Payment for biodiversity: Targets

The Dutch government's targets with respect to payment for biodiversity for 2011 are:

• No later than 2011, to agree with the business community on specific measures involving payment and/or compensation for the use of biodiversity (in the Netherlands and elsewhere) on the basis of an advisory report by the ‘Biodiversity and natural resources' task force.
• To help anchor the value of biodiversity in an international context, particularly by highlighting non-trade related aspects (‘non-trade concerns') in the WTO and in the further development and implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU.
• To quickly reach international agreements on economic instruments addressing deforestation and degradation of moorlands, as a part of the climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The Netherlands' contribution to this effort will include participating in a pilot programme organised by the World Bank to reduce CO2 emissions by avoiding deforestation (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, REDD).
• To help formulate international agreements on access to genetic resources and a fair distribution of the benefits derived from them (Access and Benefit Sharing, ABS).
• To continue the shift towards environmental taxes and, where necessary, to design or redesign and constantly update incentives, such as the Green Investment scheme and the VAMIL and MIA subsidy schemes for investments by companies in environmental improvements.
• To support initiatives aimed at developing markets for both goods derived from biodiversity and for ecosystem services. Where the government operates in the market, it will encourage the market by employing sustainable procurement practices.
• Together with international partners and civil society organisations, to explore and promote international mechanisms and instruments involving payment for biodiversity products and services and compensation for unsustainable use of biodiversity.
• To research possibilities for linking sustainability criteria to subsidies.