STATEMENT
Over 20 former Heads of State, Ministers, and Environmental and Indigenous leaders Urgently Call on Governments – including their own – to back protection of at least 30% of the planet by 2030
In advance of critical biodiversity negotiations in Geneva, the Campaign for Nature’s Global Steering Committee urges ambitious nature protection, funding for biodiversity, and support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities
WASHINGTON, DC—10 March 2022—Led by former US Senator Russ Feingold and comprised of eight former Heads of State, two former Prime Ministers, six former Ministers, and four environmental and Indigenous and local experts, the Campaign for Nature’s Global Steering Committee (GSC) has released a joint statement asserting that the success of an upcoming global biodiversity agreement hinges on the adoption of the global, science-backed 30x30 target.
The statement urged governments that have not yet endorsed the global 30x30 goal to join the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC), a group of countries championing the target on a global scale. Many GSC members hail from countries that have not yet signed on in support of the HAC including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand, and Iceland. Currently, HAC members include over 85 countries in Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and beyond.
In the statement, the GSC welcomed the endorsement of the 30x30 goal in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. The UN study asserted that the protection of 30-50% of the world’s land and ocean is required for maintaining the resilience of biodiversity and ecosystem services at a global scale.
The GSC statement also underscored that all conservation efforts must protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, “who know the land we seek to protect better than anyone.” The Campaign for Nature emphasizes that IPLCs must be central partners in the development and implementation of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the global agreement must ensure free, prior and informed consent is a central element of the 30x30 target.
And the GSC urged countries worldwide to seek to close the current biodiversity funding gap of US$700 billion through reduced harmful subsidies and increased global spending. They also endorsed a recent call by NGOs to developed countries to provide at least US$60 billion annually in international finance for biodiversity that would support efforts to protect biodiversity in the developing world.
The GSC released their statement on the eve of the UN Convention on Biodiversity’s third and last round of negotiations – set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland March 13-27 - before the final biodiversity agreement–known as the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework– is signed by more than 190 countries later this summer at a summit in Kunming, China.
Established in 2020, the Campaign for Nature’s Global Steering Committee (GSC) is one of the largest groups of independent global leaders working together for the protection of biodiversity and the halting of climate change.
Members of the Campaign for Nature’s Global Steering Committee have issued the following statements:
Russ Feingold, former US Senator and Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, said:
“As former government leaders, ministers and experts, we understand that this is an ambitious commitment, but it is viable and absolutely necessary to ward off the extinction spiral and ultimately to preserve our planet and ourselves. It is also vital to acknowledge that Indigenous People are inextricably linked to biodiversity and that expanding recognition of their rights is an effective, moral, and affordable solution for conserving nature. Indigenous Peoples must be central partners in the development and implementation of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the global agreement should ensure free, prior, and informed consent in the formation and management of protected and conserved areas.”
Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, said:
“The ambition and leadership Africa has shown so far has been remarkable. But we must not falter, ahead of COP15 it is vital that the whole continent and the African Union embrace the 30x30 goal and recognize the benefits, social and economic, that it can bring.”
Graça Machel, former First Lady and Minister for South Africa, said:
“As a new member to the Global Steering Committee I am excited to be a part of this last sprint to the finish line - I am confident together we can encourage levels of ambition the world has never reached before when it comes to protecting biodiversity, especially in my home of Southern Africa.”
Loren Legarda, Philippines Deputy Speaker, said:
"I applaud the action that has already been taken to protect nature, through this collective effort to protect 30% of the world’s land and sea. I am certain it will reap benefits for generations to come.”
Susana Malcorra Former Foreign Minister of Argentina, said:
“With COP26 behind us, it might be easy to think we can take a breath. But we cannot, we do not have time. It is vital that all parties to the UN Convention on Biodiversity come together at COP15 to commit to bold and ambitious targets, 30x30 included. None of our futures are certain unless we are united in this effort.”
Christiana Figueres Former Executive Secretary UNFCCC, said:
“The last year we have seen climate change and the protection of nature take prominence like never before, but there is still much work to be done. We must not be sidelined by empty promises and greenwashing. Nature-based solutions such as 30x30 offer a tangible, practical, and achievable goal to pin our efforts upon and we should all be committing to it.”
Finally, the entire Global Steering Committee also wishes to acknowledge the ongoing war in Ukraine, their thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people and they, along with the wider Campaign for Nature team, sincerely hope that peace will soon return. Russ Feingold Chair of the Committee has noted:
“While we as a group came together for nature, we also stand united in our support for the Ukrainian people, for democracy and peace.”
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Notes to Editors
The full list of steering committee members can be found here. and below:
Russ Feingold, Former US Senator and former Special Envoy to Great Lakes Region of Africa
Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia
Issoufou Mahamadou, Former President of Niger
Ernest Bai Koroma, Former President of Sierra Leone
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Former President of Iceland
Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland
Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Former Prime Minister of Uganda
Yongyuth Yuthavong, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
Loren Legarda, Philippines Deputy Speaker
Graça Machel, Former Minister and First Lady of South Africa and Mozambique
Tzipi Livni, Former Foreign Minister of Israel
Susana Malcorra, Former Foreign Minister of Argentina
Amre Moussa, Former Foreign Minister of Egypt
Emil Salim, Former Environmental Minister of Indonesia
Christiana Figueres, Former Executive Secretary UNFCCC
Hindou Ibrahim, President, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT)
Zakri Abdul Hamid, Former Science Advisor to Prime Minister of Malaysia
Rashid Sumaila, Professor Institute for Oceans and Fisheries
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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.
CONTACT
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Campaign for Nature
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