The planet is facing a mass extinction of species, and if this continues, the world could lose as much biodiversity as a meteor shower wiped out the dinosaurs. This is one of the starting points to guide conversations at the biodiversity summit in Montreal over the next two weeks (COP15), one of the most important meetings to date to try to strike a more ambitious agreement to stop the loss of species, ecosystems and natural landscapes in every corner of the world. “Mankind is at war with nature, it’s time to make peace“, condemned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the eve of the start of the debate.
The meeting takes place just one month after the climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, a diplomatic meeting that promised (once again) to boost ambition in the fight against the climate crisis and was finally agreed upon with a minimal agreement after the closing. harsh criticism of the event scientists, activists and diplomats. While this anger is still in the air, the Montreal conference plans to reopen the debate on the design of international environmental policies. This time, however, only the focus has been on biodiversity, protecting ecosystems and combating pollution.
Between 7 and 19 December, Montreal aims to ‘draw the chart’paris nature deal‘. In other words, as Laurence Tubiana explains, a framework arrangement with agreed goals, laws, policies and financing instruments at all levels to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. “The Paris Agreement to protect all life on Earth,” explains Tubiana, one of the ‘architects’ of this historic agreement and currently the director of the European Climate Foundation.
environmental diplomacy
The talks of this summit will be led by China, which was originally supposed to host the meeting but was delayed until it reaches Montreal due to the restrictions due to covid-19. It is not yet clear what role the Chinese presidency will play in the debate, but there is at least one precedent that is ringing the alarm bells for now. In 2020, nearly 90 countries signed an agreement. joint statement where they reaffirm their commitment to existing environmental policies and the need to devise more ambitious measures to protect nature. The manifesto, which will serve as a preface to the negotiations, Montrealnot signed by Chinese nor Russia, India, Russia and the United States.
On the eve of the start of the biodiversity summit, the demands of the negotiating countries have already begun to be exceeded. For example, Bolivia, South Africa and Ecuador are developed countries. “leading financial investments” On environmental policies in the face of opposition from Britain, India and Japan. Brazil, headed by Lula da Silva, will advocate for sustainable land use, but not measures to reduce soil pollution or reform the country’s agricultural system. Europe, for its part, will want to end plastic pollution and limit the use of pesticides.
One of the most important commitments this summit will try to underline is about the protection of ecosystems. According to the drafts published to date, Montreal will seek to sign an agreement to protect at least 30% of the land and sea surface before the end of the decade. This will mean the creation of more protected areas on the one hand and the implementation of more measures on the other. Protect the planet’s ecosystems. NGOs, for their part, stress the need to “guarantee the protection of the remaining 70% of the planet” through cross-measures based on climate justice and supported by indigenous peoples.
Summit Background
The Montreal Biodiversity Summit begins with a troubled past. At the meeting held in Nagoya, Japan in 2010, an agreement was reached on a strategic plan for conserving biodiversity with a 2020 horizon. a report warns that only six of the twenty commitments agreed in Japan have been successfully fulfilled. Progress was made in the remaining areas, but the achievements were far from the goals agreed upon at the Japanese summit. In 2022, the situation remained the same.
Experts warn of sixth mass extinction
The Montreal agreement aims to be a turning point in nature conservation policies. Above all, trying to transform the promises made in such meetings into concrete measures, targets and actions put into practice on the ground. Canada meeting will mobilize nearly 20,000 attendees Various debates will be discussed, such as combating invasive species (half of that at the climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh) and its supporters, reforming the agri-food system, or eliminating (or reducing) subsidies. It is aimed at the fossil fuel industry, which, as numerous studies have pointed out, has sparked an unprecedented ecological crisis.
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.