The Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has released the first draft of a new global biodiversity framework, to guide actions worldwide through 2030, to preserve and protect nature and its essential services to people.
Arriving following over two years of development, the draft framework will undergo further refinement during online negotiations in late summer 2021 before being presented for consideration at CBD’s next meeting of its 196 Parties at COP-15, in Kunming, China.
A new global framework for managing nature through 2030
The framework comprises 21 targets and 10 ‘milestones’ proposed for 2030, en route to ‘living in harmony with nature’ by 2050. Key targets include:
- Ensure at least 30% of land and sea areas globally (especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and its contributions to people) are conserved through effective, equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas (and other effective area-based conservation measures).
- Prevent or reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by 50%, and control or eradicate such species to eliminate or reduce their impacts.
- Reduce nutrients lost to the environment by at least half, pesticides by at least two-thirds, and eliminate discharge of plastic waste.
- Use ecosystem-based approaches to contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change, contributing at least 10 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e) per year to mitigation; and ensure that all mitigation and adaptation efforts avoid negative impacts on biodiversity.
- Redirect, repurpose, reform, or eliminate incentives harmful for biodiversity in a just and equitable way, reducing them by at least $500 billion per year.
- Increase financial resources from all sources by at least $200 billion per year, and increase international financial flows to developing countries by at least $10 billion per year to developing countries.
What is the framework?
The post-2020 global biodiversity framework builds on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and sets out an ambitious plan to implement broad-based action to bring about a transformation in society’s relationship with biodiversity, ensuring that by 2050 the shared vision of ‘living in harmony with nature’ is fulfilled.
The draft framework reflects input from the second meeting of a working group managing the development of the framework, as well as submissions received. The draft will be further updated in late summer with the benefit of input from the 24th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the 3rd meeting of the Subsidiary Body in Implementation, as well as the advice from thematic consultations.
Theory of change
The framework’s theory of change assumes that transformative actions are taken to deploy solutions to reduce threats to biodiversity. Actions should ensure that biodiversity is used sustainably in order to meet people’s needs.
It aims to ensure progress is monitored in a transparent and accountable manner with adequate stocktaking exercises to ensure that, by 2030, the world is on a path to reach the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.
The theory of change is complementary to and supportive of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also takes into account the long-term strategies and targets of other multilateral environment agreements, including the biodiversity-related Rio Conventions, to ensure synergistic delivery of benefits from all the agreements for the planet and people.
Partnerships and implementation
The framework is built upon the recognition that its implementation will be done in partnership with many organizations at the global, national, and local levels to leverage ways to build a momentum for success. Its implementation will take a rights-based approach, recognizing the principle of intergenerational equity.
Further, the framework’s theory of change acknowledges that its implementation will require the engagement of actors beyond governments to include, among others:
- Non-governmental organizations,
- Indigenous peoples and local communities,
- Women’s groups,
- Youth, and the,
- Business and finance community.
Read the First Draft of The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework:
This piece was originally published by CBD.