The African Wildlife Basis (AWF) commends the numerous developments made on the UN Biodiversity Convention, COP16, which concluded in Cali, Colombia on November 2. It highlighted a strengthened international resolve to advertise inclusive, equitable, and sustainable conservation efforts. Nonetheless, the dearth of closure in negotiations and the suspension of the assembly sends a transparent message that extra work must be accomplished to achieve a standard settlement on substantive points associated to reversing biodiversity loss globally.
The convention was meant as a essential standing verify on the world’s progress towards defending biodiversity, and all indicators are actually flashing crimson. Whereas taking part international locations have been urged to submit both nationwide targets or revised nationwide biodiversity methods and motion plans for the convention, solely 115 international locations out of a doable 196 submitted nationwide targets and 36 offered nationwide biodiversity methods and motion plans aligned to the International Biodiversity Framework (the agreed set of targets and methods adopted COP15 in 2022).
Chief amongst our issues is that international locations will not be on monitor to satisfy the goal of defending 30% of the world’s land and water by 2030—an important purpose to curb biodiversity loss and forestall the degradation of ecosystems important to planetary well being. “That is under goal and with out substantial progress in conserving essential ecosystems, the cascading penalties for all international locations might be extreme, affecting meals safety, local weather resilience, and international stability,” famous Frederick Kwame Kumah, AWF’s International Management and Coverage lead.
Finance stays the first sticking level, with a notable disconnect between pledges and the extent of funding vital to satisfy the targets. Regardless of expectations that US $20 billion can be dedicated to conserving the planet’s biodiversity by 2025, contributions to the International Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) have solely reached a paltry US $370 million. Moreover, there was nearly no development in shifting dangerous subsidies that drive deforestation, air pollution, and different types of environmental destruction. “Whereas 46 African international locations have submitted nationwide targets with Uganda among the many first globally to submit an up to date nationwide biodiversity technique motion plan, the suspension of COP16 and not using a choice on useful resource mobilization indicators a pause at a essential juncture, underscoring the necessity for larger cooperation and funding to show commitments into actionable change” emphasised Simangele Msweli, AWF’s senior supervisor for youth packages.
Regardless of the disappointing finish to negotiations in Cali, Colombia. AWF acknowledges sure steps ahead:
- The creation of the Subsidiary Board for Full and Efficient Participation of Indigenous Peoples and Native Communities (IPLCs) in work undertaken beneath the Conference on Organic Range, is a landmark achievement that acknowledges the essential position IPLCs play in safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity. This physique might be a basic technique of guaranteeing IPLCs have a proper platform to contribute their deep-rooted data and expertise, which have been very important for efficient conservation practices. This step aligns with AWF’s mission to raise IPLCs in conservation governance, fostering culturally respectful and ecologically sound insurance policies.
- The institution of the Cali Fund for benefit-sharing from the usage of Digital Sequencing Data (DSI). This underscores a dedication to creating equity within the utilization of pure property and their elements. AWF helps efforts that empower native and Indigenous communities to entry the financial advantages derived from their biodiversity assets, guaranteeing that these assets are utilized sustainably and ethically. This consequence promotes a conservation mannequin that preserves pure habitats and contributes to financial resilience and long-term neighborhood improvement.
- The elevation of the necessity to acknowledge and assist the important position performed by Afro-descendant communities in conservation as a testomony to their historic and ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship. AWF celebrates this acknowledgment as a step towards correcting long-standing inequities and guaranteeing these communities have a voice in shaping conservation methods that affect their lands and livelihoods. By championing their contributions, COP16 paves the best way for extra inclusive partnerships and the combination of various views that enrich conservation efforts.
- The adoption of the first-ever International Plan for Biodiversity and Well being acknowledges the intricate hyperlink between ecosystem well being and human wellbeing. This consequence underscores that conserving biodiversity is an environmental crucial and a public well being precedence. Because the world navigates post-pandemic restoration, AWF helps the safety and restoration of pure habitats to strengthen resilience towards future well being crises. We urge international companions to combine well being concerns into conservation methods, fostering partnerships between public well being, environmental sectors, and native communities to advertise a holistic, nature-based strategy to international well being safety.
With the United Nations Convention on Local weather, COP29, starting November 11, 2024, AWF commends the biodiversity convention negotiators for reaffirming the essential connection between biodiversity conservation and local weather motion, emphasizing the significance of cooperation between biodiversity and local weather conventions.
“Addressing the intertwined biodiversity and local weather crises is crucial for reaching lasting, impactful options. AWF champions cohesive insurance policies and collaborative methods, emphasizing the significance of forging stronger partnerships and guaranteeing strong commitments to local weather and conservation finance to co-design initiatives that construct resilience, significantly in areas like Africa, the place the twin impacts of local weather change and biodiversity loss are most extreme. Dedicated to fairness, effectiveness, and the urgency of collective motion, we stand able to work hand in hand with international companions to drive significant progress that aligns with the aspirations of all dedicated to this very important mission,” affirmed Kaddu Sebunya, AWF CEO.