German Biosphere Reserves and Partners Addressing Climate Change, Water and Sustainability
This side event will present the action of the 16 German UNESCO Biosphere Reserves to address climate change in mitigation and adaptation, and their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 and 15. The side event will also present the results of the 18 projects implemented by them with the support of Danone Waters Germany.
Mitigating climate change and using the water resources of our planet sustainably are among the central challenges for sustainable development today, as captured in SDG 6 - Ensure access to water and sanitation for all, and SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Climate change has massive impacts on the water system, not only in the Global South and arid regions of the globe, but also in Central Europe. Managing water resources sustainably and protecting water quality is crucial for human beings and society.
UNESCO is a key organization in the field of freshwater research, management and training. Among UNESCO’s key assets are the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Biosphere Reserves as model regions for sustainable development. Established under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, Biosphere Reserves are particularly appropriate places to test, evaluate and implement innovative strategies in freshwater.
In order to facilitate new approaches and also in order to mobilize financial resources, the German UNESCO Biosphere Reserves have several partnerships with the private sector, with a particularly longstanding partnership with Danone Waters Germany.
Speakers:
- Ms Flavia Schlegel, Assistant Director-General, Natural Sciences, UNESCO
- Mr Lutz Möller, Deputy Secretary-General, German Commission for UNESCO
- Ms Nadine Küster, General Secretary, Danone Germany, Austria & Switzerland
- Mr Gerhard Mörsch, Director, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Bliesgau, Germany