A non-paper on what would become the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was released

Tags: Environment

A non-paper on what would become the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was released at a UN summit in Montreal on 18 December, seeking to reconcile the demands of developing and developed countries.

Important facts

• If agreed to by China, it will be a historic moment when the world agrees to conserve global biodiversity by 2030.

• The draft GBF will be discussed on the last day of the conference. There needs to be a consensus on the framework to be adopted.

• One of the GBF's 23 goals is to reach near-zero emissions by 2030, while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

• Another goal of the GBF is to substantially increase the level of financial resources and mobilise at least US$200 billion per year by 2030 from all sources, including domestic, international, public and private resources, in an effective and easily accessible manner.

• Goal 3 of the GBF, also known as the 30x30 goal, is also present. It requires and enables states to ensure that at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland waters, and coastal and marine areas are areas of special importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions by 2030.

• The GBF calls upon member countries to protect 30% combined land and sea for biodiversity conservation.