UNESCO has launched a Biodiversity Initiative. Not much information on planned actvities, but mention of objectives relating to science and policy; culture and society; and education. Mentions engagement with IPBES.
The CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) met in Montreal in early November. CBD meeting report and documents are available and a comprehensive summary and analysis from IISD. SBSTTA is developing perspectives and advice for the COP - the next in October 2012 in Hyderabad. Particular points and recommendations;
CBD has issued a revised version of the City Biodiversity Index after a Singapore workshop - the index is intended as a tool for managing biodiversity at a city level.
The UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 has now been officially launched - 19 December 2011.
GBIF has produced a new data publishing framework (DR from NHM an author) - released with other papers of interest on biodiversity data in an issue of BMC Informatics - open access. Covers wide range of angles such as open access, data models and networks, but extending to more tricky issues such as credit and attribution for scientists producing data, and mention of future strategy.
Interesting report from Birdlife International on Empowering the Grassroots. All about community responsibility, engagement and collaboration on biodiversity projects - useful resources and case studies on capacity building.
New report out from the UK RSPB on the State of the UK's Birds 2011. Good overview of trends, status, drivers drawing information in from a number of sources. Also covers the UK's Overseas Territories.
The British Ecological Society organised a discussion on UK participation in Diversitas in November 2011: a report of the meeting is available.
