Article by Amelie Claessens
Healthy biodiversity and the ecosystem services that it provides are key for human well-being and to build the resilience of our cities and regions, both during and after the pandemic, and it should be central to our recovery.
– The Edinburgh Declaration
Leaders of subnational, regional and local governments (hereinafter, subnational authorities) from across the world have issued a bold call for action to restore the health of our planet.
The ‘Edinburgh Process for Subnational and Local Governments on the development of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework’ was hosted by the Government of Scotland and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) with the support of partners including ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Regions4, the Group of Leading Subnational Governments toward Aichi Biodiversity Targets (GoLS), the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), NatureScot, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the governments of Quebec and of Wales.
Comprising a series of informative and consultative online events, the Edinburgh Process brought together subnational authorities to explore and define their role in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The initiative forms part of the roadmap to Kunming where, in 2021, the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the CBD will be held.
A key outcome of the Edinburgh Process is the Edinburgh Declaration through which subnational authorities express their aspirations and commitments “to meet the challenge of delivering, alongside Parties, the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework…”
Signatories of the Declaration commit to 10 “transformative actions” that can be summarised as follows:
- Recognising the value of natural capital in decision-making;
- Implementing actions in support of the GBF;
- Developing biodiversity strategies and action plans;
- Mobilising resources and investing in biodiversity;
- Mainstreaming biodiversity considerations across sectors;
- Communicating, educating and raising public awareness;
- Strengthening capacity to implement nature-based solutions;
- Sharing knowledge;
- Sharing best practices; and
- Aligning efforts with other international agreements and frameworks.
The signatories also call upon Parties to bring about the transformative change outlined in the IPBES global assessment report. To this end, Parties are encouraged to recognise and empower subnational authorities in the GBF text and in the monitoring of associated goals and targets. Finally, Parties are encouraged to adopt a new decadal ‘Plan of Action’ (to succeed Decision X/22) and establish a multi-stakeholder platform in support of subnational authorities.
The Edinburgh Declaration underscores the potential for cities and regions to contribute towards international biodiversity and sustainability goals, particularly now, as part of the COVID-19 recovery. Subnational authorities are in fact critical agents and partners for implementing and delivering the actions needed to conserve, restore and reduce threats to biodiversity. They are uniquely positioned to develop and deploy locally customised tools and solutions. Moreover, they have the resources—in terms of political, financial and social capital—needed to bring about transformative change. Realising the 2050 Vision of Living in Harmony with Nature, will only be possible if subnational authorities and indeed, all levels of government, actively pursue it.
The wealth of expertise and knowledge that exists at the subnational level is still under-used. They are uniquely positioned to implement the framework going forward and this need greater emphasis. National governments must recognize the role of local and national governments and be willing to engage all across the post 2020 global biodiversity framework.
– Su Campbell, International Biodiversity Policy Manager, Scottish Government
The Edinburgh Declaration has been signed by the Edinburgh Process partners, including the Chair of the IUCN Urban Alliance, Jonny Hughes. The Declaration will remain open for signature by subnational governments, cities and local authorities, CBD Parties and other non-governmental and business organizations until COP 15.