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COP16 Rome: Waste Less, Protect Biodiversity – Can Countries Now Deliver?
As COP16 resumes in Rome, the spotlight is on the Global Biodiversity Framework. Target 16, aimed at cutting food waste and overconsumption, is a golden opportunity to protect biodiversity. With National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in play, countries are now tasked with turning promises into action.
In 2022, at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), nearly 200 Countries came together to adopt the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, hailed as many as the “Paris Agreement for Nature”, in a landmark moment for global biodiversity governance. The agreement recognised the urgency of safeguarding biodiversity, setting ambitious targets to protect it by 2030.
Among the 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, Target 16 stands out for its focus on promoting responsible consumption and reducing waste. This target aims to halve global food waste, significantly reduce overconsumption, and promote sustainable consumption patterns by 2030. By addressing the root causes of overconsumption and waste, this target provides a unique opportunity to not only reduce pressure on ecosystems but also engage with industries, consumers, and policymakers in reshaping global value chains.
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) have emerged as pivotal instruments in translating international commitments like target 16 into actionable national frameworks. Yet upon suspension of COP16 in Cali, Colombia at the end of last year, only 47 NBSAPs of varying quality have been submitted. With the resumed session of COP16 taking place in Rome we would like to explore how NBSAPs are instrumental in achieving these objectives and detail the specific measures and actions being implemented.
The following represents findings presented by Jan Christian Polanía Giese, (BIOTRAILS project lead and senior manager) at a an NBSAP Workshop during COP16 Colombia.
Strategic Measures and Actions
Regulatory and Policy Frameworks:
NBSAPs help facilitate the establishment of comprehensive regulatory frameworks that incentivise sustainable consumption and discourage wasteful practices. These frameworks often include policies that assess the global impacts of food consumption, taking a consumption-based approach to reduce environmental harm.
Mandatory Reporting and Transparency:
To improve accountability, NBSAPs encourage mandatory reporting of food waste by retailers and across the value chain. This transparency is crucial for understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of consumption patterns.
Educational Campaigns and Information Access:
Educational and communication campaigns are essential in promoting sustainability labels, product origins, and their health impacts. NBSAPs support these initiatives by facilitating access to digital educational materials, thereby empowering consumers to make informed, sustainable choices.
Infrastructure and Technological Solutions:
Investing in infrastructure, such as renewable energy-powered cooling systems, is another key element of NBSAPs. These technologies help reduce food waste and the carbon footprint of food production and distribution.
Support for Sustainable Business Practices:
NBSAPs provide institutional support for businesses implementing sustainable practices. This includes backing service providers and encouraging innovation in waste reduction and resource efficiency.
Dietary Guidelines and Health Promotion:
Incorporating sustainability into national dietary guidelines promotes healthier, more sustainable eating habits. This approach is further supported by policies that make nutritious foods more affordable, such as removing VAT from healthy products.
Current Status and Call to Action
Despite the critical importance of NBSAPs, progress has been uneven. To date, only 47 NBSAPs of varying quality have been submitted, leaving a significant number still pending. This gap highlights the urgent need for intensified efforts to develop and implement these strategies effectively.
The journey towards achieving Target 16 is far from over. The development and implementation of NBSAPs must be expedited to meet the ambitious targets set for 2030. Scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders must collaborate more effectively to strengthen these strategies, ensuring they are robust, inclusive, and effectively address the complexities of sustainable consumption.
As we move forward, let us commit to amplifying our efforts, drawing on scientific insights from projects like BIOTRAILS, WWFs Food Forward NBSAPS, and our sister projects, to create a world where biodiversity thrives alongside sustainable human consumption.
The time to act is now, and the role of NBSAPs in guiding this transformation has never been more critical.