4 November 2008: The 10th meeting of the Conference of the
Contracting Parties (COP10) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, held from 28
October-4 November 2008 in Changwon, Republic of Korea, adopted a resolution
addressing the potential impacts of biofuel production and use on the
conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Delegates adopted a resolution that
focuses on the wetland-related aspects of biofuel production, and places a
strong emphasis on further study of benefits and costs, as well as on impacts
of biofuel production on different types of wetlands. In the final resolution,
the Ramsar COP calls upon parties to: assess the potential impacts, benefits
and risks of proposed biofuel crop production schemes affecting Ramsar sites
and other wetlands; and seek to avoid negative impacts and, where such
avoidance is not feasible, to apply as far as possible appropriate mitigation
and/or compensation/offset actions, for example wetland restoration.
The
resolution also contains references on the development of land use policies for
the sustainable production of biofuels, and to promoting sustainable biofuel
production and use through strengthened development cooperation, the transfer
of technologies and information exchange. Furthermore, the COP strongly urges
parties to ensure that any policy for biofuel crop production should consider:
the full range and value of ecosystem services and livelihoods provided by
wetlands; the biodiversity they support; and the trade-offs between these
services alongside cost-benefit analysis.
Finally, the COP instructs the Ramsar
Scientific and Technical Review Panel to: review the global distribution of
biofuel production in relation to impacts on wetlands; review and collate
existing best management practices guidance and social and environmental
sustainability appraisals for growing biofuel feedstocks in relation to
wetlands; and, where appropriate, develop such guidance and appraisals in
collaboration with other international organizations. [Revised Draft
Resolution] [(The final resolution will be available on the Ramsar website shortly)] [ENB coverage of Ramsar COP 10]