THE YEAR 2023 begins with a new blueprint for conservation of biological diversity, its sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from its use. As many as 188 nations, gathered at Montreal, Canada in December 2022, adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) after 13 days of negotiations. "We have reached a historical, iconic outcome document, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. I believe that this document can guide us all in our efforts to hold and reverse biodiversity loss and put biodiversity on the path to recovery for the benefit of all humanity, especially our children and grandchildren," said Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment of China and president of COP15.
Implementation would be key to ensuring that the world meets the 23 targets identified in the framework by 2030, along with the four overarching goals that have to be reached by 2050. It will not be an easy road as Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, points out. "I will be honest. Time is not on our side. We have backed nature into a corner, and it is time to ease the pressure." However, she adds that nature will bounce back if given a chance. This makes implementation of the framework an urgency.
Finalisation of the roadmap was already delayed by two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and members have to scramble fast to make up for the lost time. Despite three decades of work, countries have failed to meet the objectives of CBD, and the framework provides an opportunity for a fresh start.
PLAN TO UNDO DAMAGE
Nations adopt four goals, 23 targets in Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Goals for 2050:
This story is from the January 01, 2023 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 01, 2023 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
In leading role again
MOVIES AND WEB SERIES ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING SET IN RUSTIC BACKGROUNDS, INDICATING A RECONNECT BETWEEN CINEMA AND THE COUNTRYSIDE
One Nation One Subscription comes at a huge cost
As top US universities scrap big deals with top scientific publishers, India’s ONOS scheme seems flawed and outdated
Return of Rambhog
Bid to revive and sell the aromatic indigenous paddy variety has led to substantial profits for farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Terai region
Scarred by mining
Natural springs of Kashmir drying up due to illegal riverbed mining
Human-to-human spread a mutation away
CANADA IN mid-November confirmed its first human case of avian influenza, with a teenager in the British Columbia being hospitalised after contracting the H5N1 virus that causes the disease. The patient developed a severe form of the disease, also called bird flu, and had respiratory issues. There was no known cause of transmission.
True rehabilitation
Residents of Madhya Pradesh's Kakdi village take relocation as an opportunity to undertake afforestation, develop sustainable practices
INESCAPABLE THREAT
Chemical pollution is the most underrated and underreported risk of the 21st century that threatens all species and regions
THAT NIGHT, 40 YEARS AGO
Bhopal gas disaster is a tragedy that people continue to face
A JOKE, INDEED
A CONFERENCE OF IRRESPONSIBLE PARTIES THAT CREATED AN OPTICAL ILLUSION TO THE REALITY OF A NEW CLIMATE
THINGS FALL APART
THE WORLD HAS MADE PROGRESS IN MITIGATING EMISSIONS AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE IMPACTS. BUT THE PROGRESS REMAINS GROSSLY INADEQUATE
