Frequently Asked Questions
1. The Sharm El-Sheikh to Kunming and Montreal Action Agenda for Nature and People
The Sharm El-Sheikh to Kunming and Montreal Action Agenda for Nature and People is a voluntary commitment platform that aims to raise public awareness, building on the existing and growing momentum, of urgent action from a broad base of sub and non-state actors in support of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. As a non-negotiated solution space, it profiles commitments from all relevant sectors and stakeholders in support of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, while enabling the mapping of ambition and urgency, to assess integrated actions, partnerships and impact.
The Action Agenda platform, currently hosts over 700 commitments on 11 action areas: food systems and health; freshwater, coastal and ocean ecosystems; conservation and restoration of land ecosystem; climate change mitigation and adaptation; conservation and sustainable use of species; sustainable consumption and production; stewardship/ good governance; urban sustainability; green finance; biosafety; and access and benefit-sharing.
In its 4-year existence , the Action Agenda has received a mandate from COP 15 to continue its work to engage sub and non-state actors to submit relevant commitments, as well as to showcase in each of the 11 action areas, key actions to reverse nature loss, while also contributing to the future review mechanism of the Convention in support of the implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. https://www.cbd.int/action-agenda/
2. Non-state actors’ relationship to the post-2020 process
COP 15 was key for non-state actors and the Action Agenda . In general, an unprecedented breadth and diversity of stakeholders were active at COP15 that strongly demonstrating their collective ambition and existing action . COP15 marked a significant increase in non-state actor interest, participation and visibility in the CBD. For example, events were held that:
1. showcased the 11 action areas, key actions to reverse nature loss (aligned to the GBO5 transition points); 2. demonstrated, through individual and cooperative commitments from sub and non-state actors, that a significant number of actors are already committed to the necessary transition points recommended by GBO5 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; 3. supported further implementation at the global, domestic and local levels, through cooperative initiatives across sectors and stakeholders in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; 4. encouraged others to follow the same essential path because it is in their best interest; 5. contributed to raising public awareness about the risks of nature loss for people, the planet and the economy; 6. fit with the sense of the urgency needed to transform our societies, and inspire action and collaboration between all stakeholders; 7. connected climate and nature actions, as well as broader economic, social and ecological considerations; 8. strengthened engagement with key economic sectors to help addresses the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) drivers of nature loss and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) systemic transformation pathway on land and natural systems; 9. informed the development of policy frameworks to transform economic and financial systems to accelerate action aligned to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
3. Opportunity to leverage the Sharm El-Sheikh to Kunming and Montreal Action Agenda for Nature and People
Several documents for COP 15 were also produced.
These, and other biodiversity focused documents and events, provide an opportunity for the Sharm El Sheikh to Kunming and Montreal Action Agenda to connect and profile the growing ambition from sub and non-state actors’ commitments to main the momentum after COP15.
Further opportunities are being explored to ensure that sub and non-state actor commitments also contribute to future reports on implementation in line with the Kunming and Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework . A CBD webinar on these inter-related issues is also foreseen in December 2020.
4. How the Sharm El-Sheikh to Kunming and Montreal Action Agenda for Nature and People contributes to the success of the Kunming and Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The current global landscape indicates that there is growing attention and demand to address the drivers of nature loss. There is also greater attention on synergies between climate and nature, and the allocation of resources for real implementation in line with the Kunming and Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework . COVID-19 has also revealed clear interconnections between people, biodiversity and human health, and broader implications to the global economy.
These challenges entail shared responsibility. It requires collective efforts at the global and domestic levels. Governments alone cannot undertake the magnitude of the challenge. To achieve the goals and targets of the Kunming and Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will entail the support of sub and non-state actors. The business and financial sectors, sub-national governments and local authorities, civil society, academia, youth and indigenous peoples and local communities must be part of the conversation, in particular as discussions underway by the formal process, on what is to be achieved in the Kunming and Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and how, will require coordination at all levels.
Moreover, it is visible that the Action Agenda for Nature and People is already happening and continuously growing in numbers, commitments and ambition. Analyses of sub and non-state actor agendas in other processes show that successful multilateral processes are based on the principles of inclusiveness and openness.
