MS, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and
Rural Affairs: The 16th Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) marked the first
meeting since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022.
The main agreement from COP16 was recognition of the role
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) play in the
conservation of biodiversity. A global fund, to be known as ‘the
Cali Fund', was also established to enable industries benefiting
from the use of digital genetic information to share those
benefits with developing countries and IPLCs.
At the conference countries also highlighted the need for better
integration of national biodiversity and climate plans.
Our Climate Adaptation
Strategy for Wales 2024 provides an excellent example of how
we are responding to tackling the climate and nature emergencies.
Through schemes such as our Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) we
are working collaboratively with the farming industry to reduce
the agricultural sector's carbon footprint, to sequester carbon,
and enhance the resilience of Wales' natural landscapes to
climate change alongside the ongoing sustainable production of
food.
At COP16, Welsh Government officials attended the 8th Summit for
Regional Governments and Cities as members of the Regional High
Ambition Coalition for Nature and People working group and
Regions4. At the conference we showcased our sector leading
experience on river and peatland restoration and emphasised
Wales' commitment to protecting and managing 30% of its land and
seas by 2030.
Wales plays an important role in achieving global biodiversity
goals. Alongside our commitment to global targets we will also be
introducing domestic targets. We have committed to introduce
a Bill into the Senedd that will embed environmental principles
into Welsh law, establish a new governance body to ensure robust
oversight of environmental law by Welsh public authorities, as
well as introduce a strategic nature recovery framework, which
will include biodiversity targets. This landmark piece of
legislation will signal our clear commitment that action and
leadership to tackle the climate and nature emergency remain a
top priority for this Welsh Government.
I acknowledge that strong action needs to be taken to enable us
to progress implementation of our biodiversity plans and drive
forward finance and investment in biodiversity and nature. By
working collaboratively with other devolved governments, our
partners and the people of Wales we can forge ahead at pace
to drive action at a local level across Wales.
Turning to the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP29.
The main agreement from COP29 was for rich nations to provide
$300bn annually to developing nations, with an overall target of
£1.3trillion by 2035. This replaces the previous goal of
$100 billion annually and becomes the New Collective Quantified
Goal on climate finance. The purpose of this funding is to
help developing countries to improve their resilience to threats
posed by climate change, and to benefit from the opportunities of
the transition to clean energy.
At the conference, countries also agreed the rules for a new
UN-backed global carbon market, making country-to-country trading
and a carbon crediting mechanism, first put forward in the Paris
Agreement, fully operational. The rules offer reassurance
that there will be environmental integrity through a transparent
process of checks and reporting.
On adaptation, the focus at COP29 was on the Least Developed
Countries, particularly paving the way to establish a support
programme to implement National Adaptation Plans.
In both agreements on carbon markets and adaptation, the
importance of hearing the voice of, engagement with, and seeking
agreement from Indigenous People was made explicit.
While it is disappointing there was no agreement to the finance
goal sought by developing nations including those most vulnerable
to the threats pose by climate change, I recognise and welcome
the step forward agreed at COP29. Each step forward is
important, and it is only by acting together, as globally
responsible nations, will we tackle the climate crisis.
I am proud of Wales's international reputation as a globally
responsible country, taking action at home and abroad. At
home we will continue to take the action needed to reduce our
emissions, bringing benefits to the people, economy and
environment of Wales through green growth and green jobs, as we
follow a just transition to net zero. We will also continue to
support regional governments and communities in developing
nations to tackle the climate crisis, through our partnerships
with the Under2 Coalition, and Size of Wales.
At COP29, Welsh Government Officials attended the General
Assembly of the Under2 Coalition, of which Wales is a steering
group member. Under the theme of “Uniting Leaders, Driving
Change'', and looking ahead to the deadline for UN Parties to
submit new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the
General Assembly discussed how devolved and state governments
would use their influence with UN Parties, to drive greater NDC
ambition, and unlock climate finance, to further enable global
action.
I welcome the leadership shown by UK and Brazil's Governments in
announcing ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions at
COP29, ahead of the February 2025 deadline. As we look
ahead to COP30 in Brazil next year, I look forward to working
with UK Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland
Executive as we collectively drive progress on our net zero plans
in the UK, and to working with our international partners to find
answers to the challenges we all face.
