Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

IUCN – The world conservation union Regional Office for Europe National Committees of France and the Netherlands WWF – World Wide Fund for nature European Policy Office WWF France BirdLife International LPO (BirdLife France) UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (representing also UK Committee for IUCN) Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Who are we ?

Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs Mike Pienkowski UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum Jean-Philippe Palasi IUCN – The world conservation union

Invited by the European Commission (DG Dev) Relations with OCTA and the environment committee (Greenland and French Polynesia) The fundamental reason, our common interest for the environment The environment is crucial to economies, quality of life and security in OCTs. Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs Why are we here ?

Why is environment so crucial for OCTs ? Unique natural richness on limited space More species and habitats than Europe Major ecosystems, high level of endemism Crucial for health, food, well being, security, economy, poverty alleviation, tourism. Bora Bora, French Polynesia Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

Why is environment so crucial for OCTs ? Importance of major ecosystems : coral reefs About 10% of the world reefs in OCTs Great cultural importance Key to fishing activities Local productions (pearl...) Tourism Lagoon and shoreline protection New Caledonia Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

Why is environment so crucial for OCTs ? Importance of major ecosystems : mangroves Important nurseries for fish Filter coastal pollution Goods and services generated (valued an average $ per square km) Shoreline protection (waves power - 75%) Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

Why is environment so crucial for OCTs ? Importance of the natural land vegetation and soil High endemism, potential for research (medecines, cosmetics) Main reservoirs for water (St-Helena, Montserrat, New Caledonia...) Prevention of erosion Mayotte Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

Why is environment so crucial for OCTs ? Importance of fisheries French Polynesia Tristan da Cunha Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs Greenland

Why is environment so crucial for OCTs ? The value of services provided by nature generally exceeds global GDP The situation is even more extreme for islands OCTs have exceptionally rich and diverse ecosystems Many OCTs habitats and species occur nowhere else in the world OCTs nature is of major importance to the world OCTs ecosystems are also key to culture, economy and security OCT ecosystems and species are the basis of many vital activities such as fishries and the tourism industry Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

19 endemic reptiles species Cayman islands 22 endemic bird species UK Overseas Territories Ascension frigate Major ecosystems - Amazing biodiversity

Rapa island Major ecosystems - Amazing biodiversity Unique concentration of species on an island smaller than central Paris

Major ecosystems - Amazing biodiversity Mayotte 17 sea mammals species

New Caledonia Major ecosystems - Amazing biodiversity

ENDEMIC SPECIES 133 plants 7-9 fresh water fishes 0 reptiles 1 bird 0 mammal 2551 plants 21 fresh water fishes 61 reptiles 23 birds 6 mammals 3500 plants 350 fresh water fishes 42 reptiles 9 birds 7 mammals at the same scale New Caledonia :

British Antarctic Territory (BAT) British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Falklands Aruba Dutch Antilles Bermuda Sth. Georgia and Sth Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) Greenland St Pierre & Miquelon Mayotte French Southern & Antarctic Lands (TAAF) New Caledonia Wallis & Futuna French Polynesia Overseas Countries and Territories Major ecosystems - Amazing biodiversity Pitcairn St Helena Tristan da Cunha Ascension Anguilla British Virgin Is. Turks & Caïcos Cayman Is. Montserrat

Overseas Countries and Territories Major ecosystems - Amazing biodiversity

What are the threats ? Habitat destruction, loss of natural ecosystems Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

Habitat destruction, loss of natural ecosystems Evolution of natural ecosystems since human beings arrived New Caledonia

Habitat destruction, loss of natural ecosystems Distribution of natural ecosystems Réunion

What are the threats ? Habitat destruction, loss of natural ecosystems Over-exploitation Invasive species Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What are the threats ? Habitat destruction, loss of natural ecosystems Over-exploitation Invasive species Pollution Climate change Climate change brings risks of unprecedented scale for all OCTs - in itself (sea level rise, storms, culture and quality of life, etc) - by combining with other threats (invasive species, loss of ecosystems...) Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

Bleaching coral reefs Antilles Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

Hurricane Ivan Cayman Islands Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? Many efforts are already being made Building sustainable development strategies e.g. Ecotourism : Turks & Caicos (communities and local NGO), Montserrat Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? Many efforts are already being made Achieving sustainable exploitation of resources e.g. Fisheries in South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, and around the TAAF Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? Many efforts are already being made Reducing the impacts of invasive species e.g. French Polynesia, TAAF, South Atlantic Islands Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? Many efforts are already being made Reducing pollution e.g. Bora Bora, French Polynesia Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? Many efforts are already being made Cooperating regionally on major ecosystems e.g. Coral Reef Initiative South Pacific (CRISP) Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? Many efforts are already being made Promotion of renewable energy e.g. Wind power Ascension island Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? OCTs, member states and the EU must build on these efforts and extend them Use and value EU commitments target to halt the loss of biodiversity - OCTs association decision - EC biodiversity communication Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? OCTs, member states and the EU must build on these efforts and extend them Use and value EU commitments Use and value member states international commitments (CBD) Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? OCTs, member states and the EU must build on these efforts and extend them Use and value EU commitments Use and value member states international commitments (CBD) Improve the protection of ecosystems - by taking ecosystems into account in every project - by reinforcing specific protection and management tools, with coherent framework and adequate funding Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? OCTs, member states and the EU must build on these efforts and extend them Use and value EU commitments Use and value member states international commitments (CBD) Improve the protection of ecosystems - by taking ecosystems into account in every project - by reinforcing specific protection and management tools, with coherent framework and adequate funding Raise the regional position of OCTs Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

A major potential for regional cooperation OCTs

A major potential for regional cooperation OCTs Outermost Regions (ORs)

A major potential for regional cooperation OCTs Outermost Regions (ORs) ACP

What can we do ? OCTs, member states and the EU must build on these efforts and extend them Use and value EU commitments Use and value member states international commitments (CBD) Improve the protection of ecosystems - by taking ecosystems into account in every project - by reinforcing specific protection and management tools, with coherent framework and adequate funding Increase opportunities for regional cooperation Raise your international position Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs

What can we do ? OCTs, member states and the EU must build on these efforts and extend them Raise your international position - raise awareness at EU and international levels about your unique ecological heritage but also the scale of risks to anticipate Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs Biodiversity in European Development Cooperation Paris, sept.

What can we do ? OCTs, member states and the EU must build on these efforts and extend them Raise your international position - raise awareness at EU and international levels about your unique ecological heritage but also the scale of risks to anticipate - set up exemplary policies, with the adequate means, on ecosystems managements and green technologies - push the EU towards an acceleration of its action on the international scene on crucial issues for OCTs (oceans, climate change) - make sure the voice of OCTs is heard Initiative for biodiversity and environment in EU ORs and OCTs