A new “transformational” climate change deal was signed in Montreal on Monday at COP15. The signees agreed to protect one-third of the Earth by 2030, a “30 by 30” target.. COP15 Biodiversity Summit sign .The agreement is called the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The deal is the result of a marathon negotiation, brokered by Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, who spearheaded the talks after they almost fell apart..The deal is non-binding, meaning it lacks a mechanism to hold governments accountable if they do not meet the targets..A central role in the deal is the inclusion of indigenous leadership, with the word “indigenous” appearing 20 times in the agreement..“On the ‘30 by 30’ target, that is really I think one of the most historic components of this framework," said Brian O’Donnell, director of Campaign for Nature, a coalition of groups that pushed for a deal.."There has never been a conservation goal globally at that scale." .O'Donnell said this deal "puts us within a chance of safeguarding biodiversity from collapse." He said the world has never seen a historic commitment to indigenous leadership and rights in an environmental conservation agreement. .COP15, a UN nature summit, began in early December with 196 countries taking part at the Montreal Convention Centre. The purpose of COP15 was to create goals and plans, and use resources to reverse the loss of the Earth’s biodiversity..A million species are on the verge of extinction and humans depend on healthy ecosystems to provide food, water, and air.. COP15 Opening .COP15 originally was planned to be in Kunming, China, but COVID-19 postponed the summit and was moved to Montreal because of China’s COVID zero policy..The last biodiversity agreement was signed 12 years ago in Japan and considered a failure due to zero of 20 targets being attained..The mission of the new agreement is to “halt and reverse” global biodiversity loss by 2030. However, the agreement has been criticized for lacking a “clear baseline to measure restoration progress.”.The “30 by 30” means protecting 30% of the planet and restoring 30% of already degraded areas..Canada is part of the “high ambition coalition” that pushed the “30 by 30” target..When the talks broke down over who would finance the “30 by 30” target, Yasmine Fouad of Egypt and Guilbeault were called on to “co-facilitate” the conflict. .“We’ve done everything in our power to find collaboration, compromise, and consensus,” said Guilbeault. .The agreement will require about $200 billion per year for the next eight years, including $30 billion a year by 2030 to developing countries, with some countries asking for more annual spending..“We must now see immediate implementation of this agreement, no excuses, no delays,” said World Wildlife Fund International Director General Marco Lambertini..“Governments have chosen the right side of history in Montreal, but history will judge all of us if we don’t deliver on the promise made today.”
