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Environment
European Bison (Bison bonasus). Bialowieza forest, Poland
Gregoire Dubois
EU at COP15 global biodiversity conference

COP15 was the biggest biodiversity conference in a decade. On 19 December 2022, world leaders adopted the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The framework contains goals and targets to protect and restore nature.

Outcomes

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has clear, measurable goals and targets, with complete monitoring, reporting, and review arrangements to track progress. It is complemented by a robust resource mobilisation package. It commits the global community to actions to protect and restore nature and remove pollution.

Goals and targets for ambitious action by 2030 and 2050

The Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement includes key global targets to

  • Restore 30% degraded ecosystems globally (on land and sea) by 2030
  • Conserve and manage 30% areas (terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine) by 2030
  • Stop the extinction of known species, and by 2050 reduce tenfold the extinction risk and rate of all species
  • Reduce risk from pesticides by at least 50% by 2030
  • Reduce nutrients lost to the environment by at least 50% by 2030
  • Reduce pollution risks and negative impacts of pollution from all sources by 2030 to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystems
  • Reduce global footprint of consumption by 2030
  • Sustainably manage areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and forestry and substantially increase agroecology and other biodiversity-friendly practices
  • Tackle climate change through nature-based solutions
  • Reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030
  • Secure the safe, legal and sustainable use and trade of wild species by 2030
  • Increase benefit sharing from the use of genetic resources to support biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use

The deal will also significantly increase finance for biodiversity from all sources (domestic, international – both public and private) mobilising at least USD 200 billion per year by 2030. It also addresses subsidies harmful to biodiversity. A new Fund established under the Global Environment Facility will be open to financing from all sources. A new multilateral mechanism to share benefits out of digital sequence information on genetic resources and contribute to mobilize resource was also established.

Next steps

EU initiatives at COP15

The EU formed alliances and initiatives to help deliver the Global Biodiversity Framework on the ground. During the conference, the EU

What’s at stake? Life on Earth as we know it...

Biodiversity is not only about protecting bees and trees. It’s about saving our life support systems. Healthy biodiversity means healthy people, food and water security. Nature is also our best ally in tackling  the climate crisis.

Right now, we’re destroying nature faster than ever. If we don’t change track, all of humanity will be put at risk.

Green sphere with dolphin, deer and fir tree.

1 million species are at risk of extinction

Globe depicting humans, trees, squirrel, sun, cloud, and water droplets.

Humans have radically changed ¾ of the Earth’s surface

Scales on green backdrop surrounded by tree, cloud, sun, and water droplet.

75% of the world’s crops depend on pollinators

Trees, clouds and sun atop green and blue hemisphere.

Half of global GDP depends on nature

The Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement opens the window of opportunity to secure a healthy future on Earth. This deal does the job on all fronts: it will restore 30% degraded ecosystems on land and sea by 2030 and will conserve 30% of the world’s marine and terrestrial areas. It reduces risks from pollution, targets subsidies harmful to biodiversity, mobilises funds and brings businesses on board by ensuring they take responsibility. And we must remember that without Montreal there will be no Paris, because we need to protect biodiversity to achieve our climate targets. Today’s deal is an all-round win and I am proud we made it. The real work starts now to turn the words on paper into real action around the world.

Virginijus Sinkevičius - EU Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
EU Commissioner giving talk.

EU soil strategy for 2030

A framework and concrete measures to protect and restore soils, and ensure that they are used sustainably

EU cooperation

The EU cannot solve the current crisis alone – all countries need to join forces. There is high public support for for leaders to take bold action for climate, nature and people. 

The EU is working with many partners:

Biodiversity success stories

Green landscape mirrored in lake.

In Europe

Discover examples of successful nature restoration projects throughout Europe
Girl and llama.

Worldwide

See how people worldwide are fighting the biodiversity and climate crises

Get involved

Pollinator Park

Entertaining and educational VR-experience intended to raise awareness about the alarming decline of pollinators and mobilise global action to address it.

Biodiversity - COP15
COP 15

Montreal - December 2022