Local Govt Major Group Intervention on Inter-linkages ? 27 Feb 08
Madame Chair, we have now heard about the multiple needs for and
benefits of inter-linkages. Allow me to focus on a specific example,
currently implemented. LAB or Local Action for Biodiversity is a global
initiative with cities and local authorities as main partners. These cities
commit to a five-step urban biodiversity process, which allows for
complete local flexibility to reflect local needs and priorities.
Upon assessing the City? local biodiversity, Councils formally approve a
locally developed Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (LBSAP) which
has as key component the implementation of new projects on the
ground. The diverse projects under LAB include ecosystem
rehabilitation, catchment, invasive species, marine and coastal
management, urban agriculture, environmental education and capacity
building programmes. At the cutting edge of scientific advances and
strategic thinking, many of these local strategies and projects focus on
local adaptation to climate change, infrastructure development, disaster
management and building resilient communities. In this way the
INTERLINKAGES are made where they are needed most - on the
ground - with real, tangible and immediate results!
LAB as programme is also an upstream partnership which connects LAB
cities with each other through dedicated global and regional meetings
and workshops, a dedicated online network, city exchanges and ?good
practice? sharing - allowing them to learn from each other first-hand -
with the assistance from the dedicated LAB technical and management
team. LAB also connects these cities with their national governments
and often we see them guiding and influencing national policy and
thinking - and even national roll-out.
LAB?s Global partners and supporters include many leading science
institutions, local NGOs, ICLEI - Local Govts for Sustainability and the
IUCN as organising partners, UNEP, UNDP, the CBD Secretariat and of
course many local NGOs and CBOs. In this way, LAB brings local
communities on board a global process in a very direct and tangible way,
with local results feeding into numerous international processes. Linked
to the ICLEI World Congress in June this year, there will be a dedicated
?Urban Nature Conference?, supported by all LAB partners and cities - to
further advance this cutting-edge programme and related initiaves, with a
very specific focus on advancing the linkages to climate change, invasive
species, urban agriculture and urban-rural linkages. LAB is a powerful
example of inter-linkages with immediate local benefits ? let us embrace
such practical action-oriented initiatives!
Thank you
