COP16: Landmark biodiversity agreements adopted
Montreal, 3 November 2024 – The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) adopted today a set of landmark agreements that will guide global efforts to protect and restore biodiversity over the next decade.
The agreements, which were adopted by consensus, include a new global biodiversity framework, a new target for protecting 30% of the Earth’s land and sea by 2030, and a commitment to mobilize $200 billion per year for biodiversity conservation.
The global biodiversity framework is a comprehensive plan to protect and restore biodiversity by 2050. It includes 20 targets, such as reducing the rate of species extinction by 10-fold, restoring degraded ecosystems, and increasing sustainable agriculture.
The 30% target is a major step forward in the fight against biodiversity loss. Currently, only about 17% of the Earth’s land and 8% of its sea is protected. By increasing this to 30%, we can create a global network of protected areas that will help to safeguard biodiversity and provide essential services for people, such as clean water, clean air, and food security.
The commitment to mobilize $200 billion per year for biodiversity conservation is a significant increase from the current level of funding. This money will be used to support a wide range of activities, such as protected area management, species conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
The adoption of these agreements is a major milestone in the fight against biodiversity loss. They provide a clear roadmap for how we can protect and restore biodiversity over the next decade and beyond.
“These agreements are a turning point for biodiversity conservation,” said Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. “They provide us with a clear path to protecting and restoring biodiversity, and they give us the tools we need to achieve our goals.”
The agreements will now be implemented by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations around the world. The success of these agreements will depend on the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
Background
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, from the smallest bacteria to the largest whales. It is essential for human well-being, providing us with food, water, clean air, and other essential services. However, biodiversity is under threat from a variety of human activities, such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty that was adopted in 1992. It has three main objectives: to conserve biodiversity, to use biodiversity sustainably, and to share the benefits of biodiversity fairly and equitably.
COP16 was the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It was held in Montreal, Canada, from 7 to 19 December 2024.
Additional information
- The global biodiversity framework can be found here: www.cbd.int/framework/
- The 30% target can be found here: www.cbd.int/30by30/
- The commitment to mobilize $200 billion per year for biodiversity conservation can be found here: www.cbd.int/financial/
- The Convention on Biological Diversity can be found here: www.cbd.int/
COP16: Landmark biodiversity agreements adopted
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Top Stories a new article on 2024-11-03 12:00 titled “COP16: Landmark biodiversity agreements adopted”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
6