afrol News, 8 September - The Norwegian government has announced support for developing countries input into the study known as TEEB, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity.

The announcement was made today at the high level meeting: Visions for Biodiversity Beyond 2010, in Stromstad, Sweden, by Erik Solheim, the Norwegian Minister for Environment and International Development Corporation.

The Norwegian government will provide NOK3million (Euros 350k) to enable a range of developing country inputs into the report.

Minister Solheim said: “The TEEB study is providing the toolkit to help governments, local administration and business shift to an economic framework that accounts for the value of the Natural Capital such as ecosystem services. Norway wants to help the collaboration with developing countries to support the TEEB study’s objective of reflecting a range of international contexts.”

Also speaking at a high level session with ministers today, TEEB study leader, Pavan Sukhdev said that biodiversity and ecosystem services have a vital role to play in climate change and mitigation and must be considered as part of the Copenhagen discussions in December.

He also illustrated how effective decision-making with regards to the environment will have direct benefits to those living in developing countries.

The final TEEB report will be issued in October 2010. In November this year TEEB will release a report for national and international policymakers in order to engage more countries in dialogue for the final output in 2010.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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