International Day for Biological Diversity
On May 22nd its International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)! This year, the date will be celebrated
under the theme: 'Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism', indicated by the Secretariat of the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The theme coincides with the designation of 2017 by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) as the
International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
Biodiversity is the basis for many aspects of tourism. Attractive landscapes and rich biodiversity
supports the political and economic argument for biodiversity conservation. The tourism sector is
affected by many issues addressed under the Convention on Biological Diversity, for example
sustainable functioning and use of the agricultural, forest, and natural ecosystems. The benefits from
a well-managed tourist sector include threats reductions and the maintenance or increase of wildlife
populations and biodiversity.
Tourism is also related to many of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. For some Targets (for example 5,
8, 9, 10 and 12) this is primarily about ensuring greater control and management to reduce damage to
biodiversity from tourism. For others (1, 11, 15, 18, and 20) this is about pursuing the positive
contribution of tourism to biodiversity awareness, protected areas, habitat restoration, community
engagement, and resource mobilization. A further dimension is the better integration of biodiversity
and sustainability into development policies and business models that include tourism, thereby
supporting Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2 and 4.
The celebration of the IDB under the 'Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism’ theme is an
opportunity to raise awareness and action towards the important contribution of sustainable tourism
both to economic growth and to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
The selected theme is also expected to contribute to ongoing initiatives such as the Sustainable
Tourism Programme of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and
Production Patterns and to promote the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development.
Regional governments have clear and unique competencies in ecosystem-level landscape, territorial
planning, management plans for sustainable services -including water and food security-,
environmental footprint, preparedness plans for environmental disasters and risk reduction, forest and
fisheries management, connectivity plans for protected area systems, ecotourism and more. In terms
of biodiversity conservation, this level of government is also fundamental for defining, implementing and
monitoring environmental policies. Besides, regional governments develop policies and programs that
drive sustainable and ecological tourism in its territories.
The Regions for Biodiversity Learning Platform and the RegionsAdapt Initiative, two nrg4SD flagship
projects, reveal many biodiversity actions on the ground confirming the high level of commitment of
regional governments in this field. Every action and good practice contribute to inspire and increase
the recognition of regional governments’ efforts on biodiversity conservation and towards the Aichi
Targets.
For this reason, the nrg4SD would like to invite all members to join efforts and celebrate the
IDB by sharing with the world a message of action!
Here you some find some ideas to engage:
1 – Make a new announcement
Let people know what commitments your government is making!
2 – Showcase your actions
Let people know what actions your government is taking!
3 – Share your events & activities for the IDB
Let people know how do you plan to celebrate the IDB!
4- Get the media on board
Talk to your communications staff and check how the media in your region could come on board to
support the IDB. Use also these medias:
1. Twitter: Share your tweets during the IDB using:
Official hashtag of the International Day for Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism: #IDB2017
Official hashtag of the Regions for Biodiversity: #Regions4Biodiv
nrg4SD Twitter handle: @nrg4SD
Some ideas:
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#Regions4Biodiv @nrg4SD celebrates #IDB2017 w/ action! “Name of the project”
@your_government @CBDNews (Post a picture of an activity, a project or an action your
government is taking or use the images attached)
@your_government is part of a growing network committed to drive action 4 #biodiversity
#Regions4Biodiv @nrg4SD celebrates #IDB2017
It’s time to mainstream regional contributions #Regions4Biodiv @nrg4SD celebrates
#IDB2017 w/ action! @CBDNews
2. Thunderclap: Support CBD in sharing a message:
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/56567-idb2017-sustainable-tourism?platform=hootsuite
Don’t forget to add to your message: #Regions4Biodiv and @nrg4SD
3. Facebook: Share our Facebook page with your colleagues, friends, and family before and during
the event.
4. Websites: Stay informed stay connected with our website: www.nrg4sd.org
Let us know what you are doing!
If you have any event, activity, or would like to make any public announcement or promote any
specific action for the IDB, please contact us and we would be happy to support you on the
communication of it.
Other useful information:
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Notification from CBD
Logo of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2017
Press Briefs from CBD
For more information, please contact:
Thais Ferraz
Communication Officer nrg4SD
[email protected]