DSWF joins discussions for a new agreement on biodiversity

This week, delegates from 195 countries met online to begin discussions for a new draft agreement on biodiversity. 

The draft agreement, known as the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), includes a number of goals and targets which will map out humanity’s journey to live in “harmony with nature by 2050”.

Whilst David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) welcomes these discussions, we believe that essential changes are needed to bring about the necessary transformative action to halt and reverse the biodiversity crisis. 

In 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) released a ground-breaking report warning that a million species are threatened with extinction. With the very fabric of life hanging in the balance, DSWF has been actively engaging in these discussions, urging countries to strive for greater ambition and to commit to the necessary actions to achieve it. 

Along with goals to protect 30 percent of oceans and land by 2030, and to increase funding for conservation to at least US$ 200 billion per year, the GBF includes a target on harvesting, trade and use of wild species. But not only does the current wording lack ambition, its language relating to wildlife trade is dangerously weak, despite its connection with the Covid-19 pandemic. 

DSWF’s Senior Policy Advisor Dr. Rosalind Reeve considers that, “the draft needs to be much more ambitious. Countries have a unique opportunity to step up their ambition and commit to turning round the biodiversity crisis. It’s critical they agree goals and targets that will prevent future pandemics.” 

Uniting with 11 other organisations, DSWF is calling on governments to reverse the loss of biodiversity and to address the threats of wildlife exploitation and trade as a matter of urgency.

Click here to find out more and to see how you can help DSWF.