COP 15: On Saturday, December 17, top officials at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) expressed confidence in reaching a major agreement to save the natural world from extinction, according to the news agency AFP. At COP 15, being held in Montreal, Canada, talks are aimed at sealing a “peace pact for nature”.
However, observers have warned that these talks risk collapsing. According to an AFP report, this is due to disagreement over how much the rich world should pay to save developing-country ecosystems. Similar discussions took place at COP27 in Glasgow, and a ‘loss and damage’ fund was eventually agreed upon.
India’s message at the COP 15
At COP15, India stated that a new, dedicated fund is urgently needed to assist developing countries in successfully implementing a post-2020 global framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
What other countries had to say at COP 15
On Saturday, China’s Environment Minister Huang Runqiu, the Chinese chair of COP 15, told reporters that delegates were “very confident” of reaching an agreement.
Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, stated that “tremendous progress” has been made.
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, tweeted: “If we do not protect our forests, our oceans, and all the life they support, we will be putting all of humanity at risk. For the sake of our children, we must do everything we can to protect our biodiversity.”
He went on to say that his appeal was: “With just a few days to go before the end of the COP 15 Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, my message to our partners is: now is not the time for small decisions, let’s go big! Let’s work together to achieve the most ambitious agreement possible. The world is depending on it.”
Macron wrote this too: “The most vulnerable countries are home to biodiversity treasures. We need to increase our funding to support them, with no expense spared! France will double its funding to 1 billion euros per year. COP 15 stakeholders: get on board and join the fight!”
Also Read: AIIMS cyber attack: Delhi Police to gather information on Chinese hackers through Interpol
What the final strategy might look like
While COP 15 is scheduled to last until December 19, the talks could last longer if necessary.
Despite holding the presidency of the conference this year, China was unable to host COP 15 due to strict Covid-19 rules. As a result, Canada was forced to host COP 15.
Habitat destruction, pollution, and the climate crisis are threatening the extinction of an estimated one million plant and animal species, and humanity must work hard to reverse the crises.
The final plan, which will be signed at COP 15, is intended to serve as a road map for countries through 2030. The 10-year plan signed in Japan in 2010 failed to meet any of its objectives due to a lack of monitoring mechanisms.
One of the major draught goals is a cornerstone pledge to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. According to the AFP report, more than 20 targets are being discussed. These include reducing environmentally damaging farmer subsidies, requiring businesses to assess and report on their biodiversity impacts, and combating invasive species.
Indigenous communities protect 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. These communities’ representatives want their rights to practise land stewardship to be included in the final agreement.
Also Read: Iran Protests: Actress of Oscar-winning movie held for backing anti-regime protests
The Global North is expected to transfer funds to the Global South.
At COP 15, the rich countries, known collectively as the Global North, are debating how much money they will send to the Global South. These are home to the vast majority of the world’s biodiversity.
According to developing countries, developed nations became wealthy by exploiting their resources. They believe that the Global South should be compensated for the preservation of its ecosystems.
According to the report, the European Union (EU) committed seven billion euros at COP 15 for the period until 2027. This is more than double the EU’s previous pledge.
However, the commitments fall short of what developing countries are looking for, according to the report.
International aid will be delivered through a new fund, an existing mechanism known as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), or a solution involving a new “trust fund” within the GEF, according to world leaders.
Over 3,000 scientists, according to the report, have written an open letter to policymakers. They have called for immediate action to stop the destruction of critical ecosystems, stating that “we owe this to ourselves and to future generations”, and “we can’t wait any longer”.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER
