A new Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at CBD CoP15

A new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted on 19^th December 2022 at the 15^th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP 15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal Canada. The new GBF termed as the “last chance’ to halt and reverse the destruction of the natural world by 30% by 2030 referred to as “30×30”. The GBF aims to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems, protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and to mobilise $30 billion in yearly conservation aid for developing countries by the end of the decade.

Key highlights of the new GBF

1. “30×30” target of an ambition to conserve 30% of the world’s land and 30% of the ocean by 2030 agreed
2. A second “30×30” goal reached with developed countries agreeing to mobilise $30bn for developing countries to achieve the 30×30 target 2030.
3. IPLCs rights incorporated in spatial planning (target 1), area based conservation (target 3), customary sustainable use (target 5&9), traditional knowledge (goals C, target  13 and 20) and participation and respect for the rights of IPLCs to lands, territories and resources  (target 22). Inclusion of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and their explicit mention of their full and effective participation in decision making was a great gain.
4. Gender Plan of Action adopted to support and promote the gender-responsive implementation of the new Global Biodiversity Framework. it is the first time an international environmental agreement recognises access to natural resources. It lays out a mechanisms to increase women and girls rights to ownership and control over land and access to natural resources and to water, to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
5. Nature-based solutions introduced in target 8 alongside ecosystem approaches as actions to minimise the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience.
6. A Global Environment Facility (GEF requested to establish a Special Trust Fund to assist the Global Biodiversity Framework (“GBF Fund”) to facilitate the timely implementation of the GBF with a sufficient, predictable, and timely flow of funding, the fund would supplement existing support and scale up financing.

Comprehensive details of the targets of the four goals and 23 targets are available on this link https://www.cbd.int/article/cop15-cbd-press-release-final-19dec2022

KWCA participation at CBD COP 16

KWCA CEO, Communication Manager and Gender Officer participated in CoP 15 as government delegates to help track Kenya’s position in various CBD agenda items and participated in seven side events and two dialogue forums as panellists focusing on Kenya’s conservancy model on addressing gender equality, biodiversity loss, rights to IPLCs and community conservation financing.

We are grateful to our partners Fauna & Flora International, The Nature Conservancy, IUCN and One Earth for their financial support that provided an opportunity for KWCA to share  Kenya’s conservancy model as a practical strategy to increase Kenya’s conservation land area in line with the 30×30 goals, promoting women inclusion in conservation, restoring biodiversity loss, promoting the rights of Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) in Conservation and advocating for local conservation financing.

We look forward to work with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to turn the promises into action by implementing the new framework.