A new Biodiversity Economy Strategy is out for public comment.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, said yesterday, the strategy is ambitious, and builds on previous strategies. She said it is more comprehensive and both broadens the existing terrestrial goals and adds marine, coastal, estuarine and freshwater opportunities.
She spoke at an Annual Biodiversity Economy and Investment Indaba, held at the Birchwood Hotel, themed “Collective Action for Thriving Nature and People.”
Creecy said the Convention on Biodiversity in Montreal in December 2022, is binding “to take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of people and planet by conserving and sustainably using biodiversity …”
As part of day 1 of the Indaba, over 100 proposals were to be pitched to potential investors for funding.
The Minister also said 12 projects submitted on the Department’s portal by small, medium and micro businesses (SMMEs), were supported by by the Department of Small Business Development and Setas.
Today, 4 commissions are expected to discuss how the four goals of the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy can be achieved.
President Ramaphosa is also expected to speak at the event.