Bio-diverse cities and regions beyond 2020 at the UN CBD COP 15 and in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
ENVE-VII/002
Bio-diverse cities and regions beyond 2020 at the UN CBD COP 15 and in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
The political objective of this own-initiative opinion is to adopt the official position of the CoR to disseminate in the ongoing preparatory meetings and events towards the 15th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD COP 15) and consequently to contribute to the post-2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The next CBD COP foresees the adoption of the new global policy framework for biodiversity to 2030, at global level. In order to deliver on these global commitments, the EU will have to adopt its own post-2020 biodiversity policy framework in 2021.
The opinion would highlight the importance of the contribution from subnational governments to achieve current and future biodiversity targets, as well as the multiple benefits of biodiversity to a range of objectives that matter particularly at subnational level.
The opinion would also contribute to the ongoing discussion on the next MFF by reinforcing the messages delivered by the CoR opinion on LIFE by the rapporteur, Marco Dus (IT/PES), for the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme. Reflection on the MFF is a necessary step to guarantee the operationalisation of the next EU budget on ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
The opinion would also address key elements that the next Commission should take into consideration for the preparation of the 2021-2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The proposed CoR opinion could:
reflect on the key role of subnational governments in the development of the next biodiversity policy framework, including through contributing to the Sharm el Sheikh to Kunming Action Agenda for Nature and People;
formulate recommendations on how subnational governments can formally be recognised in the implementation and MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) of the post-2020 biodiversity policy framework. This includes formulating recommendations on capacity building for the implementation and enforcement of such a framework;
financial mechanisms for biodiversity action by LRAs: specific stream of funding under the current LIFE programme, and from different sources. It is also necessary to address opportunities beyond local/regional public financing: national, EU and/or crowdfunding;
propose how subnational governments could communicate the new policy framework; both at global and EU level.
The next CBD COP foresees the adoption of the new global policy framework for biodiversity to 2030, at global level. In order to deliver on these global commitments, the EU will have to adopt its own post-2020 biodiversity policy framework in 2021.
The opinion would highlight the importance of the contribution from subnational governments to achieve current and future biodiversity targets, as well as the multiple benefits of biodiversity to a range of objectives that matter particularly at subnational level.
The opinion would also contribute to the ongoing discussion on the next MFF by reinforcing the messages delivered by the CoR opinion on LIFE by the rapporteur, Marco Dus (IT/PES), for the Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme. Reflection on the MFF is a necessary step to guarantee the operationalisation of the next EU budget on ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
The opinion would also address key elements that the next Commission should take into consideration for the preparation of the 2021-2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The proposed CoR opinion could:
reflect on the key role of subnational governments in the development of the next biodiversity policy framework, including through contributing to the Sharm el Sheikh to Kunming Action Agenda for Nature and People;
formulate recommendations on how subnational governments can formally be recognised in the implementation and MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) of the post-2020 biodiversity policy framework. This includes formulating recommendations on capacity building for the implementation and enforcement of such a framework;
financial mechanisms for biodiversity action by LRAs: specific stream of funding under the current LIFE programme, and from different sources. It is also necessary to address opportunities beyond local/regional public financing: national, EU and/or crowdfunding;
propose how subnational governments could communicate the new policy framework; both at global and EU level.
The opinion facilitated the active participation of the CoR delegation in the UN Convention for Biological Diversity COP15 in Montreal, Canada, and COP16 in Cali, Colombia, reinforcing the voice of subnational authorities in global biodiversity negotiations.
The Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework was the main outcome of the COP15, which reflects and recognizes the importance of involving subnational authorities to effectively achieve its goals. Thanks to its active involvement, the CoR was explicitly mentioned in one of the decisions of this UN body, as a key partner to support the implementation of the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (2021–2030). This includes a "whole-of-government" approach and full vertical integration of local actions into national and global biodiversity strategies.The role of subnational and local governments was a "game changer" at COP 15 in Montreal, which was pushed by this opinion.
The CoR delegation to COP16 presented officially its contribution to the Plan of Action at the 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities. Thanks to its engagement, the CoR is now part of the coordinating committee of the Global Partnership on Subnational and Local Governments for Biodiversity. This platform will advise and inform directly the Secretariat of the biodiversity convention, to ensure that the challenges, needs and actions from cities and regions on biodiversity are properly considered in future negotiations.
The CoR endorsed RegionsWithNature and CitiesWithNature Platforms, global initiatives that help cities and regions showcase their biodiversity commitments and connect with global biodiversity governance efforts.
This opinion contributed to the momentum for strengthening the multilevel governance approach to biodiversity action.
The Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework was the main outcome of the COP15, which reflects and recognizes the importance of involving subnational authorities to effectively achieve its goals. Thanks to its active involvement, the CoR was explicitly mentioned in one of the decisions of this UN body, as a key partner to support the implementation of the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (2021–2030). This includes a "whole-of-government" approach and full vertical integration of local actions into national and global biodiversity strategies.The role of subnational and local governments was a "game changer" at COP 15 in Montreal, which was pushed by this opinion.
The CoR delegation to COP16 presented officially its contribution to the Plan of Action at the 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities. Thanks to its engagement, the CoR is now part of the coordinating committee of the Global Partnership on Subnational and Local Governments for Biodiversity. This platform will advise and inform directly the Secretariat of the biodiversity convention, to ensure that the challenges, needs and actions from cities and regions on biodiversity are properly considered in future negotiations.
The CoR endorsed RegionsWithNature and CitiesWithNature Platforms, global initiatives that help cities and regions showcase their biodiversity commitments and connect with global biodiversity governance efforts.
This opinion contributed to the momentum for strengthening the multilevel governance approach to biodiversity action.
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- reiterates the conclusions by the 2019 IPBES Global Assessment and other scientific reports on the need for immediate science-based policy and action on the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation. Most international societal and environmental goals will not be achieved based on current trajectories;
- stresses the need for formal recognition of the contribution of Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (SNGs) in meeting the 2030 outcome-oriented goals and action-oriented targets of the post-2020 biodiversity framework, which must create enabling conditions for SNGs if it is to achieve transformative outcomes at the EU and global scale;
- welcomes the Parliament request for legally binding biodiversity commitments, and appreciates the consideration of it being of outmost importance to work on an ambitious post-2020 strategic plan and implementation mechanism that formally includes local and regional authorities;
- calls on the Commission to develop, as a central element of the European Green Deal, an action plan for nature and biodiversity that recognises the role of local and regional authorities in the development, implementation and M&E of an ambitious, realistic and coherent 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy;
- requests the Council to adopt a mandate for the EU position in the negotiations at the UN CBD COP15 to request the adoption by Parties of a dedicated Decision 15/- or a renewed Decision X/22 Plan of Action for SNGs on biodiversity;
- calls for policy coherence to align the efforts, objectives and outcomes produced by the different EU policies, including the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU Green Deal and the EU's trade relations and international commitments, namely the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the CBD and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Management, in a comprehensive EU Sustainability Strategy with clear objectives and implementation measures.
- reiterates the conclusions by the 2019 IPBES Global Assessment and other scientific reports on the need for immediate science-based policy and action on the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation. Most international societal and environmental goals will not be achieved based on current trajectories;
- stresses the need for formal recognition of the contribution of Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (SNGs) in meeting the 2030 outcome-oriented goals and action-oriented targets of the post-2020 biodiversity framework, which must create enabling conditions for SNGs if it is to achieve transformative outcomes at the EU and global scale;
- welcomes the Parliament request for legally binding biodiversity commitments, and appreciates the consideration of it being of outmost importance to work on an ambitious post-2020 strategic plan and implementation mechanism that formally includes local and regional authorities;
- calls on the Commission to develop, as a central element of the European Green Deal, an action plan for nature and biodiversity that recognises the role of local and regional authorities in the development, implementation and M&E of an ambitious, realistic and coherent 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy;
- requests the Council to adopt a mandate for the EU position in the negotiations at the UN CBD COP15 to request the adoption by Parties of a dedicated Decision 15/- or a renewed Decision X/22 Plan of Action for SNGs on biodiversity;
- calls for policy coherence to align the efforts, objectives and outcomes produced by the different EU policies, including the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU Green Deal and the EU's trade relations and international commitments, namely the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the CBD and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Management, in a comprehensive EU Sustainability Strategy with clear objectives and implementation measures.
