A coalition of 20 countries have signed a declaration to accelerate sustainable biodiversity practices and commit to nature conservation in the second week of talks at COP16.
While there are concerns talks are wavering over firm monetised commitments, as PA Future reported yesterday, it was announced 20 countries had signed Declaration of the World Coalition for Peace with Nature: A Call for Life to ensure international cooperation for a “peaceful relationship with nature”.
The statement said the countries are “aware the planet is facing a critical juncture in which humanity’s global ecological footprint exceeds Earth’s biological capacity, and that environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity threaten humanity and the health of our ecosystems and society’s collective social, economic and political stability”.
Although the full list of countries signing the declaration has not yet been published, Reuters reported the coalition includes countries from four continents including Mexico, Sweden, Uganda and Chile, although none from Asia-Pacific. It is also open to any further country that wishes to agree to the set of principles. These can be summarised as:
- Actively working towards conserving and restoring biodiversity.
- Strengthen awareness and efforts at all levels on bio-cultural issues.
- Reaffirm the rights of Indigenous People.
- Recognising the ongoing crises or biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution and degradation of land and seas.
- Recognising the adverse effects of biodiversity loss on women, children, minorities and older people.
- Educational agendas to raise awareness of urgent need to act on biodiversity loss.
- Halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation.
- Respect for international law when considering restoration of life on Earth.
“These efforts are fundamental to reverse environmental deterioration and achieve peace with nature, living well in balance and in harmony with Mother Earth,” the statement added.
Speaking at Cali, Colombia on Tuesday, UN secretary-general António Guterres said countries must turn these promises into action by aligning national goals with the Global Biodiversity Framework’s targets, and create and agree on a transparent framework for accountability.
Further, he called on countries to keep their finance promises and support developing countries.
“We cannot afford to leave Cali without new pledges to adequately capitalise the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, and without commitments to mobilise other sources of public and private finance to deliver the Framework — in full.”
He reiterated calls to bring the private sector on board saying “they must step up and contribute to [nature’s] protection and restoration”.
“Those profiting from nature cannot treat it like a free, infinite resource.
“We can — and we must — save the ecosystems that sustain us and keep our climate goals within reach.
“The alternative is unthinkable. The survival of our planet — and our own — is on the line. Let us choose wisely. Let us choose life. Let us make peace with nature.”
COP16 in Cali, Colombia continues for the rest of this week.
