Evolving scenario regarding global biological diversity

The current world scenario in the context of the environment continues to draw attention to certain unfortunate dimensions-- habitat loss and species extinction, climate change and pollution. David Cooper, an expert on biological diversity recently put forward some interesting aspects which have been recorded by climatologists.
This underlined the need for countries to develop their national action plans and create a society that lives in harmony with nature. It has also been stressed that politicians, in particular, should be more interactive in this regard.
His views assume significance because towards the end of this year-- from October 21 to November1-- the 16th Biodiversity Convention of the Parties (COP 16) will be held. Cooper has given an insight into the core issues that will be on top of the COP16 agenda, This will include-- the current status of biodiversity finance, including the newly operationalised biodiversity fund, the upcoming meetings of the scientific and technical bodies of the CBD, the current status of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and what is likely to unfold in the coming months through Digital Sequence Information (DSI).
There will apparently be careful scrutiny about how the UN Biodiversity Convention can assist in mobilising at least US Dollar 20 billion per year by 2025 and at least US Dollar 30 billion per year by 2030 for biodiversity-related funding from all sources, including the public and private sectors.
A very significant step. However, the current situation with biodiversity funding demonstrates that while progress is taking place, it is not fast enough. Some countries and private sector groups are trying hard to give more money to projects that help nature, but in general, it is still below expectations because of unfilled promises. In this context, it has been reiterated that big donors should honour their pledges. To highlight this, Cooper has said- "it is really important that the big donors who promise money actually follow through and give the money they said they would. We need everyone to work together to make sure there is enough money to protect our plants, animals, and the places they live. Certainly, we need to see all countries put efforts behind all of the goals and targets of the framework and that, of course, includes those on financial resources." In this regard, it may be mentioned that environmentalists have welcomed the decision by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to establish a new fund, the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund.
It has been welcomed that there have already been some good steps and it has been hoped that this will generate hope for others to follow the same line of thought. This has included Canada contributing a significant amount of 200 million Canadian dollars. Other significant donations have come from Germany, Spain, Japan, and most recently, Luxembourg. Actually, the contribution from Luxembourg, if we look at its pro rata, given the size of the Luxembourg economy, has been quite generous, even though it is only US Dollar 7 million in total.
However, National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) have so far been taken up with care by only a few countries --Spain, Japan, China, France, Hungary, and Ireland as well as the European Union. It is being hoped that there will be wider interest and more countries will develop their national targets which one must remember is a complex process as it is supposed to engage all the different sectors of the economy and all the different parts of society, including local communities, indigenous peoples and businesses.
It may be noted here that the developing countries in particular have been supported through the Global Environment Facility and regional dialogues so that countries can share their experience as they move forward. This has been a good measure as at COP15, it was decided that all countries should submit their NBSAPs, if possible, before COP16. If, for any reason, they are unable to do so, then they should at least provide their updated national targets. This will then enable the associated climatologists to suggest ways and means on how to move forward.
It would be pertinent at this point to note that the essential focus of COP16 is likely to revolve around the adoption and implementation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. It will most likely be so because this framework sets out the global targets and goals for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use for the next decade and beyond. Key aspects of the framework may also include targets related to halting biodiversity loss, promoting sustainable resource management, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and ensuring reasonable sharing of the benefits derived from biodiversity. In addition, there will also be emphasis on how to achieve greater funding for the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund to assist in supporting more projects. Some in this regard have suggested that more attention will have to be given to not only LDC countries but those who will face difficulties due the gradual rise of the sea due to further heating of the globe.
The second core issue that will be given greater attention is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources. It may be recalled that there was an agreement reached in COP15 to establish this mechanism. Nevertheless, no required details were circulated at that time. To resolve this situation meaningfully, details are now being negotiated through an intergovernmental working group-- a positive measure. The establishment of such a mechanism, according to Cooper, with a fund, "would give another major boost to the Convention because it would bring in another source of funding."
It has also been noted that there is a requirement to highlight the growing need to further strengthen the role of indigenous peoples and local communities. It may be recalled that the need for attention to this aspect has also been made in the past by representatives from several countries in Asia, Africa and South America. It has been underlined by them that additional support should be given to them to assist them not only with regard to the issue of biodiversity but also to the correct management of health and synthetic biology. Interestingly, reference has been made that it would facilitate the reduction of malaria if support could be given towards gene-edited mosquitoes.
Another effort has in the recent past drawn the attention of the world, including Bangladesh. It relates to plastic pollution and the way it is affecting the marine environment. There is general consensus that we need to try harder and develop an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution to end plastic pollution by 2040. Such a move would be consistent with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Cooper and several other ecologists have also drawn attention to the fact that a number of global events will be taking place in the next few months that will contribute to the agenda and determine the level of the world's preparedness for the COP conference. There will be greater focus on the SBSTTA (Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice) and the SBI (Subsidiary Body on Implementation). A working group on Digital Sequence Information will monitor the evolving situation and try to find the least common denominators to enable us to move forward.
We have to remember that the G7 and the G 20 processes will also have to play a more meaningful role with regard to climate change, climate vulnerability, desertification, adaptation and mitigation measures. We should not also forget how in 2023 and also in this year till now, many people in different parts of the world have been suffering from fires, wildfires, droughts, storms, or floods. These have largely been attributed by the media to climate change.
Climate change is increasing the probability and severity of these events, but these events are also happening because of ecosystem degradation.
However, one should not give up hope. There is always the other side of the coin.
We should not forget what had happened in December, 2022 when the world witnessed the reaching of a landmark agreement by all parties of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) which enabled them to adopt the draft Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's lands and water by 2030. Led by China and facilitated by the CBD, the parties of the convention adopted the draft after 12 days of intense negotiations over 23 targets that, put together, made the framework for biodiversity protection until 2030.
Importantly, attention was given to an aspect that we must not forget as we travel the next few years. Emphasis was given and attention drawn to the fact that there is a need to ensure women and girls equitable access and benefits from conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as their informed and effective participation at all levels of policy and decision making related to biodiversity.
The adopted version of this target clearly underlined a more action-oriented gender-responsive approach that must not be forgotten. All women and girls both in urban and rural areas should have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to our efforts towards tackling climate variability problems. This will also need to recognise their equal rights and access to land and natural resources and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, engagement, policy, and decision-making related to biodiversity.

Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.
[email protected]