International conference of island and coastal biosphere reserves: climate change and island and coastal ecosystems

Final report:

This document reports on the conference convened in Jeju, Republic of Korea, on 3-6 December 2008, aimed at discussing and exchanging information and experiences on the following issues: (i) awareness of the impacts of climate change in island and coastal ecosystems; (ii) climate change research, adaptation and mitigation, and the use of biosphere reserves as a model and learning sites for sustainable development; and (iii) strengthening international cooperation for climate change mitigation and adaptation for island and coastal biosphere reserves.

The report includes essential recommendations for follow-up actions in an important document called “Jeju Declaration”, which serves as a guideline for developing and strengthening international cooperation among those island coastal and biosphere reserves, and defining a strategic mechanism to come up with an integrated solution combining education, conservation and sustainable development to deal with global climate change issues.