Signing the Countdown 2010 declaration, the German federal state of Hesse today committed itself to take additional action to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. Hesse is the first of Germany’s federal states to take such a step, and will focus its activities on the conservation and sustainable use of its state forests, and on raising public awareness on biodiversity.
Wilhem Dietzel, Minister for Environment, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection, said today in Darmstadt: “We do not have to hide. We are proud of considerable successes in reducing biodiversity loss. However, we will have to work even harder to conserve nature.”
With 350 thousand ha, the Hessian State Forest covers one sixths of Hesse’s area. In the coming years, it will fully integrate the 2010 biodiversity target into the management of its forests and halt local biodiversity loss in doing so. In addition, Hesse will complete its network of protected areas (Natura 2000) and develop safeguards for a number of endangered species. It is the declared will to encourage the alliances among partners such as local communities, civil society organizations and private businesses.
Tamas Marghescu, IUCN Regional Director for Europe said: “Hesse sends a bright signal to all other federal states to follow its example. As awareness and communication remain the biggest obstacles to saving biodiversity, we are confident to have found an eager ambassador for the 2010 biodiversity target in the middle of Europe.”
The signing of the Countdown 2010 Declaration is the first step in a longer process. Gerhard Eppler of Naturschutzbund/BirdLife Germany explained: “At the moment, the commitment is just on paper. What now counts is how Hessen is going to implement it. We’ll be watching them closely.”
At the 2001 Gothenburg Summit, European governments have committed themselves to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. This 2010 biodiversity target has been operationalized in the European Commission’s Biodiversity Communication. More than 200 partners work under the framework of Countdown 2010 to help governments achieve this target.