We offer expert advice related to natural resource governance and management, strategy development, business models and value chains, legal systems, stakeholder involvement, and the mechanisms of international negotiations. Examples of our work are:
Support to the GIZ sector project ‚Conservation of biological diversity‘
Since 2000 GeoMedia has been providing consulting services to the global GIZ-managed sector project „Conservation of biodiversity on land“. The project supports the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) in incorporating policy positions on biological diversity into national and international processes, and with regard to implementation initiatives in BMZ partner countries.
Throughout the years, our services have covered a wide range of topics and activities. Since 2020 we have been delivering these services in consortium with our partner Adelphi, focusing on:
Technical and policy advice to BMZ, e.g.
- Providing input and opinions in the run-up to international biodiversity-related policy processes (Agenda 2030, CBD, G7, G20, EU and others)
- Drafting and commenting on position papers
Innovation and portfolio development, e.g.
- Establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with IGO’s, NGO’s, business associations and the media
- Identifying co-financing/ co-funding potentials for implementation initiatives
Communication and public relations, e.g.
- Developing strategic communication approaches and process
- Producing communication materials for government agencies, professional audiences and the wider public
Support to monitoring and reporting of benefits received
Parties to the CBD agreed in Decision 16/31 on a set of indicators for monitoring the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) goals and targets.
The indicators for Goal C and Target 13 relate to the monetary and non-monetary benefits received arising from and in accordance with ABS instruments. This represents a particular challenge for Competent National Authorities (CNAs), given that it involves monitoring the benefit-sharing obligations of signed ABS agreements over many years.
In the context of the ABS Initiative (Link to: What we do / Topics / ABS), GeoMedia supported the CNAs of countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Brazil. The support involved analysing the flow of information and identifying gaps that hinder the consistent reporting of the monetary and non-monetary benefits received, as required by the GBF Monitoring Framework. Our services are based on visualisations of the reporting obligations of users and providers of GR and aTK, as set out in the respective national ABS regulatory frameworks. Addressing the gaps, further support was provided, e.g., in the form of:
- Organising national workshops involving government bodies and stakeholders to further clarify and agree on the roles and reporting responsibilities of entities receiving benefits under ABS agreements. The discussions in Ethiopia and Kenya resulted in sound monitoring and reporting concepts, providing a basis for the necessary modifications and amendments to the respective ABS regulatory frameworks.
- Initiating a structured peer-to-peer exchange, for example between South Africa and Brazil, to discuss national experiences in implementing ABS, as well as the challenges involved in monitoring the benefits received. Reflecting on positive and potentially problematic lessons learned provided a basis for adapting regulatory frameworks and implementation processes, including sound monitoring and reporting concepts.
ABS-compliant value chain development
Setting and using economic incentives is a key element of any public or private strategy to conserve biodiversity. This is why we have made the valorisation of genetic resources one of GeoMedia’s fields of expertise. Our key partners in this field are the Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT) and PhytoTrade Africa, who bring decades of experience in natural products value chain development. Together, we support the development of local and national valorisation strategies for biological and genetic resources.
Services include national and regional trainings on ABS value chains, where we cover the different steps to take, the actors involved, the required investments, options for market access, and the business, R&D and intellectual-property models in different sectors that use genetic resources. The trainings also look at regulatory aspects of target markets, such as consumer protection regulations, quality standards, or ABS and export regulations.
A complement to these valorisation trainings are ABS contract trainings, which focus on the art of drafting technically sound and enforceable contracts between business and research partners. In follow-up to specific trainings, we often support the participating cooperatives, SMEs and governmental institutions in the commercialisation of selected resources.
