IPBES in Denmark organized a panel discussion on making room for biodiversity in the agriculture of the future from political, agricultural, municipal, and research perspectives at the Folkemødet on Bornholm. Below are a few clips from the discussion.
Internationally, the debate on ensuring more space for nature and biodiversity has shaped the political discourse in recent years—most recently with the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation, which has just been passed by EU member states by a narrow majority. The law requires member states to plan nature restoration measures on their land and marine areas by 2030 and to help restore 20% of the EU’s degraded natural areas.
When the Folkemødet was held in Allinge on Bornholm from June 13–15, “green” themes were also featured on the programs of many different participants and organizers.
Focus on Land Areas and Agriculture
IPBES in Denmark contributed to the debate with an event on the future of agriculture at Røgeriet’s Debate Stage, featuring Ole Birk Olesen (LA), spokesperson on finance and the environment; Anders Barfod (Aarhus University), associate professor and member of the IPBES in Denmark steering committee; Anders Barfod (Aarhus University), Ulrik Bremholm, a board member of Landbrug & Fødevarer, Karsten Längerich (V), a representative of KL and mayor of Allerød Municipality, and Professor Carsten Rahbek (University of Copenhagen), who is also the head of IPBES Denmark’s steering committee. Carsten Rahbek (University of Copenhagen).
Anders Barfod made what was perhaps the most striking statement of the debate when, noting that Denmark faces the complex task of balancing the many diverse considerations regarding land use, suggested consolidating responsibility for land-use planning at the national level—for example, through a ministry.
Watch excerpts from the debate in the video below.
At the conclusion of the debate, all panel participants were presented with a set of IPBES in Denmark’s educational workbooks on the biodiversity crisis as a token of appreciation; these have just been published in a revised edition with funding from the Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation, focusing on the causes, consequences, and possible courses of action regarding the crisis.
