Biodiversity

 Variety and variability of life on earth.

 strongest natural defence of climate change

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Components of biodiversity

 Genetic diversity

variation of genes within a particular species.

 Species diversity

variation of species within a habitat or a region.

 Eco-system diversity

variation of ecosystem within a geographical location.

Forests, wetlands, deserts, grasslands and oceans.

Importance

ecological stability

Enhances ecosystem productivity and stability

ecosystem services

Supports ecosystem services for survival of organisms.

Economic value

Vital for pharmaceuticals and agricultural industry.

Cultural and aesthetic

value contributes to cultural heritage and recreational value.

Current state

 Wildlife population have declined by an average of 73% globally

between 1970 and 2020 (Living Planet Report 2024, WWF?
 The most affected regions include

Latin America- 95%

The Africa -76% and

the Asia-Pacific- 60%.

 Australia’s unique biodiversity (country’s national identity, economy is

under threat.

Threats to Biodiversity

Anthropogenic Causes

Invasive species

Climate change

Effects of Climate Change

1. Species Distribution and Migration.

Polar Regions:

- Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems are experiencing rapid changes due to

warming temperatures and melting ice.

- Species like polar bears, penguins, and seals are losing critical ice habitats,

affecting their hunting, breeding, and migration patterns.

Mountain Ecosystems:

- Alpine species are migrating to higher elevations as temperatures rise.

However, as they move upward, they may encounter unsuitable habitats or
run out of space.

2.Phonological Changes

Early or late in flowering , breeding and migration pattern.

3.Ecosystem Functioning and Services

Fewer services like Water Purification, Fresh air, Food, Medicine

4. Habitat loss and degradation

Rising sea level, wildfires, high temperature has declining the habitat.
5. Increased stress on species

External stressor like pollution, invasive species make them hard to survive
in their environment.

Biodiversity’s Role in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

1. Carbon Sequestration:

- forests ,wetlands, grasslands act as strong carbon sinks.

2. Resilience and Adaptation:

- Ecosystems to better withstand and recover from climate change impacts.

3.Ecosystem Services:

- Flood regulation by wetlands and coastal protection by mangroves.

4. Nature-Based Solutions

- Reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and the creation of green urban

spaces.

Interactions between biodiversity and climate change.

Climate change is the primary driver of biodiversity loss.

And

climate depends on depends biodiversity as a part of the solution so both of

them are interlinked with each other.

Convention on Biological Diversity

International treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity, using biological

resources sustainably, and sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of
genetic resources

fairly and equitably.

 Was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 and
entered into force on December 29, 1993.
  -Signatories: 196 parties (195 countries and the European Union) have
ratified the CBD.

Key Objectives

Conservation of Biological Diversity

- Protecting biodiversity to ensure the stability and resilience of the natural

environment.

Sustainable Use of Biodiversity

- Use of biological resources in a ways that do not lead to long-term depletion

of ecosystems.

Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits

- Fair distribution of benefits derived from genetic resources (Indigenous

communities and owner country).

- Benefits to be compensated appropriately.

Key Components

1. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): Each

party to the CBD is required to develop national strategies and plans to
implement the objectives of the Convention.

2. Conference of the Parties (COP): This is the governing body of the

CBD, which meets biennially to review progress, set priorities, and make
decisions on the implementation of the Convention.

3.The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: This supplementary agreement

to the CBD focuses on the safe handling, transport, and use of living
modified organisms (LMOs).

4.The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing: This protocol

aims to provide a transparent legal framework for the effective
implementation of one of the objectives of CBD.

Aichi Targets (Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020)

A ten-year framework for action by all countries and stakeholders to save

biodiversity and enhance its benefits for people.
  Set of 20 ambitious but achievable global biodiversity goals
established under CBD in 2011.
 Adopted in 2010 in COP 10 in Nagoya, Japan, as part of the Strategic
Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
 Grouped on five strategic goals with the aims of:

1. Addressing the underlying causes of biodiversity

loss,

2.Reducing direct pressures on biodiversity

3.Improving the status of biodiversity,

4.Enhancing the benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services, and

5.Enhancing implementation through participatory planning, knowledge

management, and capacity building.

The vision

“By 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used,

maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering
benefits essential

for all people.

The Mission

 Effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss to

ensure ecosystems is resilient by 2020. (secure the

planet’s life, contribute to human well-being and poverty

eradication)

 Reduced pressure on biodiversity, ecosystem restored, biological

resources used sustainably, sharing genetic resources in fair and
equitable way, appropriate policies implemented.

Key Components
  None of the 20 targets have been fulfilled at the global level, ( Global
biodiversity outlook 5 report published by United Nations, 2020)
 6 targets have been partially achieved (9,11, 16,17,19,20)
 Examining 60 specific elements of Aichi biodiversity targets, 7 have
been achieved, 38 show progress, 13 elements show no progress
( indicate to move away from the target)
 2 elements have unknown level of progress.

Failure of Aichi Targets

 Were criticized for being overly complex and ambiguous.

 Targets were poorly integrated into National biodiversity plans
(Policy coherence)
 Limited financial support
 Lack of political commitment and governance.

Kunming Montreal framework (Landmark deal) post 2020 GBF

Biggest commitment done in terms of area

 Blueprint for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity that

replace Aichi targets
 Adopted during COP 15, Dec 2022
 Aims to achieve conservation of biodiversity by 2030 or halt the loss of
nature
 196 countries taking leadership.
 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030

Vision of Kunming Montreal GBF

“A world of living in harmony with nature”
4 Goals for 2050
1. Protect and restore
2. Prosper with nature
3. Shares benefits in fair and equitable way
4. Incest and collaborate
 Key highlights
1. 30*30 targets
 Protecting 30% of land and 30% of seas by 2030 Currently 17%
land and 10% of marine worlds in under protection.
2.Money transfer
 GBF hopes to see at least raised $200 billion per year from all
sources ( domestic, international, public, private)
 Developing countries should get at least $20 billion per year by
2025 and $30 billion per year by 2030 from developed
countries.
3.Indigenous rights
 Envisages access to justice and information related to
biodiversity for indigenous people and local communities
respecting their cultures, right over land territories, resources
and traditional knowledge.

Controversy on Indigenous rights

Amazon Rainforest (Brazil)

 Exploitation

Encroachment of Indigenous land without their prior consent for

logging, cattle ranching and agriculture.

 Impact: Displacement of tribes such as the Yanomami and Guarani

- destruction of ecosystems

- violence against activists defending their rights.

Asia

Orang Asli (Malaysia)

 Exploitation: Logging and oil palm plantations encroach on their

forest lands.
 Impact: Forced relocation and disruption of traditional practices.
Oceania
Aboriginal Australians

 Exploitation: Mining projects like the destruction of the Juukan Gorge

rock shelters by Rio Tinto.
 Impact: Loss of ancient cultural heritage and violation of sacred sites.

Europe
Sámi People (Scandinavia)

 Exploitation: Industrial projects like mining, hydroelectric dams, and

wind farms disrupt reindeer herding lands.
 Impact: Erosion of cultural practices and reduced access to traditional
territories.

 Aligned with sustainable goals ( goal 14 life below water goal 15

life on land)
 Harmful subsidies: committed to identify
subsidies that deplet biodiversity be 2025.
 Food waste: cut food waste in half, reduce
over consumption, waste generation.
 Pesticides : Reduces by half

Why Kunming Montreal Framework being praised????

 Key measure of success is that new targets are both

specific and measurable.
 Included the rights of indigenous rights
 UK government passed the landmark Environment
Act in November which included a commitment to
halt the loss of species abundance by 2030.