International Day for Biological Diversity

Context:

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), celebrated on 22nd May 2023, raises awareness about the importance of biodiversity for sustaining life on Earth.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Details
2. About International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)
3. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Details:

Extent of Species Extinction Risk:

• The Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services emphasizes that approximately one million species face the risk of extinction.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework:

• At the 15th Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted as a response to the biodiversity crisis.

Ambitious Targets for 2030:

• The framework establishes ambitious targets to be achieved by 2030 in order to address the biodiversity crisis.
• These targets serve as a guide and aim to facilitate conservation efforts, restoration initiatives, and the sustainable use of biodiversity.

Roadmap for Conservation, Restoration, and Sustainable Use:

• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides a roadmap for actions to be taken regarding the conservation, restoration, and sustainable utilization of biodiversity.
• It outlines strategies and measures that can be implemented on local, national, and global levels to protect and restore ecosystems and halt species decline.

About International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB):

• In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated May 22nd as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB).
• The purpose of IDB is to raise awareness and promote understanding of biodiversity issues.

United Nations Decades:

• The UNGA declared the period from 2011 to 2020 as the United Nations (UN) Decade on Biodiversity.
• This Decade aimed to encourage the implementation of a strategic plan on biodiversity and promote the vision of living in harmony with nature.
• Additionally, the UNGA declared 2021 to 2030 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Theme for 2023:

• The theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity in 2023 is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity.”
• This theme underscores the urgent need to move beyond commitments and translate them into concrete actions.
• The focus is on revitalizing and safeguarding biodiversity through practical measures and initiatives.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework:

• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for urgent and integrated action to incorporate biodiversity considerations into all sectors of the global economy.
• However, crucial issues such as funding conservation in poorer countries and committing to biodiversity-friendly supply chains are left to be discussed later.
• It is important to note that the framework is not a binding international agreement.
• The framework urges parties to mainstream biodiversity protection in decision-making and recognize the significance of conservation in safeguarding human health.
• The theme of the declaration is “Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth.”

Post-2020 Implementation Plan and Capacity Building:

• Adoption of the framework commits nations to support the development, adoption, and implementation of an effective post-2020 implementation plan.
• It also involves the formulation of a capacity-building action plan for the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety, which aims to protect biodiversity from potential risks associated with living modified organisms from modern biotechnology.
• The signatory nations pledge to ensure that post-pandemic recovery policies, programs, and plans contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, promoting sustainable and inclusive development.

30 by 30 Target:

• The declaration references the “30 by 30” target, which is a key proposal under discussion at COP15.
• This target aims to designate 30% of the Earth’s land and oceans with protected status by 2030.

Goals and Targets:

The framework comprises four goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.

Goals:

1. Conserve and restore biodiversity.
2. Ensure sustainable use of biodiversity.
3. Share benefits fairly and equitably.
4. Enable transformative change.

Targets:

-Source: Down to Earth