What is COP 15 of Convention on Biodiversity(CBD)?

Relevance of COP 15 of Convention on Biodiversity for UPSC

COP 15 of Convention on Biodiversity: For UPSC examination purpose, COP 15 of Convention on Biodiversity and related happenings are must read for every serious aspirant.
Post-2020 GBF and related decisions shall mark an important point of progress at COP 15, so it is important for both UPSC Pre and Mains examination 2023-24.
It is also an important part of GS 2: Important International Institutions and GS 3: Environmental Conservation.

Also Read: COP27 to Create a Special Loss and Damage Fund | Today’s The Hindu Editorial Analysis for UPSC

Why COP 15 in News?

• The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav delivered India’s National Statement at the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at Montreal, Canada. It is being held from December 07 to 19.
• At COP 15 of the CBD, the ministers are supposed to support the final stages of the negotiations on the Post-2020 GBF and related decisions with a view to ensuring a successful outcome of the conference, including the adoption of an effective Global Biodiversity Framework(GBF).

Also Read: Conversation on Wetland Conservation at COP14 | Ramsar COP

What is the aim of COP 15

• Members of the Convention on Biological Diversity have gathered together for the 15th conference (COP15) to finalise the ambitious Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which would ensure that the three objectives of the convention are achieved by 2030.
• COP 15 will set global goals and targets, and detailing steps to be taken for people to live in harmony with nature up to the year 2030 and set in motion an ambitious 2050 vision. 
• To reach this objective, the GBF will consist of four goals and 20-22 targets which will also be agreed on during COP15.

What is the Convention on Biodiversity(CBD)?

• The CBD is an international legally binding treaty, which commits governments worldwide to safeguard biodiversity.
• It covers all life on Earth – ecosystems, animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms and focuses on achieving sustainable development – that is, human progress without threatening biodiversity.
• The CBD was signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993.
• The governing body meets every two years to review what has been achieved and what still needs to be done to protect biodiversity around the world.

Also Read: What is the Focus of COP 27?

Why is COP15 important?

• While the climate crisis is grabbing headlines, we are in the midst of an even more ominous – and perhaps even faster-moving – biodiversity crisis.
• Over a million plant and animal species are on the brink of extinction. WWF’s latest Living Planet report found that wildlife has dropped by 69% since 1970.
• If we fail to stop the biodiversity crisis, it will have serious consequences for our global systems, with a likely breakdown of nature’s ability to provide clean air and water, food, medicines and materials, which are vital for humanity’s survival.
• With the future of our planet and ourselves hanging in the balance, the stakes could not be higher.
• The challenge can feel insurmountable, but the reality is our fate is not yet sealed.
• This is why COP15 is so important because it has the potential to reverse this alarming trend, but only if coordinated global action is taken – now.

Also Read: India In our LiFEtime Campaign Launched at COP 27, Sharm El-Sheikh

What India is doing to Save Biodiversity?

Despite India having 17 per cent of the global population, but only 2.4 per cent of the land area and only 4 per cent of its water resources, we are forging ahead in our efforts.

• Rising Tree and Forest Cover: Our forest and tree cover is steadily rising, together with our wildlife population. Definitive steps are being taken to return the iconic cheetah to Indian habitats.
• Ramsar Sites: India has taken a quantum jump in the number of declared Ramsar sites to the current figure of seventy-five.
• Forest Policy: As a large developing country, our forest policy is challenging to implement but our forest surveys are testimony to its success.
• Aichi targets: India’s balance sheet in implementing the Aichi targets is pro-active and forward looking and India is on track to meeting its commitments.
• LiFE Campaign: Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call for a people’s movement centred on LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment launched on 20th October 2022 at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat in the presence of UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres assumes significance.

How should be a new Global Biodiversity Framework look like?

• The Global Biodiversity Framework must be framed in the light of science and equity, and the sovereign right of nations over their resources, as provided for in the Convention on Biodiversity.
• If climate is profoundly linked to biodiversity, then the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities must equally apply to biodiversity.
• We cannot only conserve, preserve and restore. We must also promote sustainable use and it is in this context that.
• The provision of the means of implementation must match our ambition. The MDGs had 8 goals, the SDGs have 17 goals, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets were 20 and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) may have 23 targets.
• The increased expectations through these targets call for matching means of implementation, especially through public finance.
• Modern technologies, especially information technology, can assist our goals. Hence the Digital Sequencing Information must be linked to access and benefit sharing in a just and fair manner.

Conclusion

We are but merely custodian of Planet Earth and our bounden duty is to further enrich the rich biodiversity of Mother Earth, restore its pristine glory and hand it over to the next generation for the benefit of one and all – mankind, nature and all life forms. Embracing it, let the World  move forward towards an equitable and sustainable world by implementing the foundational principles of CBD, both in letter and spirit.

Also Read:

Analysis Of DTE Magazine: India’s Compliance with UNCBD|Down To Earth Magazine May 2022|UPSC Environment Section

Environment and Ecology current affairs:

FAQs on COP 15 of Convention on Biodiversity(CBD)

Q. What is CBD?

• The CBD is an international legally binding treaty, which commits governments worldwide to safeguard biodiversity.
• It covers all life on Earth – ecosystems, animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms and focuses on achieving sustainable development – that is, human progress without threatening biodiversity.
• The CBD was signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993.

Q. Which are Aichi targets?

• The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are an ambitious set of global goals aimed at protecting and conserving global biodiversity.
• They are twenty actions adopted under ‘Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

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