Catch up on the main nature policy news from September
In a nutshell: UN adopts Pact for the Future / Updated NBSAPs / New York Climate Week / High Seas Treaty updates
UN General Assembly adopts Pact for the Future
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future, a conference to re-envision and improve the UN system across all areas of global governance to respond to 21st century challenges.
The agreed text includes reference to fossil fuel transition in energy systems and renewables pledge, but also references transition fuels such as gas. Unlike most of its previous drafts, the Pact now also references the need for alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework and the zero deforestation by 2030 target.
The role and contribution of the private sector to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development is addressed in several sections of the Pact, with the text stating it will encourage the private sector to contribute to sustainability.
Latest updated NBSAPs ahead of COP16
Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, and Cuba became the latest countries to submit their updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), bringing the total to 17 updated NBSAPs.
Afghanistan’s NBSAP includes one business-related action, aiming for businesses to conduct environmental impact assessments. However, the plan states that Target 15 and Target 18 will not be addressed.
Burkina Faso’s NBSAP focuses on three strategic areas: biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and development, and governance. It does not include a specific business-related target, though it suggests the business sector should contribute to implementation, particularly in the forestry sector.
Cuba’s NBSAP features 20 targets, mostly focused on conservation, sustainable use, and capacity building. It includes goals for businesses to report on their biodiversity impacts and promote sustainable consumption, and for the government to progressively reduce at least two harmful incentives.
WWF published its new NBSAP Tracker, which assesses published NBSAPs and updated national targets regarding their ambition level, whole-of-society approach, inclusion of national plans and means of implementation, among others.
New York Climate Week wrap up
New York Climate Week brought together political leaders, businesses, and civil society to discuss how to accelerate climate action. Several key announcements were made during the event, including:
Global Investor Statement to Governments on the Climate Crisis: A total of 534 financial institutions, managing over $29 trillion in assets, signed a statement urging governments to take action to achieve a climate-resilient, net zero emissions economy by 2050 or sooner.
Climate Policy Engagement Leaders Report: InfluenceMap released its annual report identifying leading companies in climate policy advocacy. This year, 41 companies from Europe, North America, and Asia met the minimum standards.
High Seas Treaty updates
The High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), has received 13 official ratifications, a year after the treaty opened to ratifications.
The Maldives, Bangladesh, and Singapore were among the latest to ratify and the first Asian nations to do so, joining other countries like Cuba, Palau, Chile, Belize, Micronesia, Monaco, Barbados, Timor Leste, and Seychelles. For the BBNJ to come into effect, it needs ratification by at least 60 countries. So far, 103 countries have signed the treaty, signaling their intent to ratify.
With support from the USA and Canada, Chile announced the launch of the ‘BBNJ First Movers’ initiative during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), aimed at establishing the first generation of marine protected areas in the High Seas and ultimately accelerating the implementation of the treaty.
Read the August news update to catch up on previous nature policy stories from around the world.
Don’t forget to read our policy recommendations to governments that cover several topics outlined above.