In 2008, the IUCN signed a MoU with the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in order to better mobilize on biodiversity issues the 67 member countries of the OIF. To this end, and on the occasion of the International Year of Biodiversity, the two organizations have decided to jointly publish an Atlas on the status of biodiversity in the 67 countries. The main objective is to inform Heads of State and governments on their tremendous responsibility in providing future generations with a natural environment that can still sustainably support their life.

French speaking countries are present in all five continents. Biodiversity information for each country is summarized in a 2-page factsheet. Ten overarching regional fact sheets addressing some important thematic issues such as climate change, ecosystem services, Access and Benefit Sharing and the economic value of biodiversity are also addressed by key experts and a set of recommendations will be issued.

This joint publication, financially supported by several countries and organizations, will be advertised in some key events scheduled in 2010: U.N. General Assembly (September - New York), Francophonie Summit (October – Montreux – Switzerland) and CBD COP 10 (October – Nagoya – Japan) and possibly the Climate Change Conference (December – Cancún – Mexico).
 

Biodiversity and Climate Change are inextricably linked for two reasons:

• Biodiversity is strongly impacted by Climate Change: any rise in temperature goes along with an increase in sea level. Coral reefs are not able to cope with such sudden changes and die what is called “coral bleeching”, occuring in all regions. The melting of glaciers can also heavily impact biodiversity downstream as the water flow becomes irregular or even stop at the dry season once the glacier no longer exists.
• Climate Change can be mitigated by biodiversity: large forest canopies are maintaining stable micro or meso climates and mangroves could be instrumental in protecting human settlements against tsunamis.

Fortunately, a new way of addressing climate change by increased carbon sequestration could, if adopted, provide a powerful means for both protecting biodiversity and stocking CO2 in the long run. Called REDD – Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, this tool could help developing countries to sustainably manage their forests, which host a significant part of terrestrial biodiversity.
 

Through its Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN has shown the world for the past 25 years that biodiversity is decreasing at an alarming rate with 38% of monitored species considered in danger of extinction. In 2005, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment also showed that 60% of ecosystem services are degraded. But we are still unaware of the diversity of life on Earth: out of maybe 15 million species, only 1.8 million have been described and the IUCN Red List only monitors 40,000 species. Human pressure is so strong on natural land and marine habitats that urgent action is needed to stop the loss of biodiversity. It can be on species inventory, protection of habitats, and sustainable use of natural assets... The International Year of Biodiversity will be instrumental in raising attention worldwide on the emergency situation that nature is facing.