The UN Biodiversity Conference (Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)), Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 10), and the Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (NP-MOP 4) in Kunming, China is being held in two parts.
The conference will see the adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The framework provides a strategic vision and a global roadmap for the conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems for the next decade.
The lead-up to the Conference and related meetings provides the global community with further opportunities to galvanize efforts at all levels to build a better future in harmony with nature, and to continue efforts to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The CBD Secretariat will continue to monitor further developments regarding the ongoing uncertainties caused by the pandemic and announce any further changes that may become necessary.
The main objective of the Conference is to adopt the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Draft One of the framework, released in July 2021, builds on lessons learned from the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets. It recognizes that urgent policy action globally, regionally and nationally is required to transform economic, social and financial models so the trends that have exacerbated biodiversity loss will stabilize by 2030 and allow for the recovery of natural ecosystems, with net improvements by 2050.
On these pages you can learn more about COP-15, upcoming events and how you can get involved. You can also follow the latest details about COP-15 using the hashtag #COP15 on social media.
Greenhouse gas emissions related to the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
The fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was organized in close collaboration with the host authorities to minimize any negative environmental impacts of the meeting. Specifically, the event was organized to meet the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (the standardization authority of Quebec) standard for responsible event management (9700-253), which serves as a reference framework for a voluntary certification programme.
In this regard, the Government of Canada, as host of the second part of the fifteenth meeting, has committed to managing residual materials responsibly – by sorting them at the source and sending them down the proper treatment stream – and to offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions produced during the event.
The final result of the weighing of residual materials is detailed below:
- Landfill waste: 8.78 tons, or 58 per cent of the total
- Recyclable material: 4.97 tons, or 33 per cent of the total
- Compostable material: 1.31 tons, or 9 per cent of the total
The greenhouse gas emissions totalled 6,547.86 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (t CO2 eq). The
result by emission source is as follows:
- Transport: 6,128.45 t CO2 eq, or 93.59 per cent of emissions:
- Air travel : 5,982.46 t CO2 eq
- Road travel: 105.64 t CO2 eq
- Train travel: 40.35 t CO2 eq
- Accommodation: 201.67 t CO2 eq, or 3.08 per cent of emissions
- Broadcasting services: 89.76 t CO2 eq, or 1.37 per cent of emissions
- Energy consumption (fossil fuel and electricity): 108.6 t CO2 eq, or 1.66 per cent of emissions
- Waste management (transport and treatment): 19.38 t CO2e, or 0.3 per cent of emissions
All of those emissions will be offset by the purchase of carbon credits by the Government of Canada in accordance with existing trade agreements and government competitive bidding processes.
Thank you all for your significant and environmentally responsible actions during the event.
COP15 GHG Emissions communique.pdf
COP15 FAQ
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UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15/COP-MOP10/COP-MOP4) Key Dates
- 7-19 December 2022, Part 2, Montreal, Canada
- 11-15 October 2021, Part 1 (Virtual)