Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Common UK themes
JNCC continues to promote a thematic approach
to the cross-cutting issues that arise in many of the various
biodiversity Agreements to which the UK is a Party.
Following a concentration in 2008 of meetings
of biodiversity-related Multilateral Environmental Agreements
(MEAs), JNCC hosted a one-day conference in May 2009 to review
their outcome and provide feedback to UK stakeholders; 85 delegates
attended, from a wide range of government departments, statutory
agencies and non-government organisations.
The aim of the conference was not just to
consider the outcome from each Convention but, rather, to approach
the MEAs thematically, dealing with topics that cross MEA
boundaries such as climate change and biodiversity, invasive alien
species, ecosystem services, biofuels and the issues that affect
islands, especially those of our Overseas Territories and Crown
Dependencies. Thus a consistent and coherent UK approach might be
developed towards future implementation of decisions, the
consideration of emerging issues, and assessing the evidence we
might need to inform the UK position at the next round of
meetings.
The immediate outcome from the conference,
including working group reports, presentations and background
briefing is available at www.jncc.gov.uk/MEA-Event.
Issues that emerged include the need to build better links between
science and policy sectors (an interface where JNCC should have a
key role) and the need for greater involvement in MEA processes by
Overseas Territories. In the medium term, the challenge for
government and its partners is to develop a strategic approach to
UK engagement in biodiversity MEAs, addressing the main themes that
drive the loss of biodiversity and erode ecosystem services.
Vin Fleming
Head of Global Programme
Tel: +44 (0)1733 866870
Email: