COP15: The 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference

The 15th UN Biodiversity Conference took place from 7 to 19 December 2022 in Montreal, Canada. To mark COP15, we examine various aspects of international nature conservation.

Species loss continues apace. According to the World Biodiversity Council, one in eight species is at risk of extinction. If the trend continues at such a rapid rate, it will be impossible to achieve 80 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This would have drastic, global consequences – not just for nature, but also for society.

To avert this, the global community is meeting at the global biodiversity conference in Montreal. The aim is to adopt a new Global Diversity Framework with specific nature conservation targets set to apply until 2030. Key points include a proposal to designate 30 per cent of the planet’s land and ocean areas as protected by 2030. This is known as the ‘30x30’ target.

It is not yet clear whether the parties to the convention will be able to come to an agreement. What is certain is that a large portion of vital biodiversity can be found in developing countries, and these countries will require support to protect it. International cooperation is therefore likely to play an even greater role in species and biodiversity conservation in future.

50
%
of all natural ecosystems worldwide have already been destroyed.

‘We also know that in economic terms, biodiversity is a global asset with tremendous value […] Estimates suggest the cost of inaction on biodiversity could rise to at least USD 14 trillion, or seven per cent of global GDP, by 2050.’

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema
Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
News
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Rethinking Plastics

The title of this striking image is ‘Guardians of the Great Wall’. It won a Chinese photography competition in 2020, which was launched as part of a cross-border project Rethinking Plastics: Circular Economy Solutions to Reduce Marine Litter. What you cannot see from the photo is that the Great Wall of China runs all the way to the sea.

The title of this striking image is ‘Guardians of the Great Wall’. It won a Chinese photography competition in 2020, which was launched as part of a cross-border project Rethinking Plastics: Circular Economy Solutions to Reduce Marine Litter. What you cannot see from the photo is that the Great Wall of China runs all the way to the sea. © GIZ / Limin

In Indonesia, the project is supported by dedicated ‘EcoRangers’. To tackle marine waste, they encourage local communities, fishers and tourists to get involved in managing waste. One focus is on switching to reusable bags, straws, cutlery and food packaging on markets.

In Indonesia, the project is supported by dedicated ‘EcoRangers’. To tackle marine waste, they encourage local communities, fishers and tourists to get involved in managing waste. One focus is on switching to reusable bags, straws, cutlery and food packaging on markets. © GIZ / Scholz

In Thailand, the project is also supporting the development of alternative packaging to reduce single-use plastic – for example for food deliveries.

In Thailand, the project is also supporting the development of alternative packaging to reduce single-use plastic – for example for food deliveries. © GIZ / Korawut NEEPARN

On the beaches of the Thai island Koh Phi Phi, GIZ is working with local communities and the tourism sector to prevent plastic waste in the ocean and to conserve biodiversity.

On the beaches of the Thai island Koh Phi Phi, GIZ is working with local communities and the tourism sector to prevent plastic waste in the ocean and to conserve biodiversity. © GIZ / Kampe

An online platform developed to improve ship-generated waste management also aims to prevent the illegal dumping of waste in the ocean and promote recycling.

An online platform developed to improve ship-generated waste management also aims to prevent the illegal dumping of waste in the ocean and promote recycling. © GIZ / Kampe

The Caribe Circular – Preventing Plastic Waste in Central America and the Caribbean Sea project has similar objectives. In the Dominican Republic, the project organised a clean-up campaign as part of Global Recycling Day in May 2021.

The Caribe Circular – Preventing Plastic Waste in Central America and the Caribbean Sea project has similar objectives. In the Dominican Republic, the project organised a clean-up campaign as part of Global Recycling Day in May 2021. © GIZ / Tejada

The initiative raises people’s awareness of how much single-use plastic they use and encourages them to take responsibility for preventing and reducing it.

The initiative raises people’s awareness of how much single-use plastic they use and encourages them to take responsibility for preventing and reducing it. © GIZ / Tejada