Resolution on the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
The European Parliament adopted the resolution on the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP14).
Parliament recalled that the COP14 in Egypt marks the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention. It considered it therefore of the utmost importance to step up efforts on the implementation of the current Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, to focus on the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and to work on an ambitious post-2020 strategic plan and implementation mechanism, with a view to developing a 2050 scenario which takes into account new challenges in the field of biodiversity, in line with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
While highlighting the role of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, in particular SDG 14 (to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources) and SDG 15 (to protect terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss), the resolution noted with concern that the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets will not be met with the current trajectory of biodiversity loss, and called on all Parties to and stakeholders of the CBD to step up their efforts in this field.
The Commission and the Member States are urged, in this regard, to:
- commit to immediate, substantial and additional efforts on biodiversity conservation so as to meet EU targets.
- remain strongly committed to further strengthening the Convention and to take a leading role in the preparation of the post-2020 framework, in particular in the run-up to the 14th and 15th meetings of the Conference of the Parties, and to transparently set out their visions and priorities for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework;
- facilitate, the adoption of biodiversity mainstreaming and improved environmental policy coherence in all internal and external policies of the EU, also with regard to their commitment to the full implementation of the SDGs by 2030;
- actively pursue the development of clear, quantitative, measurable targets with performance indicators, better tracking instruments, commitment processes and review and reporting mechanisms with common standards, echoing the mechanisms of the Paris Climate Agreement ;
- improve the transparency and accountability for Parties and the overall effectiveness of the next global biodiversity framework;
- promote the establishment of new international financial mechanisms for biodiversity conservation linked to the Convention and highlight the importance of private financing initiatives in this regard.
Lastly, Parliament highlighted that a stronger international framework is needed to protect global biodiversity, to stop its current decline and to restore it as much as possible. Such a framework should be based on targets and voluntary commitments, comprising nationally determined contributions, supported by local and regional contributions, and other appropriate instruments, financial commitments and improved capacity building assurances, as well as a five-yearly review mechanism, with an emphasis on improved governance of protected areas and more effective conservation measures, and an upward trajectory of ambition.