Posted on November, 29 2018

Sharm-El-Sheikh, 29 November 2018: The 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ended today with an agreement on the preparatory process for a post-2020 global framework, moving us closer to a transformational New Deal for Nature and People in 2020 - a vital step to ramp up global efforts to halt today’s unprecedented and dangerous biodiversity loss. This sets the stage for governments to show leadership and reinforce their commitment to conserving natural systems that sustain Earth’s vital diversity of life and also provide invaluable goods and services essential for the well-being of people and the planet. The new deal must halt biodiversity loss whilst being fair and respectful of the rights of all parties, especially developing economies, indigenous peoples and local communities and those defending the web of life on the front line.
                                                                     
WWF was encouraged by countries agreeing to submit new voluntary biodiversity contributions before 2020. It is imperative that these contributions are made early, have strong implementation mechanisms and match the ambition required to reverse nature loss.
 
However, despite these positive steps forward, political relevance, ambition and current global action are still not strong enough if we are going to make the transformational changes needed to ‘bend the curve’ on biodiversity and nature loss. As nature loss continues unabated, there is still a real lack of action within member countries, as most are now certain to miss their Aichi targets due in 2020.
 
“The world needs to wake up to the risks of biodiversity loss. All stakeholders; business, government and people, need to act now if we are to have any hope of creating a sustainable future for all and a New Deal for Nature and People in 2020. For this to happen, we need a cohesive vision and strong political will - something COP14 has unfortunately lacked”, Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International.
 
WWF urges member countries to develop a far higher shared vision and political ambition if we are to reach a New Deal for Nature and People and create a Paris-style moment for biodiversity in 2020.

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For more information, contact
Kanika Kohli | WWF International | kkohli@wwfint.org
 
About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries and territories. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media