UN Secretary-General Urges ‘Peace with Nature’ at COP16 Amidst Rising Environmental Crisis
At COP16, UN Secretary-General Guterres calls for urgent global action to halt biodiversity loss and forge “peace with nature,” emphasizing the pivotal role of Indigenous communities.
Global Environmental Emergency Declared
At the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stark warning: humanity is facing an existential crisis that demands immediate action. Speaking at the event’s opening in Cali, Colombia, he underscored, “Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century.” Guterres lamented that despite nature being the essence of life, “we are waging a war against it – a war in which there can be no winner.”
Grim Statistics and Call for Urgency
Guterres highlighted the harrowing consequences of inaction. “Every year, we see temperatures climbing higher. Every day, we lose more species. Every minute, we dump a garbage truck of plastic waste into our oceans, rivers, and lakes,” he stated. This, he emphasized, epitomizes the gravity of an existential crisis. The conference, branded as “la COP de la gente” (a COP of the people), is set to run until November 1, focusing on biodiversity preservation, environmental justice, and the critical role of Indigenous and local communities in shaping a sustainable future.
Implementing the Kunming-Montreal Framework
The conference marks the first gathering since the historic adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in December 2022. Guterres stressed the urgency of turning commitments into action, noting that 75% of the Earth’s land and 66% of its marine environments have already been significantly altered by human activity. He warned that continued inaction pushes humanity ever closer to ecological tipping points that could trigger widespread hunger, displacement, and conflict.
Blueprint for Action
Guterres urged nations to align their national strategies with the framework’s 2030 targets, backed by transparent monitoring and solid financial commitments, calling for at least $200 billion annually. He laid out a four-point action plan: crafting clear, ambitious national plans; enhancing monitoring and transparency; ensuring financial commitments are met; and rallying private sector support to transition from exploiting natural resources to actively protecting and restoring them. “Those profiting from nature cannot treat it like a free, infinite resource,” Guterres insisted.
Honoring Indigenous Guardians
The Secretary-General underscored the irreplaceable role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as the “guardians of our nature.” He called for the establishment of a permanent body within the Convention on Biological Diversity to amplify Indigenous voices in policy discussions. “Peace with nature means peace for those who protect it,” he affirmed, stressing the need for safeguards that support these communities and their invaluable contributions to conservation.
Pockets of Progress Amidst Challenges
Despite the dire situation, Guterres spotlighted positive examples, including strides in reducing deforestation across Brazil, Colombia, and Indonesia, as well as efforts in the Congo Basin to expand protected territories. He praised the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law and the groundbreaking Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction as significant achievements. He expressed optimism that upcoming negotiations on a global treaty addressing plastic pollution would mirror these successes.
A Crucial Crossroads for Humanity
Concluding his remarks, Guterres emphasized the profound choice facing humanity: act decisively or bear the consequences of irreversible damage. “The survival of our planet – and our own – is on the line. Let us choose wisely. Let us choose life. Let us make peace with nature,” he urged, leaving attendees with a powerful reminder of the conference’s significance and the urgent need for collective action.
Source: un.org
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