Euro-Site-Manager | Insight Brussels

Phase II of 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity' (TEEB) aims to develop and apply the framework presented in the TEEB Interim Report. This second phase specifically targets national and local level policy makers, businesses and consumers - interested stakeholders are requested to submit evidence on the economic consequences of biodiversity loss.

The findings of this European Commission call for information should highlight the value of biodiversity and the relative costs of inaction and effective action - and therefore help the development of cost-effective policy responses. It is hoped that responses will make a significant contribution to meeting global and EU commitments to reduce and halt the loss of biodiversity.

The call for input to the TEEB for national and international policy makers draws to a close at the end of April, but evidence can be submitted under the following interest group headings, up to the end of June 2009:

• Local and regional policy level
• Business and industry
• Consumers and citizens

The TEEB will be influential in shaping future protection and management of European nature - it is for the benefit of the state of ecosystems and biodiversity that the TEEB receives balanced contribution, including expert input from European natural site managers.

Full information and evidence submission guidelines are available on the official EC TEEB Phase II web page .

TEEB Background

The TEEB aims to evaluate the costs of the loss of biodiversity and the associated decline in ecosystem services worldwide, and compare them with the costs of effective conservation and sustainable use. It is intended that it will sharpen awareness of the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services and facilitate the development of cost-effective policy responses, notably by preparing a 'valuation toolkit'.

To be delivered in two phases, the first phase of the TEEB was concluded with the delivery of the TEEB Interim Report - a review of preliminary findings, compiled by Pavan Sukhdev. The interim report delivered key messages, including a warning that failure to adopt the right policies will see the current decline in biodiversity and related loss of ecosystem services continue, and in some cases even accelerate.

The current phase (Phase II) seeks to round off the preliminary findings with stakeholder submitted evidence of the economic consequences of biodiversity loss.

Pavan Sukhdev talks about the 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity'