The UK government is leading efforts to protect and restore nature by bringing together foreign governments, philanthropy, and business leaders in an event taking place on 17 February 2023 at Lancaster House in London. The event aims to drive action to protect and restore nature and to deliver the deal agreed upon by almost 200 countries at the UN Nature summit in Montreal in December 2022 (COP15). By 2030, this deal requires countries to both halt and reverse biodiversity loss, as well as to protect 30% of the world’s land and ocean.
At COP15, an agreement was made to strongly urge an increase in the amount of money devoted to preventing nature loss and restoring endangered habitats, such as mangroves, rainforests, and grasslands. A goal of mobilizing $200 billion annually by 2030, with $20 billion flowing to developing nations by 2025 & escalating to $30 billion by 2030, was set forth in the agreement.
By hosting the event in the UK, the UK has played and continues to lead a key role in bringing countries together in Montreal with the aim of driving global financing to support the execution of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Environment ministers from countries such as France, the United States, Ecuador, Gabon, and the Maldives will attend the event alongside indigenous leaders as well as business leaders and financiers such as HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, stated that protecting the planet’s habitats is a global endeavor, and he is proud that the UK is leading the way in driving action to halt and reverse the decline of nature worldwide. He added that by working together across the international community, solutions can be identified and delivered to safeguard the environment for future generations.
The Environment Secretary, Dr. Thérèse Coffey MP, expressed her pride in the UK’s contribution to the adoption of an ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework in Montreal in 2022. Its effective implementation will be crucial for the future of the planet and every generation to come. She also stated her pleasure in bringing together Ministers from around the world, business leaders, financiers, and indigenous leaders to identify the solutions that will enable global action to protect nature and reverse biodiversity loss.
U.S. Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources and Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Monica Medina, highlighted the need for policy commitments and coordinated support from a range of partners, including public, private, and philanthropic, to preserve and restore the world’s forests. Global Environment Facility CEO and Chairperson, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, emphasized the importance of financing from all sources, policy support, and an inclusive approach to turn the Global Biodiversity Framework into action with meaningful & lasting results for future generations.
In conclusion, the event hosted by the UK government on 17 February 2023 is a significant step towards protecting and restoring nature, fulfilling the commitments agreed upon by almost 200 countries at COP15, and mobilizing global financing to support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The participation of environment ministers, business leaders, financiers, and indigenous leaders from around the world demonstrates the global effort required to achieve these goals.
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
