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1st draft of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework released
On 12 July 2021, the 1st draft of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework debuted. This comes ahead of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in October, to develop the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. With 21 action targets [...] read more
On the misuse of nature-based carbon ‘offsets’
Nature-based solutions (NbS*) are being misused for greenwashing. Promoting NbS as carbon 'offsets' while continuing business as usual in fossil fuel use is not a solution to climate change. In fact, it can encourage continued or even increased fossil fuel consumption leading to more emissions o [...] read more

Sustainable recovery from COVID-19 in Peru

This document: Resilient Amazon: From Emergency to Sustainable Development, proposes steps to minimise the environmental cost in Peru of the response to the covid-19 pandemic and corresponding economic crisis. Suggestions include: – Create temporary employment to prevent people turning to illegal mining, drug trafficking and deforestation – Support the recovery of local businesses, productive activity and local [...] Read more
April 24, 2020

Briefing Paper: The Role of Land in Achieving Net Zero

We co-authored a briefing paper for the Net Zero Network looking at the contribution of nature-based solutions and other aspects of land use to achieving net-zero emissions in the UK. Key points include: 1) Nature-based solutions can be used to increase the size of natural carbon stores and keeping existing stores intact. This is alongside supporting human [...] Read more
March 24, 2020

Global Biodiversity Framework

The initial draft of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework was released in January; the document is expected to be finalised at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in October this year. The framework presents five goals for 2050, each with their own 2030 targets for: net loss and ecosystem [...] Read more
March 12, 2020

UK Government Budget 2020

The UK government disclosed this year’s budget on the 11th March. It includes increases in spending in biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Notable commitments include: – £640m Nature for Climate Fund to restore 35,000 hectares of peatland and plant 30,000 hectares of trees (an area about the size of Birmingham) in England by [...] Read more
March 12, 2020

4 countries have submitted updated NDCs

This year, countries have the chance to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with new targets for how they will contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement. Although the informal deadline for submission of updated NDCs was 9th February 2020, to date, only four countries have submitted new documents: Norway, the Marshall Islands, Moldova, [...] Read more
March 9, 2020

Absolute Zero Report

This report summarises actions required to deliver net-zero emissions in the UK by 2050, without the emergence of not-guaranteed new technologies. The authors calculated that this would require much more drastic actions than suggested by government bodies such as the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). For example, all airports would need to be closed between [...] Read more
March 9, 2020

COP25, Madrid

For two weeks in December, delegates from across the world met in Madrid for the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25). Despite being set against a backdrop of growing public demand for immediate climate action, this meeting saw disappointing progress. Only 80 nations committed to increasing ambition in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) i.e. commitments [...] Read more
January 13, 2020

UK Government Environment Bill

In October 2019, the UK Government introduced a landmark Environment Bill, which will come into action when the country leaves the European Union. It includes measures to improve air and water quality, reduce plastic pollution, and restore natural habitats. A new Office for Environmental Protection will be established, which will ensure that environmental standards are [...] Read more
January 13, 2020

IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

This latest IPCC report describes observed and projected impacts of climate change on our oceans, coastal zones, and cryosphere (polar and mountain ecosystems), and the human communities that rely on them. It reports widespread shrinking of ice sheets, glaciers, and reduction in snow cover, and the associated rise of global mean sea level. Such changes [...] Read more
November 18, 2019

Climate Change and Land: An IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems

This IPCC report highlights the importance of our lands as both a source and a sink for GHGs. It estimates that around 23% of total GHG emissions are derived from the way we currently use land (agriculture, forestry, and other uses), while natural land processes absorb 29% of total CO2 emissions. The report assesses how [...] Read more
November 18, 2019

Enhancing climate ambition through NbS

On the basis of an analysis of comparative assessments of nature’s prominence in NDCs to date, our new report with IUCN highlights what can be done to fully harness the potential of NbS in global climate action. National commitments to NbS are also available via our NBS Policy Platform.
October 6, 2019

UN resolution passed calling for urgent action on peatlands

This March, a UN Resolution was passed that urges member states to conserve, sustainably manage, and restore their peatlands. This is a welcome development because peatlands are found in 180 countries, cover approximately 3% of the Earth’s land area, and provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna. Moreover, peatlands store vast amounts of soil carbon [...] Read more
May 25, 2019

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