Climate change is a concern for all of humanity. The Earth’s climate is influenced by factors such as the amount of green house gases (GHG) in the atmosphere emitted by all sectors of the economy. Since 1970, the production of GHG has risen by more than 70 per cent causing changing weather patterns. Moreover, it is expected that the global effects of climate change, including deforestation could increase the likelihood of floods and droughts caused by severe atmospheric and oceanic disturbances, affecting not only ecosystems but also human habitat.

Corporates must put business at the heart of climate change agenda and turn climate change into an opportunity for business innovation and social change. The convention recommended adoption of a holistic integrated 11 point growth model called PROACTIVATE that calls upon companies to Price natural capital, Radically increase energy efficiency, Opt for minimalist design, Adopt zero waste systems, Capture C02 by planting trees, Turn to renewable, Invest in green issues, Vigorously pursue market mechanisms, Activate women and children to drive change, Train staff to eco-innovate and focus on Execution. 

Selected leading corporates and service providers will also receive Golden Peacock Awards for 2010 for their outstanding contribution in sectors of environment management, occupational health & safety; and eco-innovation. They shall also present and share their environmental initiatives at the convention.

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MMV conferences are motivated by the growing concern that increasing recreational use of protected areas is approaching the limits of ecological and social carrying capacities in many parts of the world. Four preceding conferences had great success, making MMV a regular meeting for scientists and managers.

The MMV conference provides a forum for presentations and other exchanges of ideas and experiences related to the monitoring and management of visitors in recreation and protected areas. The emphasis will be on policies, problems, practices and innovative solutions, and will therefore be of equal relevance to managers and researchers.

This years main themes will be:

• Multi-functionality: feasible for managers?
• High tech developments in and around nature
• Consumer demands: nature at your service
• Experiences in recreational and protected areas
• Impact of Natura 2000 on recreation and tourism
• Recreation and tourism: adaptation to climate change
• The design of nature for target groups
• Visitor management – use and abuse of nature areas
• Planning for recreation and tourism: new policies needed?
• Urban nature

Join us for our seminar 'Toward a sustainable future: synergies of Regions and Protected Areas in the management of Biodiversity' on 31st of May from 9:30 - 12:30 prior to the Green Week in Brussels. The event is being jointly organised by the region of Saxony Anhalt (Germany), the Valencian Region (Spain) and the EUROPARC Federation. It will explore the fact that most of the work on biodiversity conservation, is done at local level and that there is a strong partnership between regional / local governments and protected areas, which is particularly beneficial for the environment.

More information will be available soon. Please contact Federico Minozzi if you have any questions.