Photo by David Vig via Unsplash.
Lawyers for Nature are excited to be attending the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in the city of Cali in Colombia between 21 October–1 November 2024.
We are writing to share why we are going, our position paper, a report we wrote with Earth Law Centre, and to invite you to send us your experience or views on Biodiversity Credits so that we can take these with us to the Convention.
Why are we going?
This meeting of the party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) comes at a very important time to asses and turn into a reality the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework (the Global Biodiversity Plan) adopted last year which established 4 goals and 23 targets as the main global biodiversity plan of action. The framework includes a number of ambitious goals, including a commitment to designate at least 30 percent of global land and sea as protected areas by 2030 (known as the "30 by 30" initiative).
Building on this, COP 16 is centred around three main objectives: (1) translate the Biodiversity Plan into resolute national action; (2) Mobilise and bolster the means of implementation ; (3) accelerate progress on access and benefit-sharing. But behind these main headlines another battle is emerging between an approach enhancing and promoting nature’s intrinsic values, and on the other hand States pushing to support a market-based approach to nature and biodiversity. So, at the next COP on biodiversity we are going to witness a debate between affirming and protecting the intrinsic value of nature and a dominant market-based approach to nature.
Given our experience with Rights of Nature, Nature on the Board and activism for Nature in the UK, we believe it is our duty to represent this work – and the voice of Nature – in the debates and discussions at COP 16.
Our Position
Our aim is to highlight the importance of following the promises made at COP 15 and the implementation of the GBF promoting harmonious relationships with the natural world by notably promoting rights of nature approaches to protect and restore biodiversity.
Crucially, the slogan of COP 16 is “Peace with Nature.” This comes on the back of the statement by the UN Secretariat General highlighting that “Humanity is waging war on nature.” As such COP 16 offers a unique opportunity to advocate for a more harmonious relationship with Nature. It is crucial that the focus is not purely on promoting and developing private/corporate-led initiatives to create a global biodiversity market.
The potential of supporting initiatives promoting and based on respecting Nature’s intrinsic values, such as the emerging initiatives protecting the Rights of Nature should be at the heart of this journey, and not in a footnote of the targets being promoted to support biodiversity.
Download our Position Paper ahead of the COP16 meeting: Lawyers for Nature's COP 16 Position Paper.
Our work with Earth Law Centre
We have been working closely with our friends at the Earth Law Centre to produce a white paper, Ecocentrism in the Global Biodiversity Framework. It is a joint report with Rights of Mother Earth, Ecocide Sweden and Keystone Species Alliance on Biodiversity Credits and how states can implement and fund rights-based initiatives and Mother Earth centric actions to better meet the goals of the GBF.
Our invitation to you
We would like to hear from you about your experience of Biodiversity Credits and Biodiversity Net Gains. We are interested to hear your thoughts, views and whether you have had any experience of working with them.
It is our intention to bring our shared experience to the table to inform the discussion at COP 16.
We thank you in advance. Please send your stories to hello@lawyersfornature.com
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