(2) The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is a worldwide information platform for biodiversity with the goals of accumulating, sharing, and using biodiversity information. The GBIF accumulates observation data from the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO-BON) of the Group for Earth Observation

## 4 Disseminating Information from Japan to the International Community: The Satoyama Initiative

In addition to conserving pristine natural environments, the conservation of socio-ecological production landscapes formed and maintained through human activities (such as agriculture or forestry) is important if we are to protect human livelihoods and biodiversity. In these natural environments, diverse living things exist and grow by adapting themselves to the environment, playing a critical role in biodiversity conservation. However, these living things are faced with the threat of extinction in numerous locations around the world due to urbanization, industrialization, and rapid changes in the demographic composition of local populations.

In Japan as well, management and revitalization of (GEO), a global observation network. GBIF biodiversity information serves as a clearinghouse (information-sharing) mechanism for the CBD. In the future, the GBIF is likely to increase in significance, since it is expected to provide critical basic data that can be used to help the Nagoya Protocol be steadily implemented and the IPBES develop knowledge and carry out scientific assessment, in addition to its existing roles.

Source: Ministry of the Environment

Figure 4-4-5 Mechanism of Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS)

Reference: Ministry of the Environment

satochi-satoyama (community-based forest areas and the surrounding countryside) has been a challenge for people for years, as primary industries deteriorate and local populations and communities decline sharply. To achieve the vision of societies in harmony with nature, Japan has advocated for the Satoyama Initiative (aiming to simultaneously pursue biodiversity conservation and sustainable use) for human-influenced natural environments together with the United Nations University. It has also promoted ongoing efforts around the world while considering shared problem awareness with foreign countries and related organizations.

To promote the Satoyama Initiative, the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) was launched on October 19, 2010 during the COP 10 session. The number of participating organizations increased from 51 including nine government agencies to 117 organizations including 16 government agencies, at the 2nd IPSI Global Conference held March 13–14, 2012.

To promote specific efforts based on the concept of the Satoyama Initiative, IPSI facilitates information sharing among groups attending the Global Conference and other meetings (Figure 4-4-4) while carrying out cooperation activities. As of March 2012, 22 IPSI collaborative activities are ongoing.

One of those cooperation activities is the Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS), launched on June 24, 2011 by Japan, SCBD, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations University (UNU) (Figure 4-4-5). In this activity, Japan will support on-site activities wherein local communities in developing countries maintain and restructure socio-ecological production landscapes, and then summarize and spread knowledge obtained from these activities. The program is the first to provide support for on-site activities based on the Satoyama Initiative concept at the global level. It is believed that Japan can make a contribution to the natural environment, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity, and to people living in the area, by maintaining or rebuilding endangered human-influenced natural environments in the world.

Furthermore, Japan and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) secretariat signed a Memorandum for Cooperation on the Satoyama Initiative in December 2011. In this way, Japan will facilitate medium and full size projects related to the Satoyama Initiative and explore opportunities for collaboration under the GEF-5 Biodiversity Focal Area Strategy (Photo 4-4-2).

Moreover on August 5, 2011 the government held [a symposium titled “Great East Japan Earthquake Rebuilding Symposium: Exploring Integrative Approaches from Land to Sea”] in order to discuss the feasibility of local revitalization through linkages between Satoyama, Satochi, and Satoumi (mountains, land, and ocean in the vicinity of a village) in areas in the Tohoku region damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11 with the goal of supporting reconstruction activities by local residents (Photo 4-4-3).

Photo 4-4-2 At the Signing Ceremony for Memorandum for Cooperation on the Satoyama Initiative with the GEF

Source: Ministry of the Environment

Photo 4-4-3 Great East Japan Earthquake Rebuilding

Symposium: Exploring an Integrative Approach from Land to Sea

Source: Ministry of the Environment

As described in Chapter 4, Section 3, six manufacture of home printer in Japan, which jointly implement the Ink Cartridge Satogaeri Project to collect spent ink cartridges have launched actions in support of IPSI's activities to establish a harmony with nature and to recover and rebuild following the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The six printer manufacturers jointly implement the Ink Cartridge Satogaeri Project to collect spent ink cartridges.

In conjunction with the increase in IPSI members and more vigorous involvement in collaborative activities, further promotion of the Satoyama Initiative is expected. Japan will gather global knowledge and hold discussions through IPSI to conserve human-influenced natural environments and foster sustainable use, including the reconstruction of satoyama, satochi, and satoumi areas in the coastal regions of Tohoku, which was badly damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Japan hopes to share information through meetings to be held in 2012: the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), the 5th World Conservation Congress for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN-WCC), and COP 11.