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Marine Ecosystems Protected Area (MEPA) Trust's Biodiversity Is Our Business Project - Valuing Ecosystem Services for Biodiversity Protection
by The Government of Antigua and Barbuda via the Marine Ecosystems Protected Areas Trust (Government)
The Biodiversity Is Our Business Project will estimate the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services on the island of Antigua for its contributions to: recreation and aesthetics; water purification services; resilience; contributions to local livelihoods and sustenance; genetic resources; and carbon sequestration and storage.

This project will also communicate the knowledge and lessons learned to a diverse audience, including businesses, government officials, and community members, and will inform future development decisions by integrating biodiversity relevant data and information into the development approval process.
Progress reports
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
  • Marine Spatial Planning
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
  • Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
  • Research capacity development
  • Data access and sharing
  • Training and professional development
  • Scientific cooperation
  • Actions that support SIDS and LDCs
Apr 2018
Implement an island-wide ecosystem valuation exercise; and combine valuation results with spatial data layers to generate various land-use scenarios to support decision-making
Apr 2018
Collect and compile georeferenced species and biodiversity-related socioeconomic data and integrate them into the national environmental information system to support decision-making
Apr 2018
Raise awareness about the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services and their contribution to the national economy
Financing (in USD)
180,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
Government officials and local NGOs manage and implement the project well as its public awareness campaign
In-kind contribution
The Japan Biodiversity Fund and the Convention on Biological Diversity will finance the project
Basic information
Time-frame: July 2017 - April 2017
Partners
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda via the Marine Ecosystems Protected Areas Trust; Japan Biodiversity Fund; and the Convention on Biological Diversity
Ocean Basins
  • North Atlantic
Beneficiary countries
Antigua and Barbuda
Other beneficaries
Contact information
Diann Black-Layne, Ambassador (Department of Environment, Antigua and Barbuda), antiguaenvironmentdivision@gmail.com; dcblack11@gmail.com; michai.robertson@ab.gov.ag, +1 268 462-4625 or +1 268 562-2568
#1 Victoria Park, Botanical Gardens, St Johns, Antigua
Other SDGs
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