- Launch of a new global fund to tackle biodiversity decline
worldwide
- UK among first countries to contribute £10 million to the
fund
- Over 185 environment leaders convene in Canada to address
environmental concerns
The UK government has demonstrated its commitment to reversing
the decline in nature by being one of the first countries to
contribute to a newly established international fund aimed at
tackling global biodiversity loss.
Previously funded work included providing new software to support
rangers in Africa to track and protect animals from poachers,
targeted finance towards more effective ocean management
strategies in Asia, and helping to safeguard the world’s
remaining ancient primary forests.
Nature is the foundation of our livelihoods, supporting food
production, economic prosperity and security. But nature loss
around the world is taking place faster than ever before with
more than 1 million species being at risk of extinction due to
habitats such as coral reefs, rainforests and peatlands being
lost.
£10 million of UK funding to implement the Global Biodiversity
Framework Fund (GBFF) was announced yesterday evening (24 August
2023) during the Global Environment Facility assembly in
Vancouver, Canada. During the assembly, Nature Minister pledged the contribution
which will go towards protecting species and ecosystems globally.
The newly launched fund will support the implementation of the
landmark Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework (GBF) - agreed by almost 200 countries
- which sets out a plan of action to half and reverse
biodiversity loss by 2030.
Nature Minister said:
As we confront the critical challenge of halting and reversing
biodiversity loss around the world, working together has never
been more important.
Our initial contribution to the Global Biodiversity Framework
Fund showcases the United Kingdom’s ongoing dedication to
protecting our planet’s natural diversity – and through vital
international cooperation we are paving the way for a more
sustainable future for our planet.
Now that the fund has been launched, it will build on the
existing work of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The GEF supports developing countries in tackling major
environmental problems and provides funding for environmental
projects in 144 Overseas Development Aid eligible countries. It
will support implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework
and the fund will be open to all sources of financial
contributions.
More than half of global GDP – $44 trillion – is linked to
biodiversity and supports the livelihoods of some of the remotest
communities on the planet. That is why the UK is already leading
the way by delivering its commitment to spend £3 billion of its
£11.6 billion International Climate Finance pledge on protecting,
restoring and sustainably managing nature.
As leader of the Global Ocean Alliance and Ocean Co-chair of the
High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, the UK continues
to champion the ‘30by30’ target, and other ambitious outcomes for
the land, ocean and species.
The UK is also taking action at home through the Environmental Improvement
Plan which set outs out the range of actions the UK will
take domestically to meet its commitment to protect 30% of the
world’s land and ocean by 2030 and halt and then reverse the
decline in nature. For example, since 2010 we have created or
restored priority habitat equivalent to the size of Dorset, we
are investing more than £750 million in tree-planting and
peatland restoration through our Nature for Climate Fund, and we
have established a network of marine protected areas across
35,000 square miles of English waters.
