We cannot think about freshwater and the global water cycle without thinking about mixed forests and biodiversity. These play an absolutely indispensable and pivotal role in water, climate and the evolution of life on Earth.

1111_1957_Mixed Forests and Biodiversity are Crucial for Freshwater.pdf

Stakeholder Forum has produced a 'Summary of targets from proposals in the SDGs e-Inventory under the OWG’s 19 Focus Areas'. A section is devoted to targets and indicators related to ecosystems and biodiversity.

Summary of targets from proposals in the SDGs e-Inventory under the OWG’s 19 Focus Areas
Putting stakeholders at the core of post-Rio+20 processes

Describe content...

1111_936_FSC_calls_for_forest_goal or target 03-31-14.pdf

In today’s world the challenge of sustainable mining is more than critical.
In accordance with the "RIO+20: The Future We Want" document, paragraphs 227 and 228:
“227. We acknowledge that minerals and metals make a major contribution to the world economy and modern societies. We note that mining industries are important to all countries with mineral resources, in particular developing countries. We also note that mining offers the opportunity to catalyze broad-based economic development, reduce poverty and assist countries in meeting internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, when managed effectively and properly (...) We further acknowledge that mining activities should maximize social and economic benefits, as well as effectively address negative environmental and social impacts....
228. We recognize the importance of strong and effective legal and regulatory frameworks, policies and practices for the mining sector that deliver economic and social benefits and include effective safeguards that reduce social and environmental impacts, as well as conserve biodiversity and ecosystems, including during post-mining closure...”

Utilizing the good paradigm of Acropolis of Athens, which was built utilizing wealth which was produced by a mining project I propose the establishment of “Global Best Practice Sustainable Development Heritage List and/or Award”.
If We really Want a Future full of New Acropoles then we need to act and offer good paradigms to all stakeholders.

1111_5398_GLOBAL_SUSTAINABLE_MINING_DEVELOPEMNT_HERITAGE_LIST.doc

Mining is a serious threat to local biodiversity due to the sector’s decades-long environmental degradation. This threat continues to grow as the mining sector encourages new projects in remote, biodiverse areas—additionally threatening indigenous and poor population who rely on these areas to survive. To help mitigate biodiversity loss and uphold the responsibility of the Sustainable Development Goals, the extractive industry must be recognized as a threat to biodiversity and mining must be halted in said areas. Likewise, biodiversity protection must be grounded in a human rights framework, harmonizing biodiversity targets with goals for poverty eradication and sustainable development.

1111_1347_Biodiversity from a mining perspective.pdf

The activities of mankind constitute the largest and most dangerous threat to biodiversity. Habitat loss, fragmentation through human clearance of native habitats, pollution, and climate change all greatly threaten the very existence of numerous species and ecosystems. World Animal Net urges serious consideration of the protection of our wildlife as sentient beings, and their habitats.

1111_5065_Animal Welfare and Biodiversity-2-pager.pdf

A contribution of DIVERSITAS (international programme of biodiversity science) and
ICSU (International Council for Science)

1111_5040_SDGs_Biodiversity_DIVERSITAS contribution.pdf

In order to inform the deliberations of the Eighth Session of the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Stakeholder Forum has conducted an analysis of the proposals currently housed within the SDGs e-Inventory which relate to the thematic areas of the meeting, including biodiversity and forests.

In its statement on 8 September 2013, in conjunction with the 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference, ICLEI BiodiverCities Advisory Committee acknowledged the importance of urban biodiversity in achieving sustainable development, human well-being and in addressing global environmental change and further recommended that any discussions around an urban Sustainable Development Goal as part of the Millennium Development Goals post-2015 agenda also prioritise the importance of urban biodiversity in achieving sustainable and resilient urbanisation.

1111_351_2013_Biostatement Copy.pdf

Cities and Biodiversity Outlook – Action and Policy stems from CBD COP Decision X/22 in 2010 requesting the Executive Secretary of the CBD to prepare an assessment of the links and opportunities between urbanization and biodiversity, based on the concept of our flagship publication Global Biodiversity Outlook .

Drawing on contributions from more than 120 scientists and policy-makers from around the world, it summarizes how urbanization affects biodiversity and ecosystem services and presents 10 key messages for strengthening conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in an urban context. It also showcases best practices and lessons learned, and provides information on how to incorporate the topics of biodiversity and ecosystem services into urban agendas and policies.

It is a collaborative effort of the CBD and the Stockholm Resilience Centre of Stockholm University, with significant input from ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.

1111_351_CitiesBiodiversityOutlook.pdf

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) calls for the inclusion of a goal or target on forests in the Sus-tainable Development Goals (SDGs). It proposes that this could be formulated as:
By 2020,

-„h halt deforestation and forest degradation globally
-„h restore 15 percent of currently degraded forest ecosystems
-„h ensure sustainable forest management.
This goal or target would build on the forest criterion of the seventh Millennium Development Goal, ¡¥en-sure environmental sustainability¡¦, and support the three forest-related Aichi Targets agreed by signato-ries to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010.

Furthermore, FSC suggests the inclusion of an indicator on certification, which could be formulated as:
- Increased use of transparent, effective, balanced multi stakeholder governed forest and chain-of-custody certification systems, particularly in regions where forests are under most pressure.

1111_936_FSC reviewed submission on SDG on Forests 27-01-14.docx.pdf

Forests making significant contributions to sustainable development while facing major challenges, it is crucial to capture their multiple benefits and to mitigate risks in the post-2015 Development Agenda.

1111_5040_IUFRO contribution on forests and biodiversity - SDGs.pdf

A contribution of Stockholm Resilience Centre and ICSU (International Council for Science) for the 8th Session of the UN General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, New York, 4-8 February 2014

1111_5040_Integrating social-ecological resilience_biodiversity and ecosystem services into the SDGs.pdf

Human life depends on intact ecosystems and the conservation and restoration of terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Today, animal and plant extinction dramatically surpasses the natural extinction rate. The list of endangered species is constantly growing and many ecosystems are losing their fundamental functions as well as their ability to provide ecosystem services. Drivers of ecosystem loss include the constantly growing land needs of humans, the over-use of natural resources, the destruction, degradation, and fragmentation of habitats, climate change, and invasive species. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) plays a fundamental role in solving these problems.
We call for
 By 2020, the implementation of the CBD’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Targets , including the Nagoya Protocol against biopiracy ; as well as the establishment of additional measures for the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services after 2020 and in accordance with the CBD’s 2050 Vision.

 By 2020, the implementation of efficient and sufficiently funded management of all protected areas based on participatory and fair principles, respect for the rights of local communities and other affected stakeholders, and conservation regulations.

 By 2020, effective measures are taken to prevent the further extinction of known species (according to Aichi Target 12) and by 2030 measures are taken that will no longer threaten the majority of species still endangered in 2015 with extinction.

1111_1076_The Ecological Dimension in the Post-2015 Agenda_German NGO Forum on Environment and Development.pdf

More than one billion people live in forests or directly depend on forest products for their livelihood. Only natural and near-natural forests can fulfill these important economic functions. Nevertheless, global forest cover is decreasing by around 13 million hectares annually due to the growing demand for food and feed, as well as wood for construction, energy, and paper. This not only destroys more forest area than can be replaced with reforestation or wood plantations. After all, the net loss of global forest cover between 2005 and 2010 amounted to 5.6 million hectares per year. Forests are also rapidly losing their near-natural condition and with this their quality. Deforestation and degradation threatens biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the livelihoods of many indigenous peoples and local communities. Additionally, it leads to the deterioration of forest soil, the disruption of water supplies, and a reduction of important carbon sinks, and thus greenhouse gas emissions.

We call for

 By 2030, zero loss of forest cover without destruction of natural ecosystems and compensation for the degradation of forests through restoration at a minimum.
 By 2030, a significant increase of mandatory and permanently protected forest conservation areas including the protection of remaining old-growth forests. The cultivation and management of forest by indigenous groups and other communities dependent on forests via traditional forms of usage and small-scale interferences must be excluded from restrictions.
 By 2020, the prevention of illegal logging with special consideration of local community needs and the implementation of respective laws.
 By 2020, no more sustainability certification of wood originating from both near-primary or pristine old-growth forests; the limitation of wood certification from such plantations; mandatory labeling of plantation wood; and an improvement and comprehensive implementation of FSC certification standards.

 By 2020, a significantly more sustainable use of wood with an emphasis on long-lasting and high-value products and massive reduction in the consumption of firewood and other short-lived wood products.
 By 2030, the reduction of paper consumption to a sustainable level in all countries with an annual per capita consumption of more than 55 kg , and a maximum annual per capita paper consumption of 60 kg through effective restrictions in consumer behavior, regulation at the production level; an increase of recycling rates; and mandatory use of recycled resources for specific products.

1111_1076_The Ecological Dimension in the Post-2015 Agenda_German NGO Forum on Environment and Development.pdf

This paper, Integrating Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Goal Structure, Target Areas and Means of Implementation, looks at biodiversity and ecosystem services as essential for poverty eradication. Based on an assessment of current proposals of goals and targets, and a quantitative pathway analysis to meet long term biodiversity and food security goals, this paper discusses how biodiversity and ecosystem services can be integrated into a broad set of goals and targets, and concludes with relevant target areas and means of implementation for which specific targets need to be defined. Furthermore, it responds to the call of the CBD to consider the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the related Aichi biodiversity targets in the post-2015 development agenda. The paper’s analysis identifies three overlapping but also supplemental ways to integrate biodiversity and ecosystem services in the post-2015 agenda: integrated goals, goals addressing earth system functioning and goals addressing environmental limits. It further concludes seven target areas to be included under the goals to address biodiversity and ecosystem services in the context of food and agriculture: access to food, demand for agricultural products, sustainable intensification, ecosystem fragmentation, protected areas, essential ecosystem services and genetic
diversity. The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity provides a good basis for integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services in the post-2015 development agenda. Many Aichi targets address the proposed target areas and the means of implementation discussed, while they need to be complemented with targets that specifically address human well-being, as well as institutions and governance.

1111_3393_Art Lucas SDG biodiversity sustainability-06-00193.pdf

La dimension que revêt aujourd'hui la protection des ressources naturelles aussi bien végétales et animales est d'une grande importance. Cette diversité favorise le maintien de l'environnement dans lequel vit ces différents êtres. Il sied de sensibiliser la population paysanne qui selon le cas detruise par ignorence ces resources indispensables dans le maintein de l'environnement propice,....

In order to tackle the current 1. environmental, e.g. overusing the Earth's natural resources, 2. social, e.g. growing inequalities as well as 3. economic, e.g. increasing financial and economic breakdowns challenges at the very same time holistic response should be supported and implemented at international level. Therefore, the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals should pay attention to proposals aiming to solving these interconnected issues. In the attachment, I am sending the proposal of the Resource Cap Coalition (RCC), the informal platform of 40 dedicated organizations advocating for the need of resource use limitation that shall be achieved for the aim of halting biodiversity loss and maintaining, as well as recovering ecosystem services, which underpin human well-being. But resource use reduction shall be realised hand in hand with poverty reduction and building a green economy.
Veronika Kiss
CEEweb for Biodiversity
Szeher ut 40, Budapest
1021
Hungary
Tel: +36 1 398 0135
Fax: +36 1 398 0136
www.ceeweb.org
nhttp://www.youtube.com/user/CEEweb1
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1111_651_RCC_brochure_web.pdf