The UN has taken a vital decision to curb the exploitation of natural resources and ensure biodiversity protection. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat has recently drafted a new Global Biodiversity Framework.
Behind this, the aim is to protect and preserve nature and natural resources. In the new set of proposals, the UN officials have decided to maintain biodiversity on at least 30% of the planet earth.
In simple words, it means increasing the density of seas and green areas on the planet earth. The draft includes 21 targets for 2030 to put an end to pollution and ensure biodiversity preservation.
Moreover, the motive behind the proposals is to maintain the ecological balance on the planet earth. Therefore, conservation of nature is a top priority on this draft by preventing pollution and increasing biodiversity.
Cold Response from Environmentalists
The 21 proposals mentioned in the draft include limiting pesticides, reducing plastic waste, providing $200 billion annually to protect nature in developing countries. Voting on this subject will begin next year in October when a total of 196 countries meet in the U.N. Convention on Biodiversity.
On this subject, environmentalists have reacted coldly as they don’t consider it a sufficient move to preserve nature globally. Moreover, they believe the draft doesn’t have the right level of ambition for the safety of biodiversity.
Currently, around 1 million species face the threat of extinction. Hence, there are appeals for countries to take necessary actions to preserve 30% of their seas and lands by 2030.
Around 17% of land and 7% of seas enjoy protection at present. However, rapid industrialization, development, and overfishing are leading to the shrinkage of natural habits globally.
Implementation of Drafted Proposals is a Challenging Act
Major environmental challenges such as climate change, ocean acidification, and drought have intensified the degradation of species. As a result, over 50 countries, including the US, Britain, etc., have taken a “30-by-30” pledge to conserve the environment.
Moreover, the proposals drafted by the UN officials will involve many challenges while implementing them in reality. Environmentalists believe it would be a tough challenge to implement them in different governments and industries.
Besides, they say countries will have many individuals targets to take necessary actions on this subject. Thomas Brooks, an ecologist at IUCN, has stated that society needs to include itself in this framework to preserve nature.
At the next global biodiversity conference in October in Kumming, China, the draft agreement will see negotiations to create a final blueprint.
