Healthy ecosystems, a stable climate, more conservative land use

Bern, 01.06.2004 - Healthy ecosystems are the key to clean water supplies and rich biodiversity. All over the world, they are facing increasing pressures from human activities, compounded by anthropogenic climate change. On the occasion of World Environment Day (5 June 2004), SAEFL Director Philippe Roch called for more vigorous efforts to protect ecosystems worldwide and to combat climate change. As well as playing an active role in international environmental policy, Switzerland should seek to achieve these goals domestically through environmentally sound spatial planning, conservation of habitats and establishment of ecological networks, rehabilitation of watercourses, and implementation of the CO2 Law.

The services provided to humankind by waterbodies, forests, wetlands and soils are of inestimable value. These ecosystems naturally capture, filter, store and release water in a controlled manner, thereby furnishing clean supplies for human needs. In addition, they represent a source of food, harbour a rich diversity of species and genetic resources, and provide a basis for economic activities: genetic resources are indispensable for the production of crops and livestock, and thus also for food security. They are also required for the manufacture of medicines and other industrial goods. Nevertheless, some 27,000 animal and plant species disappear globally each year, and over the last century half of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed. Moreover, in the past 10 years alone, tropical rainforests covering an area 30 times the size of Switzerland have been lost to deforestation.

Increased global protection of ecosystems

The wide variety of services provided by ecosystems and biodiversity can be protected over the long term if the population groups that manage these resources are compensated for doing so. This also, not least, represents a contribution to the alleviation of poverty in the South.

Compensation for environmental services. Upper watershed communities that manage their land and forests sustainably also help to prevent flooding, a service from which the generally better-off downstream populations benefit most. If the upstream communities are compensated by valley dwellers for these services, their motivation to conserve natural resources is increased.
Integration of ecosystem protection into projects. The protection and sustainable management of ecosystems should be incorporated into development and investment projects relating to forestry, water, agriculture and infrastructure.
Equitable sharing of benefits. Developing countries, which harbour the bulk of the world’s genetic resources, regard these as «green gold» in view of the significant potential they offer for biotechnological developments in the agricultural, industrial and (especially) pharmaceutical sectors. If a pharmaceutical company, for example, wishes to research and subsequently utilize a medicinal plant, contractual agreements concerning equitable sharing of the benefits that may arise as a result have to be made in advance. The system of Access to genetic resources and equitable Benefit Sharing (ABS) provides a powerful incentive for local communities to protect ecosystems and species.

Healthy ecosystems serve as a buffer against the ever more apparent consequences of climate change: by absorbing increased levels of precipitation and supplying water in dry periods, they help to offset the effects of extreme weather events. At the same time, these ecosystems are themselves increasingly vulnerable to climate change.

Implementing the Kyoto Protocol and CO2 Law and looking ahead

Therefore, if our natural resource base is to be preserved, it is essential to press ahead with efforts to combat climate change and to protect people from the consequences of these changes, in a series of steps:

Firstly, the targets agreed under the Kyoto Protocol for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2012 need to be met. In Switzerland, implementation is proceeding mainly within the framework of the CO2 Law. If the voluntary measures that have already been adopted in accordance with this legislation prove to be inadequate, additional measures will be required. The Federal Council will shortly decide on the next steps to be taken to ensure that the CO2 reduction target is achieved.
Secondly, it is already necessary to look beyond 2012: if climate change is to be abated, industrialized nations will have to achieve 70% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990. The growth in emissions from developing countries will also need to be addressed.

Restoration of nature and conservative land use in Switzerland

Switzerland is no exception to the continuing loss of ecosystems around the world. This is mainly due to habitat fragmentation (as a result of transport infrastructure and new developments), watercourse engineering and intensive agriculture. The ongoing development of this country (one square metre of farmland is lost per second) and the growing popularity of out-of-town sites as places to live and for the construction of highly frequented facilities is creating additional traffic and having adverse impacts on nature and human health: almost a million people in Switzerland are exposed to noise pollution.

Some positive trends are, however, also emerging: in recent years, for example, as a result of appropriate financial incentives, agriculture has become significantly «greener» and is thus once again increasingly making an important contribution to the preservation of biodiversity. Agriculture also provides an effective counterweight to development pressures.

The following approaches should help to tackle the problem of ecosystem loss in Switzerland:

Habitat protection and ecological networks. In order to identify core habitat areas for indigenous flora and fauna and potential corridors, a National Ecological Network (REN) is currently being established. This project is an integral part of the Swiss Landscape Concept, which was approved by the Federal Council in 1997. Although the wildlife crossings that have already been constructed over motorways and railway lines are proving effective, additional steps are required to improve the habitats of amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and invertebrates. In some cases, this also involves engineering works along traffic routes. In the agricultural sector, the Environmental Quality Ordinance (ÖQV) provides support for measures to enhance environmental quality and, where appropriate, improve the connectivity of ecological compensation areas.
Better use of brownfield sites. In order to conserve areas of undeveloped land and intact countryside, better use needs to be made of sites previously occupied by industrial facilities: in Switzerland, a total area of 15 million m2 (the size of Geneva) would be available. These brownfield sites are generally readily accessible and suitable for attractive redevelopments. However, concerns about possible contamination often still lead investors to opt for greenfield sites.
Coordinated planning. In future, transport planning and spatial planning need to be still better coordinated, together with the pursuit of environmental goals. This should make it possible for excessive noise and air pollution to be minimized from the outset.
Innovative noise abatement. There is also a need for new approaches to noise abatement: once exposure limits have been complied with, there is little incentive for further reduction of noise levels. A system of noise/tranquillity labelling could be helpful in determining amenity values and raising public awareness of peaceful residential areas as an asset.
Qualitative soil protection. Land use should be more closely geared than in the past to the nature and sensitivity of different soil types. This is a key responsibility of communal and cantonal spatial planning authorities.
Watercourse rehabilitation and water pollution control. While recent decades have seen marked improvements in water quality in Switzerland, waterbodies still need to be restored to a more natural state. In many watercourses, there is still no assurance of adequate residual water levels. In addition, numerous – largely unknown – chemicals found in water are adversely affecting fish. A research project is therefore being launched by SAEFL to study micropollutants in water. The Agency also calls on the chemical industry to exercise responsibility.

On World Environment Day, SAEFL is calling for:
- better protection of ecosystems worldwide;
- implementation of the Kyoto Protocol globally, and of the CO2 Law in Switzerland;
- preparation of measures to combat climate change post-2012 (Kyoto II);
- more conservative land use in Switzerland;
- less chemical pollution of water resources.

Address for enquiries

Media enquiries
telephone on +41 (0)31 322 90 00
e-mail: mediendienst@bafu.admin.ch