The United Nations Conference of the Parties for Biodiversity (COP15) is launching today in Montreal Canada and will convene governments from nearly 200 countries to agree to a new set of goals to tackle the biodiversity crisis over the next decade. A range of academics and students from the University of Oxford are attending both in person and virtually so we caught up with them to see what they are hoping to see happen in this important event!

Audrey Wagner – Programme Coordinator, Nature-based Solutions Initiative

Why are you attending the CBD COP this year?

“Time is running out to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and international cooperation and governance on biodiversity and nature has never been so urgent. Irreversible losses of species are occurring at a faster and faster rate. This long-awaited COP is expected to be a landmark “Paris moment” for nature and a crucial turning point in the fight against biodiversity loss.

Biodiversity is a fundamental property of healthy ecosystems that underpins the provisioning of ecosystem services upon which we all rely. Nature will not be able to provide the ecosystem services we all need and want from it such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation, clean water provisioning, clean air, food production, and aesthetic value unless it is biodiverse. Globally, our entire society and economy depend on the natural world, directly and indirectly, for their continued functioning. We must conserve biodiversity for its use value, its cultural value, and its intrinsic value.”

What are you hoping this CBD COP will achieve?

“Overall, it is very important that the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework that is agreed upon at COP15 has teeth ⁠— meaning that it has a strong enough mechanism to hold Parties accountable to their pledges and signed agreements. This agreement must not repeat the past failures of the Aichi Targets, and must deliver real change and bend the curve on biodiversity loss. We need COP15 to be a “Paris Moment” for nature, and for a landmark deal to be achieved.

Specifically, in my realm of work, I will be focused on the importance of getting the term nature-based solutions into the Global Biodiversity Framework, meaning into the official decision texts. This will be important to prevent greenwashing, ensure accountability by referring to a well-defined concept, and to highlight the synergistic solutions across the Rio Conventions. While we must ensure that the financing pots for both the climate and biodiversity crises are additional, we must also shift from a siloed approach to a whole systems approach that addresses climate and biodiversity challenges in tandem.”

What is making you feel optimistic about the future of nature?

“I am ever the optimist. The climate and biodiversity crises are solvable challenges, if only society as a whole comes together and musters the political will and financial power that is needed.”

Shannon Ray – Graduate Student, Biodiversity, conservation and management

Why are you attending the CBD COP this year?

“I’m attending COP15 virtually because I want to be a part of the movement to make biodiversity COPs as big a deal as climate COPs. To most people, ‘COP’ still means ‘climate conference’, but biodiversity loss is just as serious and urgent as the climate crisis. Land clearance for agriculture ⁠— especially animal agriculture⁠ —  is the major driver of biodiversity loss, and we should be talking about that on the global stage on the same level as the fossil fuels discussion.”

What are you hoping this CBD COP will achieve?

“I’d love to see wide support for 30 by 30 (land and oceans) and a serious focus on redirecting agricultural and fisheries subsidies towards conservation activities.”

What is making you feel optimistic about the future of nature?

“In the last few years, the environmental emergency has evolved from a fringe issue to one of the top four concerns guiding British voters. The visible effects of climate change have led to an increasing understanding amongst the public that biodiversity, a stable climate, and a clean environment are the life-support systems that make everything we do in human society possible. Politicians continue to lag behind, but public pressure is moving in the right direction. I’m also heartened by the traction that plant-based diets have gained recently ⁠— it seems like most people I know are trying to eat less meat, which was still a radical, hippie move five years ago. I think that trend will continue to grow.”

Henry Grub – Research Associate at Nature Positive Universities

Why are you attending the CBD COP this year?

“I’m at COP to launch Nature Positive Universities – which aims to put the spotlight on the Higher Education sector globally, and help them address their drivers of biodiversity loss.”

What are you hoping this CBD COP will achieve?

“I want to see a genuine nature positive mission that is underpinned by ambitious and measurable science-based targets. Anything less than ensuring we halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030 will be considered a failure. This approach needs to be whole-of-government and whole-of-society and benefit people as well as the planet.”

What is making you feel optimistic about the future of nature?

“The progress we have made in just a short time – over the last three years, we have seen a transformation in global thinking and understanding. We need to see that transformation translate to action – but we are in a much better place than we have been.”

Anusha Shivram – Graduate Student, Biodiversity, conservation and management

Why are you attending the CBD COP this year?

“Having worked for community-based conservation and science communication in Singapore, I have come to believe in collaborative and communicative approaches to conservation. I am genuinely looking forward to building and nurturing connections with the diverse individuals and communities attending CBD COP 15 to help drive global conservation action.”

What are you hoping this CBD COP will achieve?

“I am hoping to see the global community start to recognise cities as spaces where biodiversity can and should thrive. Such recognition could be to be translated into urban planning initiatives that account for and facilitate the co-existence of humans and wildlife.”

What is making you feel optimistic about the future of nature?

“Seeing the diversity and strength of youth voices at CBD COP15 makes me feel optimistic. I am excited to be a part of and contribute to the shift towards intergenerational, innovative, and inclusive solutions.”

Jane Murphy – Biology Student (MBiol)

Why are you attending the CBD COP this year?

“As a current MBiol student, the research areas that most inspire me include that of biodiversity-ecosystem function, services & Nature-based Solutions, the valuation of natural capital, and the opportunities that can arise for conservation & sustainable development.

In other words, while coming from an ecological background, I enjoy most the intersection of where ecology meets the social sciences – where consideration of political, social and economic factors is vital to tackling 21st century challenges of biological degradation, climate change, and global inequalities.

Naturally therefore, the CBD COP, and the role of international frameworks more generally are of great interest to me, as I aspire to ultimately be involved in the interdisciplinary research and discussions taking place at the forefront of these global challenges.”

What are you hoping this CBD COP will achieve?

“Concrete action plans to promote scaling up the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of natural/semi-natural ecosystems and working lands in-line with best practice (NbS), and commitments to invest in these projects and associated research and monitoring.

Engagement from the private sector to view biodiversity as a fundamental crux to climate change adaptation & mitigation efforts, as well as for a more holistic view of benefits that emerge from the whole range of ecosystem services.

National investments into natural capital stock maintenance?/ recognition of the need to do so for a sustainable economy.

Addressing the driving forces behind biodiversity loss, and need for systemic change – including consumption patterns & historic polluters/beneficiaries of habitat loss (governments & corporations). Interested to see how these institutions can be held accountable.”

What is making you feel optimistic about the future of nature?

“Seeing the work ethic and sheer determination being put in by so many inspiring people; from the professors and researchers I’m surrounded by here at Oxford University, to the indigenous communities that show what it means to be deeply connected to nature and one’s land. Even the shift in perspectives I’ve seen unfold within my own generation, and the increased appreciation for nature following the pandemic, for example, encourage me to be optimistic that as a global community we have the strength it will take to turn the tide.”

READ PART ONE HERE
Conservation Optimism
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