At the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity last week, negotiators from 164 countries began discussions about the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Later in 2022, the convention’s biannual meeting will take place in Kunming, China. Over 190 countries are anticipated to sign onto the framework at the meeting (Reuters).

The goal of the convention is to prevent the loss of biodiversity. This is critical to avoid “the extinction of many vulnerable species, the emergence of pathogens such as the coronavirus, and the damage to both lives and livelihoods of people around the world, Indigenous peoples in particular” (CBC). In an effort to protect biodiversity, one of the primary focuses of the convention is “30 by 30,” a call for countries to conserve 30% of their territories by the year 2030. In addition, there are calls for $700 billion to be put toward protecting and improving biodiversity, $500 billion of which could come from subsidy adjustments that would produce outcomes with positive biodiversity impacts. The draft framework also discusses reducing plastics pollution.

Other stakeholders are calling for additional measures. Indigenous leaders are in Geneva to advocate for the inclusion of their rights in the framework. International conservation organizations are calling for wealthy countries to provide $60 billion annually to address biodiversity threats from international trade, which primarily benefits developed countries (Mongabay). Discussions in Geneva will continue through March 29.