In December last year, the much-delayed UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) finally took place in Montreal, Canada (see November’s en).
After nearly two weeks of intensive talks, representatives of 188 governments approved a new set of goals to guide global action up to 2030 – to halt and reverse nature loss. This agreement rejoices in the snappy title of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
What does it say?
There’s a lot in it, but it includes commitments to halt extinctions of threatened species; preserve intact ecosystems and restore what’s been depleted, and protect 30% of Earth’s lands, oceans, coastal areas and inland waters, with emphasis on areas of particular importance for biodiversity.