{"id":31816,"date":"2023-02-23T15:31:38","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T14:31:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coralguardian.org\/comment-la-cop15-de-la-convention-sur-la-biodiversite-affecte-t-elle-les-recifs-coralliens\/"},"modified":"2023-02-23T15:48:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T14:48:34","slug":"how-does-the-cop15-to-the-convention-on-biodiversity-affect-coral-reefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coralguardian.org\/en\/how-does-the-cop15-to-the-convention-on-biodiversity-affect-coral-reefs\/","title":{"rendered":"How does the COP15 to the Convention on Biodiversity affect coral reefs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (<\/span>see our short review here<\/span><\/a>), another key UN conference focusing on the protection of biodiversity took place in Montreal, Canada. The 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place between last 7th-19th December, and had as <\/span>its main goal to adopt the post-2020 global biodiversity framework: a strategic vision and scheme for the global conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity for the next 10 years.<\/b><\/p>\n

The agenda was headlined by the <\/span>30×30 target, an ambitious goal to protect 30% of the planet\u2019s lands and seas by 2030<\/b> [1]. Supported by over 100 countries, the target would provide opportunities for developing and climate-vulnerable countries to build on their natural capital while also conserving it [2, 3].<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, roughly 17% of land and 10% of oceans are protected<\/b>. Coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds are important to maintaining biodiversity and have a major impact on local ecology [4-6]. From solely a biodiversity standpoint, the oceans are an important environment to protect, but when you consider the ecosystem services it provides and economic benefits it can provide if managed sustainably – its value is priceless.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Coral reefs and the CBD global biodiversity framework<\/b><\/p>\n

Besides the national governments\u2019 representatives, the conference counted with the <\/span>presence of experts on different biodiversity-related topics<\/b>, ready to provide advice to the CBD for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the coral reefs\u2019 perspective, the International Coral Reefs Initiative (ICRI) – a group of nations and organizations working for the effective preservation of coral reefs – was present to communicate the inputs from the specialized work group, active since 2018 on the topic (<\/span>see their website here<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The main 3 recommendations from the ICRI were:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To define and prioritize coral reef as a vulnerable ecosystem<\/b> through goals and targets to implement efforts ;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. To apply the <\/b>conservation hierarchy<\/b><\/a> (avoid, minimize, restore, offset) on the targets to preserve coral reefs, with a focus on the avoidance of impacts ;<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. To use the indicators recommended by the ICRI to monitor<\/b> coral reefs and track the status of the global coral reefs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"ICRI<\/p>\n

    Figure: infographics of the indicators proposed by the ICRI members to monitor coral reefs\u2019 health. Source: <\/span><\/i>ICRI, 2021<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    Why? Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on Earth. Outside of their function as a biodiversity hotspot gathering over 25% of all marine life, coral reefs are responsible for a wide variety of services including the mitigation of wave action, reduction of erosion, and creating avenues for recreation, economic growth, and heritage conservation [6]. As such, <\/span>maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems is a must, and the benefits can be further compounded by taking action to protect other local environments at sea, on coasts, and on land.\u00a0 <\/b>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) indicates that coral reefs and their protectors help generate $3.4 billion in revenue through tourism, fisheries, and value to local communities every year [7]. It is hence a global priority to act to effectively protect these ecosystems and the communities depending on them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Some global conservation efforts decisions<\/b><\/p>\n

    Despite some issues during negotiations, a consensus was reached and the 30×30 target adopted as a global goal. Like other climate-focused international policies this agreement is non-binding but sets out to:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n