MAB-LAB

Nordic partnership project on how UNESCO Biosphere Reserves can support global biodiversity goals.

Nordic partnership

In 2023 the Nordic Biosphere Reserves agreed to a common partnership project about 'translating' the Kunming-Montreal biodiversity framework to the local level in the context of Nordic Biosphere Reserves. The project aims to demonstrate how biosphere reserves are a valuable locally-based instrument for achieving the global targets for biodiversity. In 2023 and 2024 the project is supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers - Working Group for Biological Diversity.

The MAB-LAB Project

The purpose of the project is to 'translate' the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework into a local context in order to promote local co-ownership, anchoring and action.The work is led by Møn UNESCO Biosphere assisted by Mads Randbøll Wolff, Sustainability 2030 and Nikolaj Sveistrup, Urban Agenda in Denmark and includes participation from Nordic Biosphere Reserves, including Snæfelssnes (Iceland), who is currently working on completing the application to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The project is called MAB-LAB, short for 'Man and the Biosphere - Local Actions for the new global framework for Biodiversity'. It is based on a fundamental ambition to promote and support local solutions to global challenges by increasing the number of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Nordic region.

Biosphere Reserves are model areas for sustainable development and as such the UNESCO MAB framework offers a strong approach from which we can learn to live in harmony with nature.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

In 2022 the Kunming-Montreal 'Global Biodiversity Framework' (popularly called GBF) was adopted as part of the UN Convention on Biodiversity. It features 23 targets to be met by 2030 and four overarching global goals to be achieved by 2050 in order to preserve biodiversity for current and future generations. The targets to be met by 2030 aims on stopping the global loss of biodiversity, while the goals towards 2050 focus on ensuring the progress of biodiversity globally.

The objective of the MAB-LAB project

The overall objective of the MAB-LAB project is to contribute to catalyzing the readiness of the Nordic countries for the work of implementing the new global biodiversity framework. In other words, to help increase the speed at which the new Global Biodiversity Framework is transfered into concrete local actions and results. This is done by bringing the right people and organizations together to ensure that there is peer to peer collaboration between the Nordic biosphere reserves, creating connections between the biosphere reserves and potential new biosphere reserves in the Nordic region, and ensuring that the work is build on local, national, Nordic and international perspectives.

First part of the project (MAB-LAB I) was completed in 2023 with following four objectives:

A report with a translation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to a local context based on the Nordic Biosphere Reserves.
Mapping of potential new Biosphere Reserves in the Nordics.
Action plan and guide to overcome barriers to the establishment of new Nordic Biosphere Reserves.
Communication plan and associated materials that can be used locally, nationally in the Nordic countries and internationally.

Collectively the effort contributes to the overall and overarching objective of the project throughout its lifetime:

To strengthen Nordic cooperation between Biosphere Reserves under the framework of UNESCO in order to improve the Nordic countries' realization of the new global agreement on biodiversity and to contribute to the realization of the Nordic Council of Ministers' vision of the most green and integrated region.

Second part of the project (MAB-LAB II) was completed in 2024 with following four objectives:

To collect data and material for the preparation of a collection of examples for local work on biodiversity in the biosphere reserves.
To conduct network meetings to exchange experiences on local implementation of the Biodiversity Framework Agreement.
To develop an inspiration catalog for the Biosphere Reserves' next practice in the form of a document with the working title: “Local actions for biodiversity. From best practice to next practice in the Nordic biosphere reserves”.
To organize a side event at CBD COP16 in Columbia in October 2024 with the aim of presenting the Nordic efforts with the Biodiversity Framework Agreement through the Nordic biosphere reserves and inspire national/Nordic but not least to present Nordic efforts to a global audience and to engage in global exchange of experiences.

Result of MAB-LAB I

The results of the first part of the work were published in May 2024 in the following two publications:

'Local actions for the new Global Biodiversity Framework'

How do we develop co-existence with nature through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves?

The global biodiversity crisis must be solved locally. Many good initiatives are already being taken today, but we must do more.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Through the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere program (MAB), work has been done for decades for a better balance between man and nature. It is imperative that we learn from these global experiences and promote for further local community-based initiatives and actions in creating even better conditions for the development of nature and society.

This publication presents findings from the Nordic Council of Ministers - Nordic Working Group for Biological Diversity funded project MAB LAB: Man, and the Biosphere - Local Actions for the new global framework for Biodiversity.

'UNESCO Biosphere Reserves – A Path to Local Holistic Sustainability'

A guide to establish UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Nordic Countries.

The project is based on a fundamental ambition to foster and support local solutions to global challenges by increasing the number of UNESCO biosphere reserves in the Nordic region.

The aim here is to inspire locals to investigate, create ownership, anchoring and action in local communities to establish an UNESCO biosphere reserve.

The project is based on a fundamental ambition to foster and support local solutions to global challenges by increasing the number of UNESCO biosphere reserves in the Nordic region.

Result of MAB-LAB II

The results of the first part of the work were published in March 2025 in the following two publications:

'Local actions for biodiversity – From good practice to next practice in the Nordic Biosphere Reserves'

How Nordic UNESCO Biosphere Reserves can support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework

The Nordic UNESCO Biosphere Reserves play a vital role in supporting local communities to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

By fostering sustainable, place-based development, they empower communities to strengthen the relationship between nature and culture.By providing a model for next practices and showcasing examples of initiatives and successful good practices, this guide supports the transformation of these practices into "next practices" that are innovative, adaptable, and tackle global challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change.

This publication presents findings from the Nordic Council of Ministers – Nordic Working Group for Biological Diversity-funded project MAB LAB: Man and the Biosphere – Local Actions for the Global Framework for Biodiversity.

'Sample collection – Local Actions for Biodiversity'

Inspiring examples from the Nordic UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

The interaction between nature and humanity is a critical focus in today's world. As we have distanced ourselves from nature, it's crucial to understand that in the Earth's ecosystem, one cannot take without also giving back.

Creating a better balance is imperative, necessitating a holistic approach to living, dwelling, and cultivating for the thriving of all species.

Establishing an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is one way to initiate local collaboration to strengthen the interactions with environments that sustainboth nature and people and support the UN Global Biodiversity Framework.

In this sample collection you will be inpired to take action in your localhood.

International backing

In June 2024, the work was presented at the EURO-MAB meeting taking place in Wittenberg, Germany and in July at the MAB-ICC meeting in Agadir, Morocco. The reactions from colleagues from the global MAB community and the UNESCO MAB Secretariat have been very positive. This has led to a proposal from the MAB Secretariat in Paris to organize joint webinars focusing on the translation of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

The MAB-LAB project is based on the NordMAB collaboration

Denmark
- Møn UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Katrine Ohm Dietrich) (Lead partner) - assisted by Mads Randbøll Wolff, Bæredygtighed 2030 and Nikolaj Sveistrup, Urban Agenda.
Sweden
- Vattenriket, Kristianstad (Carina Wettemark).
- Johanna MacTaggert, National koordinator MAB-program in Sweden/the swedish MAB committee.
Norway
- Nordhordland UNESCO biosphere reserve (Kari E. Natland).
- The Norwegian Biosphere Committee (Eva Hauge Fontaine).
Finland
- North Karelia Biosphere Reserve (Vilma Lehtovaara)
- Archipelago Sea biosphere reserve (Katja Bonnevier)
Iceland
- Snaefellsness Regional Park (Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir)