UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere" Programme (1971)

Man and the Biosphere (MAB)

Members:

Worldwide: 598 Biosphere Reserves in 117 countries; in Germany: 15 approved Biosphere Reserves (as of July 2012)

Objectives:

The purpose of the MAB Programme is to make use of natural and social sciences to foster the sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity. Work within the programme takes an approach which gives equal standing beside ecological aspects to economic, social, planning and ethical aspects. The main activity of the international MAB Programme is the establishment of a World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). These constitute a set of model landscapes for the demonstration of ecologically, economically and socio-culturally sustainable ways of life and patterns of production and consumption, where the goals of the MAB Programme are concretized. UNESCO recognizes biosphere reserves under the terms of the Staturory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Each biosphere reserve should perform three complementary functions: conservation, development, logistic support.

Operations:

Decisions within the MAB Programme are taken by an International Coordinating Council (ICC) which meets every two years. At national level, the programme is implemented by MAB National Committees. Within the programme, there are several international networks, with both thematic and regional focuses. Participation in the programme is voluntary, but binding national-level criteria apply to biosphere reserves.

The Seville Strategy of 1995 makes recommendations for developing effective biosphere reserves and determines the specific role of biosphere reserves of developing a new vision on the relationship between environmental protection and development. In 2003 the Madrid Action Plan was agreed. This plan especially deals with the increasing challenges and problems of the 21th century and identifies necessary adaption strategies. The 2011 Dresden Declaration on Biosphere Reserves and Climate Change emphasizes the role of biosphere reserves in efforts on climate mitigation, poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation.