Freshwater biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions
Humankind and freshwater biodiversity are interdependent. The preservation of freshwater ecosystems is a clearly established environmental, public health, economic and social issue. Thanks to Nature-based Solutions, freshwater ecosystems can become a tool for combating floods, droughts and other climate change-related disasters. The French Water Partnership is coordinating a multi-stakeholder working group on the subject.
Objectives
Biodiversity provides the essential functions for all forms of life. It provides raw materials, helps maintain the quality of water, air and soil, and offers a valuable cultural heritage.
The need to balance human development with the preservation of natural ecosystems is now universally recognized. However, biodiversity – particularly freshwater biodiversity – is now under serious threat. In only the last few decades, accelerated regional development and the growth of industry and intensive agriculture have altered the environment, with the artificialization of riverbanks, the spread of pollutants in ecosystems and increased pressure on water resources. The FWP highlights the importance of protecting and enhancing these endangered ecosystems, in particular through “Nature-based Solutions” projects, which serve society while benefiting biodiversity.
Our advocacy on Freshwater Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions
Taking the European Water Framework Directive as their reference, the members of the French Water Partnership therefore call on the international community to act in favor of good water quality and freshwater ecosystems by:
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Supporting the implementation of the Convention for Biological Diversity, which aims to :
– restore freshwater ecosystems to good ecological status;
– halt the loss of wild and domestic biodiversity;
– restore and maintain its capacity to evolve;
– encourage each member state to develop a national biodiversity strategy. -
Supporting research to improve knowledge of biodiversity, and developing ecological engineering (restoring watercourses, maintaining natural areas, preserving biodiversity, etc.) as a technically mature solution. Acquiring new knowledge of how ecosystems function and the interactions between ecosystems is essential if we are to increase our expertise and develop ecological engineering – engineering for and by living organisms;
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Identify and implement sustainable, incentive-based financial mechanisms, such as payments for ecosystem services, based on voluntary agreements between suppliers and buyers, or access, where appropriate, to financial support via Water Agencies in river basins.
FWP at CBD COPs
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This working group is chaired by Isabelle MATYKOWSKI, Director general of the Artois-Picardie Water agency. |
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She is supported by a Vice Chairman, Vincent CASTAGNET, General Delegate of the NGO Up2Green. |
If you would like more information or would like to collaborate this working group, please contact: [email protected]