EU leading the ambition for a new agreement for nature and people at UN Biodiversity Summit COP15

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) kicks off today. Hosted by China, the first phase takes place virtually from 11 to 15 October 2021 in Kunming, followed by the second phase in spring 2022. The first virtual segment brings together ministers from around the world, to demonstrate their commitment to achieving the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature and putting it on a path to recovery by 2030. The EU is represented at the virtual conference by Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius. Commissioner Sinkevičius said: “Nature is under unprecedented pressure by the biodiversity and climate crises. At COP15, the EU will highlight this urgency and lead international efforts in halting biodiversity loss. The international community will seek to agree on an ambitious global biodiversity framework with strong monitoring to measure progress on the ground. This is a generational task – we must succeed in offering a liveable and thriving planet to future generations.” To achieve an ambitious global agreement as set out in the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU will negotiate for a framework with: ambitious, measurable and time-bound goals, milestones, and targets for all of the world’s ecosystems to be restored, resilient, and adequately protected by 2050; a target to protect at least 30% of world’s land and oceans by 2030; stronger implementation, monitoring and review processes; and operational provisions to mobilise finance. In this context, in September, President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will double its international biodiversity financing, in particular for the most vulnerable countries. With the European Green Deal, Europe is leading by example, creating pathways for a nature-positive, climate neutral and equitable world. More information is in the news item.