The Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) programme highlights the critical role of public awareness, which is essential to achieving behavioural change, and promoting sustainable lifestyles and biodiversity values. The CEPA programme has supported the implementation of the CBD by actively informing, educating and involving citizens and stakeholders. Given the complex nature of biodiversity science and policy, and its connection with human well-being, it is important to reach citizens and stakeholders through engaging, well-targeted and straightforward communications on the significance of biodiversity. Without an awareness of the importance of biodiversity to human well-being, citizens and stakeholders are unlikely to know what actions are needed to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
National ecosystem assessment teams around the world devise a range of communication, education, and awareness interventions that show the multiple values of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Media and Communications activities planned and implemented by assessment teams support the overall goals of a national ecosystem assessment. This includes campaigns to raise expectations to ensure the participation of experts and arouse the interest of key stakeholders during the assessment process. When an ecosystem assessment is conducted in an inclusive and participatory manner, assessment teams promote stakeholder cooperation and engagement. They create awareness and understanding of approaches to living in harmony with nature by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Additionally, they ensure the assessment is included in the agenda of other actors including civil society organisations and the media.
To support assessment teams in communicating the outcomes of national ecosystem assessments, UNEP-WCMC developed the Communications Toolkit for National Ecosystem Assessments in collaboration with international partners from the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net). In this webinar, audiences will learn about the toolkit, and experiences and lessons learned from partner countries in integrating media and communications in their assessments.
This virtual webinar will be held on Zoom in English with live French and Spanish interpretation. Access to the online event will be provided to all pre-registered participants.
