New York, New York (22 September 2021)—Over 20 heads of state, as well as business, philanthropy and Indigenous leaders, made major funding announcements and conservation commitments today at the Transformative Action for Nature and People, a UN General Assembly side event, which aimed to build momentum ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which will begin on October 11, 2021.
One effort, the global push to protect and conserve at least 30% of the world’s lands, freshwater and oceans by 2030, gained major traction today as leaders of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC) committed to new conservation action and announced that 72 countries now support the global goal. Together, the HAC country members harbor 42% of land biodiversity and 30% of terrestrial carbon stocks, 44% of ocean biodiversity conservation priority areas and 46% of sediment carbon (and 30% of carbon at risk from bottom trawling) in exclusive economic zones. Additionally, between the HAC, the Global Ocean Alliance (a coalition of countries championing the ocean 30by30 target), and other initiatives, over 100 countries now support the ocean “30by30” target.
In an unprecedented announcement, nine philanthropic organizations launched the "Protecting Our Planet Challenge" and pledged $5 billion to protect and conserve 30% of the planet by 2030 by supporting protected areas and Indigenous stewardship of their territories. This marks the largest-ever philanthropic commitment to nature conservation. Indigenous leaders welcomed the announcement as a sign of how the 30% target could be aligned with human rights. The pledge includes a $500 million commitment from philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss, adding on to the $1 billion pledge he made for nature three years ago, which helped inspire other philanthropists to support nature conservation.
This commitment to ensure 30 percent of the planet is protected and preserved in the most important places for biodiversity by 2030 is being made jointly by Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin; Bezos Earth Fund; Bloomberg Philanthropies; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Nia Tero; Rainforest Trust ($500 million); Re:wild; Wyss Foundation ($500 million); and the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation. These private funders have launched the “Protecting Our Planet Challenge.”
At the same event, Saker Nusseibeh, the CEO of International Federated Hermes announced on behalf of the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge’s initiative that 75 financial institutions--worth a collective €12 trillion in assets--have committed to protecting and restoring biodiversity through their finance activities and investments thereby making an important contribution to reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and reducing existing investments which are harmful to nature.
Furthermore, Yannick Glemarec, the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, said that the fund is devoting a considerable portion of its portfolio, now close to $9 billion, to restoring ecosystems while creating jobs, sending a strong signal of the importance of nature in addressing the climate crisis and sustaining livelihoods.
Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, reiterated that the European Union will double its external funding for biodiversity. The additional €4 billion ($4.7 billion) from 2021-2027 will assist the most vulnerable countries. Chancellor Merkel of Germany also reiterated support for the 30x30 target and the country’s pledge to increase international climate financing to an annual €6 billion ($7 billion) by 2025 at the latest.
The hope is that these significant financing announcements can spur further public and private investments for the new Global Biodiversity Framework to be agreed at COP15 and close the substantial financing gap - estimated at $700 billion per year.
The event also included statements by Indigenous leaders, who are critical partners in achieving 30x30 and other nature goals. Indigenous leaders from Canada’s James Bay, Hudson Bay, and Labrador Sea regions aim to create six new Indigenous-led Protected Areas. These areas host unique populations of beluga whales, polar bears, walrus, over 170 species of birds and waterfowl and multitudes of fish.
More details on the announcements and statements by Heads of State include the following:
- Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada announced that the country is working to ramp up its ocean protection--from 2.67% to 30%. This will include expanding the Cocos Islands National Park.
- President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari announced the establishment of ten new national parks across the country and the creation of marine protected areas.
- Five European countries--Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia--presented the 700-kilometer-long (435-mile-long) Mura-Drava-Danube reserve. The recently-established UNESCO biosphere reserve, the so-called ‘Amazon of Europe,’ is the continent’s largest riverine protected area and the world’s first five-nation biosphere reserve.
- The Prime Minister of Belgium, H.E. Alexander De Croo reiterated that it will increase its annual global climate funding commitment by 30%--from €70 million to €100 million ($82 million to $117 million).
- Rt Hon Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda--on behalf of the more than 70 member states of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)-- announced steps toward a transformational legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution.
Quotes from Transformative Action for Nature and People
H.E. Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President, Costa Rica announced:
H.E. Mr. Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China said:
In her video remarks, H.E. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany said:
In her video remarks, H.E. Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway stated:
In his video remarks, H.E. Rear-Admiral Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji announced:
In his video remarks, H.E. Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria committed to:
In his video remarks, H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon said:
In a press release, Hansjörg Wyss, Founder and Chairman of the Wyss Foundation said:
In a press release about the “Protecting Our Planet Challenge,” Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin of Arcadia said:
In a press release about the “Protecting Our Planet Challenge,” Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, said:
In a press release about the “Protecting Our Planet Challenge,” Antha Williams, Global Head of Climate and Environment Programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said:
Referring to the "Protecting Our Planet Challenge" announcement, Ms. Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, Nia Tero Board Chair & Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, said:
Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT), said:
Mr. Johnny Kasudluak, Arqvilliit Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, Nunavik, Canada stated:
Mr. Levi Sucre Romero, Coordinator of the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB)
###
The Campaign for Nature works with scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and a growing coalition of over 100 conservation organizations around the world who are calling on policymakers to commit to clear and ambitious targets to be agreed upon at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, China in 2021 to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030 and working with Indigenous leaders to ensure full respect for Indigenous rights.
Media Contact
pressroom@ngs.org
kweymouth@ngs.org
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.