Ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are managed sustainably, in particular through the sustainable use of biodiversity, including through a substantial increase of the application of biodiversity friendly practices, such as sustainable intensification, agroecological and other innovative approaches, contributing to the resilience and long-term efficiency and productivity of these production systems, and to food security, conserving and restoring biodiversity and maintaining nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services.
Introduction
Natural resources are the foundation of primary industries that provide people with food and materials. However, a steadily increasing population and growing ecological footprint are putting pressure on the utilisation of natural resources, and today, more than half of terrestrial ecosystems are negatively affected by human activity. Excessive exploitation of natural resources has negative consequences for both ecosystems and people's livelihoods. Operating nature-based industries on nature's terms involves preserving and enhancing natural resources. By conserving ecosystem functions, food security, food sovereignty and restoration of biodiversity are ensured.
The goal of operating nature-based industries on nature's terms affects sector authorities and nature management, as well as commercial and non-commercial enterprises such as fisheries, agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. Many of these sectors have traditionally had broad mandates for impacting nature and self-regulation.
Today a large amount of land is used for animal agriculture, whether for production of animal feed or grazing, while only a small portion of land is used to produce food directly for human consumption. According to the IPCC's land report published in 2019, a dietary shift towards more plant-based foods will contribute to achieving 12 out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Target 10 is a spatial target that requires more than routine sustainable management. It introduces requirements to report spatially on areas under sustainable management that conserve and restore biodiversity, including through a substantial increase of the application of biodiversity friendly practices. This target requires going further than management on a single or multi species basis to contribute additional biodiversity safeguards for the ecosystem.
Policy Proposals for National Implementation
Implement a moratorium on logging of all potential old-growth forests until their biodiversity values have been mapped and documented, and the issue of potential protection of the area has been resolved.
Ensure a strict implementation of legislation prohibiting the selling of goods that are produced causing deforestation or forest degradation, abiding by the EU Deforestation Regulation.
Significantly improve the incentive schemes for the management of species-rich cultural landscapes.
Transition away from intensive monocultures to more polycultures and regenerative agricultural practices, for example by adjusting national food strategies to promote biodiversity and food sovereignty values and at the same time reduce harmful effects of global food chains.
Increase production of crops intended for direct human consumption, in place of monoculture animal feed production.
Incorporate legumes into polycultures in order to improve soil health and biodiversity.
Develop a national plan to reduce environmental impacts from fish farming and replace it with more sustainable alternatives, promoting animal welfare.
Identify and expand for use outside MPAs and OECMs existing management tools already being applied to implement an ecosystem approach in specific fisheries such as: gear restrictions to protect habitats or non-target species; spatial protections to protect vulnerable habitats, species and/or life stages.
Include the carbon footprint from disturbance of the carbon storage on the ocean floor in fisheries management and other marine industries.
Restore agricultural areas by increasing habitat variation and mosaic, for the benefit of pollinators, flowers and biodiversity in general.
Develop and implement new and innovative close-to-nature forestry practices that integrate natural ecosystem dynamics and are more resilient in terms of climate change and biodiversity.
Subsidise small scale sustainable, community and subsistence farming.
Recognize and integrate Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and practices in land and resource management, including respect for traditional livelihood systems and territories, and traditional knowledge and practices about coexistence with wildlife.
Encourage the diversification of crops and sustainable farming practices that promote biodiversity.
Policy Proposals for International Implementation
Be strong advocates by prioritising environmental concerns over economic interests in international negotiations.
Develop and implement policies against intensive monoculture practices that jeopardise biodiversity.
Utilise the position of religious leaders and other community leaders to promote behavioural change in patterns of consumption and other actions promoting the sustainable use of land and sea, among the population adhering to the ethos of religion.
Communicate clear expectations of religious institutions and regal institutions, as large landowners and in their role as duty bearers, to contribute to the protection and restoration of biodiversity.
Identify and expand the use of existing management tools already being applied to implement an ecosystem approach in specific fisheries such as: gear restrictions to protect habitats or non-target species; spatial protections (other than MPAs and OECMs) to protect vulnerable habitats, species and/or life stages.
Increase recognition and respect of traditional livelihood systems and traditional lands and territories of Indigenous Peoples.
Recognise and integrate Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and practices in land and resource management, including respect for traditional livelihood systems, territories, traditional knowledge about wildlife, and practices about coexistence with wildlife.
Support agroforestry practices, utilising local tree species.