1. and to Climate Action SDG 13 and Life on Land, SDG 15
Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks: UNESCO tools to achieve the SDGs
and to Climate Action SDG 13 and Life on Land, SDG 15
Dr. Miguel Clüsener-Godt
Chief of Section on MAB Research and Policy: Ecology and Biodiversity
Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences
Natural Sciences Sector
UNESCO

2. UNESCO designated sites
UNESCO designates sites to encourage national governments and local communities to identify special sites and work together to ensure their conservation and sustainable use for current and future generations.

3. Area (ha) protected by UNESCO sites
at the global level

5. Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme
Intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.
Develop and strengthen models for sustainable development in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)
Communicate the experiences and lessons learned
Support evaluation and high-quality management, strategies and policies for sustainable development and planning
Support Member States and stakeholders to urgently meet the SDGs through experiences from the WNBR

6. ¿What are biosphere reserves?
Internationally recognized sites by UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme that include terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems.
They promote solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understand and manage changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
They provides local solutions to global challenges.

7. Three zones, three functions
Biosphere reserves:
Three zones, three functions
They consist of three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three
complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:
- The core area comprises a strictly protected zone that
contributes to the conservation of ecosystems, species and genetic variation.
- The buffer zone surrounds the core area. Is used for activities compatible with sound
ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
- The transition area is where communities foster socio-culturally
and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities.

8. Today WNBR : 669 sites in 120 countries

9. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)
MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME
669 Biosphere Reserves
In 120 countries
16 transboundary
(Africa: 2, Europe & NA: 12, LAC: 1)
Including 1 transcontinental between Europe (Spain) and Arab States (Morocco)
70 BR in
28 countries
125 BR in
21 countries
30 BR in 11 countries
Asia and
the Pacific
142 BR in
24 countries
302 BR in
36 countries
Cover all main ecosystem of the world.
Home to over 200 million people.

10. New MAB Strategy
Supports Member States to conserve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and foster the sustainable use of natural resources.
Facilitate sustainability science, education for sustainable development and capacity building.
Support mitigation and adaptation to climate change and other aspects of global environmental change.

11. UNESCO Global Geoparks
Single, unified geographical areas where sites of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
A Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing the impact of natural disasters.
Strategic Action Area A.
BRs as models to implement SDGs and Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
Participatory planning and implementation of BRs.
Integration of BRs into relevant legislation, policies and/or programmes.
Research and training to support BR management.
Financial sustainability of BRs.
Effective functioning of the WNBR
BRs as sources and stewards of ecosystem services
Strategic Action Area B.
Effective BR managers and engaged stakeholders
Inclusive regional and thematic networks with adequate resources
Effective regional and thematic level collaboration
Visibility of regional and thematic networks and their activities
Transnational and transboundary cooperation between BRs
Active and open interdisciplinary network of scientists/knowledge holders sharing MAB vision and mission
Strategic Action Area C.
Adequate resources for the MAB programme and the WNBR
MAB as a key partner within UNESCO and other international organizations and relevant conventions
BRs and regional networks generating their own revenues
MAB as a key partner of the private sector
MAB as a contributor to the objectives of national, regional funding programs.
Entrepreneurs and social enterprises contribute to BR activities
Enhanced synergies between BRs
Strategic Action Area D.
Full availability of MAB documents, data, information and other material
Increased awareness of all aspects of the MAB Programme
Broader engagement and outreach
Strategic Action Area E.
Strong support for the implementation of the MAB programme from the governments of Member States
MAB National Committees have a trans-disciplinary membership
Regular progress updates by Member States and monitoring of the Action Plan
Effective functioning of regional and thematic networks

12. UNESCO Global Geoparks
In 2004, 17 European and 8 Chinese geoparks came together at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to form the Global Geoparks Network.
During the 38th session of UNESCO’s GC in 2015, Member States of UNESCO ratified the creation of a new label, the UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The Network includes nowadays 120 sites in 33 counties.
Strategic Action Area A.
BRs as models to implement SDGs and Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
Participatory planning and implementation of BRs.
Integration of BRs into relevant legislation, policies and/or programmes.
Research and training to support BR management.
Financial sustainability of BRs.
Effective functioning of the WNBR
BRs as sources and stewards of ecosystem services
Strategic Action Area B.
Effective BR managers and engaged stakeholders
Inclusive regional and thematic networks with adequate resources
Effective regional and thematic level collaboration
Visibility of regional and thematic networks and their activities
Transnational and transboundary cooperation between BRs
Active and open interdisciplinary network of scientists/knowledge holders sharing MAB vision and mission
Strategic Action Area C.
Adequate resources for the MAB programme and the WNBR
MAB as a key partner within UNESCO and other international organizations and relevant conventions
BRs and regional networks generating their own revenues
MAB as a key partner of the private sector
MAB as a contributor to the objectives of national, regional funding programs.
Entrepreneurs and social enterprises contribute to BR activities
Enhanced synergies between BRs
Strategic Action Area D.
Full availability of MAB documents, data, information and other material
Increased awareness of all aspects of the MAB Programme
Broader engagement and outreach
Strategic Action Area E.
Strong support for the implementation of the MAB programme from the governments of Member States
MAB National Committees have a trans-disciplinary membership
Regular progress updates by Member States and monitoring of the Action Plan
Effective functioning of regional and thematic networks

13. Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks contributing to SDGs

14. Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks contributing to SDGs
BRs conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development to benefits local people
BRs and Geoparks promote green/sustainable/social economy initiatives
BRs and GPs establish partnerships with educational and training institutions, especially UNESCO Chairs, Centres and Associated schools, to undertake education, training and capacity building activities
They identify and disseminate good practices for sustainable development

15. Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks contributing to SDGs
Observatories for climate change research, monitoring, mitigation and adaptation, including in support of the UNFCCC COP21 Paris Agreement
Identify, and disseminate good practices
BRs undertake research and ensure the long-term conservation of the socio-ecological systems
BRs work on restoration and appropriate management of degraded ecosystems
BRs and GPs identify, and disseminate good practices for sustainable development, and identify and eliminate unsustainable practices
BRs implement programmes to preserve and promote species and varieties of economic and/or cultural value

16. Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks contributing to SDGs
They establish alliances at local, regional, international levels for biodiversity and geology conservation
They create and implement twinning arrangements between diverse sites in different countries
Designate and implement transboundary BRs (TBRs)
They establish an international network of scientists/knowledge holders working in and with BRs and Geoparks, that engages with national and other international networks of scientists/knowledge holders
BRs and GPs create opportunities for projects and activities funded by national and regional funding agencies
They encourage joint promotion and marketing of BRs and GPs products and services

17. Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks are key for sustainable development!
Thank you