Beyond 2010
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Negotiations for a new climate change regime always grab the attention of the international community, however there is another target which is about to expire. The 2010 Biodiversity Target set by governments in 2002 is coming to an end. Governments will have to report on the progress made to achieve it.
But what will happen after 2010? Will the Biodiversity Target be renewed? Does the international community need another target? Several events on the development of a post-2010 framework have already taken place worldwide and many will follow in the next months. Step by step the parties and stakeholders will share their views and come to an agreement on the future of biodiversity policy. Be part of the process and share your views on the future of the 2010 Biodiversity Target! Post your comments on the Post-2010 Blog! |
The new CBD Strategic Plan to be adopted in Nagoya, Japan this autumn will set the policy framework for the next decade and beyond. The structure of the Post-2010 biodiversity Strategic Plan is very likely to be structured as follow:
- a vision for 2050
- a mission (revised biodiversity target) for 2020
- strategic goals and targets for 2020 with milestones for 2015 (in light of the MDGs)
- indicators to measure progress against these targets
In the meantime the European Union is already designing its own Post 2010 Biodiversity Strategy and put a consultative process in place in order to define the elements to be included in the upcoming 2010 EU Biodiversity Strategy (expected in early 2011) , in particular:
- the proposed sub-targets and the availability of indicators to monitor these sub-targets
- the possible measures to achieve the sub-targets
- the monitoring and reporting aspects of the Strategy
- funding and the use of innovative financial mechanisms
- awareness-raising
- governance
Milestones
CBD SBSTTA 14 and WGRI, and launch of GBO 3
13-21 May 2010, Nairobi, Kenya
SBSTTA 14 launched the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) and adopted 18 recommendations that will be submitted to the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the CBD, among others recommendations addressing in-depth reviews of implementation of the programmes of work on mountain biodiversity, inland waters biodiversity, marine and coastal biodiversity, protected areas (PAs), biodiversity and climate change etc.
Notwithstanding certain divergences, notably on biofuels, SBSTTA 14 is considered to have made incremental progress on several other issues, in particular on biodiversity and climate change, by laying out clear and informative options for political decision-making at COP 10.
European Council Conclusions of March 2010 26 March 2010, Brussels, Belgium
In its conclusions of 26 March, the European Council has committed to the EU post-2010 vision and target for biodiversity and underscored the urgent need to reverse continuing trends of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Environment Council Conclusions of March 2010
15 March 2010, Brussels, Belgium
In its conclusions of 15 March, the Environment Council agreed a new long-term vision and mid-term headline target for biodiversity in the EU for the period beyond 2010, when the current target expires. This decision follows a Communication from the Commission that set out possible future options for biodiversity policy in the EU for the post 2010 period.
This new target is:
To halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, restore them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.
Post-2010 Biodiversity Vision and Target – The role of Protected Areas and Ecological Networks in Europe
26-27 January 2010, Madrid, Spain
Spain calls for a “target for Europe to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services, and restore them significantly, by 2020″ and announces “a new beginning for biodiversity conservation in Europe”.
5th Intergovernmental Conference Biodiversity in Europe
22-24 September 2009, Liege, Belgium
The priorities are to conserve ecosystem services, to address the biodiversity impacts of climate change, and to integrate biodiversity into other sectors of society. A new target should “halt any further loss of species and habitats and, by 2025, restore degraded areas with an emphasis on links between biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate change and human well-being”.
Visions for Biodiversity Beyond 2010 – People, Ecosystem Services and the Climate Crisis
7-9 September 2009, Strömstad, Sweden
The new climate change regime and the vision for biodiversity must be able to support synergies between climate change, biodiversity policies and the development agenda. Progress towards targets has to be measureable. A long term vision should complemented by short term measurable and action oriented targets acting as milestones. The drivers of biodiversity loss should be addressed.
Environment Council of the European Union
25 June 2009, Luxembourg
A vision and targets beyond 2010 for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the EU is needed and will be defined not later than mid-2010. The EU wishes to develop key strategic principles to give its input to the international post-2010 vision. The Council praises the Countdown 2010 initiative for the valuable experience gained in promoting and communicating the target.
Countdown 2010 Partners’ Assembly 2009
24 June 2009, Brussels, Belgium
Halting biodiversity loss will remain an issue for the near future, however on the long term efforts should be focused on restoration and rehabilitation. The future target has to be less ambiguous and more ambitious, realistic and achievable. It should be positively phrased, maybe by setting goals for increasing biodiversity rather than measuring loss. A baseline is essential for monitoring and progress assessment.
Cuenta Atrás 2010: aportes y desafíos desde América del Sur
19-21 May 2009, Lima, Peru
A post-2010 target should be defined at South American level with the involvement of the Community of Andean Nations, MERCOSUR, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) and other intergovernmental bodies.
Pan-European Consultation on the CBD Strategic Plan and the 2010 Target
28-29 April 2009, Athens, Greece
Biodiversity goes beyond borders. The Pan-European and EU processes must go hand in hand if the international community is to stop biodiversity loss worldwide.
Biodiversity protection – Beyond 2010: Priorities and options for future EU Policy
27-28 April 2009, Athens, Greece
The post-2010 target “should maintain the emphasis given to the intrinsic value of biodiversity while also recognising the value of healthy and resilient ecosystems and the services they provide”.
G8 Environment Ministers’ Meeting
22-24 April 2009, Syracuse, Italy
The world has changed since the adoption of the 2010 Target. All the drivers of biodiversity loss should be considered in the development of the post-2010 framework. A thorough communication strategy, fully engaging all the different sectors, as well as stakeholders, indigenous and local communities and the private sector also needs to be included. The integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services into all policies is essential.
High-level working group on the 2010 biodiversity target and post-2010 target(s)
9-10 March 2009, Bonn, Germany
The post-2010 target should be linked to the climate change agenda and ensure the sustainable use of ecosystems and biodiversity. It should be ambitious, but scientifically credible and easy to communicate. It should address all drivers of biodiversity loss and focus more on the value of ecosystem services.
25th UNEP Governing Council
16-20 February 2009, Nairobi, Kenya
Support to developing countries is crucial to reduce the loss of biodiversity. UNEP supports the 2010 biodiversity target process and will continue establishing the intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services (IPBES).
The European Biodiversity Action Plan – Counting down to 2010: state of play and the post 2010 vision for Europe
11 February 2009, European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium
The new international commitments should be more realistic and measurable. A cross-sectoral approach should be used and the target(s) should go beyond halting the loss of biodiversity and include restoration. Indicators and measurement tools have to be developed. The target must come from society. The European Commission wants the post-2010 process to have more ownership.
More documents concerning the discussions on post-2010 are available here.
For a full list of events, check the Biodiversity Year Schedule of Events 2010 and the CBD agenda.
