Pledging for Nature: Bridging the European Union's and global agendas
Channel: SparkBlue
Date: 2023-09-15

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework paves the way towards achieving the vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. This is a critical milestone for accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), given the dependency of our lives, societies and economies on nature. Strong partnerships and alliances are vital to achieve the targets set by the Global Biodiversity Framework. 

The UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Commission conducted a conversation on synergies between the European Green Deal and the work of key multilateral organizations such as UNDP and UNEP to come together and bring about large-scale change and systemic shifts in the coming years.

Speakers:
Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Director for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism at the European Commission’s DG for Environment
Ms. Carla Montesi, Director for Green Deal, Digital Agenda at the European Commission’s DG for International Partnerships (online)
Mr. Janez Potočnik, Former European Commissioner for Research and Environment and Member of the Club of Rome
Ms. Mutumboi Mundia, Director - Market Supervision and Development Securities and Exchange Commission, Zambia (online)
Mr. Thierry Lucas, UNEP's Coordinator for Biodiversity in Europe
Ms. Midori Paxton, Director, Nature Hub, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP

Moderation by Ms. Francine Pickup, Deputy Director, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP.
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Here are some key takeaways from this important and lively dialogue:

1. The notion of trade-offs between investing in growth versus investing in nature is old thinking and a deliberate excuse to perpetuate the status quo of nature-blind growth.

2. There are green shoots of change, seen in bold leadership by countries like Zambia to promote green growth and by businesses and banks pushing for sustainability.

3. Market signals that value natural capital rather than it being free to exploit incentivizes investment in nature. Bold policies/regulations are critical.

4. The EU Green Deal shows that environment and economic progress have to be mutually supportive.

5. Nature needs to become an asset class, just like financial, human and man-made capitals. Natural capital must be included in the economic calculus.

6. Investing in nature is investing in people. In many developing countries, people already know just how much their fate is intertwined with that of their environment.

7. UNDP #NaturePledge leverages the full weight of our entire development portfolio to support 140+ countries to fast-track action for the Global Biodiversity Framework.
 
📣 Check out our new Nature Hub website to find out more: https://www.undp.org/nature