Equal urgency and Importance needed across all Global Biodiversity Framework targets
As the OEWG3 negotiations entered its second week, it is vital to evaluate what has been achieved so far and what can be done in the remaining days to ensure that all key concerns are addressed as we prepare for COP15. General statements have been made on all the 21 targets and the interest of negotiators has been registered, noted and submitted for consideration. In addition, many non-state observers alike, have made their submissions, including those within the CBD Alliance.
Undeniably, ensuring all four goals and 21 (potentially 22-23) targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) are treated and implemented with equal urgency and importance will propel its success even further especially if all parties embrace and recognize the interdependence with the GBF elements.
Traditionally, Goal A which relates to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, has received the greatest interest at the ongoing deliberations. While Goal A is important, its success is hardly possible without an equal emphasis on meeting people’s needs within Goal B and ensuring equitable sharing of benefits in Goal C all while being supported by an effective means of implementation, monetary and non monetary, within Goal D. Therefore, it is imperative that the four goals of the convention receive the same sense of urgency and importance if we are to see any impactful change within the next decade.
A key enabling factor for the above to be realized is having an integrated approach to the entire GBF going forward where deliberate commitments must be made by all parties to treat each target as equally significant. GEO BON research (SBSTTA 31 info document) also showed that no single target is dominant in achieving the framework and each contributes to the end goals.
Parties must guarantee to acknowledge and promote the interdependency between targets, here and now, as this will inevitably set the stage for intents towards the effective implementation of the GBF. If we cannot get a balanced focus on targets as a result of the negotiations, we will be undermining the convention and what it stands to achieve as a whole.
In the meetings so far, we have heard several stakeholders emphasize that a key to a successful GBF is its transformative nature. Transformation is derived through systemic change of three core systems that include; ecological, sociological, and economic systems. Opportunities for transformation of all three are currently presented across the four goals and 21 targets of the GBF which is commendable.
Negotiators and observers alike must focus on an integrated approach and go to the negotiation table with a commitment to be ambitious in respect to a transformative agenda across all targets and systems. The goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework cannot be achieved in isolation, hence, even in their formulation, we must be intent in recognizing these interlinkages and dependencies.
By Frederick Kwame Kumah, Vice President, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)
A member of Africa CSOs Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA)