These include commitments to accelerate habitat preservation, stepping stones towards a circular economy, regenerative agricultural practices and multilateral agreements on corporate disclosure on the external effects on biodiversity.
The “wishes” in full are as follows:
An acceleration and tailoring of habitat-protection commitments
Whilst the promise to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 is a good start, it is arguably not aggressive enough and the situation demands a tailored approach, as some areas require more protection than others. Reducing deforestation by 100% by 2030 is a target we would like to see set, coupled with a commitment to include nature-positive measures in all new developments over a certain size.
An agreement to firm corporate targets on waste levels, percentage of recycling and recycled input
One of the key outcomes of the Conference should be a commitment to firm corporate targets on waste levels, recycling percentages and recycled input. These targets help progress towards the wider goal of creating a circular economy that, in stark contrast to the “take, make, waste” culture that uses up natural resources, uses products that are recycled and regenerated at the end of their life cycles.
Waste is a hugely negative contributor to biodiversity – killing fish and aquatic life, poisoning water tables and land, and polluting the air. In a non-circular economy, our consumption begins with extraction, so unless something is made from recycled materials, its production is consuming natural resources. Avoiding extraction and encouraging recycling takes considerable pressure off nature and helps to preserve biodiversity. Any commitment surrounding recycling should come with the inclusion of mandatory corporate disclosure.
A commitment to ensuring at least 50% of agricultural land begins a transition, or is fully transitioned, to agroecological and regenerative agriculture
The current food-production system is strongly interlinked with biodiversity loss and climate change. The majority of farmed land is depleted, with overuse of chemicals damaging soil health, river systems and, most crucially, killing pollinating insects. Firm policies relating to education, subsidy and transition programmes to support farmers moving to regenerative methods would be very welcome.
A multilateral agreement on a definition of biodiversity net gains
This is a vital factor in measuring progress on biodiversity preservation and replenishment: if we can’t define a gain, how can we measure our success? Multilateral commitments on corporate disclosure around biodiversity would give the financial world the best possible opportunity to produce impactful investments.
UBP Impact Team