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Roadmap to COP 15: Timeline of key milestones
Due to the novel COVID-19 pandemic, many key events on the local and subnational Roadmap to the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are continuously modifying their dates and methods of delivery. An updated timeline, with the most recent event dates and details can be seen below:
Key Updates
Edinburgh Declaration posted by the SCBD
The Edinburgh Declaration sets out the aspirations and commitments of the Scottish Government, the Edinburgh Process partners, and the wider subnational constituency of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in delivering for nature over the coming decade.
The UK, in support of the Scottish Government and partners, recently submitted the outcomes of the
Edinburgh Process to be considered at SBI-3 as an additional item under agenda item 11 on
mainstreaming. The outcomes call on Parties to adopt a dedicated decision and Plan of
Action to outline the vital role of subnational governments, cities, and other local authorities in the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The CBD Secretariat has posted the Edinburgh Declaration and Edinburgh Process outcomes on the SBI-3 meeting webpage, and a Notification to all Parties will follow.
Sign the Edinburgh Declaration
SCBD’s Informal Preparatory Sessions for SBSTTA-24
An informal, virtual session in preparation for the 24th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 24) took place from 17-19 February and 24-26 February in order maintain momentum in the preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and related meetings, including the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. No formal negotiations took place at this session, but Parties, major groups and observers made statements.
Read the joint statement made on behalf of the local and subnational constituency
European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopts the Opinion on “8th Environment Action Programme”
At its Plenary Session on 3-5 February 2021, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted by majority the Opinion on “8th Environment Action Programme” for which the rapporteur-general was Mr Dimitrios KARNAVOS (EL/EPP), Mayor of Kallithea (Greece).
Read the opinion in all EU languages
Fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5)
An online session of UNEA-5 took place virtually from 22-23 February 2021. A resumed session of UNEA-5 is expected to take place as an in-person event in February 2022. The overall theme of UNEA-5 is “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” and calls for strengthened action to protect and restore nature and the nature-based solutions to achieve the SDGs.
Commonwealth Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanization
The Commonwealth Local Government Forum announced the formal launch of the Call to Action on sustainable urbanisation on 2 February 2021. With an additional 2.5 billion people estimated to be living in the world’s towns and cities by 2050, and almost 50% of that growth taking place in the Commonwealth, the Call to Action asks for greater priority to be given within the Commonwealth to the issues of sustainable urbanisation.
UNEP’s Making Peace with Nature Report
A recently published report by UNEP, titled Making Peace with Nature, communicates how climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution can be tackled jointly within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. It serves to translate the current state of scientific knowledge into crisp, clear and digestible facts-based messages that the world can relate to and follow up on.
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability confirmed as Global Partner for UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) has recently received confirmation of its inclusion as a Global Partner for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. As a Global Partner, ICLEI will play an active role in managing and shaping the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration with significant and long-term commitments, connecting constituents to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and initiating and amplifying initiatives for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration through its channels and networks.
Read the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Strategy
Launch of the GEO-6 For Youth report
UNEP’s recently launched Global Environmental Outlook 6 for Youth report (GEO-6 for Youth) represents an opportunity for UNEP to link the scientific efforts of the organization to youth, who have a crucial role in decision-making, entrepreneurship, and bringing about transformative change. The report was launched during the Global Youth Environment Assembly, the official youth forum of UNEA-5, which ran from February 12-13 and February 18-20.
The event covered three main focus areas; communicating science to the youth, sustainable actions and activism, and green jobs of the future and the skills to access these opportunities, while taking in consideration the challenges young people are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opportunities to get involved
Save the Date: Register for ICLEI CBC’s next webinar
ICLEI continues to host its monthly Post-2020 webinar series to keep our constituency of cities and regions up to date on the unfolding participatory process on the roadmap to CBD COP 15.
Register for our webinar ‘Rebalancing our economy with nature’ on 4 March
This webinar will reflect on the recently published Dasgupta Review, its implications for green recovery and sustainable economic development in cities and regions, and how this informs local and subnational action for biodiversity.
Visit the dedicated website to stay updated on the local and subnational advocacy for nature agenda and to get involved, where all recordings of previous webinars are available to watch.
Visit the Subnational Advocacy for Nature website
SCBD’s Informal Preparatory Sessions for SBI-3
This informal, virtual event in preparation for the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 3) will take place from 8-12 March and 14 March to maintain momentum in the preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and related meetings, including the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Business for Nature Webinar: Delivering a transformative Post-2020 GBF
Building on its policy recommendations and an extensive consultation with partners and businesses, Business for Nature has developed a position on the updated zero-draft of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Join the webinar hosted on 3 March 3rd 2021 (9:00-10:00 CET, 5:00-6:00) to learn more about their suggestions to strengthen the Framework.
COVID-19
ICLEI is collecting resources that can be useful and inspiring for local and subnational governments. Click here to see the dedicated webpage, and click here to access a collection of relevant blog posts.
The generous support from the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU Support project, the INTERACT-Bio project, and CitiesWithNature partners and cities, has contributed to this email update.
