Biodiversity Symposium

The WSL Biodiversity Center is excited to announce its second “WSL Biodiversity Symposium” to be held on 6 December. The topic of this year is biodiversity and net-zero.

Switzerland aims to reduce domestic GHG emissions by at least 50% compared to 1990 by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. In the sustainability discourse, the role of biodiversity in achieving net zero is increasingly recognized: nature positive, nature-based solutions, and restoration are now buzzwords among policy makers, the private sector, and NGOs. On the other hand, net-zero pledges, such as monoculture plantations, can exacerbate biodiversity loss.  

How can biodiversity help us get to net zero? How do net zero strategies impact biodiversity? What structural changes are needed to promote synergies between climate change and biodiversity targets?  In our second WSL Biodiversity Symposium, we are bringing together three outstanding speakers—with diverse perspectives and backgrounds—to share their expertise on this topic:

• Jaboury Ghazoul, ETH Zurich
• Zoe Stadler, OST –  Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences
• Sascha Ismail, Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) · Swiss Biodiversity Forum

Last year our symposium was packed full of learning, inspiration, and celebration, and we know this year will continue the tradition.

15:30 - 15:40   Welcome

15:40 - 16:10   Jaboury Ghazoul (ETH Zurich): Biodiversity in Tropical Agricultural Landscapes: Ecology and Governance

16:10 - 16:40   Zoe Stadler (OST –  Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences): Swiss energy system - today and in the future

16:40 - 17:10   Sascha Ismail (Swiss Biodiversity Forum): Developing criteria for biodiversity and landscape-friendly planning of renewable energies expansion

17:10 - 17:15   End of symposium 

17:15 onwards   Apéro & raffle

The symposium is hybrid, and attendance is free and open to everyone.

In-person attendance

Due to room capacity constraints, in-person access is granted on a first come first served basis. 

WSL staff members: please register using the Intranet form.

External participants: if you would like to join us in WSL Birmensdorf, please e-mail us at events-biodiversity@wsl.ch.

Online attendance

The symposium (talks) will broadcast live. 

Zoom webinar link (ID: 643 2199 9394; password: 425816)

Visit our website to learn more about the WSL Biodiversity Center and our events.

Please send an email to events-biodiversity(at)wsl.ch if you would like to be updated on the activities of the WSL Biodiversity Center.