Singapore’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2009.

This National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) provides Singapore’s master plan for the management of biodiversity from 2009. As a cross-sectoral policy document, it aims to create an urban biodiversity conservation model that champions environmental sustainability in an urban setting with well-endowed natural heritage.
The policy document establishes both policy frameworks and specific measures to ensure better planning and co-ordination in the sustainable use, management and conservation of our biodiversity. Two of the three main goals are: 1.Conserve and enhance biodiversity at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels; and 2. Ensure sustainable use of Singapore’s biodiversity resources. Singapore’s habitats and ecosystems should be conserved for long-term sustainability of the ecosystems. The rates of decline in biodiversity should be slowed down as expressed in the World Summit on Sustainable Development target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Concerted efforts should be made to conserve existing species, habitats and ecosystems, and to re-establish species known to have been present in the past. The use of Singapore’s biodiversity, including its benefits such as ecosystem services or by-products, should be sustainable. The specific actions cover, among others, enhancing biodiversity assessment capabilities, encouraging and facilitating research, monitoring the health of ecosystems and species as part of the management process, maintaining a list of species with their conservation status (red data list), etc.
The NBSAP sets out another goal to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits that result from the use of genetic resources. To reach this goal, the strategies and actions are proposed, which include: to strengthen the current processes on access and benefit sharing, to ensure that biodiversity conservation is considered when granting access to Singapore’s natural genetic resources; to incorporate elements of biodiversity conservation into the curricula of all levels of education; to strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders and promote international collaboration; etc.
Regular monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the NBSAP shall be carried out to ensure that the national objectives and international obligations are met. Singapore’s overall conservation agenda will be reviewed every 5 years.