendly products. In addition, the allocation of public funds should be linked to biodiversity services.
Education plays a critical role in achieving the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework by raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity and ecological relationships. Consistent integration of the topic of biodiversity into education at all formal and informal levels is therefore of great importance. Processes of lifelong learning and equally different worldviews, values and knowledge systems must be recognized in this context. Against this background, biodiversity in its complexity and interdisciplinarity should be effectively implemented in everyday school life. Project weeks on the topic of biodiversity could be made compulsory in schools. Due to the connectivity to education for sustainable development, interdisciplinary and cross-curricular approaches, e.g. project teaching and research-based learning, are particularly suitable for anchoring biodiversity in everyday school life. As a prerequisite for this, teachers must be trained more intensively in dealing with the topic during their studies, and corresponding further training courses must be created and implemented.
A key lever to contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework is cooperation at all levels and from all sectors. Biodiversity goals must be integrated into all political sectors. To this end, an inter-ministerial working group has already been established and should meet regularly to coordinate and implement biodiversity goals. In addition, we recommend the establishment of regional networks to support a platform for networking and cooperation between businesses, farmers, scientists, and conservationists.
Suggested citation: A reality check at the regional level – The Implications of the CBD-COP15 for Saxony : UNU-FLORES, 2024.
