21/10/2020

In partnership with the WWF and UNEP

The biodiversity and climate crises are inextricably linked. As environmental degradation accelerates, so too does climate change, which in turn presents an existential threat to world wildlife. The recent outbreak of Covid-19 has also brought our relationship with nature into sharp focus. As we continue to destroy nature to meet human needs for agriculture, infrastructure and materials, the likelihood of pandemics increases.

By the same token, protecting and restoring natural ecosystems by addressing the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss, land-use change and deforestation including food production, will help not just to solve the biodiversity crisis but also to stop climate breakdown and reduce the risks of future zoonotic disease outbreaks.
In responding to the COVID19 pandemic, we cannot afford to return to ‘business-as-usual’ practices that increase emissions and put pressure on nature. Greening recovery efforts and building back better is key to a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.

In this session we will take an interdisciplinary approach, discussing the role of nature restoration in tackling the challenges mentioned above, opportunities in key sectors including repurposing agricultural subsidies to support nature-positive food systems and climate action as part of countries efforts to build back better, and what role there is for EU and global policy in restoring natural ecosystems for the benefit of people and planet and support a green, resilient recovery.

Speakers:
Ester Asin, Director WWF European Policy Office

Luc Bas, Director IUCN Brussels

Jessica Micklem, Co-founder and Coordinator of GYBN Europe+

Cristina Romanelli, WHO, Interagency Liaison, joint work programme on biodiversity and Health

Joy A. Kim, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, UN Environment Programme

Eva Mayerhofer, Lead Environment and Biodiversity Specialist, European Investment Bank

Moderator:
Rene Wyndham, Moderators Europe

свернуть