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 resilience, threatened species, genetic diversity, benefits for people from nature, and sharing of benefits from genetic resources and traditional knowledge. It also includes a list of preliminary indicators for assessing progress towards the goals.
Scientists consider the zero draft insufficient to stem biodiversity loss. For example, Hermine Kleymann from WWF International said that “The goals and targets… won’t move the needle in saving our forests because they neither sufficiently address the major threats to forest biodiversity, nor do they provide adequate incentives to elevate forest conservation, restoration and sustainable management on the political agenda”. She suggests six key points that need to be addressed to improve the Framework with respect to saving forests:
1. Strong ecosystem-specific targets and indicators, with a particular emphasis on conservation of intact forests
2. Address the drivers of biodiversity loss
3. Ambitious target on finance and resource mobilisation
4. A focus on forest quality, not just quantity
5. Inspiring target on ecosystem restoration
6. Unlock the potential for nature for climate change mitigation
The next meeting to develop the Framework further is tentatively scheduled for 27-31 July 2020, in Cali, Colombia. It is imperative that the science and activism communities work hard this year to enhance the strength of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Nature-based solutions are one piece of the puzzle for ensuring sustainable, large-scale protection and restoration of nature. Although there are trade-offs between nature-based solutions to benefit people and biodiversity conservation, conserving biodiversity can provide adaptation benefits for people, and working with people-oriented NbS can benefit biodiversity. Here at the Nature-based Solutions Initiative, we are starting to review the evidence of how biodiversity conservation can enable climate change adaptation.