A planet in crisis – Tangible outcomes from biological diversity convention are far away

Source: The post is based on the article “A planet in crisis – Tangible outcomes from biological diversity convention are far away” published in The Hindu on 20^th December 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Environment

Relevance: Biodiversity conservation

News: The article discusses about the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that took place in Montreal, Canada recently and the concerns over biodiversity.

What are the concerns for biodiversity?

As per the UN estimate, 34,000 plant and 5,200 animal species including one in eight of the world’s bird species face extinction.

About 30% of breeds of main farm animal species are currently at high risk of extinction and about 45% of the earth’s original forests do not exist.

What has been the stand of India in conserving biodiversity?

India has decided to reduce the use of pesticides and conserve 30% of land and sea. These both are great steps towards conserving biodiversity.

India has also said that different nations have different responsibility towards biodiversity conservation and richer nations should take efforts and provide funds to conserve biodiversity.

What was the outcome of the current CBD and what can be the course of action?

Countries have agreed to prepare road maps by 2024 and the rich countries have committed $30 billion an annum by 2030.

However, these commitments can become successful only when countries agree to define achievable targets to conserve biodiversity and there is a need to take urgent action by the countries across the globe to conserve the biodiversity.