Stop deforestation!



2006

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At the end of 2005, the world’s largest rainforest was in a state of emergency. Millions of fish rotted in dried ponds and tributaries of the Amazon. For scientists, the reasons for this catastrophe are obvious: rainforest deforestation, climate change, and the destruction of the environment are taking their toll.

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees, together with ETH Zurich and the Prime Forestry Group, funded Project ‘Stop Deforestation‘ a follow-up project from the 2004 Conference, at the end of 2005. Members of the ISIACC (International Student Initiative for Action on Climate Change), the YES Alumni students as well as representatives of important local institutions train a Scientific Advisory Team (STAP).

Their goal was to develop alternatives and to persuade politicians. And they were able to achieve a lot!

Read more about this important project

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In a first step, four regional teams conducted intensive basic research in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Brazil.

They identified key activities as well as the core areas. The analysis also addressed the relevant legal framework and principles of climate change mitigation.

Subsequently, the regional reports underwent an extensive four-stage evaluation.

The background research formed the basis for preparing the ‘Engelberg Declaration’ and the supporting policy paper.

Interim Report June 2007

On the initiative of ETHsustainability and Academia Engelberg, ISIACC was launched as a start-up with two core teams in Brazil and Colombia in order to further support and deepen the process.

Local events for academicians and politicians are being held. Thereafter, the process for future development will be drawn up with the objective of making a positive contribution to climate change in Latin America and to the forest’s important role.

The forest’s ecosystem (biodiversity, rainforest deforestation) is to be maintained by the local population through sustainable use.

With this project, Academia Engelberg has been able to provide a major boost for the sustainable use of the rainforest in Latin America.

Final Report 2008

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Donators and Partners

The ETH Board is responsible for the strategic leadership of the ETH domain and assumes the supervision of its institutions. Its close relationship with the ETH Council has contributed to the successful continuation of Academia Engelberg Foundation since 2000.

The Foundation promotes research into the connecting human fundamentals of science. Academia Engelberg Foundation and the Foundation for Basic Research in Human Sciences have entered into a cooperation agreement for the period 2011 to 2015.

Helvetia is a quality-oriented comprehensive insurance company with over 150 years of experience. Academia Engelberg Foundation is convinced it will be able to use important synergies from the partnership starting in 2015.

A partnership with the University of Lucerne has existed since summer 2013. Since 2016 we have also a parthership with the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Lucerne. Through these partnerships, synergies are used and joint projects are tested and realized. The University of Lucerne currently consists of three faculties: the faculties for Theology, Culture and Social Sciences, and Law.