Press release
07 June 2010
Ministry of the Environment
Andreas Carlgren in national initiative for biodiversity: 290 municipalities receive postcards highlighting endangered species
Local nature conservation efforts are crucial to preserving biodiversity. This is the message behind the national initiative to highlight endangered species and the importance of biodiversity presented today by the Ministry of the Environment, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the County Administrative Boards. The Chairs of the 290 Municipal Executive Boards in the country will receive a postcard depicting a species that is endangered in their municipality and an appeal to take action. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity.
The issue will be taken up in the UN General Assembly in September and in October a global action plan for biodiversity will be negotiated in Nagoya, Japan.
"The loss of plant and animal species is continuing at a worrying pace and may have far-reaching consequences in terms of the services nature provides, such as clean air, water, food, energy and protection against climate change. Preserving biodiversity is crucial for humanity and is one of the most demanding challenges we face. It is a matter both of global agreements, against the destruction of rainforests, for example, and of national and local efforts. Looking ahead to the Nagoya meeting in October, I hope to see the countries of the world agree on an ambitious action plan," says Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren.
To mark World Environment Day on 5 June, Mr Carlgren is sending a postcard to the Chairs of all 290 of Sweden´s Municipal Executive Boards to highlight the importance of biodiversity. Each postcard will highlight an endangered species in the municipality. The aim is to raise awareness of the issue and encourage local nature conservation efforts.
"My hope is that, through this initiative, every Chair of every Municipal Executive Board will feel a responsibility. Sometimes simple action is all that is required, such as careful planning or refraining from developing or changing a small area. In other cases more extensive measures may be required to achieve an overall solution to protect ecosystems and use them in a sustainable way," says Mr Carlgren.
As another part of the initiative, the Ministry of the Environment and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency are inviting examples of various actors best practice in conserving and using biodiversity in a sustainable way.
"This Government has invested more money than any previous government in protecting forests and conserving biodiversity; the appropriation has risen from SEK 6 billion in the previous electoral period to SEK 7.5 billion in this one. The Government has also made a major investment in the marine environment of over SEK 1 billion," says Mr Carlgren.
Other measures include making grants available to local nature conservation projects via the LONA programme, to the tune of SEK 50 million annually. In 2010 the Government will achieve the objective of protecting 400 000 hectares of forest by using state forests and not forcing compulsory purchases from small forest owners. The Komet programme, which offers additional nature conservation methods, increases local support and cooperation for nature conservation.
Contact
Lennart BodénPress Secretary to Andreas Carlgren
Sara Modin
Information Officer
+46 8 405 30 40
+46 76 770 25 30
Jens Mattsson
Information Officer
Jönköping County Administrative Board
+46 76 135 52 63
