Channel NewsAsia 30 Oct 10;
SINGAPORE: A newly endorsed self-assessment tool for cities to measure biodiversity is Singapore's contribution to the biodiversity conservation movement, said Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan.
The Singapore Index on Cities' Biodiversity was developed by various experts in Singapore.
It was formally endorsed on Friday as a biodiversity measurement tool for cities, at the 10th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya.
Mr Mah, who is in Nagoya for the conference, said the index would help cities and local authorities measure the progress of their biodiversity conservation effort over time.
"Cities and governments around the world are well aware of the importance of biodiversity conservation and its impact on social and economic development," he said.
"Singapore is a good case study in illustrating how economic development and greenery and biodiversity conservation can be mutually reinforcing."
The Singapore Index uses a "report card" scoring system where cities can carry out their own assessment, allocate points for a diversity of 23 indicators, before coming up with an overall quantitative score.
The information can help cities make better decisions on how to prioritise their biodiversity conservation initiatives.
It would also evaluate cities' progress in reducing the rate of biodiversity loss.
Mr Mah said the index endorsement was an excellent closure to the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.
-CNA/wk
Singapore Index formally endorsed as a biodiversity measurement tool for cities
AsiaOne 30 Oct 10;
The first self-assessment tool for cities to measure biodiversity - the Singapore Index on Cities' Biodiversity - has formally been endorsed at the 10th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (COP10) in Nagoya yesterday.
Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, who is in Nagoya for the conference, noted that this is an excellent closure to the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.
He commented that the Singapore Index will be Singapore's contribution to the biodiversity conservation movement.
It will assist cities and local authorities to measure the progress of their biodiversity conservation efforts over time.
He said, "Cities and governments around the world are well aware of the importance of biodiversity conservation and its impact on social and economic development. Singapore is a good case study in illustrating how economic development and greenery and biodiversity conservation can be mutually reinforcing.
"We are a small city-state with limited land resources, but rich in flora and fauna. We are thankful for the support of the CBD Secretariat and the various experts in developing the Singapore Index. It is our contribution towards ongoing global efforts on biodiversity conservation."
The Singapore Index also has the potential to be used to measure the economic benefits of biodiversity.
For example, ecosystem services such as trees converting carbon dioxide to oxygen and tree canopies reducing ambient temperatures are not assigned any monetary value.
The Singapore Index collates quantitative data on such services and can facilitate economic valuation of biodiversity.
This will help cities better consider policies that impact biodiversity conservation.
The Singapore Index has been test bedded by over 30 cities around the world.
It uses a 'report card' scoring system where cities can carry out their own assessment, allocate points for a diversity of 23 indicators, and come up with an overall quantitative score.
The information can help cities make decisions on how to prioritise their biodiversity conservation initiatives and to evaluate their progress in reducing the rate of biodiversity loss.
Singapore has also offered to host a Cities and Biodiversity Forum for Mayors during the next World Cities Summit to be held in mid-2012, as a preparatory meeting to CBD COP-11 in India in October 2012.
At this Mayors Forum, cities can report on their progress in biodiversity conservation and the application of the Singapore Index.
The deliberations of the forum can then be reported to CBD COP-11.
New training programme on biodiversity conservation
To enhance understanding of the Singapore Index, the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), will be organising a new training and capacity building programme on urban biodiversity conservation in May 2011.
Targeted at officials from cities and local authorities, participants will also learn about Singapore's experience and efforts in urban biodiversity conservation.
Singapore Index formally endorsed as a biodiversity measurement tool for cities
NParks media release 30 Oct 10;
1. The first self-assessment tool for cities to measure biodiversity - the Singapore Index on Cities' Biodiversity - was formally endorsed at the 10th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (COP10) in Nagoya yesterday.
2. Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, who is in Nagoya for the conference, noted that this is an excellent closure to the International Year of Biodiversity 2010. He commented that the Singapore Index will be our contribution to the biodiversity conservation movement. It will assist cities and local authorities to measure the progress of their biodiversity conservation efforts over time.
3. He said, "Cities and governments around the world are well aware of the importance of biodiversity conservation and its impact on social and economic development. Singapore is a good case study in illustrating how economic development and greenery and biodiversity conservation can be mutually reinforcing. We are a small city-state with limited land resources, but rich in flora and fauna. We are thankful for the support of the CBD Secretariat and the various experts in developing the Singapore Index. It is our contribution towards ongoing global efforts on biodiversity conservation."
4. The Singapore Index also has the potential to be used to measure the economic benefits of biodiversity. For example, ecosystem services such as trees converting carbon dioxide to oxygen and tree canopies reducing ambient temperatures are not assigned any monetary value. The Singapore Index collates quantitative data on such services and can facilitate economic valuation of biodiversity. This will help cities better consider policies that impact biodiversity conservation.
5. The Singapore Index has been test bedded by over 30 cities around the world. It uses a 'report card' scoring system where cities can carry out their own assessment, allocate points for a diversity of 23 indicators, and come up with an overall quantitative score. The information can help cities make decisions on how to prioritise their biodiversity conservation initiatives and to evaluate their progress in reducing the rate of biodiversity loss.
6. Singapore has also offered to host a Cities and Biodiversity Forum for Mayors during the next World Cities Summit to be held in mid-2012, as a preparatory meeting to CBD COP-11 in India in October 2012. At this Mayors Forum, cities can report on their progress in biodiversity conservation and the application of the Singapore Index. The deliberations of the forum can then be reported to CBD COP-11.
New Training Programme on biodiversity conservation
7. To enhance understanding of the Singapore Index, the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), will be organising a new training and capacity building programme on urban biodiversity conservation in May 2011. Targeted at officials from cities and local authorities, participants will also learn about Singapore's experience and efforts in urban biodiversity conservation.
Singapore's celebrations during International Year of Biodiversity 2010
8. To support the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB2010) , the Singapore National Parks Board (NParks) has organised a series of events to raise public awareness of the rich biodiversity in Singapore. They include documentary screenings, a photo exhibition along Orchard Road, one of Singapore's busiest shopping streets, and tree planting activities. NParks also announced a series of conservation initiatives such as the establishment of the Sembcorp Forest of Giants and Singing Forest at Southern Ridges. (Please see Annex A for more information)
9. Year 2011 has been declared by United Nations as the International Year of Forests. NParks will be implementing a series of activities to raise awareness about the importance of trees and forests through guided tours, workshops and other programmes.
