Rio Conventions Pavilion TV, CBD COP11 (17/10/2012) – Pavan Sukhdev, study leader of the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity programme and newly appointed UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, discusses the importance of ecosystem services for the rural poor.

Sukhdev emphasises that once the value of the invisible and essential services provided by ecosystems is accounted for, the nature of the livelihoods of the poorest people can be understood.

Sukhdev outlines the findings of the latest TEEB study which found that 45% of the livelihoods of the Indian rural poor is dependent on their immediate ecosystem, with an even higher proportion of livelihoods deriving from nature in rural Indonesia and Brazil.

Sukhdev stresses that biodiversity is not merely a luxury for the rich but a necessity for the poor.

Sukhdev finishes by sharing how the findings of TEEB reports have potential to be implemented by governments.