CBD Alliance statement on Goal A
“We would regret having a goal that falls below the ambition level of Aichi target 5.“
Delegates were up last night until the small hours of the night, making progress towards negotiations on all of the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Discussions started from Goal B and opinions converged on its focus. Goal C and D were quickly negotiated yet many brackets still remain.
Goal A was where many of the parties suggested alternative paragraphs and language.
CBD Alliance made the following statement on Goal A, represented by Friedich Wulf from Pro Natura.
“There seems to be a lot of convergence on the use of the term “integrity”. This term, however, does not include the area of ecosystems, as I have just been told from the WCS who has been promoting the concept of ecosystem integrity.
We therefore propose to insert the word “area” before “connectivity” in Alt. 7, first line, and also in the first line of the longer version. Area is mentioned at the end in relation to increasing ecosystems, but it is important to first maintain the area of valuable existing ecosystems which need centuries to recover, such as old-growth forests and peatlands, before increasing them, so we propose to mention it at the beginning in the longer version too. We would regret having a goal that falls below the ambition level of Aichi target 5. “
Discussions later continued on the issue of having the targets set for 2030 or 2032. Most Parties expressed their views that 2030 should still remain the aim. Many Parties at that hour, 1:30 am at night were not present at the venue.