Global collaboration unleashes expertise in Costa Rica: FAO LEAP Partnership advances implementation of innovative guidelines
Over 60 participants from 27 countries converge in San Jose, Costa Rica, and virtually to drive forward FAO Guidelines on Ecosystem Services and Circular Bioeconomy Approaches
The FAO LEAP Partnership recently convened a gathering of experts in Costa Rica to advance the implementation of groundbreaking guidelines. More than 60 participants, representing 27 countries, converged both physically in San Jose, Costa Rica, and virtually to delve into the practical application of the new FAO guidelines on Ecosystem Services and Circular Bioeconomy Approaches.
The resounding success of the second Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting, orchestrated by the FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership, was met with applause from attending experts, members, and leaders. This crucial meeting marked a significant step forward in the implementation of guidelines on Ecosystem Services and Circular Bioeconomy Approaches.
Highlights from the meeting
The second TAG meeting in San Jose materialized through collaborative efforts between the LEAP Technical Secretariat and the FAO office in Costa Rica, providing unwavering support throughout the organization and duration of the event.
The opening session on Tuesday, November 28, featured the participation of key figures such as Fernando Vargas, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica, Maria Elena Herrera from the National Forestry Financing Fund (FONAFIFO), and Laura Brenes Peralta from the Costa Rican Institute of Technology (ITCR). The subsequent three days saw experts convene in two distinct groups, led by coordinators, to further the implementation and revision phases of the guidelines.
Circular bioeconomy approaches
In addressing the escalating global population and food demand, the livestock sector plays a pivotal role in tackling the challenge of food and nutrition security. Circular bioeconomy approaches, encompassing efficient livestock production methodologies, strive to curtail resource consumption by advocating for the judicious use of materials and energy through waste and residue reuse and recycling.
While research on bioeconomy has surged in recent times, with numerous studies exploring recovery options for livestock residues and agri-food industry waste, a missing link exists in the form of a comprehensive database and methodologies to assess the livestock sector's potential contribution to circular bioeconomy approaches. The FAO LEAP Partnership's goal in developing guidelines is to compare the environmental footprint of alternative recovery options.
Ecosystem services
Livestock, integral to maintaining rural landscapes and household economies, has been the subject of debates regarding its environmental impacts, animal welfare, and human health. Despite this, the services provided by livestock farming systems to society are often neglected and seldom quantified.
Though several studies propose the deployment of indicators in life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate ecosystem services, knowledge gaps persist in developing corresponding characterization factors for integration into the impact assessment phase of LCA. LEAP's guidelines aim to map and evaluate activities related to ecosystem services at different scales, incorporating common principles, definitions, classifications, accounting rules, and impact assessment procedures.
Excursion experience
Concluding the meetings, the Partnership extended an invitation to all experts for an excursion to "Hacienda la Quina" and "Hacienda Tulin," two historic farms specializing in milk and dairy production in the province of Puntarenas. This immersive experience allowed experts to witness production processes up close, engaging in discussions on livestock management techniques and the daily operations overseen by the dedicated producers. Among the applause of the present experts, members and leaders, the second Technical Advisory Group meeting organized by the FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership for the implementation of the guidelines on Ecosystem Services and Circular Bioeconomy Approaches concluded successfully.
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