22 May 2012: The NGO Island Conservation has launched a global campaign called “Small Islands, Big Difference.” The campaign aims to prevent the extinction of vulnerable native species and support human livelihoods on islands by removing invasive alien vertebrates. Island Conservation hopes the campaign will increase financial support for island nations and nations with islands to eradicate invasive alien species. The campaign was launched in Montreal, Canada, in May 2012.

Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), addressed the launch of the campaign, saying “biodiversity conservation should not be viewed only from the perspective of cost, but also as an investment.” A recommendation adopted by the 16th meeting of the CBD’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 16) promotes recognition of the “Small Islands, Big Difference” campaign.

The campaign will continue in preparation for the 11th Conference of Parties (COP) to the CBD, scheduled to convene in Hyderabad, India, in October 2012. [Islands Conservation Press Release] [IISD RS Coverage of SBSTTA 16]