Photo: IUCN/Victoria Romero
IUCN's views on the preparation, scope and content of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
Despite the commitments made by governments in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity to ensure resilient ecosystems by 2020, much remains to be done still.
The good news is that conservation works and going forward, the post-2020 global biodiversity framework should:
- Avoid duplication and enhance complementarity with existing frameworks, in particular the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is essential that the biodiversity framework focusses on effectively addressing threats to biodiversity as well as gaps that might exist in the SDGs – for instance on the interlinkages of biodiversity and human health.
- Be structured to reflect the pathway from where we are now to the changes we’d like to see in 2050. Action targets must be underpinned by a the theory of change reflecting a clear line-of-sight from now until attainment of the Vision.
- Have focused, concrete and measurable Action Targets, so that their implementation and impacts can be monitored and assessed.
- Reflect the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as the three components of biodiversity (species, ecosystems and genes) in coherent specific outcome goals.
- Be a truly global framework, clearly speaking to the other Rio and biodiversity-related conventions as well as to those agreements that cover issues related to biodiversity. Synergies are essential.
- Integrate Nature-based Solutions to safeguard and maintain ecosystems. These are vital for food and water supply, protection against natural disasters and provision of goods and services which are essential for human well-being.
- Embrace all voices: indigenous peoples and local communities, regional and city governments, the private sector, NGOs, women, youth and society at large must be not only invited to the debate but the framework should also incentivise their explicit contributions towards the global goals.
IUCN's latest position paper and other contributions to the process can be found in our dedicated post-2020 resources section.
UN Biodiversity Summit
The United Nations Biodiversity Summit convened by the President of the UN General Assembly, on the margins of its 75th session, aimed to galvanize support for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and accelerate action on biodiversity for sustainable development.
IUCN's Director General delivered a speech in the first Leaders' Dialogue - a session that highlighted the opportunities and priorities for action to tackle the causes of biodiversity loss and for integrating action on biodiversity for sustainable development into key sectors.
In addition to this event and the regular intersessional meetings and negotiating sessions, many more events will take place which will help shape the final global biodiversity framework, including IUCN's World Conservation Congress in 2021.
A detailed timeline of events and milestones in the process provides more information and useful links.
