Category Archives: International

Allowing Humanity to Flourish in a Crowded World

The Royal Society yesterday published ‘People and the Planet‘, a report which marks the end of nearly two years of work by a group including both the British Ecological Society’s current President, Professor Georgina Mace FRS and a past-President of … Continue reading

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Deliberations continue at the second IPBES plenary session

This week delegates from the United Nations have been participating in the second plenary meeting to establish an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Taking place in Panama City, Panama, from 16th – 21st April, the purpose … Continue reading

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Rio + 20 ‘must succeed’: scientists can help make sure it does

The final day of the Planet under Pressure conference finished with a call for scientists to engage with the Rio +20 summit and beyond, defining through science the economic, social and environmental consequences of policy decisions. Interdisciplinary research, robust and … Continue reading

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A New UK National Committee for Biodiversity

Events are moving fast on the international biodiversity scene, with the establishment of an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the re-focussing of the Global Change Programmes, including Diversitas , within a new structure, ‘Future Earth’. … Continue reading

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Overseas Biodiversity

Last week saw the joint meeting of the all party parliamentary groups on Biodiversity, UK’s Overseas Territories and Zoos and Aquariums, at which the BES Policy team was fortunate enough to attend. The meeting was chaired by Andrew Rosindell MP … Continue reading

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From ‘Sliding Doors’ to a paradigm shift – What’s needed in Rio+20?

The Rio +20 Earth Summit, taking place in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012, needs to build upon the momentum begun by the last round of UNFCCC climate change negotiations in Duban, South Africa. That was the message of an … Continue reading

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What next for the UK NEA and IPBES? Report now available

The report of the joint British Ecologcial Society – UK Biodiversity Research Advisory Group (BRAG) meeting on the future of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment and Intergovernmental Science – Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is now available. … Continue reading

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Science is one of the UK’s greatest assets

Science is an important tool to build bridges between nations and a great asset for the UK in cultural diplomacy. So said Lloyd Anderson, Director of Science at the British Council, when he joined the Policy Lunchbox network earlier this … Continue reading

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IPBES meeting gets underway in Nairobi

Today is the first day of a plenary meeting to discuss and decide upon the formation of the Integovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), convened by the UN Environment Programme. Representatives from the United Nations, and observers … Continue reading

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A Celebration of the Chagos Marine Protected Area

Last night the BES’s Policy Officer attended an event to celebrate the founding of the world’s largest Marine Protected Area (MPA), around the Chagos Archipelago. The programme of talks and networking was organised by the Chagos Conservation Trust, a charitable … Continue reading

Posted in Marine, Overseas Territories | Tagged , | 2 Comments