Castilla-La Mancha has an important natural heritage. In this region, one of the largest and at the same time most depopulated in the European Union, the forest area occupies 3.7 million hectares, 46% of its territory and its Natura 2000 Network extends over 1.8 million hectares. It has 113 protected natural areas housing key species such as the imperial eagle, Iberian lynx and an important avifauna linked to its wetlands and steppe environments.
To reinforce the value of this natural heritage, the Government of Castilla-La Mancha has recently created the ‘Alliance for ecosystem services‘.
The first Forum of this Alliance aims to promote the cooperation of the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha with companies, foundations, and NGOs committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal. It is a pioneering initiative and an essential event for entities that understand the importance of considering the value of natural capital in corporate decision-making and as an essential element for the quality of life of society as a whole.
The Forum will bring together representatives of companies and financial institutions, public administrations and civil society to share and create opportunities for collaboration with which to promote best practices for the enhancement of biodiversity and other ecosystem services.
On October 26, during the introductory conference, Sven Wunder, Principal Scientist at the EFI Mediterranean Facility, will give a keynote speech on ecosystem services.