New Global Biodiversity Framework

New Global Biodiversity Framework

Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III – Environment; Conservation; Infrastructure

In news A new Global Biodiversity Framework by The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was recently released.

What is the framework?

• It is a new framework that will guide actions worldwide through 2030, to preserve and protect nature and its essential services to people.
• Aim: To spur urgent and transformative action by Governments and all of society to contribute to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, its Protocols, and other biodiversity related multilateral agreements, processes and instruments.
• The framework is built around a theory of change which recognizes that urgent policy action globally, regionally and nationally is required to transform economic, social and financial models.

• The trends that have exacerbated biodiversity loss will stabilize in the next 10 years (by 2030) and allow for the recovery of natural ecosystems in the following 20 years, with net improvements by 2050 to achieve the Convention’s vision of “living in harmony with nature by 2050”.

What are the four goals of the new framework (to be achieved by 2050)? 

• To halt the extinction and decline of biodiversity. 
  • The rate of extinctions should reduce at least tenfold 
  • The risk of species extinctions across all taxonomic and functional groups should reduce by half 
  • Genetic diversity of wild and domesticated species should be maintained by at least 90% 
• To enhance and retain nature’s services to humans by conservation. 
• To ensure fair and equitable benefits to all from use of genetic resources. 
• To close the gap between available financial and other means of implementation 

What are the key targets? 

The framework has 21 action-oriented targets for urgent action over the decade to 2030, which includes:

• Ensure at least 30% of land and sea areas globally are conserved through systems of protected areas.
• Prevent or reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by 50%.
• Reduce nutrients lost to the environment by at least half, pesticides by at least two thirds, and eliminate discharge of plastic waste.
• Use ecosystem-based approaches to contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change
• Redirect, repurpose, reform or eliminate incentives harmful for biodiversity in a just and equitable way, reducing them by at least $500 billion per year.
• Increase international financial flows to developing countries by at least $10 billion per year

Do you know?

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. 
• Nearly all countries have ratified it (notably, the US has signed but not ratified).
• The CBD Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada and it operates under the United Nations Environment Programme.
• India enacted Biological Diversity Act in 2002 for giving effect to the provisions of the CBD.

News Source: DTE