CambridgeConservationInitiative

Transforming the prospects for life on Earth

Dr Mike RandsExecutive Director CCI

Biodiversity = Natural Capital

Genetic diversity

Species diversity

Ecosystem diversity

Biodiversity benefits: providing vital products

Foods

Fuel and fibre

Medicines

Biodiversity benefits: Vital natural services – e.g. nutrient cycling, pollination

Biodiversity benefits: supports natural processes and products

Clean air

Pure water

Climate regulation

Biodiversity benefits: Non-material

Aesthetics, cultural values, intellectual stimulation

WHY BIODIVERSITY?

Provides Natural Capital and Sustains

Life on Earth

80% of US prescription drugs are based on natural sources

Addressing Climate Change

Alleviating Poverty

Forests contain 50% of the world’s terrestrial carbon stocks

One-third of humanity’s food crops depend on natural pollination

Nature inspires art, music, literature and spiritual experience in all human societies

Most of the world’s poor depend on natural ecosystems for their livelihoods

Fuel wood provides the primary energy for 2.6 billion people

Delivering Energy

Ensuring Food Production &

Security

Maintaining Human &

Animal Health

Shaping Culture and Society

We are depleting our natural capitalIn the last 50 years...

Forests:30% lost

Topsoil: 20% lost

CommercialFisheries:90% lost

60% of global ecosystem services used unsustainably

Biodiversity is being lost at increasing rates

2010 – a year of opportunity for biodiversity?

UN International Year on Biodiversitynew global targets agreed to prevent Biodiversity Loss

Departments: Plant Sciences, Geography, Zoology, Land Economy, Judge Business School and Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership

Schools: Biological Sciences Technology Physical Humanities and Sciences Social Sciences

• Broad range of research and teaching in conservation• Over 20 conservation-related research groups• Growing number of faculty in around 10 disciplines

engaged in conservation research • Over 300 publications in last 5 years• Wide-ranging educational opportunities in conservation:

undergraduate teaching, postgraduate training and Executive Education

• Track record of engagement and collaboration

6 University Departments:ZoologyGeographyPlant SciencesLand EconomyJudge Business SchoolCambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership

9 Cambridge-based conservation organisations:BirdLife InternationalTRAFFIC InternationalTropical Biology AssociationBritish Trust for OrnithologyFauna and Flora InternationalCambridge Conservation ForumRoyal Society for the Protection of BirdsUNEP-World Conservation Monitoring CentreInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature

CambridgeConservationInitiative

Our Mission: To deliver transformational approaches to the understanding and conservation of biodiversity through innovative partnerships

• Connect research, practice and policy• Work across disciplines• Develop and promote innovative solutions• Build capacity and create effective leaders• Engage new audiences

Aims

• Agreed shared strategy – vision, objectives, themes • Adopted simple structure/governance mechanism• Become a new University Strategic Initiative• Developed 4 major collaborative programmes:

CambridgeConservationInitiative

Progress so far

Conservation Futures

Horizon-scanning, gap analysis, solution scanning, shared challenges

Conservation Research for Policy and Practice

Delivering new, interdisciplinary approaches to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development

Learning and Leadership

Leadership training, research skills, capacity development, business and

policy forums

Cambridge Conservation Centre

Conservation Centre

• Interdisciplinary University Research Institute• HQ for cluster of Conservation Organisations• ‘Conservation hotel’ for visiting conservationists• State-of-the-art shared facilities • Global convening hub• Economies of scale• Opportunity for extraordinary public outreach• Improved environmental performance

Collaborative Programmes

Conservation Futures Horizon-scanning, solution-scanning and gap analysis on : bioenergy, biodiversity offsets,

remote sensing, climate change and biodiversity conservation, reconnecting people to nature

Conservation Research for Policy & Practice

CCI COLLARORATIVE FUND SUPPORTING: programmes on valuation of ecosystem services,

costing Protected Areas, Post 2010 targets

Conservation Learning & LeadershipMasters in Conservation Leadership, Short

Courses in biodiversity and ecosystem services, 10 year Student Conference in Conservation

Science supporting sister meetings

Cambridge Conservation Centre Feasibility Study completed, initial partners and tenants identified, potential donors identified,

site identified and refurbishment costs estimated, business planning initiated

To conclude:

• Biodiversity is the Earth’s natural capital• Livelihoods and our quality of life depend on it• Action is urgently needed• Cambridge has a unique role to play

CambridgeConservationInitiative

transforming the landscape of biodiversity conservation

We need:

• New approaches to assessing and generating ‘wealth’

• To measure and promote Natural Capital

• To harness technology to dematerialise and decarbonise

• To transform economics, transform values