Is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework the beginning to bend the curve of biodiversity loss? Our speakers, who participated in-person in Montreal, Canada, discussed what the new framework entails and which steps have to be taken now. As part of the SDG Academy lecture series, the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) organised a hybrid event debrief at the Green Office VU during which the results have been analysed. Dr Ina Lehmann of VU Amsterdam and guest speaker Yves Olatoundji shared their reflections and insights on which roles stakeholders around the world have now.
Dr Ina Lehmann, Assistant Professor of Governance of Global Biodiversity in the Department of Environmental Policy Analysis at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), discussed the relevance of the conference and the key outcomes of the framework. The framework aims to take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and a vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050.
Ina engaged with several drivers of biodiversity loss and shared how some targets that address these garner more controversial responses than others. While the previous framework contained weak language, it has since since been improved in the current framework, presented in less arbitrary terms, accompanied with headline indicators and a systematic global review of collective progress. Indeed, while there is progress made on key areas, there are also missed opportunities on the watered down negotiations and doubts on financial mobilisation for implementation.
Yves Olatoundji, Graduate of the University of Oxford in International Wildlife Conservation Practice and member of the World Commission on Protected Areas Young Professional group in West and Central Africa, presented on the role of young scientists in ecosystem policies and focused on Target 3 of the framework. Yves emphasised the need for other area-based effective conservation measures, importance of including natural and biodiversity hotspot areas and the right of indigenous peoples and local communities. Yves also shared his experience attending the conference for the first time where he feels optimistic about the historic adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework albeit sees the need for further facilitation of participation for delegates from the developing world.
We would like to thank our speakers for sharing their invaluable experiences with us and for allowing us to view more closely into this COP and its outcomes. The recording of the event can be watched here on our YouTube channel.
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