Humanity have always theoretically known the importance of saving the nature, all its species and their diversity. But practically, we started to pay attention only when we had experienced problems the hard way. Conference Of the Parties – has recently (19.12.22) approved a deal to save a third of the planet for the flora and fauna by 2030.
COP 15 – 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The place of holding was changed from China to Montreal, Canada due to the Covid-19. So the last meeting, which unironically was called ‘Nature’s last chance’ went from 7th to 19th December 2022, and on Monday 19th The Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement was finally signed up by almost 200 countries. The main goals that this agreement has, are:
– Restore 30% degraded ecosystems globally (on land and sea) by 2030
– Conserve and manage 30% areas (terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine) by 2030
– Stop the extinction of known species, and by 2050 reduce tenfold the extinction risk and rate of all species (including unknown)
– Reduce risk from pesticides by at least 50% by 2030
– Reduce nutrients lost to the environment by at least 50% by 2030
– Reduce pollution risks and negative impacts of pollution from all sources by 2030 to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions
– Reduce global footprint of consumption by 2030, including through significantly reducing overconsumption and waste generation and halving food waste
– Sustainably manage areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and forestry and substantially increase agroecology and other biodiversity-friendly practices
– Tackle climate change through nature-based solutions
– Reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030
– Secure the safe, legal and sustainable use and trade of wild species by 2030
Green up urban spaces.
This is a direct list of key global targets the agreement has. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7834
Is it a perfect deal? Obviously it is not. The COP15 agreement is NOT legally blinded, that means that part of obligations are rather informal. We all obviously are strive to save our planet and its nature, and this deal is a great growth over almost 9 years in this direction. Chine, as a country that was in charge of the summit, prepared the draft of agreement on Sunday 18th. The Democratic Republic of Congo had an objection towards signing it up. Their argument was based on contributions to fund conservation in developing countries. Despite it, the decision was successfully made.
Georgina Chandler – is an employee of UNFCCC twitted about this event from her perspective, as a worker, right after The Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement was signed up:
Generally, remarks of famous eco-activists and figures who lead nature recovery communities are positive. For example, Sue Lieberman from Wildlife Conservation Society said that it has “Positive elements”. The Green Party welcomed the deal as well. However, Tony Juniper described it as “weak” in his twit:
Currently, many think it is not a finish point in this case, but just a fundament point for a better future. We’ll see the process and progress of next COP summits, and will hope they know how to save our nature 🙂
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64019324
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7834
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2022/12/press-release-nations-adopt-four-goals-23-targets-for-2030-in-landmark-un-biodiversity-agreement/
https://news.sky.com/story/cop-15-delegates-agree-to-protect-30-per-cent-of-the-world-by-2030-12771245
https://www.unep.org/un-biodiversity-conference-cop-15
https://www.cbd.int/cop/
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/historic-outcome-cop15-chance-keep-our-planet-livable-generations-come_en