Thriving of all species

The interaction between nature and humanity is a critical focus in today's world. As we have distanced ourselves from nature, it's crucial to understand that in the Earth's ecosystem, one cannot take without also giving back. Creating a better balance is imperative, necessitating a holistic approach to living, dwelling, and cultivating for the thriving of all species.

Establishing an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is one way to initiate local collaboration to strengthen the interactions with environments that sustain both nature and people.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are designed to deal with one of the most important questions the world faces today: How can we reconcile the conservation of biodiversity, the quest for economic and social development and the maintenance of associated cultural values?

As UNESCO’s Man & the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has evolved, its biosphere reserves have become its principal means of implementation. The biosphere reserve concept has proved its value beyond the protected areas that each biosphere reserve contains. It is also increasingly embraced by scientists, planners, policymakers, businesses, and local communities as a way to link diverse knowledge, scientific investigations and experiences to biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development for human well-being. 

An UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is not merely a conservation title but a tool for the well-being of both humans and the environment. Local engagement, representation, and a bottom-up approach are crucial. The location must be representative of its biogeographic region, significant for biodiversity, and involve effective governance, diverse funding, and a focus on three functions: Conservation, Development, and Logistic Support. Get more details in the guide to establish an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: https://www.norden.org/en/publication/unesco-biosphere-reserves-path-local-holistic-sustainability

If we are to meet the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) we need a diverse approach. To reach these goals, a range of instruments, tools, actions, and traditional protection measures are necessary and needed. 

The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) offers a holistic and well-documented tool to address global challenges such as climate change and the biodiversity crisis through local actions.

With the agreement on the GBF, Nordic Cooperation is presented with a unique opportunity to lead the way globally with holistic, integrative, and bottom-up contributions, directly interacting with national and global perspectives, frameworks, and priorities.

In a collaboration between the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves (MAB) in the Nordic countries we have invented the MAB-LAB project. LAB stands for Local Actions for Biodiversity, and the overall purpose of MAB-LAB is articulated as follows:

MAB-LAB is developed in collaboration with and funded by Nordic Council of Ministers' Nordic Working Group for Biological Diversity.

First phase of MAB-LAB resulted in the adaptation of the GBF for local implementation through UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: https://www.norden.org/en/publication/local-actions-new-global-biodiversity-framework

The purpose of the MAB-LAB project is to facilitate local implementation of the GBF and to strengthen the opportunities and competences of local communities to work strategically and place-based with sustainable development, including a recognition of the need to improve the relationship between nature and culture.

To follow up on the reports from the project MAB-LAB I, we are in MAB-LAB II looking into good practises in Nordic UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) have conducted how BRs already contribute to the different goals set in the GBF.

This report is a sample collection of good cases in Nordic UNESCO Biosphere Reserves work with biodiversity and related initiatives for the GBF.

Some of the samples are also the backbone in the MAB-LAB II report “From good practice to next practice in the Nordic Biosphere Reserves - How Nordic UNESCO Biosphere Reserves can support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework” which contains a method for moving from “Good practice to next practice” with a view to increasing the capacity and catalyzing actions locally for the GBF.

LOCAL ACTIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY: From good practice to next practice in the Nordic Biosphere Reserves 

This project and publication are supported and funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers - Nordic Working Group for Biological Diversity.