Australia s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010 2020

2. Biodiversity � what is it? Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms on earth � genes, species, ecosystems. Not just endangered or iconic species. Biodiversity - and its interactions through healthy ecosystems - is essential for our existence. We need biodiversity for the ecosystem services - including clean air, water, carbon storage - that support all life forms.

3. Why do we have an NBS? Australia�s obligations under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Global agreement addressing all aspects of biodiversity CBD commits parties to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

4. Why do we have an NBS? Biodiversity decline requires serious ongoing attention. Increasing pressures on terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments. Threats: climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, unsustainable use of natural resources, changes to the aquatic environment and water flows, inappropriate fire regimes.

5. Why do we have an NBS? We need a coordinated national approach. Alignment and integration of commitments and opportunities for biodiversity conservation across all governments and with the community and private sectors. Ensure effort is focussed and prioritised around agreed objectives.

6. Role of NBS Overarching policy framework Guidance on policy directions and actions Intended for all sectors: community, business, scientific, governments Broader role in raising awareness in general public: �mainstreaming�.

7. What is NRMMC? Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) Sits under COAG (PM and Premiers)

8. �National� strategy - how that works Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council � NRMMC Australian Government, states and territories, NZ Environment, primary industries, natural resources, and water policy portfolios � chaired by Ministers Garrett and Burke Other NRMMC strategies e.g. weeds, pests, climate change adaptation, native vegetation Review every five years

9. A little bit of history Developed by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments Australia�s federal structure: Australian government, 6 states and 2 territories, local government Developed by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and endorsed by the Council of Australian GovernmentsDeveloped by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments Australia�s federal structure: Australian government, 6 states and 2 territories, local government Developed by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments

10. 1996 Strategy � strategic elements Conservation of biological diversity across Australia Integrating biological diversity conservation and natural resource management Managing threatening processes Improving our knowledge Involving the community Australia�s international role Implementation. The 1996 Strategy covered terrestrial and, to a more limited extent, marine and other aquatic biological systems. The 1996 Strategy covered terrestrial and, to a more limited extent, marine and other aquatic biological systems.

11. 2001 review findings Some advances had been made - e.g. implementation of sustainable forestry management practices. Several strategy objectives had not been met e.g. management of threatening processes. National Objectives and Targets 2001-2005 - 10 priority outcomes � did not have national consensus.

12. Biodiversity policy landscape Rapid pace of change: significant changes even since we started the review in 2006. Related issues including: climate change water carbon and water trading coasts and marine global financial crisis, livelihoods technology. New regional approach to NRM.

13. Implementation challenges & approaches Adaptation to climate change � ecosystem resilience and connectivity Linking ecological, economic & social systems � awareness, partnerships, valuing biodiversity, use of market-based instruments Acting at the right scale � building flexible management Dealing with uncertainty � understanding thresholds. Implementation of the strategy will depend on: raising awareness of the strategy and the issue of biodiversity within the community building partnerships with Indigenous Australians, the community and the private sector to conserve biodiversity partnerships with land managers are critical: 70% of Australia�s land is used for some form of production improving the ability of governments to measure success Use of market-based instruments for outcomes on private land, eg: stewardship payments, incentives focusing implementation at the landscape or regional scale. The draft strategy contains actions targeting all these areas. Implementation of the strategy will depend on: raising awareness of the strategy and the issue of biodiversity within the community building partnerships with Indigenous Australians, the community and the private sector to conserve biodiversity partnerships with land managers are critical: 70% of Australia�s land is used for some form of production improving the ability of governments to measure success Use of market-based instruments for outcomes on private land, eg: stewardship payments, incentives focusing implementation at the landscape or regional scale. The draft strategy contains actions targeting all these areas.

14. Revised National Biodiversity Strategy 2006 Review Process Preliminary consultation Strategy content and structure Public consultation process Next steps

15. 2006 review process Review Task Group established Scientific input - CSIRO, BOM, reports - Terrestrial and Marine Decline Working Group reports - SOE 2006 - Biodiversity Vulnerability Assessment Review task group: -reporting to Ministers (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council) -members from state and territory governments, the Australian Government, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The task group reviewed the strategy by: -seeking feedback on the original strategy through consultation with the community, including Indigenous peoples, and with key stakeholders across Australia -seeking feedback on the original strategy, and on challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation, from all levels of government reflecting on lessons learnt from the implementation of the strategy. We also commissioned research into: -the community�s understanding and awareness of the importance of biodiversity -the consistency between the goals of the national biodiversity policy and state and territory biodiversity strategies. Other information sources used included: -Reports on the causes of terrestrial (2005) and marine (2008) biodiversity decline. -National state of the environment reports (1996, 2001, 2006) -National Land and Water Resources Audit reports. Review task group: -reporting to Ministers (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council) -members from state and territory governments, the Australian Government, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The task group reviewed the strategy by: -seeking feedback on the original strategy through consultation with the community, including Indigenous peoples, and with key stakeholders across Australia -seeking feedback on the original strategy, and on challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation, from all levels of government reflecting on lessons learnt from the implementation of the strategy. We also commissioned research into: -the community�s understanding and awareness of the importance of biodiversity -the consistency between the goals of the national biodiversity policy and state and territory biodiversity strategies. Other information sources used included: -Reports on the causes of terrestrial (2005) and marine (2008) biodiversity decline. -National state of the environment reports (1996, 2001, 2006) -National Land and Water Resources Audit reports.

16. 2006 review process Early stakeholder consultation on issues� building ownership, mainstreaming Consultation and joint drafting with Indigenous peoples Draft revised strategy cleared by NRMMC March 2009. Review task group: -reporting to Ministers (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council) -members from state and territory governments, the Australian Government, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The task group reviewed the strategy by: -seeking feedback on the original strategy through consultation with the community, including Indigenous peoples, and with key stakeholders across Australia -seeking feedback on the original strategy, and on challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation, from all levels of government reflecting on lessons learnt from the implementation of the strategy. We also commissioned research into: -the community�s understanding and awareness of the importance of biodiversity -the consistency between the goals of the national biodiversity policy and state and territory biodiversity strategies. Other information sources used included: -Reports on the causes of terrestrial (2005) and marine (2008) biodiversity decline. -National state of the environment reports (1996, 2001, 2006) -National Land and Water Resources Audit reports. Review task group: -reporting to Ministers (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council) -members from state and territory governments, the Australian Government, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The task group reviewed the strategy by: -seeking feedback on the original strategy through consultation with the community, including Indigenous peoples, and with key stakeholders across Australia -seeking feedback on the original strategy, and on challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation, from all levels of government reflecting on lessons learnt from the implementation of the strategy. We also commissioned research into: -the community�s understanding and awareness of the importance of biodiversity -the consistency between the goals of the national biodiversity policy and state and territory biodiversity strategies. Other information sources used included: -Reports on the causes of terrestrial (2005) and marine (2008) biodiversity decline. -National state of the environment reports (1996, 2001, 2006) -National Land and Water Resources Audit reports.

17. Key stakeholder consultation Background paper to about 150 groups and discussions with about 30 groups Groups consulted include: Australian Conservation Foundation World Wildlife Fund � Australia Business Council Australia Meat and Livestock Australia National Association of Forest Industries National Farmers Federation Chairs and CEOs of all NRM Regional Bodies Commonwealth Fisheries Association Australian Institute of Marine Science A list of all organisations consulted is available.

18. Indigenous consultation One �expert� and two community workshops Feedback � strategy structure, language, joint drafting Joint drafting day � priority area 5 and other relevant content Ongoing consultation: Indigenous environmental networks and Indigenous Advisory Committee (EPBC Act)

19. Strategy content and structure Executive summary Call to action -building on current work -short-term and long-term actions -implementation: timeframe and monitoring progress Background � earlier reviews, biodiversity Making enduring changes-priorities for change Objectives, actions and results for each priority Appendices

20. Priorities for change Six priorities for change in the new draft revised strategy: 1. Building ecosystem resilience 2. Mainstreaming biodiversity 3. Knowledge for all 4. Getting results 5. Involving Indigenous peoples 6. Measuring success

22. Ecological resilience case study Reef Rescue (Australian Government) Aim: to improve quality of water entering Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Changing land management practices to reduce nutrient levels, pesticides and sediment in runoff. Connectivity between land and marine ecosystems.

23. Ecological resilience case study Partnerships between governments, farmers, NRM groups. Recognises values of the reef: ecological, economic, social, cultural. Reef is vulnerable to climate change: minimising other threats helps to maintain reef health and ability to adapt.

24. Public consultation process Press advertisements DEWHA web page with draft revised strategy and supporting information Direct emails and letters Public information sessions � all state and territory capitals and Alice Springs, Dubbo, Townsville and Bendigo On-line submissions via the consultation website � open from 23 March to 29 May 2009

25. Review - next steps June and July � consider public feedback Review Task Group revisions Jurisdictions � whole of govt positions NRPPC, NRMSC, NRMMC � Nov 2009 2010 International Year of Biodiversity

26. Questions?