Introducing the event, Rachel Kyte, World Bank, observed that when biodiversity's full potential is realized, it can become an engine for inclusive growth. She called for new finance models, emphasizing that every public dollar has to work really hard to leverage additional resources through the most effective transfer mechanisms.

Rosa Lemos, Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO), provided an overview of her organization’s role in environmental compensation in Brazil. She explained that environmental compensations are private resources for public purposes, whereby companies identify, prevent, mitigate and compensate impacts of their business in order to receive a license to operate. Explaining that FUNBIO manages the financial resources, Lemos highlighted the Atlantic Forest Fund designed by her organization to enhance environmental investments in the State of Rio de Janerio.

Gerard Bos, IUCN, emphasized the need to leverage greater change by influencing sectors rather than individual companies. He highlighted three areas of work: focusing on change on the ground; working on supply chains by looking at standards and sustainability criteria to integrate biodiversity elements into the supply chains; and working with leveraging sectors, including financial institutions.

Andrew Deutz, TNC, discussed efforts to enable companies to make the transition towards understanding investment opportunities in nature, observing that, “it makes sense to the bottom line.” Citing Water Funds as an example in Quito, Ecuador, he noted that people are willing to pay to improve and protect sources of drinking water, noting efforts to scale-up this model.

Jonathan Davis, Liberia, highlighted experiences and the role of resource mobilization for conservation. He called for a “holistic approach” towards implementing the Convention. Davis emphasized that implementing the CBD Strategic Plan will require an ambitious and realistic financial mechanism, noting that the figures proposed during COP 11 are not commensurate with the discussions on targets. He also highlighted implementation challenges in his country.

Reflecting on the discussions, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Peru, stressed that compensation is a good system for operational responsibility, noting the need for flexibility in terms of sources of finance, as well as a regulatory framework for transformational change.

Rebeca Grynspan, UNDP, launched the framework “The Future we Want: Biodiversity and Ecosystems Driving Sustainable Development.” She explained how it responds to the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and will both underpin UNDP operations and promote inclusive green development. Grynspan described it as a shared vision and commitment linking biodiversity, ecosystems, livelihoods, food security, water, health, poverty reduction, and ecosystem resilience.

Nik Sekhran, UNDP, outlined the three signature programmes of the Framework: integrating biodiversity and ecosystem management into development planning and sectors to safeguard biodiversity; unlocking the potential for PAs and indigenous and community conserved areas to conserve biodiversity and contribute to sustainable development; and managing and rehabilitating ecosystems for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Braulio Dias, SCBD, stressed that the Aichi Targets would not be met without incorporating biodiversity as a solution into development agendas. He underscored the need to go beyond “pilot projects” and focus on upscaling programmes and enhancing partnerships to support biodiversity mainstreaming.

Naoko Ishii, GEF; congratulated UNDP on the Framework and noted that it provided an example to other partners on how to achieve the Aichi Targets, which she stressed required a landscape and sector-wide approach to mainstreaming.

David Ainsworth, SCBD, moderated a roundtable discussion on country approaches. Sukarno Wagiman, Malaysia, provided examples from marine protected areas, also noting the integration of biodiversity into the national development plan. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, South Africa, discussed experience with integrating biodiversity into national development and poverty reduction programmes that provide skills development while promoting sustainable land and water management.

Francisco Gaetani, Brazil, addressed the politics of biodiversity, noting the review of regulatory frameworks and reformulating dialogues with the production sector, social movements, and civil society. Pia Bucella, EC, discussed mainstreaming biodiversity into the EU Development Policy as well as sector policies, such as those for agriculture. Henriette Killi Westhrin, Norway, highlighted synergies between climate, biodiversity, and human well-being and discussed Norway’s Climate and Forest Initiative.

Russell Galt, ICLEI, introduced the session, which provided examples of ecosystem-based solutions for urban development and highlighted those that are cost-effective, generate multiple co-benefits, and engage local governments. Presenters illustrated how local governments are taking steps to integrate biodiversity and ecosystem services into policy and planning.

Lena Chan, National Biodiversity Centre, Singapore, highlighted how the National Parks Board collaborates with urban planners in implementing the national biodiversity strategy and action plan. She discussed: work on enhancing connectivity of green spaces and creating corridors; planting native species; integrated urban coastal management; and public awareness and education campaigns. Chan also underscored raising awareness of biodiversity and institutional cooperation across municipal departments.

Katsutoshi Oikawa, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan, reported that efforts to green the urban environment have been implemented since 1972. He discussed Tokyo’s Green Plan 2012, the city biodiversity strategy, which promotes: the conservation of existing areas; the creation of new green space; enhancing connectivity; and promoting sustainable use. He also described new greening standards for building developments, which require 20 – 25% of roofs, walls, or terraces to be planted.

Anthea Stephens, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), provided examples of mainstreaming biodiversity into urban planning in Johannesburg and Pretoria, including: creating legally recognized PAs; ecosystem restoration; mainstreaming biodiversity into production landscapes; and developing bioregional plans that are required by law to be used in urban development planning processes. She also discussed how national tools and approaches, such as biodiversity priority area mapping, are scaled down and used to inform land-use planning at local levels. Stephens underscored the concept of “value offering” of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and stressed that this must be communicated to decision-makers and incorporated into policy and planning.

Andre Mader, SCBD, updated participants on the concurrent Cities for Life Summit, and its major outputs. He reported on how the issue of cities as important implementing agents for the CBD was being communicated across the Convention’s programmes of work.