Measuring progress towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable futures: An integrated approach

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Andrea M Bassi, Niccolo Lombardi and Emira Becic

KnowlEdge Srl, Italy
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Education and Sports of Croatia, Croatia

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

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The preservation of biodiversity is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development. In particular, several studies have demonstrated that sustainable ecosystem management is likely to contribute to sustained economic growth and human development. As a result, a key priority of the global sustainable development agenda becomes the establishment of a coordinate and coherent approach to measure biodiversity, and analyze the relation between ecosystem preservation, economic development and social well being. Starting from these considerations, this presentation seeks to explore the linkages between biodiversity measurement frameworks and progress towards Sustainable Futures, a concept that grew out of global dialogues on the definition of the post-2015 sustainable development goals and targets. In particular, the use of biodiversity indicators is reviewed, focusing on the measuring frameworks elaborated by different organizations (e.g. Aichi Biodiversity Targets). Based on the review of methodologies, an integrated approach is proposed for (1) the analysis of biodiversity trends, (2) the identification of potential environmental challenges and policy opportunities related to biodiversity conservation, and (3) the assessment, monitoring and evaluation of green economy policies aimed at preserving ecosystems while ensuring economic growth and social inclusiveness. The approach, which is based on the valuation of investments, added benefits and avoided costs, is proposed as a valuable method to conduct a systemic analysis of sectoral and cross-sectoral implications of biodiversity policy implementation, in order to evaluate progress towards environmental preservation and sustainable development goals, with careful consideration of distributional impacts, as well as short, medium and longer-term effects.

Biography

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Emira Becic is senior advisor for Statistics and Analysis at the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of Croatia in the Directorate for Science. As a policy analyst she is interested in follow fields of research: Science and Innovation Policy, Big Data & Advanced Analytics, Foresight, SDI, and Smart Specialization. She was involved as an expert during the accession Croatia to the EU in the field of Industrial policy and Entrepreneurship and Regional policy and coordination structural funds. She is national representative into the different professional bodies, committees and working groups in European Commission: National ERAWATCH Contact Point (2011-present); National representative for Science and Society (2010- present); National representative for SS&H (2009 -present);DG EUROSTAT: Member of Science, Technology and Innovation WG (2009- present); Member of Education and Training Statistics WG (2006- present) and the Helsinki Group Women and Science (country statistical correspondents 2007 - July 2013). She is also member World Future Society and active in the “Beyond GDP” initiative since 2008- activities within OECD the Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Societies. She previously worked at the Ministry of Finance of Croatia in the Directorate for Macroeconomic Analysis and Forecasts as a senior advisor on specific issues relating to government fiscal policy. She has worked for private consultant companies in enterprise restructuring, prior to which she was Vice President of the pharmaceutical and chemical company Saniteks Inc., in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Email: andrea.bassi@ke-srl.com