The BEST initiative
Making a difference for biodiversity and sustainable development in 7 regions of global importance
BEST is an open partnership which aims to foster and support...
- biodiversity and ecosystem conservation,
- sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystem services,
- ecosystem-based solutions to climate change
In Europe's 9 outermost regions and 25 overseas countries and territories
Towards the implementation of international and regional targets and greater regional cooperation between Europe Overseas and other countries
Promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services in 7 regions around the world
Why is this important?
- Europe's overseas host over 70% of EU species and 20% of the world's coral reefs and lagoons
- Together, the 34 EU overseas entities make up the largest marine domain in the world - covering more than 5% of the global ocean surface - and are leaders in marine protection
- Located in all of the planet's large oceans, they are key actors for ocean governance
- EU overseas are at the fore-front of climate change - the greatest challenge facing us over the next century - and already experience its effects:
Increasing temperatures - in New Caledonia the average temperature is 1C higher than 40 years ago
Coral bleaching - massive bleaching in 2016 damaged up to 80% of coral in La Réunion and previously resistant reefs in New Caledonia which provided coastal protection valued at euros 220 million/year
Sea level rise - 2x faster than the global average in French Polynesia between 1950 and 2010
Work by the BEST partnership is making a difference
An European initiative in 7 regions of global importance
BEST from Plans to Actions
- Regional ecosystem profiles have been developed with regional experts and stakeholders to establish baseline data used to guide long-term conservation efforts and investments
- Regional investment strategies identify funding needs and propose relevant projects ready to be funded
- The BEST initiative has funded over 60 projects around the world since 2011
with a wide scope...
Coral restoration and management
Species tracking and monitoring
Conservation of endemic and endangered species
Climate change impact monitoring
Forest protection and sustainable use
Improved management of natural resources and protected areas
Public education and empowerment
And many more...
This is the start of something much larger...
With international recognition and acknowledgement
COP CBD- Decision XI-15
World conservation congress 2016 - Motion 070
As a GLISPA (Global Island Partnership) Interregional Challenge
To find out more:
Contact - Carole Martinez (Carole.Martinez@iucn.org)
Further information
BEST initiative (European Commission)