Goal B

Addressing elements in the right order

This Goal is about the benefits nature provides for people through sustainable use. The benefits for people are a result of using them sustainably. Therefore, the goal should put “Biodiversity being used sustainably” at centre and first, and only then, through this, “ensuring the long-term integrity of ecosystems and maintaining and restoring nature’s contributions to people”.

Elements to be replaced

• “Ecosystem services” by “Ecosystem functions”

Ecosystem functions are well defined under the CBD. The word services is a market term, and suggests that the main function of ecosystems is to serve human requirements.

• “Fully accounted” by “biodiversity monitoring to ensure the achievement of the GBF”

Accounting as an economic monetary way of considering the environment can be counterproductive and lead to commodification of nature. The real aim is to monitor in a consistent way if the GBF gets achieved.

Elements that should be part of the goal

• The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

Respect of human rights, including the recently approved by the HR Council Right to a Healthy Environment, are key to achieving rapid and ambitious progress in the protection, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

• Equitable conservation and sustainable use

A major cause of biodiversity destruction arises from the profound inequity between regions and within countries and it is therefore vital to tackle this issue according to CBDR, taking also into account historical patterns of production and consumption

• Sustainably and equitably governed and managed ecosystems

Good governance and management of conserved ecosystems are key. The IPBES has particularly noted the vital contribution of Indigenous Peoples, and further securing recognition of their territories is essential.

Elements that should NOT be part of the goal

• Nature Based Solutions (NBS)

The term nature-based solutions is being used in many different contexts with different definitions and implementations, many of which are counterproductive for the environment. In particular, offsetting and greenwashing NBS-projects by corporations can undermine real biodiversity benefits. Furthermore, most NBS- projects are heavily climate oriented, often even at the peril of biodiversity.

• “Value”

Value could lead to financialisation of Nature