Advocate for nature

CBD COP 15, scheduled to take place in China, during the course of 2021, has been likened to a ‘Paris moment for nature,’ in reference to its potential to match the 2015 meeting in the French capital that resulted in the landmark global agreement to tackle climate change. The journey towards COP 15 is well underway and all stakeholders, including local and subnational governments, are demonstrating their commitment to raise ambition for the future of both people and planet.

The 2050 Vision for Biodiversity was adopted as part of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011-2020) by Decision X/2. The vision of this Strategic Plan is a world of “Living in harmony with nature” where “by 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.” This vision remains relevant and will continue to guide the objectives of the Convention even in the Post-2020 era.

In Decision 14/34 at the 14th COP in Sharm el Sheikh, the CBD Parties adopted a comprehensive and participatory process for the preparation of the Post-2020 GBF, which is specifically inclusive of local and subnational governments. As a result, ICLEI, its Members, and our partner networks, are working to coordinate the local and subnational government voice in shaping and influencing the Post-2020 GBF, given the increasing recognition of the critical role this constituency fulfils in contributing to the ambition, implementation and ultimate success of the global biodiversity agenda and associated Environmental Management Agreements.