Transcript 101106 rands

CambridgeConservationInitiative
Transforming the prospects for life on Earth
Dr Mike Rands
Executive Director CCI
Biodiversity = Natural Capital
Genetic
diversity
Species
diversity
Ecosystem
diversity
Biodiversity benefits:
providing vital products
Foods
Fuel and fibre
Medicines
Biodiversity benefits:
Vital natural services – e.g. nutrient cycling, pollination
Biodiversity benefits:
supports natural processes and products
Clean air
Pure water
Climate regulation
Biodiversity benefits:
Non-material
Aesthetics, cultural values, intellectual stimulation
Addressing
Climate Change
Maintaining
Human &
Animal Health
Forests contain
50% of the world’s
terrestrial carbon
stocks
80% of US prescription
drugs are based on
natural sources
Shaping Culture
and Society
One-third of humanity’s
food crops depend on
natural pollination
Ensuring
Food Production &
Security
WHY BIODIVERSITY?
Provides Natural
Capital and Sustains
Life
on Earth
Nature inspires art,
music, literature and
spiritual experience in
all human societies
Most of the world’s
poor depend on natural
ecosystems for their
livelihoods
Alleviating
Poverty
Fuel wood provides
the primary energy
for 2.6 billion people
Delivering
Energy
We are depleting our natural capital
In the last 50 years...
Forests:
30% lost
Commercial
Fisheries:
90% lost
Topsoil: 20% lost
60% of global ecosystem services used unsustainably
Biodiversity is being lost at increasing rates
2010 – a year of opportunity for
biodiversity?
UN International Year on Biodiversity
new global targets agreed to prevent Biodiversity Loss
Departments: Plant Sciences, Geography, Zoology,
Land Economy, Judge Business School and
Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership
Schools:
Biological Sciences
Technology
Physical
Sciences
Humanities and
Social Sciences
• Broad range of research and teaching in conservation
• Over 20 conservation-related research groups
• Growing number of faculty in around 10 disciplines
engaged in conservation research
• Over 300 publications in last 5 years
• Wide-ranging educational opportunities in conservation:
undergraduate teaching, postgraduate training and
Executive Education
• Track record of engagement and collaboration
CambridgeConservationInitiative
6 University Departments:
Zoology
Geography
Plant Sciences
Land Economy
Judge Business School
Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership
9 Cambridge-based conservation organisations:
BirdLife International
TRAFFIC International
Tropical Biology Association
British Trust for Ornithology
Fauna and Flora International
Cambridge Conservation Forum
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Our Mission:
To deliver transformational approaches to the understanding and
conservation of biodiversity through innovative partnerships
Aims
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Connect research, practice and policy
Work across disciplines
Develop and promote innovative solutions
Build capacity and create effective leaders
Engage new audiences
CambridgeConservationInitiative
Progress so far
• Agreed shared strategy – vision, objectives, themes
• Adopted simple structure/governance mechanism
• Become a new University Strategic Initiative
• Developed 4 major collaborative programmes:
Conservation Futures
Horizon-scanning, gap analysis,
solution scanning, shared challenges
Conservation Research for Policy and
Practice
Delivering new, interdisciplinary
approaches to biodiversity conservation
and sustainable development
Learning and Leadership
Leadership training, research skills,
capacity development, business and
policy forums
Cambridge Conservation Centre
Conservation Centre
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Interdisciplinary University Research Institute
HQ for cluster of Conservation Organisations
‘Conservation hotel’ for visiting conservationists
State-of-the-art shared facilities
Global convening hub
Economies of scale
Opportunity for extraordinary public outreach
Improved environmental performance
Collaborative Programmes
Conservation Futures
Conservation Research
for Policy & Practice
Horizon-scanning, solution-scanning and gap
analysis on : bioenergy, biodiversity offsets,
remote sensing, climate change and biodiversity
conservation, reconnecting people to nature
CCI COLLARORATIVE FUND SUPPORTING:
programmes on valuation of ecosystem services,
costing Protected Areas, Post 2010 targets
Cambridge Conservation Centre
Conservation Learning & Leadership
Feasibility Study completed, initial partners and
tenants identified, potential donors identified,
site identified and refurbishment costs
estimated, business planning initiated
Masters in Conservation Leadership, Short
Courses in biodiversity and ecosystem services,
10 year Student Conference in Conservation
Science supporting sister meetings
To conclude:
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Biodiversity is the Earth’s natural capital
Livelihoods and our quality of life depend on it
Action is urgently needed
Cambridge has a unique role to play
CambridgeConservationInitiative
transforming the landscape of biodiversity conservation
We need:
• New approaches to
assessing and
generating ‘wealth’
• To measure and
promote Natural
Capital
• To harness
technology to
dematerialise and
decarbonise
• To transform
economics,
transform values