{"id":118065,"date":"2023-02-08T08:25:39","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T07:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=118065"},"modified":"2023-02-08T08:25:41","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T07:25:41","slug":"human-rights-and-gender-in-the-new-global-biodiversity-framework","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/blog\/human-rights-and-gender-in-the-new-global-biodiversity-framework\/","title":{"rendered":"Human rights and gender in the new Global Biodiversity Framework"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While not perfect, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that was adopted last December is a step in the right direction. It brings about a paradigm shift as it moves towards human rights-based, gender-responsive and socially equitable biodiversity conservation, which facilitates better implementation and accountability. This achievement would not have been possible without the articulated efforts and advocacy of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), women and youth groups, and numerous civil society organizations.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: Environmental defender Demetrio Pacheco, stops to listen for the sound of a chainsaw in his forest concession. Madre de Dios, Peru<\/em> (c) Tom Laffay<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The natural systems that make life on Earth possible, including human life, are in danger. IPBES<\/a> is clear when it indicates that, if we want to comply with the objectives of biodiversity, climate and sustainable development for 2030, “business as usual<\/em>” will not work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In this sense, the <\/a>UN Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment states that human rights must be at the center of biodiversity action to save the planet<\/a>, ensuring effective, efficient and equitable conservation. The rampant destruction of nature throughout the world endangers the general well-being of the population and the realization of fundamental rights, ultimately risking our chances to achieve just and sustainable human development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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On December 19, the Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 15) concluded and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted after four years of negotiations. The GBF will guide global and national biodiversity actions until 2030.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The four goals of the GBF<\/a> focus on conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity, fair and equitable sharing of benefits, and adequate means of implementation. Targets cover a wide range of issues, from expanding protected and conserved areas and reducing pollution to ensuring that food production is sustainable and phasing out incentives and subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A step in the right direction<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u2018We welcome this new GBF,\u2019 states Ana Di Pangracio, Deputy Director at Fundaci\u00f3n Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN)<\/a>, a partner of IUCN NL in the Forests for a Just Future programme, who has been closely following the CBD process for over a decade. \u2018It is not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction. It is the product of a multilateral effort, so important in current times, as well as the result of an unprecedented open and participatory process with contributions from civil society organizations, IPLCs, youth and women groups.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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‘The new Global Biodiversity Framework is fully transformative in regards to human rights.’<\/p>\n<\/div>Ana Di Pangracio, Fundaci\u00f3n Ambiente y Recursos Naturales<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The GBF addresses the cultural and rights dimensions of biodiversity in an improved manner. Di Pangracio explains that \u2018while the 2011-2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets were pretty much blind to human rights, the GBF is fully transformative in this respect.\u2019 The GBF recognizes the human right to a clean, safe and sustainable environment declared by the United Nations General Assembly<\/a> last July 2022. It also enshrines the principle of intergenerational equity, whole-of-government and whole-of society approaches and calls for a human rights-based implementation of the framework.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Women\u2019s and indigenous peoples\u2019 rights<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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With the GBF\u00b4s Target 23 on gender equality, the CBD becomes the first environmental treaty to have a specific target on women’s rights. It embeds a gender-responsive approach in which all women and girls have equal opportunities and capacity to contribute to the GBF\u2019s objectives. This includes recognition of their equal rights and access to land and natural resources, and their full, equal, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, involvement, decision-making and policy-making related to biodiversity. In addition, COP 15 adopted a new 2030 Gender Action Plan that will serve as a guide for realizing the goal of gender equality in biodiversity policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The GBF also states the full recognition and respect for the rights to land, resources and territories of IPLCs, their culture and traditional knowledge, and guarantees for the protection of environmental and human rights defenders. Not only with an exclusive target (number 22) but in different relevant targets throughout the text.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Environmental human rights defenders (EHRD) are on the frontline of protecting biodiversity and its contributions to human well-being; many are attacked and killed every year[1]<\/sup><\/a>Global Witness reports over 1700 killings in the last decade, with a marked increase in the last three to four years … Continue reading<\/span><\/span><\/span>