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Spotlight on nature and biodiversity

Nature is humanity’s lifeline. Human health, food, economies and well-being depend on nature. Yet nature is in crisis. One million of the world’s estimated 8 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction. Meanwhile, ecosystem degradation is affecting the well-being of 40 per cent of the global population.

The spotlight on nature and biodiversity highlights updates from around the UN System, from partners and others, helping to call attention to the need for a just, prosperous and sustainable future for all.

30 Oct 2024 21:02

UN Secretary-General calls for ‘ambitious agreement’ to end plastic pollution

UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at COP16

Photo: UNEP/Duncan Moore

UN Secretary-General António Guterres joined ministers at COP16 today to address the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to end Plastic Pollution.  

“The ball is now in the court of Member States to land an agreement that is ambitious, credible and just,” he said. “An agreement that addresses the life cycle of plastic – tackling single-use and short-lived plastics, an agreement that responds to the needs of people and communities and that unleashes a just transition for all – including 20 million waste pickers around the world.” 

Click here to read his full speech. 

30 Oct 2024 17:13

How the Global Fund for Coral Reefs is helping businesses fix Mexico's seaweed problem

An unprecedented influx of brown seaweed called Sargassum has been clogging the shores of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, causing ecological and economic problems. Deforestation, agricultural expansion, urbanization and rising temperatures are fuelling these Sargassum blooms, experts say.

The Global Fund for Coral Reefs, supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and UN Development Programme (UNDP), is helping local businesses turn Sargassum into sustainable products like eco-friendly fertilizer, products for cosmetics and vegan leather. Learn more about the innovative approach here

30 Oct 2024 09:59

Today is Restoration Day at COP16!


Today is Restoration Day, COP16’s prime meeting place for ecosystem restoration.  

Join to watch leaders, experts and advocates from around the world engage in moderated panel discussions focused on finance, monitoring, human rights, partnerships and more. Through these events, attendees can learn how to accelerate progress towards the ambitious goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

30 Oct 2024 09:40

UN Secretary-General Guterres speaks at the High-Level Segment of COP16 on Biodiversity

UN Secretary General speaks at COP16

UN Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday spoke at High-Level Segment of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Cali, Colombia.

“We cannot afford to leave Cali without new pledges to adequately capitalize the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund and without commitments to mobilize other sources of public and private finance to deliver the Framework – in full,” he said.

Click here to watch his full speech. 

29 Oct 2024 11:23

‘Biodiversity Jenga’ installation comes to COP16

UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, had the opportunity to meet Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong and view his ‘Biodiversity Jenga’ installation at COP16.

Standing six meters tall and made of hollow Jenga blocks, the installation represents the delicate balance of ecosystems. Each block—decorated with dioramas of jungles, forests, and oceans by students from Cali—symbolizes a life form that contributes to stability.

As Von Wong explains, removing a single piece might seem insignificant, but take away enough, and the entire structure collapses. This artwork reminds us that all life is interconnected and highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity for the resilience of our planet.

29 Oct 2024 09:37

“When nature thrives, so do we.” — Gisele Bündchen, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador

Biodiversity loss is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, ecosystems are degraded, and nature’s benefits are declining globally. This threatens human and planetary health, weakens economies and exacerbates social inequalities.  

"We need to heal our relationship with nature, because nature sustains every aspect of human life,” says UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Gisele Bündchen. “When nature thrives, so do we.” 

Watch the full video above and learn more about UNEP’s “We Are Nature” campaign.  

28 Oct 2024 23:06

World must act faster to protect 30% of the planet by 2030, study finds

Mountain view
Credit: Unsplash/Haroon Ameer

The international community has made some headway on pledges to protect 30 per cent of the Earth by 2030. Still, progress must accelerate, according to a report from the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Read more in the Protected Planet Report 2024 launched at COP16 in Cali.

28 Oct 2024 13:44

UNEP releases a new report on finance for nature in cities

Aerial view of Cali, Columbia
Photo: UNEP/Duncan Moore

During the 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities at COP16, UNEP released a report highlighting solutions to the urban nature finance gap, emphasizing the need for robust data in urban nature-based solution investments. 

The State of Finance for Nature in Cities report comes amid a rise in climate impacts on cities and urban areas globally.

"Nature holds immense potential to transform our world, yet nature-based solutions remain underfunded,” said Mirey Atallah, Chief of UNEP’s Adaptation and Resilience Branch. “While US$7 trillion flow towards activities harmful to nature, only US$200 billion support nature-based solutions, and not enough is directed to cities,” she added. 

27 Oct 2024 20:21

Urban-Nature Programme Mayors' Leadership Forum

Photo: Kate Gu/Unsplash

Cities are home to more than half of the global population. And if current trends hold, by 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities. However, urban areas are coming under increasing pressure from nature loss and climate change. 

Mayors from around the world have come together at the Mayors’ Forum on Urban Nature and Biodiversity during the 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities, an official parallel COP16 event. 

As one of the key themes of the Forum, Mayoral Ambition will represent a signal of serious intent – how the cities are dedicated to achieving the global targets set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity.

27 Oct 2024 00:58

It’s time to make peace with nature

Negotiations at COP16 in Colombia have reached the halfway point,” says Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UN Environment Programme. “Here in Cali at this 'People's COP' we need to see progress on turning Global Biodiversity Framework commitments into real, tangible action.