September 2014: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat has released CBD Technical Series No. 79, titled ‘How sectors can contribute to sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity.’ This publication illustrates the potential that natural capital, biodiversity-friendly strategies and nature-based solutions offer for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and water management.

The study stresses that: the underlying causes of biodiversity loss must be addressed by focusing on these primary sectors; and mainstreaming biodiversity into these sectors can be successful when aligned with the values of various stakeholders in the production chain. It describes strategies to facilitate such mainstreaming, including: applying integrated land, water and seascape approaches; strengthening biodiversity within voluntary sustainability initiatives, such as standard setting and certification; raising consumer awareness of biodiversity regarding, inter alia, the importance of biodiversity for food security and healthy diets, including less meat-intensive diets; and mobilizing finance by improving the business case for biodiversity and green investments.

The paper also underscores the importance of government policies for mainstreaming biodiversity, including: raising awareness regarding the opportunities biodiversity provides; improving valuation, accounting and reporting of biodiversity and ecosystem-related impacts, as well as risks and performances of investment projects; realizing the potential of sustainability standards and certification systems; employing an integrated approach to land-use planning; implementing policies that align sector incentives with biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, such as regulation and green taxation; and providing a level playing field, including setting and reinforcing legal standards. [Publication: How Sectors Can Contribute to Sustainable Use and Conservation of Biodiversity]