Workshop Biodiversity Research:Towards enhanced support for nature-based solutions

Chaired by MEP Theodoros Skylakakis, co-Chair of the EP Intergroup "Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development

In the face of biodiversity loss, it is of paramount importance to better understand the functioning of ecosystems and the drivers of their decline. The potential of biodiversity research in addressing current and future crises is significant.

Technological solutions should go hand in hand with nature-based solutions. Surprisingly, despite their potential, nature-based solutions have just started to be explored. To aim for sustainability and resilience, an integrated approach towards research and innovation should encompass social processes and nature-based solutions with the involvement of all key players, including NGOs, local actors, climate, social scientists, agronomists, etc. The European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS), as a forum involving natural and social scientists, policy-makers and other stakeholders, plays a key role in this process (http://www.epbrs.org/).

At the international level, 2012 has seen a major step forward in biodiversity-related knowledge provision by the establishment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES): this platform will soon be operational in delivering critical knowledge and recommendations. Europe will play a crucial role in its future work, also by ensuring a proper support for IPBES research needs via ‘Horizon 2020’ strategy.

This workshop, which follows upon a previous briefing session on IPBES, will seek to foster an exchange of views with policy-makers on biodiversity research and to shape solutions for enhanced support for nature-based solutions at EU level. It will address whether biodiversity research topics, including nature-based solutions, have the attention they deserve in the future EU research framework programme.

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Programme (13.00-14.30)

12.30-13.00 Sandwich Lunch in front of the meeting room

Opening Session

13.00-13.05 Welcoming words and introduction by MEP Theodoros Skylakakis

Video

13.05-13.15  “Biodiversity Research: A key to our future”

Statements

What support for nature-based solutions in the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020)?

13.15-13.20  Manuela Soares, Director "Environment", DG Research, European Commission (tbc) or Thomas Koetz, Biodiversity Unit, DG Environment

13.20-13.25 MEP Maria Da Graa Carvalho, Rapporteur on "The Specific Programme - Implementing Horizon 2020 - The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014 - 2020)

Video

13.25-13.35 "Biodiversity Research: An answer to societal issues"

Discussion with the audience

Solutions for an increased support for biodiversity research and nature-based solutions in the Horizon 2020 Programme

13.40-14.25 Panel moderated by Sybille van den Hove (MEDIAN)

- Manuela Soares, DG Research, European Commission

- MEP Maria Da Graa Carvalho, Rapporteur

- Johan Rockstrom, Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden or Asa Norrman, Ex Director (2006-2010), Natural resources, Ministry of Environment, Sweden

- Josef Settele, Research Scientist, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Germany

- EPBRS Steering Committee representative

- IUCN (tbc)

Closing session

14.25-14.30    Conclusions by MEP Theodoros Skylakakis