National Biodiversity Commission

Background

Austria ratified the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. One year later, in 1995, the National Biodiversity Commission (NBC) was established with the aim of providing a platform for all responsible actors, stakeholders, affected parties, and experts. Within the framework of the Commission, matters related to the implementation of the CBD were primarily discussed. Various aspects of biodiversity were also addressed, and information was exchanged.

In 2014, this form of composition of the NBC was dissolved. The Ministry of the Environment introduced a new nomination procedure to establish the NBC as a commission to advise the minister on matters of biological diversity in accordance with Section 8 of the Federal Ministries Act. In its first session in 2014, the NBC adopted its rules of procedure.

Tasks according to the rules of procedure

The National Biodiversity Commission advises the responsible minister on national, EU, and international matters concerning biological diversity and ecosystem services. In particular, it accompanies the development, evaluation, and implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy. In this context, the National Biodiversity Commission has the following main tasks:

• Advising and issuing statements and recommendations on questions of biological diversity and ecosystem services at the national, EU, and international level.

• Coordinating and issuing recommendations on the development, adoption, and evaluation of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy, as well as the achievement of national biodiversity targets.

• Coordinating national biodiversity reports, particularly those related to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

• Developing, coordinating, and recommending national positions for the Conferences of the Parties of the CBD and for meetings of its subsidiary bodies.

• Facilitating the exchange of information and experiences in the field of biological diversity.

Frequency of meetings

Meetings are held at least once per calendar year.

Members

Members of the National Biodiversity Commission include ministries, federal states, social partners, universities, federal agencies, NGOs, and various interest groups, including landowners.

The chairperson is Miss Gabriele Obermayr, Head of the Biodiversity Unit at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environment Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK).