The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere

🌍 INVITATION to our Biosphere Partnership Meeting: Sustainable Economic Development in Action! 🌱 We’re thrilled to invite you to an inspiring gathering of local businesses, organisations, and leaders committed to embedding sustainability into their operations. On January 16th, this will take place in the stunning Globe Room at Projects, a #BCorp certified coworking space in the heart of Brighton Lanes. Chaired by Corinne Day, our Thematic Lead on Regenerative Business, and joined by Martin Harris, Chair of The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere. 👉 Register here for this FREE event: https://lnkd.in/emviwnWH The #agenda will cover: An introduction by Martin Harris and Corinne Day, Director at Newhaven Enterprise Zone together with the biosphere team: - Introducing our UNESCO UK Biosphere remit on sustainable economic development. - Overview of local initiatives and tools available to local businesses in their sustainability journey. #The B Lab UK journey – local businesses’ testimonies: 📋Projects - a coworking space, “the home for better business”: Sharing what the #BCorp certification stands for and how they embed it with the businesses they welcome on a daily basis. ⚖️ Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors– a Sussex-based law firm: Dean Orgill, Chief Partner, will shed light on how their B Corp certification impacts their business decisions and ensures a balance between purpose, people, and profit. 🥦 The Seasons Wholefoods – an organic food business in East Sussex: Robin Walden, Director, will share his experience about running a 'Regenerative Business' with his Local Economic Development model. 📣 Midnight Communications - a PR Communications agency in Brighton: Alex Hankinson, Joint Managing Director, will tell us how their B Corp certification impacts their operations. #OtherOutstandingCertificationsAndNetworks: 🏞️ Our South Downs – The sustainably minded business network for the South Downs National Park: Chris Hannon, Sustainable Business Strategy Lead, will tell us about the community of micro and small businesses created to support local businesses in their pursuit of sustainability…in the #SouthDowns! 🌐The United Nations Global Compact UK – the UK branch of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with over 900 in the UK. Steve Kenzie, Executive Director, will share how they help major UK businesses navigate business sustainability requirements while ensuring commercial success. 💡 Clean Growth UK – accompanying local businesses in their transition to a low-carbon economy, with a local hub based at the University of Brighton. 🔬 Marco Picco, Innovation Lead, will explain how their #NetZero360 programme, carbon calculator, training workshops, and innovation sessions are providing businesses with a comprehensive pathway to achieving net-zero emissions. 🍸Then it will be time for Calls to Action, Q&A & Informal drinks #CSR #BusinessForGood #PositiveImpact

🚲🌍 Celebrating #WorldSustainableTransportDay: A Cleaner, Safer Future! Did you know? - Transport is responsible for 20% of global CO2 emissions. - In the UK, surface transport (that's cars & trains!) generates 24% of all carbon emissions. The good news? Sustainable travel is generally accessible and good for our health & wellbeing: If we all change some of our daily habits, switching to walking, cycling, riding on the bus or the train, car-sharing, the impact can be massive and…cost-efficient! 🚍 Leading the Way in Clean Public Transport Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus is paving the way! With 90 zero-emission buses running through the city centre and Big Lemon groundbreaking launch of the UK’s first solar-powered bus in 2018, public transport is proving how innovation can drive cleaner air and a healthier future. 🚴♀️ Pedaling Toward Progress E-cargo bikes are a game-changer. With local businesses, making the switch for deliveries, cutting emissions while reducing congestion. Meanwhile, Beryl Bikes and Donkey Republic are helping residents and visitors embrace cycling every day. It’s proof that small wheels can make a big difference. 🚶 Safer Streets, Happier Communities Across the biosphere councils and groups are working to create safer and quieter streets with Adur & Worthing Councils Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan and Lewes Living Streets by making walking and cycling easy and enjoyable, they’re helping us breathe cleaner air and feel more connected to our neighborhoods. 🚂 Trains for Long Journeys For longer distances, trains offer a great sustainable option. Operators like GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway) Southern Railway, Gatwick Express and Southeastern Railway reduce road traffic and emissions, offering a low-carbon way to travel between communities. The Benefits? Save Money: Walking, cycling, and public transport often cost far less than owning and running a car—an important consideration during the cost-of-living crisis. Cleaner Air: Fewer vehicles mean fresher air and healthier communities. Check out the new live air quality map by Brighton & Hove City Council in the comments below Safer Roads: Reduced traffic congestion lowers accident risks, making streets safer for everyone. A Healthier Planet: Each sustainable trip contributes to tackling climate change and protecting wildlife. We’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite walking, cycling, bus, or train routes in the comments. Let’s inspire each other to embrace sustainable travel and make better choices for our communities and the planet. #SustainableTransport #CarbonReduction #ZeroEmissions #CleanAir #RoadSafety #SDG3 #GoodHealthAndWellbeing #SDG11 #SustainableCitiesAndCommunities Tom Druitt Vicky Doyle Michael Bishop Tracy Jarvis Stacey Churton Jason Brooker BSc (Hons) MSc FIEMA CEnv Stagecoach Bus Compass Travel Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) United Nations UNESCO

Doing some R&D for #WildHouse at the The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere #changingChalk site at the urban rewilding site, Waterhall There is a beautifully managed dew pond there, dug in 1999 and full of life. I've long been entranced by the sounds of photosynthesis but never taken the time to explore differences between plants. Out of curiosity, I explored whether different species have distinct acoustic signatures ... This is from the water lillies in the centre of the image Controlled studies needed for conclusive results, but you can listen to the results of a one hour experiment here. What do you think? https://lnkd.in/eFGUkKAh #experimentalEcologies as part of #WildHouse, funded by @ecological.citizens and led by Nick Gant

Today, the world leaders start gathering at #COP29, the United Nations Climate Change conference, in #Baku, COP29 Azerbaijan Just like IPCC have long highlighted would happen in their scientific reports, we are now experiencing extreme weather events on our doorstep with, just in the past few weeks, record-breaking floods in Spain, violent storms in Florida and wildfires in South America. And locally in #Sussex, various flood warnings were issued over the past weeks, faced with heavy rainfall. Whether we like it or now, Climate Change is happening and needs action at all levels. Here’s what’s on the agenda for #COP29: 🏭 Finalizing Carbon Market Rules: Establishing a global carbon market for countries and companies to reduce emissions 🌐 COP29 will work to finalize these carbon market rules—vital to driving down global emissions and accelerating the transition to cleaner practices. 🌿 Scaling Up Support for Vulnerable Nations: With rising sea levels 🌊 and more extreme weather 🌪️, COP29 is prioritizing support for countries already feeling the impacts, with a focus on resilience-building and funding to protect communities from these intensifying challenges. 💸 Delivering the $100 Billion Climate Finance Promise: Developed nations committed to $100 billion annually to support climate efforts in developing countries, but the promise is still unmet. Securing this funding is crucial so all nations- especially those hit hardest by climate change- can grow sustainably and strengthen their defences against climate impacts. 🌡️ Meeting the Paris Agreement Goals: Six years since the #ParisAgreement, COP29 is a crucial step to keep global warming well below 2°C 🌡️, with a goal to limit it to 1.5°C. The stakes are high, and the challenges are real. COP29 isn’t just a conference—it’s a worldwide call to action. Leaders, advocates, and communities are pushing for meaningful change that protects our planet. However, the road ahead will require continued commitment, innovation, and collaboration from all of us. At local level, many actions are being taken to protect residents and adapt, including some led by our Biosphere Partners. Pease share / tag local projects tackling climate change that inspire you 👇 And so many more tagged

📢 Don't miss out! Be a part of making youth voices heard and supported within The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere by becoming a youth representative. Apply now 👇

🎉 Happy #InternationalDayforBiosphereReserves! #Biosphere reserves are incredible places where people and nature thrive together, designated by UNESCO to balance conservation, sustainable development, and community engagement. They serve as living labs, delivering real solutions for a sustainable future that benefit both locally and globally! 🌱💚 Check out these incredible facts showing how biospheres benefit people and nature globally. We are proud to be part of this international network, with over 700 biospheres worldwide, and just seven in the UK #WeAreBiosphere Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere, North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere, UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Our work contributes to global efforts for a greener future while bringing benefits through local projects that enhance #biodiversity, strengthen #communities, and support #SustainableDevelopement 🌿🤝. Together with our partners, and community we’re looking ahead—check out our updated vision for the next decade to see how we’ll continue leading the way with local projects that contribute to international sustainability efforts! 🌎💫 Check it out below 👇 Don't forget to tell us your favourite project you've been involved with as part of a biosphere! This beautiful map by English artist Tom Woolley, showcases UNESCO sites and biosphere reserves across the UK! UK National Commission for UNESCO 🗺️🎨 A great way to see the link between heritage and sust ainability. https://lnkd.in/eP8UaPDz

Exciting news! UNESCO has invited schools, students, and communities to join the global #GreeningEducation campaign, and we’re proud to be part of it! 🌍 Check out this video all about Our City Our World, an #EnvironmentalEducation programme in Brighton & Hove City Council. They're empowering our students and schools to lead the charge in building a climate-ready future. Let’s inspire others to join the movement and create a sustainable world together! UNESCO Chair on Environmental Education, UK National Commission for UNESCO , UNESCO Venice, James Ömer Bridge FRSA, Matt Rabagliati , Megumi Watanabe, Aisling Parrish, Dave Chapman, John Carmichael, Liam Smyth, Charlie Kennedy, Meriem Bouamrane, Jing Fang , #LetsGoNetZero, Katie Eberstein, Rob Sandercock, Martin Harris, Christopher Sandom, Nick Gant, Sarah Dobson, Mélanie David-Durand, Perpetua Kirby, United Nations, UNESCO #GreeningEducation, Biosffer Dyfi UNESCO Biosphere, UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere 📷 Robert Bray Associates 📷 Sam Moore 📷 Anne Purkiss

🌍 Today marks the start of #COP16! 🌿 Did you know that the United Nations organise two major #COPs every year (“Conferences of the Parties”)? You’ve probably heard of COP focused on climate change, now approaching its 29th meeting. But there’s also a COP dedicated to biodiversity, #COP16 🌳🐝 Also kown as the Convention on Biological Diversity (#CBD), this week, COP16 kicks off in #Cali, #Colombia UN Biodiversity And just yesterday the UK announced Ruth Davis as the first envoy for nature as the "Special Representative for Nature" for COP16. Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted at the announcement that "We depend on nature in every aspect of our lives – it underpins our economy, health and society – and yet progress to restore our wildlife and habitats has been too slow. Ruth’s extensive knowledge and expertise will be vital to help us deliver on our commitments to put nature on the road to recovery.” 🌿 This year’s theme, Peace with Nature, brings nations together to discuss the #KunmingMontrealGlobalBiodiversityFramework (#GBF), a landmark plan agreed at #COP15 in 2022 aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. At COP16, nations will: - Align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (#NBSAPs) with the Kunming-Montreal Framework. - Strengthen monitoring frameworks for tracking progress. - Mobilize resources for successful implementation of biodiversity goals. Check out the logo above! It features an “Inírida” as the “eternal flower”, a plant with remarkable ability to withstand extreme weather and to survive both floods and spells of drought. The COP 16 emblem tells a story of resilience at a time when the world grapples with the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Keep up with what's happening at COP16 here: Conference of the Parties (COP) (cbd.int) The actions of COP16 will set the stage for #COP29 in #Baku, #Azerbaijan next month, where global discussions will shift to #climate change. UN Environment Programme UK National Commission for UNESCO UNESCO United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) IPBES Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment Agency RSPB