MONTREAL & CALI, COLOMBIA —Today, on 21 October 2024, governments come together for two weeks of negotiations in Cali, Colombia, to progress on the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreed upon at the previous COP15 in Montreal in December 2022. The nature deal presents an opportunity to protect and restore high-integrity ecosystems in a fair and equitable way over the next decade and into the future.
By championing and signing that deal, Canada, as well as the rest of the world, pledged to protect 30% of its land and ocean resources by 2030 (30×30), while also upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, as of now, Canada is not even close to reaching the goal, while 2030 is just around the corner. Although the federal government has recently introduced the Nature Accountability Act (C-73), the bill doesn’t go far enough to ensure that this time around Canada meets its international obligations to halt and reverse nature loss.
Salomé Sané, Nature, Oceans & Plastics Campaigner, Greenpeace Canada said:
“Hosting the previous Nature COP gave Canada an opportunity for a fresh start. But two years later we are still waiting for the federal government to start acting on its promises and stop putting corporate interests over people’s well-being and rights to a healthy environment. With nature destruction unfolding right in front of our eyes, we have no time to spare. A strong Nature Accountability Act that sets measurable targets, ensures accountability and prioritizes Indigenous Peoples’ rights already has the support of over 87,000 people from across Canada. Passing such law at home will serve as the ultimate litmus test of the federal government’s leadership and commitment to protecting nature on the global arena.”
What Greenpeace expects from COP16 for success:
- Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Global Framework commitment to provide $20 billion USD by 2025, and every year after, increasing to $30 billion USD by 2030, with direct access to funding for Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
- A mandate to act on climate-biodiversity synergies at international and national levels, with protection of ecosystem integrity as a key measure;
- Delivery on the ambition and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Plans (NBSAPs) to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework;
- A mechanism for continuing the identification of ecologically and biologically important marine areas.
An Lambrechts, Head of the Greenpeace COP16 delegation said: “We’re about to see how serious governments really are about solving the biodiversity crisis. It’s time for everyone to put their cards on the table: we’ll see who’s walking the talk and who’s hindering progress.”
“COP16 is our make or break moment. Our fight against climate change hinges on nature protection. Integrating action between biodiversity and climate conventions will go a long way towards the protection of people and planet, hand in hand with the timely delivery of agreed financial commitments and national plans. Delay is not acceptable. Governments need to come to Cali ready to deliver.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
Ahead of governments beginning discussions, Greenpeace Andino activists unfurled a banner 70 metres high with the message: “Action for Nature Now,” a powerful message to governments for urgent global action to protect biodiversity as earth faces a mass extinction crisis. Photo and video of banner action can be found in the Greenpeace Media Library.
The Greenpeace delegation will be in Cali from 21 October with representatives available for comment.
Greenpeace Canada media backgrounder on the Nature Accountability Act is available here.
Full Greenpeace Policy Briefings can be found on:
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dina Ni, Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Canada
[email protected]; +1 416 820-2148
Gaby Flores, Greenpeace International, [email protected]
August Rick, Greenpeace East Asia, [email protected]
Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]
