The biosphere region Berchtesgadener Land was recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1990. Having already successfully passed two periodic reviews, the biosphere region is currently (2021/2022) undergoing the third evaluation process.
In UNESCO biosphere reserves, model approaches for a sustainable life in harmony with nature are to be tested and implemented. The activities are based on the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Man and the Biosphere Programme. To ensure that the biosphere reserves really do meet the requirements of a model region for sustainable development, UNESCO reviews every ten years whether the more than 700 biosphere reserves recognised by it may continue to retain their designation.
In addition to the evaluation report on the activities of the past ten years in the biosphere region, a central component is a visit by members of the German National Committee for the UNESCO programme “Der Mensch und die Biosphäre” (MAB). For this purpose, representatives of the MAB National Committee, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the Federal Agency for Nature and other experts travelled to the Berchtesgadener Land from 4-6 October 2021. In addition to the exchange on the first draft report, the participants of the visit were also able to experience the biosphere region - i.e. to get to know projects and activities that take place in the region.
The results of the discussions during the visit will be incorporated into the final report, which will be submitted to the German MAB National Committee in spring 2022 and, after translation into English, to the UN. The IfLS was commissioned to assist in the preparation of the "Periodic Review Report".
Contact persons at IfLS: Svea Thietje (thietje[at]ifls.de) and Dr. Ulrich Gehrlein (gehrlein[at]ifls.de)
News details
Visit of the MAB National Committee to the biosphere region Berchtesgadener Land
