The political agenda for nature

Alejandro Litovsky

October 21, 2010

We have partnered with GLOBE International, the global network of parliamentarians, and the Zoological Society of London, the leading scientific and conservation organisation, to create and champion a new political agenda for the stewardship of nature. And we are translating insights from science and from innovative conservation solutions for legislators in parliaments around the world.

As public finances ebb towards greater austerity around the world, the aim of the ZSL, Volans and GLOBE partnership is to illustrate for national policy makers how government investment in the restoration of natural capital can have clear public policy gain, and what are the new political messages that politicians can use to build momentum and support for this agenda, including areas such as jobs, infrastructure and industry.

The report: Investing in Natural Capital: The New Political Agenda will showcase examples from around the world where governments and legislators are actively involved in projects to restore and conserve natural capital as a way to ensure long-term human security.

A draft version of the joint report will be discussed by dozens of legislators at the UN meeting on biodiversity in Japan next week, during a GLOBE side event: Legislative Approaches to recognizing the value of biodiversity and natural capital. Wednesday, 27 October – 18:45-1945, Nagoya, Japan.

Through this action, Volans is adding to the ongoing partnership between GLOBE and ZSL, with a focus on catalyzing the action agenda for governments that we outlined earlier in the year in The Biosphere Economy report.

Read an interview with Mathis Wackernagel, President of the Global Footprint Network, as part of this agenda.