Embracing a global goal for nature
Ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) in Kunming, China, a new paper has been launched called A Nature-Positive World: the Global Goal for Nature. Co-authored by Johan Rockström, Harvey Locke and CEOs of a dozen conservation and business organizations, including Business for Nature, the paper makes a strong case with scientific justification on why we need to build a nature-positive world by 2030.
Nature is at a tipping point. More than 1 million species are threatened by extinction and more than half of the world’s GDP - US$44 trillion of economy value generation - is moderately or highly dependent on nature and it’s services.
The paper explains the need for an actionable global goal for nature that is nature-positive, provides the scientific justification for the concept, and discusses how a Global Goal can be set as an objective of all international environmental agreements, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and be adopted by business. The goal is based on three measurable objectives:
Zero net loss of nature from 2020
Net positive by 2030, and
Full recovery by 2050.
A global goal for nature embraced at the highest levels will drive ambition in governments, business and society, as well as create the opportunity for links between biodiversity and other conventions/agreements such as climate, ocean and land degradation. It must be reflected in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
Why a global goal is needed
COVID-19 has given us a stark warning of the risks, vulnerabilities and inequalities of our interconnected systems – and what’s at stake for everyone if we cannot mobilize ambitious action. We must learn from this and seize the opportunity to build back better for an equitable, carbon neutral, nature-positive world.
A Global Goal for Nature is necessary to counter the lack of action for nature protection, most recently outlined by the Independent Review team of the UK Treasury in the Dasgupta Review, which paints a clear picture of how we have collectively failed the natural world, with demands far outstripping its capacity to supply us with goods and services, putting at risk the prosperity and health of current and future generations.
Business for Nature is unifying the voice of business calling for governments to adopt this Global Goal to be nature-positive and reverse nature loss by 2030. It’s adoption would send a clear signal to investors and businesses, give direction and create a sense of urgency of the need to live within planetary boundaries. Long-term certainty is vital to encourage the uptake of nature-positive business models and to orient investments and business decision-making processes around the protection, restoration and sustainable use of nature and natural resources. A Global Goal would help simplify the nature agenda, guide investment decisions and ultimately provide direction for all.
“Current economic and business practices are putting nature under ever-increasing pressure. The private sector has the responsibility to co-lead the transformation needed. A global goal for nature will help set the ambition needed and is why more than 700 companies are calling on governments to adopt policies to reverse nature loss by 2030 through the ‘Nature is Everyone’s Business’ Call to Action. ”
Read our nine suggestions, with specific text amendments, for negotiators to include in the GBF aiming to strengthen its ambition.