The UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) just ended with a huge step forward for nature: the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was officially adopted. This agreement addresses the urgent biodiversity crisis threatening nearly 1 million species and impacting billions of people worldwide. Scientists and activists are hopeful that this framework can help reverse biodiversity loss and create a more balanced relationship between humanity and nature.
The GBF includes several ambitious goals to protect and restore ecosystems worldwide. By 2030, countries have committed to conserving 30% of Earth’s land and water, restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems, reducing invasive species by half, and cutting $500 billion a year in harmful government subsidies. The framework also has big goals for 2050, including halting human-caused extinctions, sustainably using biodiversity, and closing the massive $700 billion funding gap needed to support conservation.
One of the most important parts of this plan, known as the 30×30 pledge, calls for countries to protect 30% of their lands and oceans by 2030. The 30×30 pledge has received huge support, with over 100 countries committing to it even before the conference began. Many people are comparing this framework to the Paris Agreement on climate change, seeing it as a breakthrough moment for biodiversity protection.
While COP15 focused on biodiversity rather than climate change, many leaders are comparing the GBF to the Paris Agreement, which rallied countries around cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Canada’s Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, even described it as “a moment that will mark history.” However, some experts believe that while the GBF is a step forward, it might still not be enough to completely stop biodiversity loss. Environmental groups are hoping countries will follow through with real action, pointing out that biodiversity and climate are closely connected and need equally serious responses.
The negotiations at COP15 weren’t without their challenges. China led the conference, even though it was hosted in Canada because of COVID-19 restrictions. China’s conference president, Huang Runqiu, faced criticism when he finalized the deal despite objections from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who felt their concerns weren’t fully addressed. Still, the framework was passed, showing a strong global commitment to biodiversity.
With the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework now in place, the next step is putting these goals into action. The framework stresses the need for collaboration across governments, organizations, and communities. Conservation efforts must tackle the real causes of biodiversity loss, like habitat destruction, pollution, and unsustainable practices, for the framework’s ambitious targets to be met.
As the world works to implement the GBF, this agreement represents a critical step toward a sustainable future. By committing to protect and restore nature, countries have set a path for the next decade that could reshape our relationship with the natural world. Now, it’s up to leaders, local communities, and even individuals to turn these goals into real, lasting changes for future generations.
Work Cited
United Nations Environment Programme. “2022: A Year of Environmental Milestones.” UNEP, 2022, https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/2022-year-environmental-milestones.
United Nations Environment Programme. “2022: A Year of Environmental Milestones.” UNEP, 2022, https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/2022-year-environmental-milestones.
Euronews Green. “Here Are All the Positive Environmental Stories from 2022 So Far.” Euronews, 3 Jan. 2023, https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/01/03/here-are-all-the-positive-environmental-stories-from-2022-so-far.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect nor represent the Earth Chronicles and its editorial board.
