- The “Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project” (LLBCP) has a unique approach: valuable ecosystems are being preserved in parallel in ten countries
- The Global Nature Fund and the Living Lakes Network are cooperating with organizations in Africa, America and Asia to this end
- The measures implemented are diverse and tailored to each project region
Radolfzell, 28.02.2023: By awarding the title of “Threatened Lake of the Year 2023” to South America’s Lake Titicaca, the Global Nature Fund (GNF) and the Living Lakes Network have just drawn attention to the impending destruction of a unique habitat. Now, in a new project, they are showing ways out of the crisis in water ecosystems worldwide: As part of the “Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project” (LLBCP), the GNF and 13 Living Lakes partner organizations from India, Cambodia, Colombia, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Philippines are pursuing ambitious goals for the protection of lakes and wetlands.
Diverse measures for diverse ecosystems
Dr. Thomas Schaefer, Head of Living Lakes and Nature Conservation at GNF, explains: “The idea for this comprehensive project came from several partners at the 15th Living Lakes Conference in Valencia in 2019. Since then, we have exchanged views on suitable measures and regions in order to coordinate our efforts for biodiversity and climate in the best possible way. LLBCP is as versatile as it is effective: in India’s Bhitarkanika National Park, for example, we are creating biodiversity-friendly business models for ecotourism and stopping the uncontrolled littering of the local waters. In Malawi, we want to help stop the overfishing of Lake Malawi, our Threatened Lake of the Year 2022, through sustainable aquaculture. And in the Philippines, we are installing so-called green filters in the Paligui wetlands, i.e. constructed wetlands that can be used to treat wastewater from growing cities.”
Sustainable environmental education for a future worth living
The project partners have identified three target groups to whom the project’s measures will primarily be directed: Those responsible for the management of lakes, farming and fishing communities and all those who make political decisions. The focus of the work will be on education and training and will concentrate on one local lake or wetland at a time.
To prevent the further destruction of these freshwater ecosystems, the LLBCP project team, which consists of up to 70 people internationally, is developing plans and strategies to combat climate change, water pollution, biodiversity loss and environmentally harmful forms of agriculture and tourism. The inclusion of women and young people as well as members of indigenous cultures in the project areas is of particular importance for the work of the project. A platform for the exchange of information, a pool of experts managed by the project and various event formats will promote the formation of alliances from the local to the international level.
The United Nations lists the Living Lakes Network and the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project as official partners of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Partnership Platform.
Learn more about the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project
Background
The GNF is implementing the LLBCP project for the conservation and restoration of lakes and wetlands and the protection of associated biodiversity, funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). For five years, 13 organizations from 12 countries will work together in this project to achieve the ambitious goals. The project has a volume of nine million euros.
Contact us
Global Nature Fund
Dr. Thomas Schaefer
Head of Living Lakes & Nature Conservation
Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4
78315 Radolfzell
Phone: +49 7732 9995 85
E-mail: schaefer@globalnature.org
Website: www.globalnature.org