FLEG II supports several activities related to the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB). The regional analysis of the outcomes of the national-level TEEB scoping studies for the forestry sectors of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia has now been completed by the consultant hired by WWF-Caucasus Programme Office. Stakeholder feedback was received through the public consultation as well as a common meeting in person (held in Tbilisi on 29 April 2015).

Main objectives of the study were to conduct comparative analysis of the outcomes of the national scoping studies, identifying lessons learned as well as best practices. Overall recommendations were also to be elaborated on possible ways of improving forest management in each country. The following are major outcomes of the study:

• Forests provide very significant ecosystem services, essential for the sustainable development of the Caucasus countries
• These forests are under serious threat due to over-use, poorly planned infrastructure, climate change and unsustainable management in general
• Weak policy and institutional frameworks add to these problems
• “Business as Usual” (i.e. continuation of present practices) is not an option, because this would eventually lead to the depletion of forest resources
• Ecological and social functions of forests and their importance for sustainable development should never be underestimated
• It is important to implement full-scale TEEB studies to demonstrate economic advantages of sustainable forestry (alongside with ecological and social aspects).

Roadmaps for implementing full-scale TEEB studies for the forestry sectors of the three countries have also been outlined.

TEEB is a global initiative focused on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity including the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the values of ecosystem services & biodiversity.

The full report document (in English and Russian) is attached.