Highlights and images for 7 June 2021

The third set of SBSTTA-24 plenary meetings started on Monday, to prepare for the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) and the adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF). During this session, delegates engaged in text-based negotiations of conference room papers (CRPs) on the programme of work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and on the review of the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity and its updated Plan of Action.

Regarding the CRP on the Programme of Work of IPBES (CBD/SBSTTA/24/CRP.6), discussion focused on how, if at all, the COP should recognize the outcomes of the IPBES expert workshop and report on biodiversity and pandemics, as well as the report of the workshop on biodiversity and climate change, co-sponsored with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

In regard to the report on biodiversity and pandemics, some parties pointed out that it had not gone through a formal review or negotiating process, and should therefore not inform further work under the Convention. Other Parties disagreed, noting that this reflected important, expert-driven work that remained relevant to the Convention’s work.

Regarding the report on biodiversity and climate change, some Parties lamented that the co-sponsored workshop of IPBES and IPCC had not been open to government experts, nor gone through a formal review, expressing concern that this may set a dangerous precedent for future collaboration between the bodies. Others disagreed, stressing that this work is important and the draft decision aims to strengthen collaboration on biodiversity and on climate change.

Regarding the CRP on the review of the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity and its updated Plan of Acton (CBD/SBSTTA/24/CRP.5), parties discussed a number of technical details of the document. This included, for instance, whether to reference “food systems” and “climate change mitigation and adaptation”. Parties also discussed the appropriateness of COP including references to “incentives, taxes and subsidies harmful to biodiversity” in its decision, with some suggesting that this is better addressed at other international fora.