Friday 30 May 2008

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), commissioned by the German government, the G8 Environment Ministers and supported by the European Commission, has been likened to the equivalent for biodiversity loss of the key Stern report which transformed the climate change debate by clearly outlining adverse consequences to the world economy.

"Biodiversity is not just a green issue - it is the life support system of our planet providing food, fuel, fibre, medicines and services such as pollination, soil fertility and clean water," said director of international policy at WWF International, Gordon Shepherd.

Shepherd explained that the TEEB report recognises the economic value of biodiversity both to our global economy and for the millions of people directly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods.

"We have to integrate biodiversity in all policies. The loss of biodiversity is now affecting the economy of our countries through the depletion of fish stocks in our oceans through overfishing and illegal fishing to agricultural activities polluting river basins," added Shepherd.

WWF's report, 2010 and Beyond: Rising to the Biodiversity Challenge, released as the CBD commenced, revealed that populations of key species have declined by more than a quarter in the last 35 years and highlighted the inequitable burden placed by developed countries on the world's biodiversity through unsustainable production and consumption.