Carrying on the tradition of the Pharaohs, who prized biodiversity, Egypt is hosting the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 14) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Sharm El-Sheikh.
At the opening of the High-level Segment (HLS) government ministers, international organisations, NGOs, and other biodiversity champions gathered to discuss the path ahead.
Continuing tomorrow, the HLS is focusing on how to mainstream biodiversity into the energy and mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and processing, and health sectors, within the broader context of sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking at the opening ceremony was H.E. Dr Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment of Egypt.
“This important meeting doesn’t get held often enough, but today we have 196 countries present here, continuing what happened in Cancun, Mexico in 2016,” said Fouad.
She talked about the critical fields that need to bring biodiversity mainstreaming to the fore, such as the health and energy sectors. But Fouad went beyond that to talk about bio-balancing and the value for ecosystem services.
“In the African continent, all African countries support Egypt hosting this COP. Egypt shall support all the needs of Africa, through partnership, policy and experience exchange and full cooperation with international organisations,” added Fouad.
The Governor of the South Sinai Governorate, Khaled Fouda Saddiq Mohammed, also welcomed the gathered dignitaries and stressed the importance for Egypt and the wider world of preserving biodiversity.
Erik Solheim, Executive Director of UN Environment then took centre stage.
“There can be no better place for biodiversity than Egypt and right here in Sharm el Sheikh. A wonderful green city - at the bay of the magnificent pearl of biodiversity, the Red Sea!”
Solheim went on to detail some of the great progress and stories that the international community have managed to achieve in recent years.
- China has continued the ban of rhino horns.
- Indonesia has set up a peatland centre to share their experience with the world of protecting peatlands.
- China panda numbers are rapidly increasing.
- In Russia, India and Bangladesh the number of tigers is increasing. These are one of the hardest animals to protect due to their solitary nature.
- Snow leopards have been removed from the list of the most endangered animals.
- Brazil reduced deforestation – by 70.8 per cent- no other country has achieved this.
- Costa Rica has doubled its forest cover.
- UAE is protecting the beauty of its desert.
- The EU have a plastic strategy meaning birds, turtles and other sea life will now be protected.
Solheim then went on to detail how the reefs are still dying, there is still deforestation – and how humans are still totally dominating earth to the jeopardy of all other species.
Offering a solution to this problem, Solheim presented his three Cs.
Conservation. Co-existence. Communication.
Conservation
If we do conservation better, we can create income from tourism and other sources, which in turn allow us to conserve better, win - win - win.
There was an enormous opportunity for a win-win in Botswana. In the Botswana Okavango Delta there is a fantastic protection of nature occurring whilst increasing tourism revenue. Conservation and economic success, that creates jobs, win – win - win.
In Rwanda there is currently a US$1500 cost per person per hour to see the gorillas. Whilst this may seem unfair it has created a fantastic economy – drivers, waiters, hotels, security, nurses!
Through this success we have to include indigenous and local people and have them benefit from conservation to make it a success.
Co-existence
At the end of the day most of the planet will not be conserved. Humans and nature need to live together. Singapore is now one of the richest cities on the planet. It is also one of the greenest cities in the world. From the early days they incorporated nature.
People need income and to feed themselves, but its all about doing this in a way that doesn’t destroy mother earth.
Communication
Unless we can communicate beyond the green group on environment we will fail. We need to reach those who aren’t interested. We need to be engaging, not boring. We cannot act in the typical UN fashion. No acronyms. We need to systematically set this out as a crucial issue – exactly like we did with plastics.
Has anyone met anyone who doesn’t like nature? Dog, cat, cow or camel? Everyone loves something to do with nature!
It is our failure (the broader environment community) that we haven’t taken this enthusiasm and used it to convince the world of its importance. We need to awaken curiosity in the fantastic mysteries of nature. We need to together form a citizen’s movement for nature.
With the 3Cs we can create a new deal for nature. If we don’t, we will destroy our world.
“We are here discussing the most vital issue – preservation of all life on this planet, including our own species. We are not in a position where we can simply thank ourselves for the very real progress we have made,” said Dr Cristiana Paşca Palmer, Executive Secretary, the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Finishing her address Palmer went on to say “We are failing to arrest the destruction of biodiversity. We are failing to convince people why this is important. Humanity is rapidly destroying nature. Our shared vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050 will not be achieved if we carry on as business as usual.”