A team of UN scientific advisors has called on countries to step up their efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity in order to ensure global targets are met by the agreed 2020 deadline.
Last week the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) issued a set of recommendations for governments working to meet the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, a set of 20 targets designed to ensure biodiversity considerations are properly weighed by governments, businesses, and civil society.
The SBSTA said countries should embark on "concerted efforts" to implement national biodiversity strategies to improve land and marine environments.
"We have less than 1,340 days to implement the Strategic Plan and to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets," said SBSTTA chair Andrew Bignell. "This should not dishearten our efforts but rather increase our momentum... The time for action is now - by governments, by businesses, by individuals in ensuring an environmentally sustainable future for our planet and for present and future generations."
The recommendations are based on the findings of an SBSTTA meeting at the end of last month in Canada, and will be considered by UN countries at a meeting in Mexico in December.
In particular, marine debris and pesticide pollution were highlighted as key issues for national governments. Governments are being urged to promote "structural economic changes" to reduce the use of plastics in favour of more environmentally friendly materials.
Meanwhile, business involved in the development, manufacturing and sale of pesticides came under pressure from the SBSTTA to be "fully transparent" in the release of toxicity studies, while academic and research bodies were encouraged to investigate any gaps in research.
The SBSTTA also recommended countries focus on improving systems for collaboration and support at regional levels, stressing that more could be done to improve the sharing of technical guidance, best practices, and monitoring efforts. (business Green)