Under the Dresden Declaration on Biosphere Reserves and Climate Change, Biosphere Reserves are an effective instrument for mitigating climate change and serve as models for adaptation to the impacts of this change. Biosphere Reserves as model areas for sustainable development are of particular importance for shaping a new understanding of the relationship between environmental conservation, sustainable development, and climate change.

Taking into account the significant role of Biosphere Reserves in combating the effects of climate change scientists have developed the concept of ecosystem-based adaptation: an adaptation to a changed climate following the principles of nature. This concept began to be implemented in Ukraine in early September 2018 as part of the German project "Ecosystem Based Climate Adaptation." For this project, three biosphere reserves were selected on the territory of Ukraine: Biosphere reserves Desna, Roztochya and West Polesie. The project will inform about climate change and its impact and support the population in developing adaptation strategies. The project targets locals, land users and managers of biosphere reserves as well as decision-makers at the regional and national level.

It is important to note that the purpose of the project is to consolidate the concept of ecosystem adaptation to climate change, which is consistent with the principles of nature, but to demonstrate it in practice.

I take part in this project as a third party as an employee of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine. Besides, within the framework of the project, I carry out my research on the implementation of the concept of biosphere reserves in Ukrainian legislation. The preliminary results of the research on this issue will be presented at the twentieth Student Conference on Conservation Science in Cambridge, 26-28 March 2019.

Lastly, I want to add that I sincerely believe in the idea of biosphere reserves and their positive impact on climate change and sustainable development in general. As one of the participants of "2017 MAB Youth Forum" said: “Biosphere reserves are our future, let’s develop it!”

Hope to see some of you, guys, in Cambridge this year!