拉丁美洲经济委员会-生物多样性与发展_拉丁美洲和加勒比地区的思考（英）-2025_49页_8mb

Summary of Biodiversity and Development: Thoughts from Latin America and the Caribbean

Core Content

This document by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) explores the relationship between biodiversity and sustainable development in the region. It emphasizes the critical role of biodiversity in supporting economic, social, and cultural activities, and highlights the urgent need for a transformative approach to governance and institutional capacity building to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Main Views

• Biodiversity is essential for life:

  • Ecosystem services, such as water, oxygen, food, and medicine, are fundamental to human survival and well-being.
  • These services include provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services, each playing a key role in sustaining life and economic activities.
  • Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, home to nearly 50% of global biodiversity despite covering only 13% of the Earth's land surface.
  • The region's environmental income from biodiversity is a significant contributor to rural communities and Indigenous Peoples, with over 31% of rural income derived from these services.
  • Biodiversity also supports employment, with 25% of the region's total employment linked to biodiversity-intensive sectors like agroforestry and tourism.

• The Risks of Natural Heritage Deterioration:

  • The current development model in the region is based on the intensive exploitation of natural resources, leading to biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
  • Agricultural expansion, particularly through monocultures like soy and cattle ranching, is the main cause of deforestation, resulting in the loss of nearly two-thirds of the region's forests.
  • The region has lost 150 million hectares of natural forests over the past three decades, and this trend is expected to continue, leading to further biodiversity loss and economic consequences.
  • The loss of biodiversity has negative impacts on ecosystem services, including pollination, food production, and marine resource extraction, which are vital for the region's economy and society.
  • The region is also a major contributor to plastic waste in the oceans, with 3.7 million metric tons dumped in 2020, a 150% increase since 2010.

• Towards a Sustainable Biodiversity Management Model:

  • A comprehensive and integrated approach is needed to manage biodiversity, considering its environmental, social, cultural, and productive dimensions.
  • Sustainable development requires a shift from the current model of natural resource-intensive economic growth towards a more circular and regenerative economy.
  • The document advocates for the adoption of new consumption and production practices that promote biodiversity conservation and recovery while supporting economic growth.
  • It stresses the importance of improving governance, institutional capacities, and environmental democracy to ensure the long-term sustainability of natural heritage.

Key Information

• Economic Importance of Biodiversity:

  • Over half of the global GDP is generated in sectors that depend on ecosystem services.
  • The value of ecosystem services in the region is estimated to be three times that of GDP.
  • Biodiversity loss threatens the region's economic and social development, particularly in terms of job creation and social equity.

• Environmental and Social Consequences:

  • Biodiversity loss and climate change are closely linked, with each exacerbating the effects of the other.
  • The region is highly vulnerable to climate change, which is further intensified by biodiversity loss.
  • The loss of biodiversity contributes to socioenvironmental conflicts and threatens the safety of environmental defenders.

• Opportunities for Transformation:

  • The region has the potential to lead structural transformations by leveraging its natural and cultural resources.
  • A sustainable development model must integrate biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation, focusing on efficient and effective investment in nature.
  • The document supports the idea of a "Peace with nature" approach, which emphasizes the need for coordinated global actions to protect and sustain ecosystems.

• Call for Action:

  • Increased investment in biodiversity is necessary to support a sustainable and resilient development model.
  • Public investment should be redirected from sectors that harm nature to those that promote sustainability.
  • Blended financing mechanisms and innovative financial tools are essential to attract private investment and ensure the economic viability of conservation projects.
  • Strengthening environmental governance and institutional capacities is critical for the long-term success of biodiversity-related policies.

Conclusion

The document underscores that biodiversity is not just an environmental asset but a cornerstone of economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It calls for a transformation in the region's development model, emphasizing the need for sustainable consumption and production practices, improved governance, and increased investment in biodiversity. By doing so, the region can build more resilient, equitable, and prosperous economies while protecting its natural heritage for future generations.