International cooperation
Nature does not recognise political borders. This applies to the distribution of plants and animals, and to many of the challenges faced in environment protection and nature conservation. Cooperation at international level is thus vital in finding solutions to common nature conservation problems.
In many cases, the consequences arising from over-use of nature in highly industrialised countries like Germany can be felt in places much further away – for example, through climate change. Countries in the global North are both directly and indirectly responsible for the use of natural resources taken from countries elsewhere. In the course of international cooperation in nature conservation, BfN is active in a wide range of action areas. These activities occur under the auspices of international agreements and programmes, bilateral and multilateral projects and with various international organisations.
BFN ACTIVITIES
BfN supports the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in implementing nature conservation projects and also manages the secretariat of the German MAB National Committee.
BfN supports BMUV in the implementation and further development of international conventions, protocols and programmes. As part of this work, BfN plays an active role in scientific bodies and committees, and also advises BMUV on specialist topics and associated policy issues.
With a wide range of bilateral and multilateral projects, BfN assists in the implementation of international and regional conventions and programmes. Thematic focus lies in the areas of biodiversity and climate change, international protection of wetlands and nature-friendly consumption.
On behalf of BMUV, BfN manages the secretariat of the German MAB National Committee and oversees all associated processes in UNESCO biosphere reserves in Germany.