Statement

by the Executive Heads of the Members of the Environment Management Group

We, the Executive Heads of the members of the Environment Management Group,

Deeply concerned that despite substantial and repeated attention to the high stakes of sustainability, humanity remains on an unsustainable development path;

Noting that the scale and pace of biodiversity loss is increasingly recognized3 as a risk for people, societies and the economy, including for the effective enjoyment of human rights, the eradication of poverty and key sectors such as food production, fresh water and health;

Aware that the cost of inaction in the face of biodiversity loss is estimated to rise to at least US$ 14 trillion, 7 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050 4, and that biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are already disproportionately affecting marginalized populations;

Note with concern that public incentives and subsidies potentially harmful to biodiversity are conservatively estimated to be US$ 500 billion per year, while current financial flows to support biodiversity are only around US$ 50-80 billion per year, with current biodiversity-related bilateral official development assistance (ODA) being less than US$ 10 billion per year. The annual global funding needed to safeguard nature is estimated at US$ 300-400 billion, which would bring substantial co-benefits beyond biodiversity protection alone, for example in reducing risks related to climate change, health and food security5, as well as actively enhancing biosphere carbon stocks and mitigating carbon emissions6 , 7;

Recognize the importance of building on synergies across the United Nations system;

Recognize the importance of addressing both the direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and the need for transformative changes in our societies, economies and institutions;

Deeply concerned with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the lives of individuals, the prosperity of communities and the economy of nations;

Commit to assist countries in protecting and enhancing biodiversity as part of our commitment to the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels within our own mandates and obligations, building on synergies across the UN system and engaging the stakeholders concerned; and

Commit to ensure biodiversity is mainstreamed across our policies, programmes and internal operations at all levels within our own mandates and obligations to ensure a nature-positive UN, builing on our agencies’ existing strategies and in order to provide a more coherent UN system response and action to support the implementation by Member States of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

3 IPBES, 2019; WEF, 2020; UNEP, 2019; WWF, 2018; CBD, in prep.; WHO and CBD, 2015. 4 Alterra, 2008; WEF, 2020a. 5 OECD, 2019. 6 IUFRO, 2012. 7 Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, 2018.

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