UNITAR Online Catalogue
CIFAL Findhorn: Biodiversity and Climate Change Conference
Background
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. During the course of the year events will occur in every region of the world to raise awareness on the vital role that biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. Worldwide there is an urgent need to improve understanding of the likely impacts of climate change on biodiversity. Biodiversity and Climate Change conference will showcase the way government, agencies, academic institutions and voluntary bodies across Scotland are working together to place Scotland as a world leader in biodiversity conservation. The unprecendented rate of human-induced climate change threatens plants and animals that are unable to adapt quickly enough to its effects. By fostering a dialogue between a wide range of stakeholders we will explore the increasingly apparent linkages between climate change and biodiversity loss, which affects both individual species and their ecosystems, and the benefits that ecosystems provide for people.
Event Objectives
Worldwide there is an urgent need to understand and address the likely impacts of climate change on biodiversity. This conference will provide a platform for dialogue between government, agencies, academic institutions and voluntary bodies on linkages between climate change and threats to biodiversity, with a view to designing innovative solutions to reduce the risks, and to both communicate and celebrate the biodiversity of the Highlands and Islands and Scotland.
Participants will be encouraged to take immediate steps needed to halt the loss of biodiversity. The conference will also promote innovative solutions to reduce the threats to biodiversity and start a dialogue between stakeholders for the steps to be taken in the post-2010 period.
Learning Objectives
The conference will aim to enhance public awareness of the importance of safeguarding biodiversity and of the underlying threats to biodiversity and also to raise awareness of the accomplishments to save biodiversity that have already been realised by communities and governments.
The conference will:
- Enhance public awareness of the importance of safeguarding biodiversity and of the underlying threats to biodiversity which climate change may accelerate.
- Exchange e! ective information and intelligence across organisations and understand the legislative frameworks that we need to work within.
- Showcase biodiversity projects led by Highlands and Islands communities and develop further strategies for future projects and networking.
- Investigate gaps in knowledge, generate ideas and promote innovative solutions to reduce the threats to biodiversity from climate change.
- Encourage main stake-holders to take the immediate steps needed to halt the loss of biodiversity.
- Celebrate the rich biodiversity of the Highlands & Islands and promote the positive message of biodiversity enhancement.
Content and Structure
Attendees will have the opportunity to address the following topics:
- Marine and Coastal Biodiversity
- Forest Conservation and Sustainable Use
- Engaging with Communities
- Land Management enhancing Biodiversity
- Communicating Biodiversity
- Biomimicry – Innovation and Inspiration
Methodology
The conference is composed of interactive panel discussions and round table sessions.
Targeted Audience
This conference will be particularly useful for:
- Policymakers
- Government Officials
- Local Authorities
- Members of the Scottish Biodiversity Forum
- Academics & Researchers
- NGOs
- Farmers, Crofters, and Land managers
- Foresters
- Fish farmers and Fishermen
- Tourism operators
- Sustainable community/civic groups
- Media
- Businesses engaged in Low-Carbon activities