Results of COP15
Heading into the CBD COP15 all eyes were on the 30 by 30 target, an ambitious goal that set out to protect 30% of the planet’s natural areas – both land and sea – by 2030 [2]. With over 100 countries pledging their support to the 30×30 since it gained momentum at COP26, the UN CBD COP15 would provide an opportunity to set up the framework and details to meet it. Despite some initial disagreements on funding that saw one of the campaign’s co-chairs, France, allegedly block finance efforts, and representatives of Global South nations walk out of negotiations due to what they perceived as a lack of seriousness from its Northern counterparts – a deal was eventually struck [3,4]. The final agreement includes [5]:
- Targets to protect 30% of the planet for nature by the end of the decade;
- Reform $500 billion USD of environmentally damaging subsidies; and
- Restore 30% of the planet’s degraded terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine ecosystems.
This marks the first landmark deal to protect biodiversity at a global level, and could go a long way in helping reduce carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, and provide opportunities for developing nations to build blue/green economies focused on maximizing sustainable use of natural resources through conservation [6]. There remain some questions and criticisms as to the role (or lack thereof) of indigenous communities, ambiguity as to finance gaps and relatively low overall funding as well as the monitoring and accountability for meeting key milestones towards goals [7].
