Biodiversity: Growing mobilisation in the run up to COP15

According to research conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) at the request of WWF, biodiversity has gradually become an issue of major concern. Covering 54 countries representing 80% of the world’s population, the study highlights the growing number of people who are getting informed and changing their habits: use of social media to get information and organise themselves, consideration of the durability of their purchases, signing of petitions… But most of all, citizens are calling for concrete and decisive action to halt the loss of biodiversity.

#StopTheSame: radically changing habits

Young people are among the groups mobilised to no longer repeat the same mistakes. Gathering young people from all over the world mobilised for biodiversity, the Global Youth Biodiversity Network has launched the global #StopTheSame campaign. It urges those in power, decision-makers, influencers and everyone to press forward with a systemic and transformative social change. “We are at an existential crossroads, facing every day the consequences of a global socio-ecological crisis, deeply rooted in societal values and economic and political priorities that are driving biodiversity and climate collapse”, said the organisation.

 

Supported by the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework-EU Support project, the campaign will run throughout 2021: World Environment Day, IUCN World Conservation Congress, United Nations General Assembly, negotiations on the Convention on Biological Biodiversity (CBD)…

More generally, this action underscores the need to continue to inform around the world and raise awareness of the biodiversity issue. This is the objective of the Lead the Green Change campaign in India, launched in April 2021 with support from international partners, including the European Union and the Post-2020 Biodiversity-Framework-EU Support project. Focusing on awareness-raising, the private sector, the climate and health, Lead the Green Change will organise activities throughout the preparatory process for COP15, highlighting the role of biodiversity in all sectors and for sustainable development.

Coordination between stakeholders needs to be strengthened from the global to local level

Food security, health, industry… It is essential for all countries and stakeholders in society to take action, as all sectors are potentially affected by biodiversity loss.

“It is at the local level that the different environmental agendas for biodiversity, climate and resilience meet towards a same and unique goal: improve development conditions and peoples’ well-being”, said Gabriel Quijandra, Minister for the Environment of Peru during a dialogue organised on 27 May 2021 by ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Centre and its South American Secretariat.

The panel discussion focused on what has already been achieved on the road to COP15 and on the importance of cooperation between local and subnational governments in Peru to promote nature-based development. It was supported by the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework-EU Support project and gathered participants from various levels of government in Peru (Loreto regional government, cities of Lima, Comas, San Pedro de Vice…), the Ministry for the Environment and international partners (delegation of the European Union, CBD, UNDRR Americas, GIZ Protected Areas Project). This dialogue is part of a series of vertical dialogues organised in six partner countries of the project in May, June and July 2021.

In South Africa, the importance of mobilising the private sector for biodiversity was pointed out during an online event organised by Team Europe and South Africa under the theme “We are part of the solution”.

This country, where investment in nature-based solutions will be essential to support the post-Covid recovery, could benefit from the involvement of community stakeholders, young people and companies for biodiversity. “All the stakeholders must work together for a comprehensive approach to society: local and subnational governments, civil society, young people, companies and finance…”, said Hugo Rivera Mendoza, Deputy Team Leader of the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework-EU Support project on this occasion. Team Europe in South Africa will work to support its South African partners to succeed together in preserving ecosystems in the country, which is home to about 10% of the world’s plant species, 7% of reptile, bird and mammal species and about 15% of marine species, according to CBD.

Financing greener cities

Urban planning is an example of where cooperation between the various sectors of society is recommended. It is possible to build greener cities for a more sustainable future. If we can mobilise the financial resources required to support this transition, it will not only be possible to create new business opportunities and new jobs for all, but also strengthen the link between cities and nature for a more sustainable planet.
 

Co-organised by ICLEI, the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework-EU Support project and The Nature Of Cities (TNOC) Festival, the panel discussion “Financing Greener Cities for the Future We Want” gathered financial experts, investors and representatives from cities to share ideas on the innovative financing approaches, products and solutions which cities could have access to in order to accelerate investment and transitions in green and blue infrastructure, a green recovery and green purchases. The objective is to restore ecosystems and their contribution to populations and protect biodiversity (see the project publication Expertise On #26 – Reforming Biodiversity-harmful subsidies).

Further information in the May newsletter of the project