“Mainstreaming” biodiversity in four economic sectors (agriculture, tourism, fisheries, forestry) is the main agreement of the 196 countries that participated in the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP 13) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Watch video

The stakes for the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13) were high, as biodiversity is being lost at alarming rates, and urgent action is needed. Friends of the Earth International is highly disappointed that the results do not rise up to the challenge, as they do not lead to the necessary system change to curb the accelerated loss of biodiversity. Neither the logic of economic growth without limits, nor the logic of the model of extractive and predatory production have been questioned. Read more

Isaac Rojas, co-coordinator of the Forests and Biodiversity Program of Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) has been following up the Financialization of Nature (FN): a process through which the private sector can participate in the conservation of biodiversity. FN consists in converting ecosystems and its benefits in financial assets, an example of this are carbon markets. Watch video

As part of the Civil Society Working Group on Synthetic Biology, Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) follows up the negotiations on this set of new genetic engineering technologies that attempt to design and redesign biological systems or even create new ones from algae or yeast. Watch video

The event, where Friends of the Earth International participated, was organized by the Coalition Against Biopiracy (CAB) on December 9th during the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP13) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in Cancun, México. Read more

Synthetic biology is a central issue in the discussions taking place at the 13th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13), in Cancun, Mexico. Its development raises a lot of concerns among the civil society, for its ethical, ecological and socio-economic impacts. Watch video

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is already 24 years old but it hasn't been able to meet its main goal: the conservation of biodiversity. Pollution, deforestation, destruction of habitats, extinction of species: the ecosystems are suffering daily from human activities developed under the laws of perpetual economic growth, productivity and consumerism. Watch video

Mariann Bassey Orovwuje, member of Environmental Rights Action - Friends of the Earth Nigeria, was part of the Friends of the Earth International delegation that participated in the thirteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in Cancun, Mexico. Read more