Countries must report nature protection plans to the UN, UN says
As the countdown to the COP16 U.N. nature summit begins in Cali, Colombia, nearly 200 nations are facing a pivotal deadline to submit their biodiversity conservation plans. These submissions, known as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), are crucial for global efforts to address nature loss and align with targets set during the previous U.N. Biodiversity Summit, COP15, held in Montreal in 2022.
Why are nature pledges important?
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, established during COP15, outlines ambitious goals aimed at protecting ecosystems by 2050. Key targets include the commitment to conserve 30% of the Earth’s land and marine areas and mobilize $200 billion in financing for nature by 2030. Nations are expected to articulate how they plan to contribute to these goals through their NBSAPs.
Understanding NBSAPs
Each NBSAP reflects a country’s specific strategies for biodiversity conservation. There is no standardized format for these plans, allowing nations to tailor their pledges based on local needs and resources. For instance, while the United Arab Emirates has submitted a concise 22-page document, France’s plan extends nearly 400 pages, showcasing significant variation in approach and detail.
Challenges ahead
Experts express concerns that, faced with numerous targets, some countries may prioritize the easiest goals over more challenging ones, potentially undermining the overall effectiveness of their biodiversity strategies. Additionally, the time-consuming nature of consultations with local and Indigenous communities may hinder timely submissions, particularly for nations with limited resources.
Comparing biodiversity and climate pledges
While NBSAPs share similarities with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, they face unique challenges. Measuring biodiversity progress is inherently more complex than tracking carbon emissions, and countries are still determining effective metrics for evaluating their conservation efforts.
Submission status and support initiatives
As of now, only about 16% of countries have submitted their NBSAPs ahead of COP16. To support nations in developing their plans, Colombia and Germany established the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, which has engaged 21 countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sri Lanka.
Despite the lack of penalties for late submissions, over 90 of the 195 participating countries have filed their targets, underscoring the commitment to global biodiversity goals as the world prepares for this landmark summit.
