We have two crises: A climate crisis - and a biodiversity crisis. They are interlinked. The destruction of nature speeds up climate change and affects food production. We need a transition agenda.
Norway is content that there now is agreement to move forward with virtual negotations of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework in the run up to COP 15 and would like to thank Egypt and China for their efforts. This will make us able to keep momentum in the negotiations
According to IPBES, nature is crucial for climate mitigation. Nature-based solutions are estimated to provide 37 per cent of climate change mitigation until 2030. But this only works if safe-guards for biodiversity and ecosystem based approaches are put in place. Therefore, we find it important to strengthen the mutual efforts between the Climate regime and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
There is general agreement that the Aichi Biodiversity Targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity were ambitious and relevant, but that insufficient implementation was a reason for the inability to succeed. We argue that systematic planning and review can assist in bringing Parties together in a joint effort. A regular biodiversity stocktake is an important element.
Our dedication to protect tropical forests is firm.
The marine environment should also receive increased attention in the negotiations of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. This is a priority area for Norway.
Norway has a longstanding engagement to ensure a clean, healthy and productive ocean. Ecosystem-based sustainable management of the ocean and coastal areas is key to achieve this and Norway is supporting developing countries in their capacity building to develop sustainable ocean-based economies.
In accordance with the Sustainable Ocean Panel, Norway also supports a global goal of protecting 30% of the Ocean by 2030.