Shaping a Biodiversity-Proof Future
October 1, 2024 | 12.00 - 18.00 PM 

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We have an exciting programme with two rounds of break-out sessions. The first round will be Setting the Scene and the second round an Inspirational Deep Dive. It is allowed to choose break-out sessions from different themes.

Please indicate below which break-out session you would like to attend. Each session has a limited number of available spots. If a session is full, it cannot be selected.

When it comes to finding solutions for nature inclusive agriculture by scaling regenerative practices we each hold a piece of the puzzle: knowledge, networks, experience, examples, practices. In this workshop we start with a brief introduction to the topic and then we invite you to use your collective brain to connect the puzzle pieces and together come up with new insights, possible solutions and options for collaboration.

Speakers:

  • Marieke Harteveld, Program manager Impact Accelerator Food Systems Transition and the Food Innovation Hub Europe at RVO
  • Monique Grooten, Program manager Impact Accelerator Food Systems Transition and the Food Innovation Hub Europe at RVO

Water related infrastructures quite often have a negative impact on biodiversity. This session is designed to explore the integration of Biodiversity (BD) into water infrastructure projects. The central question guiding the session is how BD can be effectively incorporated into such projects. Participants will gain valuable insights into the complexity of BD, learning how to navigate it while remaining practical. The session emphasizes the importance of introducing BD requirements early in the design phase to ensure they are embedded in the final project rather than becoming an afterthought. Additionally, participants will gain an understanding of key BD metrics and methods for monitoring them, equipping them with the tools to incorporate BD meaningfully into their water infra projects.

Speaker: Sacha de Rijk, Deltares

Nature degradation and declining biodiversity worldwide does not only pose risks to all life (including human) on earth, but also to our economies and financial sectors. The concept of ecosystem services and their monetary value can help to make better investment decisions for biodiversity and to scale-up financing nature.

In this session we dive into the dependencies and risks financial institutions and businesses encounter when not taking into account biodiversity. We explore how the three types of ecosystem services (provisioning, cultural, and regulating ecosystem services are funded and valued in the current economic system, also defining who gains, loses and pays for ecosystem services. We will discuss how monetary valuation of ecosystem services can assist in landscape transformation. By integrating the ‘true value’ of ecosystems and their services in the economic and financing system, opportunities arise to build fair and sustainable business cases and make sure all stakeholders are represented at the decision table. 

Speakers: 

  • Caroline van Leenders, Senior process manager sustainable transitions at RVO
  • Mieke Siebers, Executive Director at Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD)
  • Vince van 't Hoff, Program Officer at Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD)

The severity of biodiversity loss caused by land degradation, deforestation, agricultural expansion, urbanization, climate change and growing consumption invites a more fundamental revision of the commitment, approach and goals towards nature-inclusive development, exploring new value frameworks such as “broad prosperity” and principles such as “locally led adaptation”. This transformative view (a fundamental system-wide reorganisation of how societies are governed) calls for a paradigm change in thinking about development in which biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are the foundation for well-being. In this workshop you will learn what transformative change entails and discuss how it can be achieved.

Speaker: Katie Minderhoud, Researcher Landscapes & Biodiversity at PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency

During this session you will get insight in landscape-based solutions. They focus on cocreating and regenerating living landscape systems in which biocultural diversity, indigenous knowledge, and multifunctionality lead to sociologically and ecologically inclusive and water-sensitive (urban) landscapes. An example is the transformation of production forests into ecologically layered forests for groundwater recharge and biodiversity through ecological agroforestry practices.

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Steffen Nijhuis, Delft University of Technology

Regenerative or agroecological practice has an important role to play to protect and enhance biodiversity in the agro – as well as forestry sector. Not only in annual crops, but also in agroforestry or tree landscape settings. We will dive into examples. One project (by Arocha/ IUCN NL) is meant to enhance the resilience of natural shea butter production with agroforestry interventions in a savannah landscape in Ghana, with involvement of an international company. Another project (by Ecotrust/ IUCN NL) involves a gender transformative methodology in a landscape in Uganda, with honey, tree seedlings and forest conservation as economic opportunities.

We will furthermore hear about a project in India (by MetaMeta / RVO) focusing on the restoration and strategic use of green hedges to promote sustainable agriculture. The project will map current hedge usage, assess their benefits, and develop GIS-tools to identify optimal locations for hedge placement. These hedges are intended to enhance biodiversity, improve water retention, and contribute to better soil and pest management.The 3 examples will help us understand how a landscape and biodiversity perspective can help define the right interventions in regenerative/ agroecological practice.  

Speakers: 

Jules Koppen, Expert Nature Conservation at IUCN NL (also on behalf of A Rocha Ghana)
Frederique Hollen, Expert Environmental Justice at IUCN NL (also on behalf of Ecotrust Uganda)
Femke van Woesik, Water scientist and program manager at MetaMeta

Through real life practical examples, we will walk you through how underwater biodiversity and ecosystems can be monitored.  This monitoring is crucial to demonstrate the success or impact of Climate Resilient Infrastructure and Nature Preservation/ Development projects. We will use mangrove, seagrass and offshore wind project examples where we map and monitor making use of satellites, vessels, planes, drones, underwater robots, eDNA among others. 

From our side we would like to understand the biodiversity challenges and metrics (especially related to monitoring) from the various projects that stakeholders work on.

Speakers:

Pooja Mahapatra, Principal Advisor Climate & Nature at Fugro
Rutger Perdon, Business Development Director Climate and Nature at Fugro

Saving costs by not investing in nature will hit back hard on the long run. What is the action agenda for sustainable finance to attain the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework? What are priorities in terms of biodiversity safeguards and necessary investments in nature? WWF and IUCN NL have prepared this session to discuss this, and explore what is in the sphere of control and influence of us as Dutch participants.

Hosted by WWF NL

This workshop aims to get participants acquainted with driving transformative change in practice by looking at two concrete systemic transitions in the food value chain (i.e. sustainable sourcing of fresh produce and the protein transition). The first part of this workshop focuses on the what, how, and why of responsible plant-based value chains, providing examples of 2 plant-based value chains. What tools can be used to build up a sustainable system alternative and break down destructive and unfair practices? 

The second part looks into a value chain approach in the Aconcagua Valley, Chile. Increasing water stress in this area, puts high-quality supply of avocados for Europe in Nov-Dec-Jan at risk. What roles can one play in moving towards responsible sourcing practices? What are the barriers to change among the different actors in the system and may incentivize actors reducing impacts and embracing sustainable management practices? Participants will be invited to think along actively. 

Contributing to GBF target 10, 11 and 15 and secondary focus targets 1, 7 and 8.

Speakers: 

  • Heleen van den Hombergh, Advisor agrocommodities and nature-based solutions at IUCN NL
  • Sarah Drost, Research consultant sustainable (food) production and trade at AidEnvironment
  • Coen van Iwaarden, Senior Advisor Sustainable Business at Nature's Pride
  • Joost Backer, Sustainability Consultant at NewForesight

Designing with people, nature, water, and history is at the core of a landscape-based approach, in which the interaction of nature and culture is central. Landscape-based solutions utilize the understanding of the landscape system and its social, ecological and cultural processes for biodiversity, sustainable spatial development and water management. We will experience this knowledge by working in small groups on a case. At the end the outcomes will be shared by looking at the different outcomes and discussing the differences and similarities.

Speaker: Dr. Nico Tillie, Delft University of Technology

No Show Fee

If you are unable to attend the event due to certain circumstances, please send an email to cancel your registration no later than 14 days prior to the event. If you don't cancel your registration 14 days prior to the event we will charge a no-show fee of €50,00 (including VAT).

Lunch

We'd like to prevent food waste. Please let us know if you will join us during the following moments. 

The catering will be completely vegetarian. Please specify should you have any other dietary requirements.

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