COP15 is just around the corner so we thought you might like to start getting ready.
Let’s start by understanding what COP15 is and why it matters
This conference of the parties (COP) is the 15th meeting that has been held so far to discuss protecting Earth’s biodiversity. The first COP was held in the Bahamas in 1994 following the signing of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
In 2010, countries around the world pledged, among other targets:
- to halve the loss of natural habitats
- to expand nature reserves to 17% of the world’s land area by 2020
Disappointingly, these and other targets have not been met.
This year’s COP comes at a crucial time as the window for addressing the destruction of Earth’s biodiversity continues to close. We must act, we must act now and we must act now all around the world.
What’s the relationship between COP27 and COP15?
COP27 finished a couple of weeks ago. That conference of the parties focused on climate change as part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). A lot of important progress was made at COP27, including:
- an agreement to establish a loss and damage fund for countries that are affected by climate change
- Australia becoming a founding member of the Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership – a group that will accelerate the contribution of forests to global climate action
- the USA announcing their commitment to nature-based solutions.
Climate change and biodiversity are intrinsically linked. As we lose biodiversity, we face more climate risk. One of the impacts of climate change is increasing pressure on biodiversity.
Some of the topics up for discussion at COP15 include:
- The new Global Biodiversity Framework. There are 22 global targets to be discussed and agreed on.
- Halting and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss – securing nature positive outcomes.
- Mandatory assessment and disclosure of impacts and dependencies on nature. This is Target 15, one of the 22 targets in the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Where is COP this year?
COP15 will be held in Montreal, Canada from Wednesday 7 Dec 2022 to Monday 19 Dec 2022.
The presidency of COP15 is held by China. The event was scheduled to take place in Kunming, China, but COVID restrictions have prevented that happening.
How can you stay up to date?
IDEEA Group Senior Economist, Dan Whitaker, will be attending COP15 as part of a delegation from the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA). Dan will be posting updates from COP on LinkedIn and you can also stay in touch for daily briefings from BCSDA.