The Cambridge Conservation Initiative a partnership for biodiversity conservation. What is it and why do we need it? Mike Rands Executive Director

Transcription

1 The Cambridge Conservation Initiative a partnership for biodiversity conservation What is it and why do we need it? Mike Rands Executive Director

2 What is CCI conserving? Not Cambridge!

3 Conserving Biological Diversity Biodiversity Ecosystems Habitats Natural capital Nature Wildlife for the survival of all life of Earth

4 Conserving Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity

5 Why conserve? providing vital products Foods Fuel and fibre Medicines

6 Why conserve? regulating natural processes and products Clean air Pure water Climate regulation

7 Why conserve? Supporting services e.g. nutrient cycling, pollination

8 Why conserve? Nonmaterial benefits Aesthetics, cultural values, intellectual stimulation

9 Biological diversity provides ecosystem services from MEA

10 Problem: extinction rates 100 to 1000 times higher than natural rates (IUCN)

11 Problem: 60% of global ecosystem services used unsustainably (MEA)

12 Problem: we are living unsustainably In the last 50 years... Forests: 30% lost Commercial Fisheries: 90% lost Topsoil: 20% lost

13 Why is this happening? Biological diversity values not understood People do not know solutions Major disconnect between what IS known and what IS done Failure to link research, policy and practice

14 What is the Cambridge Conservation Initiative? 6 University Departments: Zoology Geography Plant Sciences Land Economy Judge Business School Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership 9 Cambridge-based conservation organisations: BirdLife International British Trust for Ornithology Cambridge Conservation Forum Fauna and Flora International International Union for the Conservation of Nature Royal Society for the Protection of Birds TRAFFIC International Tropical Biology Association UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre

15 CCI strengths International networks and worldwide institutional outreach World class research and teaching Outstanding practical skills, knowledge and experience in conservation Wide ranging policy links and expertise Collaboration across disciplines/institutions Ability to integrate research/policy/practice

16 CCI History and Governance Created 2007 by Founder Members to build on and greatly enhance existing collaborations Governance: CCI Committee with representation from each member meets quarterly Shared Challenges Programme Manager (April 2008) Executive Director (March 2009) Conservation Leadership Director (May 2009)

17 CCI Mission and Goals Foster worldwide understanding of values of biodiversity and ecosystems Champion urgent need for sustainable conservation solutions Provide research based analysis to inform policy and practice Generate interdisciplinary solutions Enhance conservation learning and leadership

18 CCI Themes Quantifying and monitoring economic, social, political and biological values of ecosystems and the services they provide Integrating biodiversity conservation into the wider needs of society Analysing the drivers and processes of biodiversity loss Combating the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services Developing indicators of biodiversity, environmental change and sustainability

19 CCI Collaborative Programmes Conservation Futures Conservation Learning and Leadership Collaborative Conservation Fund Cambridge Conservation Campus

20 Conservation Futures Exploring issues, trends and solutions Horizon Scanning exercises -to identify new priorities for research, policy and action Shared Challenges Programme- to deliver collaborative policy-focussed projects addressing priority conservation issues

21 Conservation Learning and Leadership Building knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and the need for its conservation Masters in Conservation Leadership an innovative MPhil leadership programme taught by people from across disciplines, Departments and conservation organisations Short Courses in Biodiversity Conservationand Ecosystems providing business leaders and decision makers with opportunities to learn about the values and importance of ecosystems and biodiversity from leading researchers, analysts and practitioners

22 Collaborative Fund CCI Fund for Collaborative Conservation seeding innovative, interdisciplinary collaborations between conservation organisations and the University, integrating research and analysis with policy and practice

23 Conservation Campus Creating a unique centre of excellence for collaborative conservation

24 Conservation Campus Creating a unique international centre of excellence for conservation

25 Conservation Campus Creating a unique international centre of excellence for biodiversity conservation