WWF Living Planet Conference 2022

The focus of the conference, which took place between the two UN conferences on climate change (COP 27) and biodiversity (COP 15), was on corporate responsibility in the face of the biodiversity crisis. Ways in which business can act to achieve greater sustainability in the face of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss were discussed. Speakers from the business and financial sectors outlined ways to innovate sustainability concepts. For corsus, Dr. Christina Mumm participated digitally in the Johannesburg conference as part of the CLIF project.

WWF Living Planet Conference 2022

The Living Planet Report, which formed the basis of the conference, is published every two years by WWF. The 2022 report focuses on the “ecological twin crises” of climate change and biodiversity loss. It shows a staggering decline in animal and plant populations of nearly 70 percent since 1970 alone. A major driver of biodiversity loss is agriculture. At the same time, it is directly dependent on intact nature, functioning ecosystems and their services.

Biodiversity is therefore one of the environmental impacts that the CLIF project is focusing on in particular when developing the communication tool for environmental impacts of food. The prototype of the communication tool is being developed together with WWF partners in Germany, Paraguay, South Africa und Thailand.

The planned events and case studies in the partner country South Africa will focus in particular on discussing country-specific environmental impacts. Due to the increasingly extreme effects of the change of the earth systems South Africa is confronted with, a transformation of the economy towards sustainability and responsibility is urgently needed – “from the Stone Age to the invention of the wheel”, as Dr. Morné du Plessis of WWF South Africa figuratively put it. The slogan “Leave no one behind” must also be applied in the desired equitable change (“Just transition”). The speakers emphasized that just transition can only be achieved by working together. Competitive thinking must be overcome.

One of the case studies in CLIF will deal with fisheries. Pavitray Pillay from WWF South Africa showed how important this is: Despite the immense dimensions of overfishing and pollution, there is little data available. The sea seems to be the part of the environment about which the least knowledge is available so far. In further case studies within CLIF, wine production will be put under the microscope.

We are very much looking forward to the experiences and the exchange of information with our partners in South Africa!

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