Manila 2011
Considering that the Liberal Manifesto states “It is in the long-term self-interest of the developed world to encourage human progress, and assist economic development within poor countries”; it is also a moral responsibility. Since open global markets best serve to promote prosperity, within both rich and poor countries, Liberals will have to aggressively re-emphasise, and to the best of their ability implement, their firm conviction that free trade, by giving the best opportunities to the economically weak, is the safest way towards overcoming poverty in the world.”
Acknowledging that the target agreed by the world’s governments in 2002, “to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level” has not been met and that the OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030 identified biodiversity as one of the four critical priorities for the global economy in for the coming two decades.
Stating that, as a result from the 2010 Biodiversity Summit in Nagoya, about 170 countries have national biodiversity strategies and action plans adopted.
Noting that climate change is having a major impact on plants, animals and human beings and is disturbing the ecological balance.
Noting that the well-being of every economy in the world is fundamentally and directly dependent on ecosystem services as humanity receives countless benefits from the natural environment such as food security, water purification, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation, that are essential to support human well-being and economic growth.
Noting that sustainable agriculture is of fundamental importance in this, producing not only food and fiber but also, through its interaction with land and natural resources, performing vital functions such as nutrient cycling and carbon storage.
Recalling that the COP 16 Summit in Cancún in 2010 did not lead to an extension of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, but did recognize the two degree goal, the introduction of a Green Climate Fund to support developing countries and the continuing of the REDD-program against the devastation of the rain forest.
Firmly believes that liberals should continue to stimulate and trust human initiatives and include the business community and civil society in the environmental domain. Research and development will lead to new technologies and green growth. At the same time, international cooperation is indispensable to attain a fairly spread responsibility and a thorough implementation of the polluter-pays-principle.
Calls upon governments:
