Protecting a third of the planet for nature by 2030: COP15 UN Biodiversity Summit
According to the 2019 UK State of Nature Report, of the 8,431 UK species assessed some 15% are now at risk of extinction, with the UK identified as being one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and so, the outcomes of the COP15 UN Biodiversity Summit are particularly relevant to us here in the UK and do indeed give some cause for hope.
In December representatives from 188 countries met in Montreal and at the end of a fortnight of discussions agreed the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). With 4 Goals (longer term, by 2050) and 23 Targets (shorter term, by 2030) it is a substantial achievement. The BBC summarises the main points of the deal as being:
Maintaining, enhancing and restoring ecosystems, including halting species extinction and maintaining genetic diversity
'Sustainable use' of biodiversity - essentially ensuring that species and habitats can provide the services they provide for humanity, such as food and clean water
Ensuring that the benefits of resources from nature, like medicines that come from plants, are shared fairly and equally and that indigenous peoples' rights are protected
Paying for and putting resources into biodiversity: Ensuring that money and conservation efforts get to where they are needed.
Possibly the most memorable of the quantified targets is the 30x30 one, target 3, which includes the words, ‘Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and protected’ and goes on to speak of ‘recognising and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities’. Currently 17% and 10% of the world’s terrestrial and marine areas respectively are under protection, making this a significant target.
In the UK our Wildlife Trusts are already working on this, see 30 by 30 | The Wildlife Trusts where they state that, ‘30% is the bare minimum that nature needs to start recovering’. They have plans for the seabed, the wider marine environment, hedgerows, woodlands and much more.
I thoroughly recommend reading the full press release (it is not a long read!) issued at the conclusion of the conference which can be found here. It begins with their own synopsis: ‘By 2030: Protect 30% of Earth’s lands, oceans, coastal areas, inland waters; Reduce by $500 billion annual harmful government subsidies; Cut food waste in half’.
The Framework has some really notable targets, but will the necessary implementation plans be put in place and real actions taken within the required timescale?
Warns the GBF: 'Without such action, there will be a further acceleration in the global rate of species extinction, which is already at least tens to hundreds of times higher than it has averaged over the past 10 million years.'
It will be our responsibility to do all we can, at local and national levels to make sure it does happen, especially to make sure that governments follow through with commitments made in Montreal.
Further Reading:
COP15 Biodiversity Agreement official press release